You’re tired of the crafted bow. Honestly, everyone is. It’s slow, the range is garbage, and the stick-and-cloth aesthetic really kills the vibe when you’re trying to survive a mutant onslaught in the middle of a Peninsula night. If you want to actually stand a chance against a Cowman or a group of hungry cannibals without wasting thirty arrows, you need the real deal. You need the modern bow.
Finding the forest modern bow is basically a rite of passage in Endnight’s The Forest. It’s not just a stat upgrade; it’s a total shift in how you play the game. But here is the thing: a lot of people head into the caves totally unprepared because they saw a thirty-second clip and thought it’d be a breeze. It isn’t. This isn't just a "walk in and grab it" situation. It is tucked away in one of the most annoying, vertical, and enemy-dense locations on the entire map.
Where the Modern Bow Actually Hides
It’s in Cave 7. Also known as the Chasm Cave. Or the "I hate this place" cave, depending on who you ask.
To even think about getting the forest modern bow, you need the rebreather. Do not skip this. I’ve seen people try to glitch their way through or hold their breath, and it usually ends with a drowned survivor and a lost save file. You also want the climbing axe. While you can technically navigate some of Cave 7 without it if you’re a parkour god, having the axe makes the verticality of this specific cavern way less of a nightmare.
Most players make the mistake of entering the wrong hole. There are multiple entrances to the cave system that eventually link up to the Sinkhole, but the most direct route to the bow is through the North-ish entrance, tucked behind some rocks near the land bridge. It’s not far from the snowy mountains, so bring a rabbit fur boots or a torch because it gets chilly.
The Long Walk Down
The descent into the Chasm Cave is a slog. You’ll be sliding down ropes, shimmying across narrow ledges, and probably swearing at the screen. What makes the search for the forest modern bow so stressful isn’t just the navigation; it’s the density of the creepy mutants. You are almost guaranteed to run into Virginia and Armsies here.
Pro tip: don't fight everything. Sometimes, you've just got to run.
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Once you reach the bottom of the initial shafts, you’re looking for a massive cavern area that opens up near the Sinkhole. The bow isn't just sitting on a pedestal like a legendary Zelda item. It’s hidden behind a series of submerged passages. This is where that rebreather pays for itself. You’ll dive into a pool of water, swim through a narrow tunnel, and surface in a room that looks like a tactical gear hoarding spot.
Why This Bow Changes Everything
So, why go through all that hell? Is it really that much better?
Yes.
The forest modern bow has a significantly higher draw weight than the wooden version you made from a branch and some old socks. This means your arrows fly flatter and faster. If you’re trying to headshot a cannibal from thirty yards away, the drop-off on the crafted bow is a guessing game. With the modern bow, it’s a laser.
- Damage: It hits significantly harder. We are talking about the difference between needing four arrows to down a standard cannibal versus two (or one well-placed headshot).
- Optics: It’s easier to aim. The riser doesn't block your entire field of view.
- Ammo Versatility: While it uses the same arrows, the velocity boost makes fire arrows and poison arrows much more effective at range.
But there is a trade-off. There is always a trade-off. The draw time is slower. You can’t "machine-gun" arrows like you can with the crafted bow. It requires a more deliberate, sniper-like approach. If you get cornered by five starving cannibals, the modern bow might actually feel a bit clunky compared to the rapid-fire nature of the primitive one.
Misconceptions About the Sinkhole
A huge portion of the community thinks you have to jump into the Sinkhole to get the bow. Please, for the love of all that is holy, do not just jump into the giant hole in the middle of the map. You will die. Even if you hit the water, you’re stuck at the bottom with a bunch of mutants and no easy way out unless you’ve already cleared the caves.
The "Modern Bow Cave" is technically part of the Sinkhole's ecosystem, but you access the specific room containing the bow by traversing Cave 7 from the outside in. The room itself is filled with boxes of modern arrows, flares, and some snacks. It feels like a little oasis of loot in the middle of a literal hellscape.
Survival Gear Check
Before you go down there, you need to be kitted out. This isn't a "day three" activity.
- The Rebreather: Found in Cave 5 (Submerged Cave). Mandatory.
- The Climbing Axe: Found in Cave 9 (Ledge Cave). Highly recommended.
- Katana or Upgraded Spear: For the close-quarters fights you can't avoid.
- Explosives: You’ll likely encounter a "Wall of Babies" or an Armsy blocking a narrow corridor. Dynamite is your best friend here.
- Medicine and Dried Meat: Cave 7 is long. Your hunger and sanity will take a hit.
Honestly, the hardest part isn't even finding the bow; it's getting back out. Many players get turned around in the dark. Always look for the yellow ropes. In The Forest, yellow usually means "this leads to the surface."
The Skill Ceiling
The forest modern bow rewards players who practice their aim. Because the projectile speed is higher, your muscle memory from the crafted bow will actually work against you at first. You’ll find yourself overcompensating for gravity and shooting right over their heads.
Spend twenty minutes at your base shooting at a target or a tree. Get a feel for the "sweet spot" on the screen where the arrow actually releases. Since there isn't a crosshair, you have to use the physical frame of the bow as your reference point. Once you nail it, you become the apex predator of the island.
Actionable Steps for Your Rescue Mission
If you are currently sitting in your log cabin staring at the mountain, here is exactly how to handle your next session:
- Secure the Rebreather first. Head to the coastal entrance of Cave 5 and grab it. If you don't have this, the rest of the plan is moot.
- Stockpile 10+ cloth and 5+ booze. You’re going to want fire arrows for the mutants in Cave 7.
- Locate the North entrance to Cave 7. It’s near the river that separates the forest from the mountain biome. Look for a pile of rocks and a rope leading down.
- Follow the left wall. Generally, staying to one side helps you navigate the larger chambers without getting lost in the middle.
- Keep your eyes on the floor. The modern bow is in a crate in a flooded room. Don't run past it in your rush to escape the mutants.
Once you have it, don't forget to grab the modern arrows nearby. They deal even more damage than the ones you craft yourself, and they are finite, so save them for the big guys. The modern bow is the turning point where the game stops being a horror-survival sim and starts being a "you are trapped in here with me" sim. Use it wisely.