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DayZ Improvised Bolt crossbow ammunition item image
AmmoArchery Ammunition

Improvised Bolt

The Improvised Bolt is crafted crossbow ammunition in DayZ. It is made by combining a Short Stick with a knife, stacks up to 5 bolts, weighs 35 g, takes 4 inventory slots, is used in the Crossbow, and can be upgraded with Chicken Feathers into an Improvised Bolt (feathered).

Quick item summary

CategoryAmmunition
Ammo typeImprovised Bolt
Used inCrossbow
Size4x1
Weight35 g

Quick answer

The Improvised Bolt is a crafted ammunition type in DayZ for the Crossbow. It is made by combining a Short Stick with any knife, creating a basic arrow-like projectile that can be used for quiet crossbow shots. It is not as refined as a manufactured Bolt, but it is useful when you need craftable crossbow ammo in the field. It can also be combined with Chicken Feathers to make an Improvised Bolt (feathered).

In-game description

“An arrow-like projectile used by crossbows. Made out of necessity and a bit of goodwill. It won't exactly kill a bear, but it will do its job.”

Main Uses

  • Load into the Crossbow
  • Use as craftable crossbow ammunition when manufactured Bolts are unavailable
  • Use for quiet hunting, stealth attacks, or infected clearing
  • Use at shorter ranges where its lower velocity and accuracy are less punishing
  • Combine with Chicken Feathers to make Improvised Bolt (feathered)

How to use this item

Craft an Improvised Bolt

Create basic crossbow ammunition by combining a Short Stick with any knife.

  1. Find or gather a Short Stick.
  2. Find any knife or sharp cutting tool.
  3. Combine the Short Stick with the knife.
  4. Craft the Improvised Bolt.
  5. Load the Improvised Bolt into a Crossbow.

Upgrade to an Improvised Bolt (feathered)

Combine an Improvised Bolt with Chicken Feathers to make the feathered variant.

  1. Craft or find an Improvised Bolt.
  2. Find Chicken Feathers.
  3. Combine the Improvised Bolt with the Chicken Feathers.
  4. Craft the Improvised Bolt (feathered).

How to get Improvised Bolt

  • Craft by combining a Short Stick with any knife.
  • Gather Short Sticks from bushes or split longer sticks when needed.
  • Use a knife, stone knife, bone knife, or another compatible blade to craft it.
  • Loot players carrying a Crossbow or spare improvised bolts.

Spawn info

Must be craftedCrafted
  • • The Improvised Bolt is used by the Crossbow.
  • • It is crafted from a Short Stick and any knife.
  • • It stacks up to 5 bolts.
  • • It weighs 35 g.
  • • It takes 4 inventory slots.
  • • It is not supersonic.
  • • It can be upgraded with Chicken Feathers into an Improvised Bolt (feathered).
  • • The crude bolt can be shot 5 times before becoming ruined.

Crafting and item conversions

How to craft Improvised Bolt

Craft Improvised Bolt

Result: Improvised Bolt

1× Short Stick1× Knife

Combine a Short Stick with any knife to craft an Improvised Bolt for the Crossbow.

Used in recipes

Craft Improvised Bolt (feathered)

Result: Improvised Bolt (feathered)

1× Improvised Bolt1× Chicken Feathers

Combine an Improvised Bolt with Chicken Feathers to craft the feathered variant.

Improvised Feathered Bolt

Result: Improvised Feathered Bolt

Improvised BoltFeathers

Craft Improvised Feathered Bolt using Improvised Bolt and Feathers.

View crafting guide

Important notes

  • The Improvised Bolt is crossbow ammunition.
  • It is crafted by combining a Short Stick with any knife.
  • It can be upgraded with Chicken Feathers into an Improvised Bolt (feathered).
  • It is not supersonic.
  • It stacks up to 5 bolts.
  • It takes 4 inventory slots and weighs 35 g.
  • It deals 125 health damage, 100 blood damage, and 85 shock damage.
  • It is best used at shorter ranges.
  • The crude Improvised Bolt can be shot 5 times before becoming ruined.
  • The item’s earlier models were originally released as arrow types before returning later as crossbow bolts.