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Note: This is my second answer on this question. It uses much of the same information as my first answer but comes to a different conclusion. I wanted to make sure that votes for my other answer did not erroneously count against this answer. Both answers feel accurate to me, based on slightly different points of view.

##It's not called out, but there's precedent: go for it##

###Relevant Excerpts###

Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 30

Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 47

###Analysis### The Adventuring Gear table on page 48 lists 5 possibilities for an Arcane Focus (which mirrors the list on page 47): Crystal, Orb, Rod, Staff, Wand. None of these are bows. None of these even appear to be weapons: initially, I'd rule, "No, it's not possible per RAW."

However, while researching Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?, I asked Mike Mearls: "Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as a quarterstaff?" And received the following response: "yes"

This means that there is precedent for allowing an Arcane Focus as a weapon. Notice, however, that the Arcane Focus Staff is 25 times more expensive than a plain Quarterstaff: make sure your Arcane Focus Bow is significantly more expensive than a regular bow.

Note: This is my second answer on this question. It uses much of the same information as my first answer but comes to a different conclusion. I wanted to make sure that votes for my other answer did not erroneously count against this answer. Both answers feel accurate to me, based on slightly different points of view.

It's not called out, but there's precedent: go for it

Relevant Excerpts

Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 30

Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 47

Analysis

The Adventuring Gear table on page 48 lists 5 possibilities for an Arcane Focus (which mirrors the list on page 47): Crystal, Orb, Rod, Staff, Wand. None of these are bows. None of these even appear to be weapons: initially, I'd rule, "No, it's not possible per RAW."

However, while researching Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?, I asked Mike Mearls: "Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as a quarterstaff?" And received the following response: "yes"

This means that there is precedent for allowing an Arcane Focus as a weapon. Notice, however, that the Arcane Focus Staff is 25 times more expensive than a plain Quarterstaff: make sure your Arcane Focus Bow is significantly more expensive than a regular bow.

Note: This is my second answer on this question. It uses much of the same information as my first answer but comes to a different conclusion. I wanted to make sure that votes for my other answer did not erroneously count against this answer. Both answers feel accurate to me, based on slightly different points of view.

##It's not called out, but there's precedent: go for it##

###Relevant Excerpts###

Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 30

Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 47

###Analysis### The Adventuring Gear table on page 48 lists 5 possibilities for an Arcane Focus (which mirrors the list on page 47): Crystal, Orb, Rod, Staff, Wand. None of these are bows. None of these even appear to be weapons: initially, I'd rule, "No, it's not possible per RAW."

However, while researching Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?, I asked Mike Mearls: "Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as a quarterstaff?" And received the following response: "yes"

This means that there is precedent for allowing an Arcane Focus as a weapon. Notice, however, that the Arcane Focus Staff is 25 times more expensive than a plain Quarterstaff: make sure your Arcane Focus Bow is significantly more expensive than a regular bow.

Note: This is my second answer on this question. It uses much of the same information as my first answer but comes to a different conclusion. I wanted to make sure that votes for my other answer did not erroneously count against this answer. Both answers feel accurate to me, based on slightly different points of view.

##It's not called out, but there's precedent: go for it##

###Relevant Excerpts###

Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 30

Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 47

###Analysis### The Adventuring Gear table on page 48 lists 5 possibilities for an Arcane Focus (which mirrors the list on page 47): Crystal, Orb, Rod, Staff, Wand. None of these are bows. None of these even appear to be weapons: initially, I'd rule, "No, it's not possible per RAW."

However, while researching Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?, I asked Mike Mearls: "Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as a quarterstaff?" And received the following response: "yes"

This means that there is precedent for allowing an Arcane Focus as a weapon. Notice, however, that the Arcane Focus Staff is 25 times more expensive than a plain Quarterstaff: make sure your Arcane Focus Bow is significantly more expensive than a regular bow.

##It's not called out, but there's precedent: go for it##

###Relevant Excerpts###

Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 30

Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 47

###Analysis### The Adventuring Gear table on page 48 lists 5 possibilities for an Arcane Focus (which mirrors the list on page 47): Crystal, Orb, Rod, Staff, Wand. None of these are bows. None of these even appear to be weapons: initially, I'd rule, "No, it's not possible per RAW."

However, while researching Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?, I asked Mike Mearls: "Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as a quarterstaff?" And received the following response: "yes"

This means that there is precedent for allowing an Arcane Focus as a weapon. Notice, however, that the Arcane Focus Staff is 25 times more expensive than a plain Quarterstaff: make sure your Arcane Focus Bow is significantly more expensive than a regular bow.

Note: This is my second answer on this question. It uses much of the same information as my first answer but comes to a different conclusion. I wanted to make sure that votes for my other answer did not erroneously count against this answer. Both answers feel accurate to me, based on slightly different points of view.

##It's not called out, but there's precedent: go for it##

###Relevant Excerpts###

Spellcasting Focus
You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 30

Arcane Focus. An arcane focus is a special item—an orb, a crystal, a rod, a specially constructed staff, a wand-like length of wood, or some similar item—designed to channel the power of arcane spells. A sorcerer, warlock, or wizard can use such an item as a spellcasting focus, as described in chapter 10.

D&D Basic Rules V0.2, page 47

###Analysis### The Adventuring Gear table on page 48 lists 5 possibilities for an Arcane Focus (which mirrors the list on page 47): Crystal, Orb, Rod, Staff, Wand. None of these are bows. None of these even appear to be weapons: initially, I'd rule, "No, it's not possible per RAW."

However, while researching Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?, I asked Mike Mearls: "Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as a quarterstaff?" And received the following response: "yes"

This means that there is precedent for allowing an Arcane Focus as a weapon. Notice, however, that the Arcane Focus Staff is 25 times more expensive than a plain Quarterstaff: make sure your Arcane Focus Bow is significantly more expensive than a regular bow.