How Many Arrows to Get Drake Sword: A Complete Guide with Tips, Tricks, and Numbers

If you've ever wondered "How Many Arrows to Get Drake Sword" while standing on the Undead Burg bridge, you're not alone. That question sits at the center of one of the most satisfying early-game rewards in Dark Souls: a raw, powerful weapon earned through skill and patience rather than a merchant's coin.

In this guide, I'll walk you through realistic arrow counts, the gear that changes the math, step-by-step tactics to secure the sword, and common mistakes players make. By the end, you'll know how to plan your runs, save resources, and increase your odds of getting the Drake Sword cleanly and quickly.

Exactly how many arrows do you need?

Many players turn this into a fine debate, so let's be practical. The answer depends on the bow, the arrow type, and whether you land headshots on the drake, but you need a ballpark number to plan around. On average, expect to use about 20–30 regular stone arrows to sever the Hellkite Drake's tail and claim the Drake Sword, with a common benchmark around 25 arrows for an unupgraded bow. Keep in mind that upgraded bows or heavier arrows can drop that number by half or more.

Why the arrow count varies so much

First, different setups produce different damage per hit. A basic composite or short bow firing stone arrows will chew through more arrows than a reinforced bow firing heavy arrows. Because of this, you should expect variance rather than a fixed number.

Bow type (short, composite, greatbow)
Arrow type (stone, standard, heavy)
Upgrades and stats (bow upgrade level, strength/dex modifiers)

Second, player positioning affects how many shots you can land before the drake flys away or retaliates. If you shoot from the roof safely, you can land more consecutive hits, which reduces total arrows needed.

Third, player skill and timing matters. Experienced players hit more effective hits per volley and make fewer wasted shots. For context, community reports suggest a common range from 18 to 40 arrows depending on these factors, so plan conservatively.

Best bows and arrows to minimize arrow usage

To reduce the number of arrows required, choose a bow and arrow combination that maximizes damage per shot. Upgrading a bow by a few levels often saves you more arrows than using fancy arrow types without upgrades.

Setup	Typical arrows needed	Notes
Unupgraded short bow + stone arrows	25–35	Common for first-time players
Upgraded composite bow + heavy arrows	10–18	Efficient if you can afford upgrades
Greatbow + large arrows	8–15	High single-shot damage, slower fire rate

Also, consider arrow economy. Heavy arrows deal more damage but cost more souls per stack if you restock early. If you want to save souls, stone or normal arrows may be better, even if they force you to shoot more.

Finally, remember that bow upgrades scale with your stats. A modest investment in dexterity or bow reinforcement can reduce arrow consumption significantly, which matters if you repeat attempts often.

Step-by-step method to get the Drake Sword with as few arrows as possible

To be efficient, follow a clear sequence of actions. Preparation and positioning eliminate wasted shots and reduce the total number you need.

Equip your best bow and the strongest arrows you can spare.
Climb to the rooftop near the Undead Burg bridge for the safe angle.
Wait for the Drake to perch and open its tail to fire precise shots.

Next, use controlled volleys rather than holding down the fire button. This prevents wasted arrows due to animation lock or missing the tail swing. A calm rhythm helps land more damage per arrow.

Aim for the tail base while accounting for fire breath and windup.
Fire 3–5 arrows, then pause to let the drake reset and reposition.
Repeat until the tail drops—this can take around 4–8 volleys with a mid-tier setup.

Lastly, after the tail is severed, approach carefully. The Drake Sword will appear where the drake falls or near the area where the tail was severed. Move quickly if other enemies appear, and always be prepared to retreat if the drake wakes up.

What to do if you run out of arrows mid-fight

Running out of arrows happens. Fortunately, you have several fallback options that let you continue the attempt without starting over.

Fallback	How it helps
Switch to throwable items	Firebombs or throwing knives can chip health, though less efficient
Use a second bow	Keep firing while you swap and manage durability

Alternatively, you can retreat to buy arrows from merchants or craft more if you have resources. Note that traveling back and forth costs time, but preserves your arrow stacks for the decisive moment.

If none of those options is possible, consider using melee: bait the drake into a single stretch and try to chop the tail with a long reach weapon. This is riskier, but players have succeeded this way when arrows failed.

How upgrades and player stats change the arrow math

Your bow's reinforcement level dramatically affects damage per shot. Upgrading a bow to +5 or +10 in the early game often cuts arrow usage by a noticeable margin, giving you more value for the same arrow stack.

Low-level bow (unupgraded): higher arrow consumption
Mid-level bow (+5): roughly 30–50% fewer arrows needed
High-level bow (+10): can reduce arrows by up to 70% compared to base

Also, put points into the relevant stat (usually Dex for bows) if you plan to rely on ranged damage. Even 10–12 points can increase damage enough to shave off several arrows per attempt, which adds up if you repeat the strategy.

Player Stat	Effect on arrows
+10 Dex	Better damage scaling, fewer arrows
Bow upgrade +5	Significant arrow reduction

In short, investing in a bow upgrade and a few stat points gives a high return in arrow savings and reduces repeat attempts.

Common mistakes players make and quick tips to avoid them

Many failures come from predictable missteps. Avoid these and you'll keep your arrow count low and your runs fast.

Firing blindly without aiming at the tail
Standing in the open and getting roasted by fire breath
Using low-damage arrows with the wrong bow

Another mistake is hoarding arrows without upgrading your bow. Upgrading often produces larger gains than simply switching arrow types. Additionally, impatient players spam arrows and miss the tail, wasting both shots and time.

Mistake	Quick tip
Spamming arrows	Fire controlled bursts
Poor positioning	Use rooftop for safety

Finally, practice the rhythm. With a little repetition, you can reduce arrows by 20% simply by learning the drake's movement windows and firing only when the tail is exposed.

Final strategies for repeated runs and resource management

If you're planning multiple attempts, manage your resources with care. Instead of buying or carrying thousands of arrows, optimize each run to use under 30 arrows by combining tactics we covered.

For example, players who upgrade to a +5 bow and bring one stack of heavy arrows often get the sword in one attempt. Statistically speaking, cutting the average arrow use from 25 to 12 halves your resupply needs and saves both time and souls.

Upgrade bow first if possible
Bring a focused stack of heavy arrows for damage
Use rooftop and controlled firing to minimize waste

Moreover, learn when to quit a bad attempt. If the drake knocks you from the roof or you lose positioning, it's often faster to reset and try again than to limp through with poor odds. With practice, you will reach the point where getting the Drake Sword becomes predictable and repeatable.

To recap the essentials: plan your gear, upgrade sensibly, practice the firing rhythm, and expect roughly 20–30 arrows with a basic setup or as few as 8–15 with stronger gear. Now go try the strategy and see how many arrows you personally need—then refine your approach for even faster results.

If you found this guide useful, try implementing one change at a time: upgrade your bow, practice from the rooftop, then adjust arrow type. Share your results with friends or on community forums to help others optimize their runs too.