The highest item level bows a level 1–10 character can wear start with Heavy Shortbow (item level 15, uncommon). 8 items fit the slot and band; the top 8 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Heavy ShortbowCHANGED | 15 | 10 | 6.0 | 2.50 | Bow | Drops from Licillin (Darkshore) at 2.4% (+397 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Feeble Shortbow | 13 | 8 | 3.3 | 1.80 | Bow | Found in Hidden Strongbox (Alterac Mountains) at 0.6% (+228 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Hunting BowCHANGED | 11 | 6 | 4.6 | 2.60 | Bow | Found in Battered Chest (Westfall) at 0.4% (+381 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Hornwood Recurve Bow | 8 | 3 | 2.4 | 2.10 | Bow | Sold by Ghrawt (+9 more) (vanilla) |
| 5 | Cracked Shortbow | 8 | 3 | 2.0 | 2.30 | Bow | Found in Hidden Strongbox (Alterac Mountains) at 2.3% (+223 more) (vanilla) |
| 6 | Cadet's Bow | 6 | 2.3 | 2.00 | Bow | Found in Battered Chest (Durotar) at 1.3% (+89 more) (vanilla) | |
| 7 |  Polished Shortbow | 4 | 1.8 | 2.00 | Bow | Sold by Lina Stover (+2 more) (vanilla) | |
| 8 | Worn Shortbow | 2 | 1.5 | 2.30 | Bow | Sold by Lina Stover (+2 more) (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 10 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it.
Other slots: Dagger, One-Handed Sword, One-Handed Axe, One-Handed Mace, Two-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Staff, Gun. Every slot and level.