Bolts

Bolts are the ammunition used by crossbows. Most types of bolts are made using a combination of the Smithing and Fletching skills; the metal component is made with Smithing, and feathers are added with Fletching. Certain special bolts can only be obtained through other methods, such as monster drops or specialist shops.

Different types of bolts can be stored in a bolt pouch to conserve space. Like other Ranged ammunition, bolts can occasionally be left on the ground after firing, able to be picked up by the player.

Normal metal bolts
All of the following bolts can be made through the Smithing and Fletching skills, excluding dragon; the unfinished bolts are obtained as a monster drop, and can be finished using feathers. All metal bolts can be poisoned.

Gem-tipped and enchanted bolts
Metal bolts can be enhanced by adding gem bolt tips, which increases their Ranged Strength bonus. They can be further improved through enchantment, which adds an effect that will occasionally trigger in combat. With the completion of the hard Kandarin Diary, bolts have a 10% increased base chance of activation.

Gem-tipped and enchanted dragon bolts
Dragon bolts are the only type of bolt that can accept all available gem bolt tips, excluding amethyst. All variants of enchanted dragon bolts have the same Ranged Strength of +122, but are otherwise identical in function to their inferior enchanted variants.

Other player-made bolts
Silver bolts are much like other silver items, in that they are crafted using an appropriate mould and a furnace. Silver bolts are the only ranged weapons that can be used effectively against vampyres.

Kebbit bolts and long kebbit bolts are fletched from kebbit spikes and long kebbit spikes, respectively. They can only be used with the Hunters' crossbow.

Broad-tipped bolts
Unfinished broad bolts can be obtained through Slayer masters, either via Slayer reward points or with coins. In order to make them usable, the player must have bought the ability to fletch them in the Slayer rewards shop, after which they can add feathers. They are primarily used in the Slayer skill in order to harm creatures such as Turoth and Kurasks, which are resistant to all but a select few weapons that have a certain Slayer requirement. Outside of Slayer, broad bolts are often used as a cheaper alternative to adamant bolts, having the same Ranged Strength.

Shop-bought
Barbed bolts are made from bronze bolts by attaching barb bolttips, which can be purchased in the Ranging Guild using archery tickets.

Bone bolts can be bought from Nardok's Bone Weapons shop, and are only usable with the Dorgeshuun crossbow.

Through drops
Bolt racks are obtained from the Barrows minigame, usable only with Karil's crossbow.

Mithril grapple
The Mithril grapple is used in conjunction with a crossbow to grapple Agility shortcuts and obstacles. They can break when used.