To use a crossbow in The Witcher 3, equip one through the Inventory, select it from the Quick Access Menu with L1/LB, then press R1/RB to fire. Tapping the button uses quickfire and automatically targets an enemy, while holding it lets you aim manually before releasing the shot.
Geralt receives access to his first crossbow during The Beast of White Orchard, but the game requires you to equip and select it before it can actually be fired. Crossbows are particularly important underwater, where they’re Geralt’s primary way of defending himself against hostile creatures.
How to Equip the Crossbow
Getting a crossbow into Geralt’s Inventory isn’t enough to start firing it. It first needs to be placed in the appropriate equipment slot.
Open the Inventory and navigate to the Weapons section.
Find your crossbow and select it to equip it to Geralt.
Next, return to gameplay and hold:
L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox
This opens the Quick Access Menu.
Use the Right Stick to highlight the crossbow at the bottom of the menu. Once selected, release L1/LB.
The crossbow is now ready to use.
How to Fire the Crossbow
There are two ways to shoot a crossbow: quickfire and manual aiming.
For quickfire, press:
R1 on PlayStation or RB on Xbox
Geralt will rapidly fire at an available target without requiring you to aim manually.
Quickfire is generally the easiest option when you’re fighting fast-moving enemies, especially flying monsters. Geralt also handles the reload automatically, allowing you to concentrate on positioning and avoiding attacks.
For more control, hold R1/RB instead.
This enters manual aiming mode, letting you line up the shot yourself. Release the button when you’re ready to fire.
Manual aiming is useful when you need to target something specific, but quickfire is often more practical during regular combat.
How to Use the Crossbow Underwater
The crossbow becomes considerably more valuable when Geralt is underwater.
While swimming, Geralt can’t draw his swords to fight enemies normally. This can become a problem when exploring waters populated by creatures such as Drowners.
Fortunately, the crossbow still works.
With it selected, press R1/RB while underwater to quickfire at a nearby hostile creature.
You don’t need to manually line up every shot. Quickfire allows Geralt to rapidly target underwater enemies, making it the easiest way to defend yourself while diving for treasure or exploring submerged locations.
The crossbow is also useful while traveling by boat, particularly when dealing with Sirens and other flying enemies that can interfere with sailing.
How to Get Your First Crossbow
You won’t have access to a crossbow immediately after beginning The Witcher 3.
Geralt receives his first one while progressing through The Beast of White Orchard, one of the opening area’s major quests.
After obtaining it, make sure you actually equip it through the Inventory and then select it from the Quick Access Menu. Simply receiving the weapon doesn’t automatically mean it’s selected for immediate use.
You’ll eventually find additional crossbows and bolts as you continue exploring the game.
What Is the Best Crossbow in The Witcher 3?
Geralt of Rivia’s Crossbow is one of the strongest options available and is obtained during the Blood and Wine expansion.
Its defining bonus is:
+300% Attack Power
That substantial damage increase makes it considerably more effective for situations where the crossbow itself needs to deal meaningful damage.
It’s particularly useful against underwater Drowners and Sirens, as well as flying monsters that haven’t landed within range of Geralt’s swords.
How to Get Geralt of Rivia’s Crossbow
Geralt of Rivia’s Crossbow is connected to The Warble of a Smitten Knight, a Blood and Wine Side Quest available relatively early in the Toussaint storyline.
During the quest, Geralt participates in a tournament featuring several challenges.
The first challenge is a shooting competition.
Win the shooting match to receive Geralt of Rivia’s Crossbow.
Because this weapon comes from Blood and Wine, you won’t be able to obtain it during the early portions of the base game’s campaign. Until you reach Toussaint and complete the required tournament challenge, use whichever stronger crossbow becomes available through normal progression.
Once you obtain Geralt of Rivia’s Crossbow, its +300% Attack Power makes it especially useful for the situations where crossbows matter most: underwater combat and bringing troublesome flying enemies under control.
