Skeletons can shoot without a bow
When the replaceitem command is used to give a skeleton an item other than a bow, they are still able to shoot arrows and won't attack the player with the item like in the PC version.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Summon a skeleton
2. Use the /replaceitem command to get rid of the skeleton's bow
3. Go into survival or adventure mode and allow the skeleton to attack you.
Notice that instead of using the new item to do melee damage, the skeleton
will attempt to shoot the player despite not having a bow.
Linked Issues
Created Issue:
Skeletons can shoot without a bow
When the replaceitem command is used to give a skeleton an item other than a bow, they are still able to shoot arrows and won't attack the player with the item like in the PC version.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Summon a skeleton
2. Use the /replaceitem command to get rid of the skeleton's bow
3. Go into survival or adventure mode and allow the skeleton to attack you.
Notice that instead of using the new item to do melee damage, the skeleton
will attempt to shoot the player despite not having a bow.
- Unresolved
- Open
- Unconfirmed
- Windows
- Windows 10 (Build 15063.413)
- 1.1.3.52
duplicates
That event just means that they shoot faster when you are close to them...


I can confirm this. Yesterday I was saw a skeleton without bow but still shoot an arrow. I thought it a new feature
Thank you for your report!
However, this issue is a Duplicate of
MCPE-23165.If you have additional information, please add it to that report.
Please search before reporting, as it's likely that one exists already.
Quick Links:
📓 Issue Guidelines – 💬 Community Support – 📧 Customer Support – 📖 Game Wiki