Skeleton Uses Custom Bow

Allows skeletons to properly use modded bows.

Many modded bows rely on player-specific firing mechanics, which vanilla skeleton AI cannot use correctly.
This mod lets skeletons fire those bows using player-style bow behavior, improving compatibility with many bow mods.

Works with bows from most mods automatically.

Vanilla bows are unaffected.

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Features

• Skeletons can use most modded bows automatically
• Uses player-style bow logic for non-vanilla bows
• Skeletons can upgrade to better bows they pick up
• High-tier bows stay equipped (see priority system)

Note:
Not all skeletons can pick up dropped items due to vanilla mob spawn rules.

https://minecraft.wiki/w/Geared_mobs#Picking_up_gear

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Compatibility

Works automatically with most bows that extend the vanilla class:

BowItem

Some bow-like weapons that do not inherit from BowItem require explicit compatibility patches.

Currently included patches:

• Alex's Caves — Dread Bow
• L_Ender's Cataclysm — Cursed Bow, Wrath of the Desert

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For Modpack Authors

This mod is drop-in and low-risk:

• does not replace skeleton AI
• does not modify projectile systems
• does not change combat balance

It only adjusts how skeletons fire modded bows.

Bow priority (datapack)

Bow preference can be configured with datapacks:
data/<namespace>/skeleton_bow/<item>.json

{
  "priority": 5
}

Bows with priority ≥ 3 will not be replaced by swords. If no priority is specified, the bow defaults to priority 1.

Prevent skeleton usage

Add the item tag:

skeletonusescustombow:skeleton_do_not_use

to prevent skeletons from using a bow.

Related Project

Piglins using custom crossbows: Piglin Hunt Fix