Oliver Queen

"Change happens. Tragedy happens. People make choices, and those choices affect everyone else."

- Oliver Queen to Barry Allen

Oliver Jonas "Ollie" Queen (born May 16, 2351) is a male Human who is Chloe Sullivan's husband as well as the owner and CEO of Queen Industries. Oliver is married to Chloe Sullivan. Oliver is the cousin-in-law of Typhuss James Kira.

Oliver is a former playboy turned vigilante archer. He previously owned and operated the night club Verdant and was CEO of Queen Consolidated. After being presumed lost at sea for 5 years Oliver returned home with a mission to rid Starling City of crime and corruption, becoming the hooded vigilante known as The Hood. Armed with a bow and arrow, The Hood was willing to use lethal force, but after his best friend Tommy Merlyn was killed in the Undertaking, Oliver vowed never to kill again unless absolutely necessary, renaming himself The Arrow. After his maternal half-sister Thea was nearly killed, Oliver pretended to accept Ra's al Ghul's invitation to become his heir in exchange for Ra's al Ghul saving Thea's life. He earned the titles Al Sah-him (السهم, Arabic for Arrow) and Warith al Ghul (وريث الغول, Arabic for Heir to the Demon). He further earned the title Ibn al Ghul (ابن الغول, Arabic for Son of the Demon) when Ra's forced Oliver and Nyssa to be married. Eventually, Oliver defeated Ra's, inheriting the title of Ra's al Ghul (Arabic: رأس الغول‎ Raʾs al-Ġūl; Demon's Head), before passing on the leadership of the League of Assassins to Malcolm Merlyn. He retired from vigilantism soon after and left Starling City to begin a new life with Felicity Smoak, but returned five months later, taking up the new code-name the Green Arrow. He has also been referred to as the "Emerald Archer". During his time in Solntsevskaya Bratva division in Krasnoyarsk he's been nicknamed "Kapot".

Early life
Oliver was born on May 16, 2351 to his parents. Robert and Moira Queen. During his youth, Oliver befriended Tommy Merlyn, who became his lifelong best friend. He also met and became friends with Laurel Lance around that time. When Robert was a pilot he performed his own maintenance, which Oliver sometimes helped with, gaining some skills in engineering as a result.

When Oliver and Tommy entered their early 20s they got into multiple social scandals together, which, according to Tommy, included assaulting a paparazzi bystander, being intoxicated, stealing a shuttle, and urinating on a SCIS officer. At some point the two were also acquainted with McKenna Hall. The two also met Laurel's sister, Sara. At one of Tommy's parties Sara sneaked out to see Oliver, as she had a crush on him, and the three were busted by the SCIS leaving Sara grounded. Oliver later started dating Laurel.

Oliver has also dropped out of four Ivy-League schools, the last one he never told Moira or Robert about until just before the Queen Gambit's trip. Despite Oliver being lazy, he managed to find enough motivation to read The Odyssey, which would help him years later. It is also likely he was a business administration major.

In 2373, Laurel broached the topic of them getting a place of their own, as citing that they had been together even longer than their friends Ray and Jean who were already moving in together. Oliver initially agreed, but later panicked and tried to run away from the responsibility. First, he slept with another woman and accidentally got her pregnant, which he was unprepared for. However Moira stepped in and gave the woman 2 million bars of gold to start a new life in Central City to raise the child, the only catch being that she had to tell Oliver that it was a miscarriage leaving Oliver unaware of his fatherhood. Furthermore, Oliver only continued to destroy his relationship with Laurel by sleeping with her sister Sara and even taking her on the Queen's Gambit on his father's trip.

At some point in his life, Oliver came across stories about Ra's al Ghul that were apparently so horrifying, he went on to believe if even half of those stories were true, anyone and everyone should make every effort to avoid making an enemy of him.

Shipwrecked on Lian Yu and dealing with Edward Fyers
Oliver was on the Queen's Gambit with his father and Sara. A shipwreck occurred, leaving only Oliver, Robert, and one other crew member as the only survivors. As there were not enough provisions to keep all of them alive, Robert chose to give his son a better chance at survival by shooting first the other survivor, then himself, but not before telling Oliver that their wealth had been built on the suffering of others, and it was up to him to make things right and to survive.

Sometime later, Oliver landed ashore upon an island. There, while burying his father, Oliver found a book filled with blank pages in Robert's pocket. Immediately after, a hooded man (later revealed to be named Yao Fei) shot Oliver with an arrow in the shoulder. Oliver awoke sometime later in the man's camp, where he tended to Oliver's wound. Later, when Yao Fei fell asleep, Oliver tried to escape but was snared in a trap. Yao Fei soon arrived, cutting him down and walking off, leaving Oliver with no other choice but to follow him. Not long after, a group of armed men, their faces hidden, examined the sprung trap.

Over the next few days, Oliver spent most of his time gazing at a picture of Laurel until Yao Fei brought him a bird trapped in a cage. He told Oliver that he had to kill the bird if he wanted to eat and survive. Oliver refused at first but, driven by hunger, he later broke the bird's neck. Yao Fei told him that he would be forced to take more lives, and told him to forget about Laurel or he would not survive.

While hunting one day, Oliver tried to shoot Yao Fei's bow, but missed his target, a tree. He went to fetch the rabbit Yao Fei killed, but was captured by the previously armed men. They brought him to their camp, where he was then interrogated by their leader, Edward Fyers. Fyers showed him a picture of Yao Fei, asking if Oliver had seen him, revealing the man's name as well as the island's: Lian Yu (meaning "purgatory" in Chinese). Oliver denied any knowledge of Yao Fei in order to protect him. Not believing him, Fyers ordered an employee of his, Billy Wintergreen, to torture Oliver for more information. Yao Fei barged in, rescuing Oliver and brought him back to the cave. He then left to lead Edward's men away from their hideout, but not before telling Oliver to survive, and sealing the entrance to prevent Oliver from following him.

Injured and alone in the cave, Oliver began hallucinating. He saw visions of his father telling him to survive, otherwise his father's sacrifice would have been for nothing. He also dreamt about burning his father's book. When he awoke, he tore a page out of the book, but just as he was about to throw it onto the fire, the heat from the flames causes letters to appear on the paper. He proceeded to do the same with other pages, and various names began to appear on the pages. He promised the hallucination of his father that he would live up to this responsibility.

Yao Fei returned a while later, bringing with him a captured Fyers. He told Oliver that Fyers had a shuttle that could take them off the island. They made their way through the woods until they were ambushed by Wintergreen and Fyers' men, with Fyers admitting how convenient it appeared to be that Yao Fei captured him so easily. Yao Fei told Oliver to run and began fighting the men. Unfortunately, he was defeated and knocked unconscious by Billy. From a safe distance, Oliver watched them take Yao Fei and then ran away.

One of Fyers' men continued to search for Oliver after Yao Fei was captured. Armed with only a knife Oliver was eventually forced to confront him. The skirmish resulted in them tumbling and falling down in to a stream. The soldier landed hard on a rock while Oliver ended up in the water. He managed to get out and donned the uniform of the dead man, where he found a set of keys and a map of the island in one of the pockets.

Using the map, Oliver found his way to the camp where Fyers and his men were based. There, unfortunately accompanied by Fyers (who didn't seem to recognize him due to wearing a balaclava) he managed to make his way to where Yao Fei was being held prisoner, but once there, Fyers knocked down Oliver and put him in one of the cells. When he came to, Fyers told him he'd known who he was because of his eyes, which tell everything about a person, which was the reason why his men all wore balaclavas. Fyers then rebuked Oliver for putting his trust in the wrong people, specifically Yao Fei. He motioned to the soldier next to him, who had been the first to talk to Oliver upon his arrival in the camp. The soldier took off his balaclava and revealed himself to be in fact Yao Fei, who had began working for Fyers. Yao Fei proceeded to seemingly kill Oliver in a fighting circle, however he secretly used a technique in order to fake Oliver's death.

As he hit the water, Oliver was revived and swam to shore. In his pocket, he found a map with a route marked out. Oliver proceeded to follow the route, leading to an abandoned plane. Before he could do a thing, a man jumped down, threatening to kill him. Oliver told him that he was sent by Yao Fei, and the man seemed to drop his suspicions, introducing himself as Slade Wilson. Slade then told Oliver that there was an air field, and he and Yao Fei had been observing it for months, that they were going to get off the island together. He then threw a sword to Oliver and told him of his belief that Yao Fei sent Oliver to him because he knew that he could not take the air field alone. Slade then challenged Oliver to a brief sword fight in order to gauge Oliver's fighting skills. He was unimpressed, significantly beating Oliver, and told him how he fought much worse than a girl. Slade then knocked him out.

Oliver woke, tied to a chair. Slade, in order to keep his location secret, decided to kill Oliver, however Oliver managed to escape his bonds by breaking his hand, and then punched Slade in the face. Amused, Slade thought that there might have been a fighter inside of Oliver after all and decided to train Oliver instead. As Oliver went to choose a weapon, he found a bi-colored black and orange mask, identical to the one worn by the man who had tortured him under Fyers' orders. When questioned about this, Slade explained that he and his old partner, and former friend, wore the same mask, that they had come to the island to rescue Yao as a mission from the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.

The two progressively fought over an unspecified amount of time. Oliver almost gave up, though was quickly re-motivated by Slade. When the time came, the two of them made their way to Edward's camp, and ultimately the airstrip to a ride home. They set up camp, and Oliver tried to start a fire for several hours, before Slade pulled out a lighter and helped, bemused at Oliver's anger. In return, Slade reminisced about his and his partner, Billy Wintergreen's, arrival on the island.

A day or so later, Oliver accidentally stepped on a land mine left over from a previous war. Slade ran to hide as a group of soldiers approached a masked Oliver. Oliver explained his situation, as Slade had deserted him, and they surveyed the mine. Suddenly, Slade jumped from his hiding spot, slicing through the soldiers with his sword, replacing Oliver with one of them. They continued towards the camp, finally reaching it at dark. Oliver, aided by Slade's sniping, raced stealthily to the communications tower. He attempted to quietly take out the only man in there, only resulting in having a gun pointed at his face. He tried to remove it, but his technique failed. Luckily, Slade reached him just in time, stabbing the man through the gut. They were able to contact the plane, allowing it clearance to land. Slade left Oliver on his own and Oliver, seeing his chance, grabbed a phone and called Laurel, hoping to make up for his wrongdoings. Before he could speak, Slade returned and stopped him, reminding him that it could be monitored. After a short argument, Oliver went to find Yao Fei and rescue him. Yao Fei explained that he was only staying for a person. Fyers and Wintergreen entered the tent, leading Yao Fei to knock out Oliver. When Oliver came to, he was forced into the middle of a circle. After questioning Fyers, he discovered that he meant for Wintergreen to kill him. Before this could happen, Slade caused a distraction so that he could snipe several soldiers and Oliver could run to safety. Oliver watched as Slade and Wintergreen faced off, with Slade overpowering his former friend. As they were leaving, Slade was shot. Oliver helped to protect them as they left, finally knocking out his first soldier with the move Slade had shown him earlier. When they reached Slade's plane, Oliver helped remove the bullet in Slade's arm and mocked that his only friend on the island was named "Wilson".

Later, Oliver checked Slade's wound and found that it was infected. He recalled the herbs that Yao Fei had given him that prevented infection from his arrow wound and offered to go get them. Slade said that he wouldn't last an hour out there, and Oliver believed that he could get them in 45 minutes. He then went to Yao Fei's cave, discovering a man tied up there. The man explains that he was the only survivor of a shipwreck, like Oliver, and had discovered Fyers' soldiers, whom had beaten and taken him to the cave. Oliver, believing it to be a trap, grabbed the herbs and left the man there, returning to Slade with the herbs.

Oliver began working on a broken down radio transmitter to find a way to get off the island with Slade. After working on it for a while, they were able to hear conversations between radios, but unable to communicate back. After listening for a while, the two learned that Fyers had ordered the shipment of a missile launcher big enough to destroy an entire army. Oliver and Slade were able to sneak in to Fyers' compound, where they stole the launcher's ignition chip. They called Fyers on his radio and told him that they would return the chip in exchange for a way off of the island.

Oliver and Slade soon met with Fyers, who quickly backed down from their deal by revealing to them that he would kill Shado, Yao Fei's daughter, if they did not give him the chip. Oliver then realized that it was because of Shado that Yao Fei joined Fyers' cause. Oliver and Slade escaped with Shado in tow, but soon learned that Fyers' men had found the chip whilst they had rendezvoused with Fyers, and had taken it back. Shado then told them how she knew of Fyers' plan.

Shado decided to begin teaching Oliver archery so that he could help them defeat Fyers. She proceeded to get him to fill a bowl with water, and then continuously slap it. After a while, Oliver became frustrated and asked Shado the purpose of the exercise, and she showed him that because he had spent so long slapping the water, he then had the strength in his hands to pull back a bow. She then told him that he had to learn how to shoot. After learning how to shoot, the three were shocked to see Yao Fei arrive at their compound. However, he was promptly forced to reveal that he had brought Fyers' soldiers along with him.

The soldiers brought the three of them to Fyers' compound, where Oliver saw that one of the soldiers was the young man who he met in the cave who had claimed to be trapped there. Fyers revealed that the reason he was on the island was because he and his men were hired to shoot down a Ferris Aircraft on its way to China, thus destroying China's economy. Fyers then threatened to kill Shado if Yao Fei did not film a video taking responsibility for the terrorist attack. After reluctance, Yao Fei agreed, but subtly handed Oliver a knife. After filming the video, Fyers shot Yao Fei in the head, killing him.

Just as Fyers and his men prepared to fire the missile, Oliver cut himself free using Yao Fei's knife, and he, Slade, and Shado, fought Fyers and his men. Fyers, however, was able to get the missile fired at the plane, and Oliver and Shado went to manually redirect the missile while Slade covered them. Just as Shado was about to place the chip inside the switchboard, she was attacked from behind, and Oliver managed to redirect the missile, which hit Fyers' compound instead, with both Slade and Shado still there. Oliver went to search for them, and found Slade alive, but then turned around to see that Fyers was still alive and had Shado in his custody. Oliver found Yao Fei's wooden compound bow and arrow, and pointed it at Fyers, who mused about how his meticulously-executed plan over the past two years was undone by a shipwrecked boy, and admitted that he would've gotten him off of the island if Oliver had stopped messing with Fyers' plans. Before Edward could make a move, Oliver shot an arrow at Fyers, killing him, and marking the first of many occasions to come that Oliver killed someone with a bow and arrow.

Associations with Anthony Ivo and the Mirakuru
Months later, Oliver had noticeably improved in his combat tactics, as noted by both Slade and Shado. The three of them soon discovered another group of people on the island, and went to track them down. However, Shado was soon abducted by the group, forcing Oliver and Slade to try and rescue her. They soon found her being interrogated by a group of pirates, who were asking her where to find "bodies". Slade told Oliver to wait for his signal to attack, but Oliver, unable to watch Shado be tortured, attacked them impulsively. While Slade fended off the other pirates, Oliver brutally murdered their leader out of rage, shocking both Slade and Shado.

Slade promptly suggested Shado talk to Oliver, worried that he would lose his mind. This leads to the latter two making love, to the clear annoyance of Slade, who told Oliver that Shado was simply a distraction that would lead to his death. The three of them soon found skeletal remains of Japanese soldiers from World War II, determining that they were the very same bodies that the pirates were looking for. They also deduced that more people were likely to follow, and so they took one of the bodies back to the plane.

As Shado examined the body, Slade and Oliver went to find a strategic point to watch from, if more pirates were to appear. Slade emphasized his point about Shado, though Oliver ignored him. When finally the two reached the top of a mountain, they discovered that the pirates had come from a large ship just off the coast of Lian Yu. They soon spotted a number of missiles coming from the ship, clearly aimed for their compound. Oliver and Slade raced back to the plane, however as soon as they approached, they were both knocked out by the explosion of missiles. Oliver quickly saw Slade some distance off with his hands and face on fire, then fainted. Oliver woke up sometime later, imprisoned in a cell, surrounded by several other people.

As he awoke, Oliver was approached by the surviving pirate that interrogated Shado. The man asked him who his friends were and whether any of them knew the location of the graves. Refusing to answer, the man gave him two options: he could give him answers, or he could be tortured, though both would ultimately end in death. Oliver obstinately refuses to reveal anything, and the man shot him in the stomach. Oliver was soon given tools and medicinal tools to remove the bullet. Oliver was prompted to ask a nearby prisoner, later revealed as Anatoly Knyazev, as to why the incident occurred. He explained that it was to see if he was strong enough to survive, and showed a scar from the identical injury. Oliver eventually removed the bullet, to immense pain, and the pirate soon came back to find Oliver surviving. "The Captain" asked him again if he knew of the location of the Japanese bodies and although Oliver didn't say a word, the Captain inferred that they were in fact on the correct island. Later, the crew brought Oliver out of his cell, being told that his days of screaming had just begun. He was thrown in to a room, followed through the opposite door by a woman. Oliver sees that, much to his shock, the woman is Sara Lance, somehow having also survived their shipwreck.

Oliver, surprised to see Sara alive, tried talking to her, but she quickly kicked him in the stomach, claiming that "prisoners don't speak". A man entered the room, introducing himself as Ivo, and asked for Oliver's name in return. Sara signaled to Oliver not to give his real name, so Oliver began to lie, firstly stating that his name was Tommy and secondly that he was the only survivor of a shipwreck that occurred near the island. When Ivo asked if he had come by a Japanese submarine while exploring the island, Oliver informed him that he hadn't. Ivo then revealed that during World War II, the Japanese created a serum called "Mirakuru" that increased the physical strength and allowed rapid cell regeneration in humans. He explained that the serum was transported via a submarine that came under heavy fire, running aground somewhere in the chain of islands containing Lian Yu, and it was finally thanks to Oliver that they knew it was Lian Yu itself. Oliver angrily told Ivo that he'd killed Oliver's friends, and Ivo replied, telling him that due to his friends being dead, it was up to Oliver to help Ivo find the sub.

Later, Sara came to visit Oliver in his cell, advising him not to reveal their knowing each other, otherwise they would both be killed. Oliver wished to warn his friends, believing them to still be alive, so later that night, Sara unlocked Oliver's cell, telling him to follow her. As he left, the prisoner he previously talked to asked him to not forget about them, followed by Oliver promising that he would return. Sara brought him to a room with a radio transmitter inside it and showed him that she could operate it. Oliver called for his friends and Shado answered, but before he could reveal his location, Sara disconnected the radio. Ivo and the Captain entered the room, with Ivo revealing that Oliver has confirmed that his friends were alive, and thus still a threat, for which they would be killed. The Captain believed Oliver to be of no more use and pointed a gun towards his head. However, Sara interjected, stating that Oliver could still be useful. Ivo agreed, telling Oliver that he would be going back to the island and calling him by name, revealing that Sara had seemingly been manipulating him the whole time.

Oliver was soon take back to the island and led to the shuttle wreck, where the Captain laid charges to blow up the compound. However, Shado was successfully able to diffuse the detonator in time, initially unbeknownst to them. As they reached the grave site of the Japanese soldiers, Ivo questioned Oliver about the hōzen he had previously found at the site. Oliver didn't reply, causing Ivo to get angry and send him outside to be tortured. As the Captain was about to torture him, Shado and Slade appeared to save Oliver, shooting one of the men and grabbing Sara and Oliver before running away from Ivo and his men. Once they were a good distance away from Ivo, they stopped and Oliver mentioned the hōzen, which Shado kept as a pendant because it reminded her of her father. They realized that the etchings on one side of the hōzen were co-ordinates to the shipwrecked submarine, where the Mirakuru serum was being kept. When Sara explained that the serum could save the human race, Oliver asked her whether it could Slade, who was slowly dying due to his collective injuries from the previous missile explosions.

Presumably agreeing that the serum could save Slade, the four of them began to trek through the island towards the inscribed coordinates. During their journey, Shado questioned Oliver on how he knew Sara and he admitted that she was Laurel's sister. Dismayed at his response, Shado began to distance herself from him. They eventually found the submarine and entered it, leaving a weakened Slade near the entrance to find the serum. When they did, Sara revealed that they needed to give Slade a sedative before injecting him with the serum, but another scan of the area revealed that there were no sedatives in the sub. Oliver made the decision to use the serum on Slade anyway, and before he was injected, Slade revealed that he had been in love with Shado the whole time she and Oliver were together. That said, Oliver gave him the serum, and he, Shado and Sara were horrified when it only seemed to kill him faster.

Before they could begin to mourn Slade, Ivo and his men arrived, taking the three of them captive. Once they collected the serum, Ivo had his men take them back up to the island, where Sara played on Ivo's affection for her to cajole him into letting Oliver and Shado go. But while Ivo admitted that he cared about her, he forced Oliver at gunpoint to choose who he wanted to live more, Sara or Shado. Given thirty seconds, Oliver tried to get Ivo to leave them alone, but was forced to kneel behind Sara when Ivo moved to shoot her. Taking this as Oliver's decision, Ivo shoot Shado, causing Oliver to be overcome with shock and guilt. Slade suddenly appeared, attacking everyone standing. Ivo ran off, leaving his men to die, and when Slade discovered Shado's body and asked why she died, Sara lied for Oliver and said that Ivo shot her without reason.

Oliver, Slade and Sara later buried Shado next to Yao Fei and Robert Queen. During her funeral, Oliver stated his hope that she was with her father. Slade gave Oliver Shado's green hood, and initially he did not want it, but kept it after being reminded by Slade of their relationship prior to her death. Later as they were walking, Oliver was close to telling Slade the true reason why Shado was killed, when Sara approached him, advising him not to, as Slade still had Mirakuru in him, and they had no idea as to the effects of it. They asked Slade where they were headed and he responded that they were heading back to the plane, in order to get geared up before they killed Ivo and his men. Before Oliver could stop him from continuing his plan of killing Ivo, Slade lifted Oliver a foot off the ground, choking him. Sara promptly hit Slade with a branch, making him let go of Oliver and causing him to realise what he'd done. Oliver simply assumed that that the Mirakuru was messing with his head. Later that night, Ivo contacted them through a radio, telling them they had ten days to deliver the Mirakuru to him, in turn giving them safe passage off of the island. They turned to consult with Slade, only to realize that he had disappeared.

After a number of heart to heart conversations, Oliver and Sara made their way to the cave that they’d found the Japanese soldiers in. Slade was nowhere to be found, though Oliver spotted some calculations on a wall. He recognized them, telling Sara how he’d seen identical calculations on Edward Fyers’ missile launcher, and Oliver could therefore deduce that Slade was going to destroy the Amazo with the missiles. The two rushed to the missile launchers as quick as they could and found Slade inputting the calculations. Oliver attempted to stop Slade, however he threatened to shoot him if he got in the way. Before he could, Oliver admitted that Shado had indeed loved Slade, perhaps not romantically but indeed platonically, and would have wanted him to return home. Knowing this, Slade decided not to fire, so as to not let Shado die in vain, and Oliver reassured him that he would help his friend along the difficult road.

Once Slade had got his senses back, the three of them surveyed the freighter and brainstormed ideas on how to board it. As they were talking they heard a shuttle. When it came in to sight they began to make noise to signal it, though it was quickly shot down with a missile. They ran to find it and discovered its dying pilot. Sara suggested Oliver get medical supplies from their compound and so he and Slade went back to retrieve some, but they returned back too late to save the man. In the midst of this, however, Oliver noticed a bagged parachute, remarking how it could get them on to the freighter.

For some time, Oliver trained around the forest, improving his archery and various strengths, progressively getting much better as time went by. Slade commended Oliver on his skills, though Oliver reminded him that trees were nothing compared to live enemies. He later discussed plans to attack the ship, while Sara concocted some cocculus indicus, to counteract sodium pentathol, which Sara assumed Ivo would use on Oliver. Outside, Oliver suggested destroying the Mirakuru, to which Slade overheard and agreed. While burning it, Sara explained that Oliver had to be the one to kill Ivo, not Slade, so there were no repercussions. Later that night, Slade produced some alcohol for the three of them, one of the few things that survived the plane’s crash, and they drank to respective things. Oliver asked for Sara to reassure his mother of his moral changes, should he have died the following day, and she agreed. Slade suggested they get some rest and Oliver soon went to sleep. Through the night, Oliver had nightmares. He woke up to Sara and Slade ready to go and donned Shado’s old hood. They trekked to a hill on the shoreline and Oliver prepared to shoot a flaming arrow at a bonfire they’d built. He initially failed the first time, but hit it point blank the second. Slade remarked that they were leaving the island as brothers (in contrast to them meeting as strangers) and Oliver bid him farewell. Down on the shore two of Ivo’s men spotted Oliver. He began to run along the beach, only to trip over a tree root and be captured by the men. On the ship, Oliver was placed back in to a cell. He began talking to a man who introduced himself as Thomas Flynn. Not long after, Ivo summoned Oliver to his room. Refusing to answer Ivo’s questions, Oliver was injected with sodium pentathol, or truth serum. Seemingly dazed, Oliver began to answer Ivo’s questions and apparently reveal their entire plan. He was taken back to his cell, but along the way he knocked the guards out and took their keys. Oliver rendezvoused with Sara and Slade outside and was given his bow and arrows. They let the prisoners go and Oliver made his way to Ivo. Aiming an arrow at him, Oliver blamed Ivo for Shado’s death. Ivo tried to explain how it was in fact Oliver’s fault. When Oliver finally admitted his feelings of guilt, he threatened to kill Ivo, however Ivo alerted him to Slade’s presence in the room, and he turned to face a horrified Slade. Oliver finally admitted to Shado’s death being his fault and Slade began to fight him, letting Ivo escape. Before Slade could choke him to death, there was an explosion that sent Slade flying. Oliver took the chance to run, jumping off the side of the ship just after Anatoly, Thomas and Sara, only to be grabbed by the ankle by Slade. Slade then put him in a cell, announcing that he was the new captain of the Amazo, after killing the previous one. Later Slade ordered Oliver to be brought out. He gave Ivo a gun, asking him to kill Oliver just as he had killed Shado. When he did not do it straight away, Slade sliced his arm off. Ivo was taken away, and Slade claimed that he would not let Oliver die until he had known complete despair, as Slade had, reassuring and promising him that it would eventually come.

While in custody, Slade had Oliver severely tortured by the ship’s crew, zapping him with electricity before finally branding him with the same tattoo that Shado had had.

Later as part of an exchange deal between Slade and Sara, Oliver was returned to the island with Ivo in exchange for Hendrick, a former cellmate of Oliver’s. Oliver intervened when Slade aimed his gun at Sara, and Slade predicted that they would spend the rest of their life on the island, before leaving. As he left, he threatened that once he had the ship moving, he would go to make Oliver’s family suffer.

A little while after, Oliver was being attended to by Sara for his heavily damaged eye, after being punched by Slade. Anatoly attempted to torture Anthony Ivo, only to be stopped before he could. Ivo proceeded to tell Oliver that there was in fact a cure to the Mirakuru, a possible way to stop Slade. Ivo offered to help them find it, if they could provide him a quick death due to the gangrene travelling in his system due to his arm stump. They agreed to the deal and after being told where the cure was, Oliver shot Ivo, rather than Sara doing it.

Anatoly, Peter (another former prisoner), Sara and Oliver all returned to the Japanese submarine. Oliver suggested to Anatoly that he pilot the submarine, having been in the Russian navy, and he reluctantly agreed. When they tried, they were unable to get away. Oliver suggested they blast their way out, so Anatoly retrieved blueprints for the ship’s torpedoes. However, it became apparent that the torpedoes could only be directed by someone in there with them, therefore whoever directed it would die. Peter was quick to volunteer, pointing out that he had inevitably fatal radiation poisoning, and it was a generally heroic action as he would be saving a number of lives. Anatoly soon directed Peter as to what would be happening while Oliver instructed Sara to wait outside for his call. Oliver came to talk with Peter before he prepared himself, and Peter remarked that he believed Oliver would be particularly compassionate one day. The two shook hands and Peter got in to the torpedo hole. After Sara was clear, they fired the torpedo. As it directed back and hit the submarine, the two were knocked off their feet. Oliver was able to stand back up, moving the submarine around. Successful, Oliver proceeded to notify Sara, only for her to desperately shout his name through the radio.

Oliver went above the submarine to find Sara and returned with her walkie talkie, concluding that Slade’s men had taken her. Anatoly mentioned that he’d seen the Amazo moving, so Oliver suggested that they fire a torpedo right at it. He decided that he’d swim across if they could get close enough. This confused Anatoly who asked what the torpedo was for. Oliver requested that he fire it at the Amazo if he and Sara were not back within an hour, much to the shock of Anatoly. When they got close, Oliver and Anatoly said farewell to each other, the latter remarking that the former had made a lifelong friend, warranting any favors happily given. They hugged, Anatoly promising he’d teach Oliver Russian, and Oliver hurried up the ladder and out towards the Amazo. He sneaked aboard and opened Sara’s cell. He made her leave without him, explaining his plan to cure Slade’s Mirakuru, though she refused and they both made their way to Ivo’s quarters. Before Oliver could go for the Mirakuru cure, they were ambushed by Slade who revealed that he had the cure.

Slade took Oliver and Sara to watch him inject numerous prisoners with Mirakuru, though it had clearly failed on several already. Oliver tried to reason with Slade, stating how Shado would have wanted them both to survive and return home. Before Slade could shoot Oliver, Anatoly fired the torpedo at the Amazo. The ship began to flood and Oliver grabbed an arrow, killing Slade’s men where he could. Before Slade could grab the Mirakuru, Oliver was able to, however he was able to grab Sara. Slade threw Sara down the hole in the ship, seemingly killing her again. The two started to fight and soon Slade was able to lift up Oliver by choking him. Oliver took off Slade’s mask, but Slade simply knocked him down. As Oliver stood up, they started to run at each other, but they were knocked off balance and large bits of debris fell on to Slade, trapping him. Being given a choice between curing or killing, Oliver decided to kill Slade by stabbing an arrow through his eye. A further explosion knocked Oliver over. A day or two later, Oliver awoke in a bed. Two men in suits ordered him to follow them, and once outside Oliver was greeted by Amanda Waller, who revealed that he was in Hong Kong.

Forcibly living in Hong Kong
Over the next five months, Oliver made a large number of attempts to contact friends and family, but he was finally stopped by Maseo Yamashiro after trying to email his mother of his survival. He was taken to Waller, who threatened to kill him if he escaped, though Oliver didn't care. Considering this, Maseo was given custody of Oliver, threatening to kill his entire family if Oliver did not comply. Shortly after, Oliver was tasked to execute a target, to which Oliver was shocked to see his best friend, Tommy Merlyn, through his scope. Oliver quickly learned that Tommy was in Hong Kong due to an account alert going off when Oliver logged into his email account. Maseo told Oliver that Tommy needed to be "off the board" as Waller couldn't risk Tommy flashing his picture all over the place. Oliver would suggest to Maseo that they could find a Tommy Merlyn look-a-like at a local morgue but Maseo reasoned that it would be easier winning the lottery and paying Waller off. Oliver decided to kidnap his best friend, telling Tommy that he hacked Oliver's account hoping his mother or sister would come to Hong Kong in search for him. He told Tommy that he was more than happy that Tommy came, as he's the son of the CEO of Merlyn Global Group. He threatened that Tommy pay a ransom or he would join Oliver, before Maseo intervened as a police officer and "rescued" him.

Days later, Oliver was tasked to kill a "terrorist" which Oliver believed didn't look like one. Maseo told Oliver that those were the best terrorists and ordered Oliver to proceed to kill him. Oliver proceeded to kill the man in the open though and due to the crowd, it went unnoticed, as Oliver retrieved a USB which Waller required to be acquired. At Maseo's home, Oliver questioned what it was needed for, though Maseo refused to answer. While Maseo was busy, Oliver convinced Akio to lend the laptop, to which Oliver plugged in the USB and learned the man he was sent to kill was Edward Fyers' handler. Oliver requested a meeting with Waller as he realized she was the true perpetrator behind the attempted shooting of the Ferris air jet. Oliver learned from Waller that the true reason why she wanted the plane shot down was to eliminate Chien Na Wei, as it was their only opportunity.

Sometime later Oliver and Maseo waited in a street for an hour (after having also circled the block five times). Maseo updated Oliver as to who their target was, telling him that he only needed to get information and not kill him. They spotted the man and Oliver attempted to inconspicuously follow him. However, the man was able to knock him down as he ran off. Oliver began to run after him, stopped by various roadblocks he had caused. As he rounded a corner, the man was struck down by a car. Maseo caught up, trying to find the envelope they were looking for on his person, though he concluded that it had been stashed on the way. He reasoned that Oliver mightn't consciously remember, but likely still saw him stash it. They headed back to Maseo's apartment, where Akio helped Oliver to concentrate with a game. The game was interrupted by Tatsu, who offered her help upon encouragement from her husband. She sat opposite him, lighting a candle, instructing him to close his eyes and breath deeply, trying to recall the memory. From this exercise, Oliver remembered what he needed to. At the dead drop they found the envelope, inside a random photo. Initially confused, Maseo explained that it was concealing a hidden message. They examined the image with a computer and came across the message, "Contact Li Kuan Hui". Oliver thanked Tatsu, who simply asked for him to leave their lives as soon as possible.

Days later, Oliver was attempting to learn Cantonese as Tatsu angrily brought him his washing, and he claimed to not know how to do it. Maseo began to leave, explaining that he had a contact at the docks but a "gaijin" like Oliver would stick out, so he couldn't accompany him. However, after he didn't return 9 hours later (claiming he'd only be 1), Oliver and Tatsu decided to go searching down at the docks. They headed to the docks, where Tatsu explained that Maseo had called him a foreigner (gaijin in Japanese). Oliver decided to go and ask some men if they'd seen Maseo, though they began to beat him up. Tatsu intervened, killing them all with a katana. She questioned a man with the katana at his neck and he claimed to have heard of three A.R.G.U.S. men being killed by the Triad. Heading back to the apartment, Tatsu worried about having to tell Akio what had happened. As they entered they happened upon Maseo playing with Akio. Tatsu ran to embrace him and he had explained how they'd been in lockdown due to the A.R.G.U.S. deaths. Oliver watched on as the entire family embraced, and soon went to do his laundry.

Following that, Oliver was taken by Waller to a warehouse, where she introduced a tied up Katsu Chang, who had planted a bomb somewhere in Hong Kong. Waller revealed that they'd salvaged Oliver's old bow and arrow from theAmazo's wreckage, and she asked Oliver to torture out the location of the explosive device. He pointed the bow and arrow at Chang, though he suggested correctly that Oliver wasn't keen on actually torturing a man. In wasting this time, a massive explosion occurred in the city, which Oliver witnessed. Angered, Waller lectured Oliver, reasoning that extreme people could only be dealt with using extreme measures, therefore he should have just shot an arrow instead of waiting. Allowing him to make an attempt at redemption, Waller brought him Li Khuan Hui, asking him to torture him for details on Chien Na Wei's agenda in Hong Kong. Waller left, allowing Oliver to get ready his bow.

Under unknown circumstances, Oliver later returned to Lian Yu, where he eventually ended up being alone. He later managed to spot a small fishing boat, and using improvised explosive devices drew attention to himself. The Chinese fishermen came ashore and were able to rescue him, finally finding his way back to Starling City.

Returning to Lian Yu and stopping Reiter
Oliver spent some time as a hooded vigilante, targeting corrupted business men at random. At one night, while pursuing an armed man who was responsible for the death of 5 people, 4 of them children, Oliver ran into Amanda Waller. She said Oliver needed to embrace the killer instinct he used to torture Shrieve. Waller then drugged Oliver and forced him back on Lian Yu to infiltrate a drug lord's cartel. Shortly after landing, Oliver was found by one of the men but easily killed him. He then dirtied his clothes and threw the man's body over a landmine to make it look like he had been stranded the entire four years he was missing and that the man accidentally stepped on a landmine.

He easily infiltrated their ranks due to the dead man leaving a vacant position for Oliver to take. He was later forced to torture a slave to psychologically torture the other prisoners who had stolen the drug. After a woman called Taiana Venediktov took the blame of the stealing, Oliver was tasked to execute her. Instead, he took her elsewhere to hide her somewhere safe but was accompanied by one other man. This forced Oliver to trick him into stepping onto a mine and the Taiana gradually giving him her trust.

After showing to Conklin he killed Tayana, Conklin found out Oliver's communication device and started accusing him as a spy. When they returned to Baron Reiter, he was interrogating a man called John Constantine about the maps he had. Before anyone could do anything, John made a spell to escape from handcuffs and took Oliver to show him the spot on the maps. After he took John there, John sought and performed a spell to uncover the hidden passageway, much to Oliver's shock. Once inside, they explored the cave where John explained that there are areas of the world as old as it including Lian Yu, possessing things corrupt men aren't supposed to have such as Reiter. John eventually found what he sought and retrieved it but set off a trap which Oliver saves him from being killed by, insisting he's not one of Reiter's men. After exiting the cave John thanked Oliver for saving his life and broke off the crystal off the rod to give to Reiter, as the rod itself is what contains the magic. John also warned Oliver about Reiter, insisting his narcotics aren't his only interest for being on the island. As insurance John also used the rod to transfer a spell on his arm onto Oliver's torso, insisted he'd know what to do when the time came and on Oliver's request, John punched him out cold as part of his "escape" and left on his boat, but the two would keep in contact.

After Oliver took Reiter and Conklin to the cave, where he and John found the Orb of Horus, Reiter tasked Oliver to find out the spot the runes told him about with some workers. Conklin went with him and tasked Tayana's brother Vlad to drown Oliver. Oliver managed to kill him before that and he went back to Reiter with Conklin. Baron Reiter managed to find out the truth from Conklin and after they went away, Oliver stole a map him. He then punished Conklin by whipping him and went to Tayana with the maps and news about her brother. He encouraged Tayana to help him stop Reiter, by first going to Amazo, to find maps that covered the whole Lian Yu. He fought with a shark after diving to get the maps, but after coming back to land, Conklin appeared, promising to enjoy taking peaces out of him. Conklin then took Oliver and Tayana to Reiter, and let Conklin to whip Oliver as a payback. Before Conklin could kill Oliver, his tattoo's started to glow near Orb of Horus and Reiter made Conklin to stop. Oliver made a deal with Reiter, as long as Tayana would stay alive, he would cooperate. Conklin took them to an old chinese cell where they kept the prisoners and there Tayana started to heal Oliver from his fever and wounds.

Reiter would then torture Oliver to find out why he needed the maps from Amazo. Oliver passed out from the torture and the fever and hallucinated that Shado would kill Reiter, his men and save him. Shado encouraged Oliver to let go of his inner darkness and tell the truth about Vlad to Tayana. After waking up from the fever, Oliver told the truth about Vlad to Tayna and noticed he had the artifact in his hand from the hallucination. Tayana took the artifact from him and tried to use it as leverage to get out from the sell. Reiter took the artifact from her and forced her to take care of Oliver. She did that and they started talking about the losses in their life. Tayana told him that he could be the man his father wishes, by saving the workers from Reiter, but couldn't do that as lost, hsattered man. Oliver promised her that he would save the workers. Baron Reiter later informed Oliver and Taiana that the stone was the last piece to his puzzle and they will dig at daybreak as the Heaven he seeks is below them.

Going to Russia and back to Lian Yu
Due to the promise he made to Taiana, Oliver went to Russia to try and find Konstantin Kovar. He fought in an underground fight club connected to Kovar, where he ended up killing the local Bratva champion. In retaliation, the Bratva kidnapped him and tried to kill him. Before he could get shot, Oliver was saved by Anatoly Knyazev. When Oliver confessed his plans to him, Anatoly told him that the only way to get Kovar was getting the help from Bratva. That meant that Oliver had to became a member, going through a very dangerous process. Oliver accepted and passed the three steps of the initiation, becoming a member of Solntsevskaya Bratva. After being accepted by the Bratva bosses in Krasnoyarsk, Oliver became a full-time member, nicknamed "Kapot".

Viktor, another high-ranking member of the Bratva still disliked Oliver, considering him a outsider and tried to have him killed at the following party at Cafe Lyublyu by goading the American into a trap, a staged rape attempt by his two thugs. Oliver was saved by Christopher Chance AKA Human Target, who was hired by Anatoly on the belief that Oliver was still in danger.

After an attack from Kovar, Oliver was send by the godfather of the Bratva on an undercover mission to destroy one of his casinos. Oliver was discover and Kovar men's tortured him for an entire week. Oliver did not break, forcing Kovar admiration. He invited him at his table, revealing that Tayana's mother was one of his employee. Oliver tried to escape by taking Kovar hostage but he was too weak to do so and end up challenging him into a fight in front of his men. Oliver was incapable of keeping up with the fight and Kovar beat him violently. Just as the fight finished, Bratva's men appear, revealing that they made a deal with Kovar while Oliver was prisonner. Kovar use this to taunt Oliver about the nature of truth and loyalty, mocking his naivety about the Bratva and their business.

Oliver eventually greatly improved his Chinese to the point where it was flawless and could be passed off as being Chinese. He also further studied his father's list and learned more about Starling City's corruptness and set a mission for himself, vowing to either extort or kill all those on the list who'd harmed Starling. He also designed a green suit to conceal his identity.

Under unknown circumstances, Oliver later returned to Lian Yu, where he eventually ended up being alone. On the island he managed to spot a small fishing boat, and using improvised explosive devices drew attention to himself. The Chinese fishermen came ashore and were able to rescue him, finally finding his way back to Starling City.

Crusade begins and the Undertaking
Once home, Oliver was given several medical exams that revealed that he had multiple scars, burns and bone fractures that had never properly healed. He returned home with his mother to the rest of the family. Together with his best friend Tommy, Oliver was given a brief tour of the city, noticing that much of the city was in a damaged state, with high poverty and high crime. After a difficult meeting with Laurel, Oliver and Tommy were kidnapped by three masked criminals, secretly sent by Oliver's mother. They were taken to a hangar for interrogation. While Tommy remained unconscious, Oliver freed himself and easily took out two of the criminals, and after a quick chase took out the third. When later giving his alibi to the police, Oliver told Detective Lance that they were rescued by a man in a green hood. Upon mentioning this, Oliver decided to begin to fight against crime. However, his mother hired John Diggle, a former soldier working in private security. Oliver easily escaped him, leaving to the basement of an abandoned factory owned by his family, turning it in to a base of operations for his future vigilantism. Using a bow he'd brought home and a green costume, he began fulfilling his promise to his father. He decided to target Adam Hunt, a corrupt man who topped "The List", given to him by his father. As a hooded vigilante archer, Oliver eliminated Hunt's men, and forced him to transfer 40 million bars of gold to the city, or he would steal all of it in an unfriendly way. Adam refused and contacted the SCIS to help defend himself. Oliver positioned his welcome party across the street from Adam's building in order to carry out his mission without anyone noticing. While waiting for the deadline, Oliver caught Thea buying drugs at his party, and explained to her some of the regrets of his former life. Once the deadline passed, he attempted to sneak away, only to be caught by Diggle, who he knocked unconscious in order to continue his plan. Oliver stormed the building and dispatched Adam's security but was wounded by stray gunfire. The SCIS arrived and attempt to subdue him, but Oliver jumped through the window and used his bow to zip line to safety and use his party as a cover. The next day Oliver was able to transfer the money from Adam Hunt, due to capacity with an arrow router which was stuck to Hunt's computer. At the end of the night, Laurel had a conversation with Tommy about their relationship while Oliver as The Hood watched. The Hood targeted another person on "The List", and after overthrowing his men, he forced him to transfer 40 million bars of gold for retirees of the court to Starling. Oliver went to investigate the circumstances of his death, but this conflicted with Diggle, due to his constant escapes.

Walter and Moira ask for him to take a position within Queen Consolidated, but he rejects the offer. Later, he receives an explanation from his sister Thea for her rebelliousness, justifying the alleged death of Oliver and Robert, and also is encouraged to try to get closer to your loved ones. Following this advice, he goes to the apartment of Laurel, however they are interrupted by China White and her men who invade the apartment to kill Laurel, but with the help of John who was prowling the place, he eliminated the goons, but China White escaped. Oliver has another conversation with John who begins to suspect Oliver, due to his accuracy with the knife during the invasion of the apartment. The Hood goes behind Martin Sommers, it generates a pursuit to Starling docks, but The Hood grabs and forces him to confess to being the mastermind of a man who would testify against him. However, he ends up fighting with China White. The fight is interrupted by the police that invades the place, forcing both to flee, however during the struggle Sergeant Quentin intercepts The Hood who quickly disarms and flees, leaving a device with the recorded testimony of Sommers. The next day during the public memorial to Robert Queen, Oliver appears pretending to be selfish and irresponsible, to hide his real identity, and in front of the tomb of Robert, Oliver vows to fulfill his father's desire even if it means hurting those close to him.

Oliver was tracking James Holder, a man from his list, but he is killed by an assassin known as Deadshot. Oliver decides to build a new night club above his hideout to explain where he goes at night. While comparing the competition, Oliver finds Thea, who reveals that Laurel and Tommy had been sleeping together during Oliver's absence. Which causes Laurel to become suspicious when Oliver does not react to the news. Meanwhile, Oliver uses his contacts in the Solntsevskaya Bratva to learn the assassin's true identity, and enlists the help of Sergeant Lance to stop Deadshot from assassinating more wealthy people. Oliver manages to stop Deadshot by knocking him unconscious by shooting an arrow through his eyepiece, but his bodyguard John Diggle is shot during Floyd Lawton's attempt. Oliver is forced to reveal his true identity as the vigilante to John in order to save his life. When his bodyguard John Diggle is injured by Deadshot, Oliver takes him back to his lair to recuperate and reveals his identity to him. Oliver offers a job to John supposedly as a sidekick. He declines, calling him a criminal and a murderer. Oliver later tries to have Laurel defend Peter Declan from receiving the death penalty and catch the real killer. After he saves Peter, Quentin figures out that Oliver is The Hood and arrests him at his home.

Oliver insists on having Laurel as his attorney, and she eventually accepts to be his legal counsel. He is accepted as not being The Hood when he convinces John masquerade as the Hood and bust a gang and passing the polygraph test. Oliver is released and continues to act as The Hood.

Later Oliver is diverted from the list when a gang of bank robbers start to hit more often. John convinces Oliver to stop the thieves, but it becomes complicated when he learns that the leader of the Royal Flush Gang was laid off by his father, and Oliver feels bad for that injustice. After a third hit, King (Derek Reston) was killed, and Ace (Kyle Reston)was incarcerated.

Oliver goes to Queen Consolidated to pick his mother up for a lunch date they are having. Moira is speaking to Paul Copani representing Bertinelli Construction Company. Suddenly, a biker appears and shoots Paul. Moira falls and hits her head. Oliver chases after the biker but after he loses track of the biker he heads back to his mother. His sister criticizes him for going after the biker when he should have stayed with his mother. Oliver discovers that the man who tried to close the deal with his mother works for Frank Bertinelli and decides to go undercover. He intends to have a chat over dinner with Frank but instead goes with his daughter. Although reluctant at first, he finds himself enjoying the evening. He heads to an Italian restaurant run by Mr. Russo, a man who pays protection money to the Bertinellis. The dinner is interrupted when John comes and informs Oliver that Nick Salvati, Frank Bertinelli's right hand man, was coming around to collect protection money and injuring anyone who refused. Oliver leaves to Hood up and returns to the restaurant where Nick has showed up with his crew. Just as they are about to break Mr. Russo's fingers, Oliver arrives as The Hood and protects him. He is joined by The Huntress. After taking out the men, Oliver and The Huntress fight it out. She is revealed to be Helena. Oliver meets with Helena at the grave of her late fiancée, Michael. Nick and his men jump the two and kidnap them. The two awake in a warehouse. Nick plans on killing the two but Oliver and Helena free themselves and kill all the men. Oliver and Helena then sleep together.

Oliver takes Helena under his wing and trains her to be a vigilante alongside himself. He gives her a crossbow because guns are too noisy and clumsy. The two bust a drug operation that is run by Frank Bertinelli. John warns him about taking these actions, saying that she may be to far gone, but Oliver ignores him, saying that he helps her get through the pain. This warning ends up proving true, as, against Oliver's hopes, Helena becomes too vengeful, and she ends up instigating a war between the Chinese Triad and Frank Bertinelli, by killing the Chinese Triad's leader, and saying it was a hit by Frank Bertinelli. Oliver and Sergeant Quentin are able to stop the war, and he takes Helena back to the Arrowcave. Helena leaves Starling City and Oliver comments, that he will see her soon enough. Oliver heads to the Bertinelli mansion where the Chinese Triad agents are storming the mansion. China White is about to kill Frank Bertinelli when she is stopped by Oliver. During the fight, Frank escapes only to be shot with a bolt by his own daughter. Oliver arrives just as she is about to kill him. This causes enough time for Frank to shoot her with her crossbow. Oliver knocks him out and brings Helena back to the Arrowcave. He tends to her wounds, but she remains ungrateful. She leaves the city and orders Oliver to stop bothering her if he wants his secret to remain a secret. Oliver tells her that he cares for her and lets her go.

When Dark Archer takes to the streets of Starling City, Oliver is determined to figure out who this impostor is. Oliver requests Sergeant Quentin's help in getting one of the arrows of the Dark Archer. Although he refuses, Oliver still tries to find the Dark Archer. At the same time, Oliver tries to reignite the Christmas spirit in the Queen family, he does this by restarting the Queen family Christmas party. As the party starts he learns that the Dark Archer has taken hostages and plans on killing them if he does not get a visit from The Hood. He runs off to save the hostages, ditching the party, he gets into a hand to hand battle with the Dark Archer. The fight ends in a draw, and Oliver wakes in the hospital, as John explains that he was hit by a car while on his motorcycle. He regrets his actions because he almost didn't win the fight, and he let the other archer live, but John tells him that he saved the hostages, and that is enough to be proud of.

Six weeks have passed, and Oliver is still recovering from his experience with The Dark Archer, emotionally, mentally, and physically. As firefighters are being killed, Oliver is reluctant to take up The Hood again. John convinces him otherwise, and although Oliver fails to stop the man, he learns the murderer is a former firefighter. Oliver deduces that the murderer is Garfield Lynns. He confronts the man's former fire chief but is ordered to leave. At a charity gala at his night club for the Fire Department, Garfield shows up and almost kills the fire chief. The Hood stops him and saves the lives of both of them. Garfield commits suicide by walking into the flames after being saved.

After an armored truck is robbed, and the drivers killed, Oliver believes that one of the thieves is ex-marine Ted Gaynor, an individual from his target list. John dismisses Oliver's assumption, as Ted was John's commanding officer during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan and saved John's life. Oliver goes after Ted regardless and steals encrypted data, but John intercedes and prevents Oliver from getting any information directly from Ted. The data is revealed to be plans for robbing armored trucks, to which Oliver uses to track and stop the thieves during their next heist. Oliver informs John that Ted was not at the heist, but someone from his security firm was. While investigating, John learns that Ted was the mastermind behind the robberies, and is forced to join Ted's team to recoup the money they lost on the previously failed heist. John backs out of helping Ted, who attempts to kill John in retaliation. Oliver arrives in time and kills Ted before he can succeed. Afterward, Oliver apologizes for not trusting John more.

After an accident with driving under the influence of drugs, Thea attempts to enter into a plea bargain with the district attorney, but determined to set an example for the Vertigo drug dealers, the judge dismisses the plea and orders the charges brought to trial. In an attempt to help Thea, Oliver begins working on tracking down the supplier, he eventually discovers that the supplier goes by The Count, and he arranges a meeting through his contacts with the Russian mob. The meeting is broken up by the police, and The Count injects Oliver with a concentrated dose of Vertigo when the latter attempts to follow him. John takes Oliver back to his hideout and uses medicinal herb's Oliver brought back with him from the island to fight the drug overdose. Afterward, Oliver has the drug analyzed by Felicity and uses the ingredients to track the location of The Count. As The Hood, Oliver is able to confront The Count and inject him with his own drug just as the police arrive as well. Finally, Felicity shows Oliver the list of names that Walter discovered, and informs him that they came from his mother.

Oliver confronts his mother about the list of names, but she denies any knowledge. John does not trust Moira and decides to look into her daily activities. Laurel enlists the help of The Hood when criminal Cyrus Vanch is released from prison on a technicality. Oliver acquires evidence that could put Cyrus back behind bars, but Cyrus discovers what The Hood is up to and kidnaps Laurel in an attempt to kill The Hood and take leadership over the city's gangs. Detective Quentin and The Hood team up to save Laurel, as Quentin realizes that Cyrus has contacts in the police force, and that was how he learned of Laurel working with The Hood. The pair save Laurel, with Oliver stopping Quentin from killing Cyrus as revenge for kidnapping Laurel. In order to protect Laurel, Oliver decides that she can no longer have contact with The Hood. John presents evidence to Oliver that his mother is connected to the group he is hunting, and that she also knew that his father's yacht was sabotaged and kept it to herself. In response, Oliver decides to interrogate his mother again, but this time as The Hood. While confronting his mother, Oliver lets his guard down, and Moira manages to grab a gun and shoot him. Seeking out Felicity for help, Oliver exposes his secret and asks Felicity to take him to his hideout. With John's help, the bullet is removed, and Oliver is stabilized. Felicity agrees to join Oliver and John, but only until they find Walter.

Oliver learnt of a jewel thief named The Dodger, who used hostages tagged with bomb collars to steal for him, and how he had come to Starling City. Felicity suggested that Oliver bug the phone of Detective McKenna, an old friend of Oliver's, to gain information on The Dodger. She also convinced Oliver to ask Detective McKenna out on a date so that he could have some down time. Through the wire tap, Oliver was able to determine The Dodger's next location, but was stunned by a bomb thrown by the thief, who subsequently got away. To draw out The Dodger, Oliver donated antique jewels to a local auction. The plan worked, and lured the Dodger, but Felicity was caught tracking the thief, who placed a bomb collar on her as insurance in his getaway. Oliver managed to stop The Dodger and deactivate the collar.

Oliver stopped a hired gunman who comes to Starling City, but had to enlist Felicity to decipher Guillermo's phone and determine who the target was. Oliver persuaded Tommy to attend an award ceremony where Malcolm Merlyn received a humanitarian award. At the last moment, Oliver discovered that Malcolm was the target and raced to the event to save him. Although he was almost caught by Detective McKenna, Oliver managed to get Malcolm away fromChina White's men. While in an office, Malcolm was shot with one of Deadshot's poison tipped bullets, and Oliver was forced to reveal his identity to Tommy in order to secure his trust so that he could save Malcolm's life.

Oliver has just opened up his new night club and is happy with McKenna, but then Helena, aka The Huntress, arrives still trying to find her father. She threatens Oliver's family and manages to get him on board. Oliver tries to deny his feelings for her throughout the whole episode, but he just cant bring himself to hurt her. When she finally finds her father she ends up shooting McKenna and fleeing. McKenna gets hurt by the bullet and has to go away to live at her sisters house, in Coast City.

Oliver has decided to stay away from relationships as they always get hurt. A new villain appears, grabbing people from the glades and shooting them. When the villain claims he got the idea from The Hood, Oliver decides to take him down. After Roy gets taken, Thea comes to Oliver for help, and Oliver saves Roy (as The Hood).

A girl dies of Vertigo after being in Oliver's night club. Oliver pays a visit to The Count with no luck. Thinking that he was crazy. But after The Count escapes and a stronger flood of Vertigo sweeps town, Oliver, Felicity and John decide to take him down. Oliver finds The Count realizing that he was crazy, his doctor had found some in his system and was able to work out the recipe. Oliver kills him and his partner with some help from John.

Laurel takes on a case with two parents and their son and Deadshot returns to starling city. John is determined to take him down but after the parents of the young boy dies, Laurel goes to great lengths to protect him, including staying at Oliver's house as he has "more protection than the white house" after Tommy suggested it. Unfortunately, Laurel's case clashes with John's feud and Oliver has to make a choice. He chooses Laurel and ends up losing John's trust.

Oliver doesn't want to apologize for not helping John so, despite a visit from Felicity, John wont come back. Oliver and Felicity find a lead on Walters location and to reconfirm the lead, Felicity wants to go out on the "field". Oliver is against it, not wanting to put her at risk but she is determined to find him. Oliver ends up having to come to her rescue. They find Walter after Oliver listened to a conversation between Moira and Malcolm. Oliver apologizes to John, realizing that he needs all the help that he can get.

Oliver and John devise a plan where John dresses as The Hood and kidnaps Oliver and Moira in an attempt to uncover the truth about the Undertaking. The plan works, and Oliver, Felicity, and John break into Merlyn Global Group to hack the mainframe and find the device. Oliver tries to convince Tommy to get back with Laurel but after realizing that once he had finished stopping the Undertaking he could stop being the Hood, he decides to go to Laurel himself. Tommy takes his advice and decides to go to her, only to witness them kissing. Back as the Hood, John and Oliver split up, Oliver going after Malcolm and John after the device. The device is gone, and Oliver tries to fight Malcolm after learning he is the Dark Archer, with no success. After escaping from Malcolm, Oliver tries to tell Tommy the truth about his father which Tommy denies. He and Laurel also fully embrace their relationship after Oliver tries to convince Moira to help him stop Malcolm. but learns that he is planning the Undertaking tonight. The Hood and Diggle set out to defeat Dark Archer and engage him on the roof where Oliver is able to defeat him by stabbing him in the chest with an arrow while being strangled. Oliver was too late to save Tommy, but he apologizes to Oliver, for being angry and jealous at him, Tommy criticizes himself for being like his father, but Oliver tries to assure him, that he's nothing like his father, Tommy reconciles with Oliver, and they become friends again, He watched Tommy die in Laurel's office after the Undertaking levels the east sector of the Glades, much to Oliver's grief.

Crusade 2.0 and Mirakuru plot
Oliver is seen to have left Starling City for some time and returned to Lian Yu. Tommy's death and Oliver's failure to prevent the city's total destruction left an impact on him. Diggle, Typhuss and Felicity travel to the island to find Oliver, and they convince him to return. He returns, but states not to become the Hood again. After his sister is taken by the copycat group The Hoods, Oliver puts on his mask once more and rescues his sister and hand The Hoods over to the SCIS. He agrees to become the vigilante again, but, to honor Tommy's memory, will no longer kill. He also realizes that he no longer wants to be called "The Hood".

Oliver discovers through Roy that drugs that are distributed to the public hospitals Glades, are being stolen by the Chinese Triad, thus causing it to go into confrontation with China White, and her new partner Bronze Tiger. Amidst this, Oliver is attacked, by the people and Sebastian Blood, due to the involvement of his family in the earthquake provoked by Malcolm Merlyn. Thus making him a bountiful feast, to help people injured in the quake. Later Sebastian visits Oliver's office where Oliver offers to host a charity event for the Glades which Sebastian agrees to, but Oliver doesn't show as China White sighted which provokes Oliver to publicly crucify him. After capturing China White and her accomplices, Oliver asks Roy to help him, and to be his informant in the Glades, and decides to convince Laurel that he is not a criminal, however ends up being trapped in the building of the prosecution due to a trap set by Laurel. The Canary invades the building prevents Oliver from getting caught. Oliver then returns to the Arrowcave where he confesses his wrong choice to talk to Laurel and tasks Felicity with finding the Canary. The criminal Barton Mathisaka The Dollmaker, kidnapping and killing, random women, escapes from prison, due to earthquake damage. This makes Quentin ask for help from The Hood, now named The Arrow. Oliver also asks Roy to track The Canary. The team tries using Felicity as bait to trap the Dollmaker but this is unsuccessful and the Dollmaker captures Laurel instead. The Arrow comes in and rescues Laurel. Then The Canary steps in to lend her help in the fight and despite The Arrow's protests she kills the Dollmaker and makes her escape.

Felicity gives Oliver the idea that The Canary may not be following The Arrow, but Laurel instead. He was able to catch her, only for him to be shocked that she not only knows his identity, but she was actually Sara Lance, Laurel's presumably dead sister. While shocked by this new information, he pursues an arms dealer called "The Mayor" who was getting his hands on military weapons. After he attacked a gun rally hosted by Oliver and Sebastian Blood, Felicity managed to find him and Oliver recruits Sara to help him. Meanwhile, he insists on telling Laurel about Sara, even though it would cost him his friendship with her and Laurel's recent drinking problem, but agrees to keep her secret.

Oliver and Sara are attacked by a man who was dressed like Malcolm Merlyn. Sara reveals to him that she used to be a member of the League of Assassins, something that clearly shakes Oliver. They confront the assassin Al-Owal, revealing himself to be Malcolm's trainer, only to see he wasn't alone as two more appeared, and being outmatched, The Arrow and The Canary retreated. After a threat against her family, Oliver kept a watch over Laurel until Felicity called, revealing the assassins were going after Quentin. The Arrow intervenes and while two were killed, Sara left a warning with the last one alive that her family was off limits.

After dealing with counterfeiters that Roy found, Oliver, Typhuss and Felicity offered to help Diggle rescue his friend, Lyla Michaels, from Russia, who was searching for Deadshot. However, it gets complicated when Isabel shows up and comes along, thinking that Oliver was taking the shuttle for a weekend with Felicity. Oliver introduces Diggle to his old friend, Anatoli Knyazev, who reports Lyla is in prison, but he can get them into the prison thanks to a guard he paid off. After securing transport to get him out, he bonded with Isabel and they ended up sleeping together, something that hurt Felicity. Back home, she asks why he hooked up with Isabel, Oliver responds by saying that he shouldn't get involved with anyone he might actually care about, but Felicity he deserves better than her.

Oliver, Thea and Moira are present for her trial, only for Oliver to learn Diggle has been poisoned with Vertigo and see the same thing happen to the assistant District Attorney. After a televised broadcast by Count Vertigo, Oliver managed to save the ADA, but couldn't stop Vertigo himself. The next day, Moira revealed to both of them a serious threat to her defense; in a moment of weakness, she had an affair with Malcolm Merlyn. Back the trail, Oliver received a call from Vertigo, who had not only revealed his identity, but also had Felicity hostage. At his office, clad in his Arrow costume, Vertigo fires at Oliver, but he manages avoid all of the gunfire. However, Vertigo threatened Felicity with his injector, which got him co-operate at first, but when tries to kill her anyway, Oliver delivered three arrows to his chest, making him fall to his death and breaking Oliver's no killing rule. When Felicity thanked him and tried apologize, Oliver assured her that there was no other choice because he was going to hurt her.

Queen Consolidated is invaded by a mysterious figure. After a brief investigation police, Oliver stumbles upon arrival at the forensic expert Barry Allen ,from Central City, and claims to be working with similar cases, and that the suspect theoretically possesses superhuman abilities. Oliver initially feel disturbed by the presence of Allen, due to its proximity to Felicity. After research results, Oliver goes behind the suspect, that this was in possession of a truck. During their confrontation, the opponent is proved, as having an enormous strength and endurance, and easily beats Oliver, whilst driving the moving vehicle. Oliver later revealed that during his stay on the island, he had faced enemies with such skills, however the serum that gave these powers, was destroyed. Oliver throws a party to celebrate the release of his mother, and also discovers that Barry is actually an assistant forensic scientist and that was not sent to Starling City by his superiors. After analyzing the blood of the criminal, Oliver is goes to a warehouse where the individual would commit a new theft. During the confrontation, Oliver is overcome and seriously injured.

Oliver ends up being saved by Barry, who was brought to him by Felicity, he initially disapproves of the decision of Felicity, by revealing his true identity. Oliver goes home and sees Roy after hearing from Moira that Thea wouldn't leave her room, seriously injured by the arrow which he shot earlier, he then pulls it out and tells Roy that Diggle will patch it up. He then proceeds to hallucinate with Shado, where she tells him that their attitudes as overseer, are unnecessary. Oliver asks Barry to analyze his blood and find out if the poison used to save him causes him to have hallucination. Through a digital of Oliver's neck, they discover that the enemy had nearly killed Oliver, is actually Cyrus Gold. Diggle then goes to Cyrus' house to search for him, stumbling across the poem about Solomon Grundy, and is attacked by Cyrus. After Diggle escaped from Gold, The Arrow went to Quentin and gives him the location of Gold, asking to kill him. Later, Oliver decides to practice with his bow, however he has hallucinations of Slade, one that calls him a coward, and begins a fight with Oliver, in which he breaks several things in the Arrowcave. After that, Barry tells Oliver that hallucinations are purely psychological, and Diggle tells him that this is a message in which he should understand. After the unit Quentin is almost all killed by Gold, Oliver receives permission from Quentin to kill him without success. Oliver goes to the supposed location of Gold, and finds Brother Blood injecting a dose of Mirakuru into Roy who had been captured. Initially, Cyrus Gold was winning the fight, but a hallucination of Tommy helps Oliver regain his strength and motivation, and by violent blows he drops Cyrus, and the supply of Mirakuru explodes, seemingly killing him. Oliver manages to resuscitate Roy, who was almost dead due to Mirakuru. At the Arrowcave, Oliver receives a box from Barry, that he had already returned to Central City, inside the box was a custom mask.

The Arrow spends the next 5 weeks searching for Brother Blood by interrogating as many criminals in the Glades as he could, while during the day as Oliver he continues to support Sebastian in his campaign, unaware that they are the same, but is forced to deal with the bomb threats of Shrapnel who blows up two buildings before targeting Sebastian's unity rally. Oliver also has a falling out with Felicity, who spent most of the 5 weeks visiting Barry as he was struck by lightning and was in a coma, but eventually came to make peace with her. The Arrow visited Sebastian later and tried to get him to call off the rally but the alderman refused and Arrow was forced to head to the rally to stop Shrapnel himself. He later met with Sebastian who offered an alliance to the Arrow believing that together they could save the city and the Arrow agreed.

The Arrow continues to hunt down thugs who may know of Brother Blood's whereabouts but has no luck again, but later learns from Laurel that Sebastian knew Cyrus Gold and she claims that he killed his parents. Wanting proof of Laurel's speculations he tasked Felicity to find any files possible which she did, but only a hardback copy which only an A.D.A like Laurel could access. Arrow then enlisted Laurel's help to retrieve it but found it empty as Oliver visited Sebastian himself to see if he could see any hint of Laurel's speculations from his personally to no avail. Oliver also visited Roy to keep a secret eye on his Mirakuru problem. Laurel was later arrested for drug use and Oliver attempts to talk to her about it at her apartment only to be knocked out by Brother Blood as Laurel was kidnapped. Arrow followed them to the steel-mill where he fought Blood until Laurel shot him but when they took off the mask, they were surprised to see not Sebastian but Officer Daily, and Oliver later blamed himself for nearly believing him just because Laurel said so. He also learned from Thea that Roy hospitalized a man out of rage and approached him as Arrow to train him to use his abilities.

Arrow continued to train Roy in the same techniques Shado used on the island but this only enraged Roy, and Oliver told Diggle and Felicity about his story with Slade, and his Mirakuru incident and why it was so important that he not fail Roy. Later Ben Turner aka Bronze Tiger escaped prison and broke into Malcolm Merlyn's house for his prototype Earthquake machine, and at Roy's insistence agreed to take him along with. However once there Roy lost control on one guard while Arrow was stuck fighting Turner before he used the opportunity to escape with the machine. Later Roy lost control against Oliver and headed out to stop Turner himself. Oliver later got wind of where Turner was heading but was told by Thea on the phone that Laurel was loosing it in Verdant. Oliver went to reason with her and learned that she had been disbarded from her job, and she starting flirting with him and Oliver patiently told Thea to call a cab for her, he also discreetly called Sara and told her that Laurel needed her. Later when Arrow found Turner and his employer Milo Armitage he was ambushed and stabbed by Turner from behind, but Roy arrived and attacked Turner while Armitage activated the machine forcing Oliver to reveal his identity to Roy to make him stop attacking Turner and help him destroy the machine. Oliver later introduced Roy to Felicity and Diggle in the lair.

Oliver was present when Walter and Mark Francis were discussing Moira's upcoming campaign, against Sebastian Blood but was called to the hospital after Laurel was admitted with Quentin and Dinah, and noticed Laurel's eyes were strangely discolored. Oliver later met up with Sara in the Arrowcave and tried to convince her not to leave again, and received a call from Quentin telling him to put Sara on. Later Sara met up with Quentin but Oliver secretly tailed her, as the Arrow, and saw Nyssa al Ghul, the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, arrive and saw the two kissing and when he approached them Sara begged him to back off for Nyssa's sake. Later Oliver discovered that Laurel was actually poisoned by Nyssa to draw Sara back to bring Starling City, and to bring her back to the league. The Arrow and the Canary later tailed Nyssa and her lackie in a van and discovered that they had abducted Sara's mother. Later at Moira's campaign announcement Felicity told Oliver that Malcolm Merlyn was Thea's biological father. Later Sara agreed to rejoin Nyssa but took the snake poison assuming that Sara was going to kill Nyssa with it, but when the Arrow found her she had actually poisoned herself and the Arrow fought Nyssa and defeated her and saved Sara with special herbs from the island. Later Oliver confronted Moira about keeping her secret of Merlyn being Thea's father from him and disowned her. Later Oliver was training in the cave when Sara showed up and told him about Laurel's less than positive reaction to her being alive and Oliver told Sara that her family wasn't what he thought. After the two had a moment Oliver and Sara passionately kissed each other before making love.

Oliver holds a welcome home party for Sara at the Queen Mansion and has to pretend that he was unaware of her survival as do the others. Oliver also calls Laurel to ask her to come but Quentin tells him that she isn't coming and confesses to Oliver that he was too harsh and out of line on Oliver last year and the two reconcile. Oliver also does his best to avoid Moira but Thea begins to notice the two not talking. Later the Arrow and the Canary meet with Quentin about a criminal who stole a device called a "skeleton key". The Arrow and the Canary following a lead on it's location found a bank already robbed but their communications were interrupted by an unknown individual who told them that a bus was about to collide with a train, forcing the Arrow to stop the bus while the Canary went after the man in question and got his blood when she hit him, later discovering this to be William Tockman aka Clock King. The Arrow and the Canary followed another lead on Tockman's whereabouts but it was a diversion while Tockman hacked into the Arrowcave's security and fried the computers. As Felicity worked to repair it Oliver accompany Sara to a family dinner at Laurel's house, which was awkwardly broken up by Laurel after she figured out from looks that Oliver and Sara were together again and stormed off, but Oliver stopped her and directly confronted her on her issues but when she ignored him, (finally having enough of her alcoholic, drug addict, and always trying to blame everyone except herself for ruining her life attitude), Oliver coldly criticizing and corrects Laurel on her actions, and he stated that he didn't love her anymore and went back inside. Later Oliver, Sara and Diggle went after Felicity who decided to head out alone after Tockman and Oliver was faced with his guards while Sara and Felicity stopped Tockman. Later when Oliver and Sara were talking at the bar he got a text from Thea stating that there was an emergency at the house but it turns out it was a trick to get Oliver and Moira to talk. Before Oliver could leave Moira introduced him to Slade Wilson who was alive and well, much to Oliver's horror. Slade continues to socialize with Oliver and Moira but secretly taunts Oliver about events from the island before Thea gives him a tour of their art collection and Oliver indirectly calls Felicity and Roy and Sara show up at the house, forcing Slade to leave but Oliver decides to escort Slade to his car as Diggle was meant to take a head-shot on Slade but was aprehended. As they were walking Oliver figured out that Cyrus Gold and Brother Blood worked for him and Slade vows to fulfil his promise as he leaves.

Oliver begins to have nightmares of Shado dying and enlists Alexi Leonov's help to find Slade but he refuses unless he helps him with a favor. Oliver then beats his two guards and forces his co-operation. Felicity then tells Oliver about a robbery in progress which Arrow pursues but finds the robbers dead and on a nearby rooftop sees Slade's island mask mounted to a roof. Oliver eventually receives Alxei's tip but he tells him that they are finished, but Sara follows Oliver and tries to reason with him. After learning of his Shado nightmares Sara attempts to comfort him but he tells her to stay away from him. When Oliver, against Felicity's advise to bring Sara and Roy, arrives in Slade's office he sees Alexi dead and a video of Shado in her youth and returns to the cave to apologize to Sara and confesses his fear and the two make up. Oliver later visits and old friend: Amanda Waller and requests any information on Slade and Amanda tells her of a mercenary named "Deathstroke" who Oliver realizes is Slade.

Oliver helps Sara with watching over Quentin as he starts a police raid against Hugo Mannheim. A gun fight starts and the Arrow helps with taking down Mannheim's henchmen. The Arrow sees Frank Bertinelli run away from the gun fight but he stops him by shooting a ensnarement arrow on his legs. Oliver then escapes when police reinforcements arrive. In the Arrowcave, Oliver explains why Helena wants her father dead. In a flashback, Oliver gets tortured by the Amazo's crew. Back in the present, Oliver and the team finds out that Helena has rented a car is heading to Starling City. Oliver asks Roy if he's ready to get back in field. Oliver tracks down the car and stands in front of it with his bow aimed at it. The driver turns out to be someone else and Oliver stops Roy from killing the driver by calling him "Speedy". Oliver interrogates the driver and finds out that Helena payed the driver to drive the car. Back in the cave, Oliver continues to investigate Helena and Sara nods to him as a sign to check how Roy is doing. Oliver expresses his concern about Roy's rage and asks him to stay away from Thea. Felicity shows Oliver the news about Laurel will lead the prosecution against Bertinelli. Oliver heads to the courthouse to meet Laurel. The Huntress arrives to kill her father and Oliver tries to talk her out of it. The Huntress had brought her henchmen and a gun fight starts between them and the police. Oliver pulls Laurel and Frank away from the gun fight. Oliver gets a phone call from officer Quentin to speak with the Arrow. Oliver calls Arrowcave to bring him his costume and equipment. The Arrow tells the Canary to bring Laurel out of there but Laurel refuses. In a flashback, Oliver tells Sara to not comply to Slade's demands, which results in Oliver getting electrocuted. Back in the courthouse, The Huntress defeated Sara and throws her out of a window, Oliver manages to save her as Helena is about to shoot her. However Helena has captured Laurel and demands Oliver to bring her father. During the trade, several policemen starts shooting at the vigilantes. A policeman aimed at the Arrow but Quentin saved him by knocking the policeman out. Oliver visits Helena at the police station and talks about how he failed Helena. During a flashback, Oliver has been tattooed on his back, the same tattoo that Shado had and Slade explains to him that this is how the Romans reminded the criminals of what they've done. At Verdant, Oliver meets Thea and she tells him about Roy cheating on her. Oliver also meets up with Sara there, he kisses her and compliments her on what she did back at the courthouse.

Oliver continues to train Roy in the skills of archery to control his rage until Felicity tells him about a meeting with Isabel and the board which he needs to attend. Once there 30 minutes before the meeting Moira visits Oliver to confirm if he is indeed showing up to the debate between her and Sebastian Blood but he assures her that he will keep up public appearances as promised, and he coldly tells her ("i gotten pretty good at, pretending to be someone i'm not, i learned it from you"). Later at the debate he tries to get in touch with Thea who hasn't shown up and wishes Sebastian luck. However during the debate a video tape of Thea being held captive is shown and Slade in his Deathstroke costume appears much to Oliver's horror. Oliver later meets with Isabel at the company and appoints her temporary CEO so he can focus more on finding Thea, and also yells at Police Lieutenant Frank Pike for not getting any further in the investigation. After Felicity finds Slade's whereabouts the Arrow, the Canary and Roy head out and sedate him until Officer Quentin arrests and questions him but Slade has his tracks covered and is released and Quentin is discriminated. Later Oliver and Moira reconcile over their recent disagreements in the wake of Thea's abduction and Oliver arrives in the Arrowcave just in time to see Roy strangling Diggle and Sara with an arrow pointed at Roy's chest and Oliver was forced to break up the tension. Roy then declared that he is done and leaves the team. To make matters worse Felicity discovers that Isabel has taken control of the company after an emergency board meeting and becomes the 60% shareholder. Oliver confronts her about it in the office and reveals that she knows his secret and is working with Slade, when Oliver asks why she replies "the sins of the father are the sins of the son" before attacking him. However Oliver overpowers Isabel and gets Thea's location out of her and Slade wants Oliver to come alone or Thea dies. The Arrow then attacks the warehouse but doesn't find Thea and Felicity tells him that Thea just walked into the SCPD and when he arrives Diggle and Sara tell him that Slade high-jacked an Iron Heights Prisoner transfer bus, meaning that Thea's abduction was a diversion. Oliver and Moira arrive and tearfully reunite with Thea, who reveals that Slade told her that Malcolm Merlyn is her father and storms off, their relationship now shattered. Later in the Arrowcave Oliver begins to doubt himself for letting Isabel take the company, letting Slade take Thea and tell her about Malcolm, letting Quentin get arrested and for failing Roy but Diggle and Felicity snap him out of it and Oliver declares that they are taking the fight to him.

On Felicity's advise, Oliver leads his team to Queen Consolidated's Applied Sciences Division to blow it up to prevent Slade from replicating the Mirakuru. After witnessing Isabel's press conference on the matter the others were relived that they hurt Slade but Oliver knew he would press on through other means. Later Ned Foster met with Oliver and and his mother to discus saving their family's wealth from Isabel's seizing of the company, and he also learned from Moira that Isabel was previously his father's lover much to his shock. Also that Thea needs to sign a document that protects their assets so Isabel cannot access the rest of their wealth. As Team Arrow arrived at the cave discussing Quentin's arrest and Roy's departure Deathstroke was waiting for them in the cave and attacked them, throwing Sara against a table, tossing Diggle into the glass container and engaging Oliver in a sword fight which Deathstroke easily won. Oliver and Sara were briefly hospitalized but soon discharged and Oliver went to Thea to talk her into helping him and Moira against Isabel but she refused, further learning that Deathstroke had stolen the Skeleton Key from their lair. Arrow and Canary, unaware they were being followed by Laurel whom Slade told about Oliver's secret, headed to Star Labs to stop Deathstroke stealing a bio-transfusor but arrived only in time to see Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramonin panic telling the clerk of the thief. Later at Laurel's request Arrow met with her and she began to show signs of being onto his identity. Oliver soon visited Isabel to get Slade's location and learned from her that Robert was aware of Malcolm being Thea's true father but still loved her anyway and attempted to tell Thea only to have Felicity call and inform him of the transfusor's location. When Arrow arrived he saw that it was not Slade rigged to it, but Roy. Slade and Isabel then arrived and Arrow engaged both of them and rescued Roy as Diggle seemingly shot Isabel several times, taking Roy back to the Arrowcave with a formula of Mirakuru. Oliver stated that they were going to make a cure with it and later against talked to Thea about Robert being aware of her true parentage but she didn't care. Laurel then showed up to hug him for being important to her, unaware she was now fully aware of his real identity.

Oliver and Sara spent some time together in a motel room where he asks if she wants to move in, but is interrupted by Felicity calling telling them Roy woke up but is now on a rampage. Arrow, Canary and Diggle searched the city for Roy on his rampages throughout the city but only arrived to see the victims of his wrath. Oliver also assigned Diggle to bodyguard Thea during this time, much to her annoyance, and learned that Sin had been attacked which sent Sara on the warpath. Later Arrow and Canary found Roy in Sara's hideout where he attacked them, broke Oliver's leg and killed a police officer and left the other critically injured. Arrow and Canary then went to Glades Memorial Hospitalwhere a doctor, previously harassed by China White's medical thefts, helps him. Later Oliver, injured but on his feet, is informed by Mark that his mother is dropping out of the election against Sebastian. While discussing the matter of Roy, Oliver tries to convince Sara that they don't need to kill him but she doesn't see any way around it. He attempts to talk her out of it for Thea's sake and she reveals that she is aware of his identity as the Arrow, telling him that she is proud. Oliver witnessed Moira's rally speech and saw Thea give a brief speech to draw Roy in and Oliver injected himself with medicine to get back up and arrived in time to stop Canary from shooting Roy in the head. Oliver then had Roy put under with snake-venom keeping him down and Sara decided to leave disgusted with herself to wanted to kill Roy and Oliver and left with Moira and Thea where Thea said she knew Oliver was aware of Roy's problem, and Moira stated that she was going to make things right. However as she was about to tell them something about Malcolm, their limo was rammed by a truck. When Oliver awoke he saw Moira and Thea tied up with Slade holding a gun, similar to Ivo holding Sara and Shado hostage on the island, and forced Oliver to choose one. However Moira volunteered and Slade stabbed her with his katana killing her and sending Oliver into a state of shock as Slade vowed one more person would die.

Oliver went missing and hid in his secret secondary lair for days, missing Moira's funeral, even when informed Isabel was alive. Diggle and Felcity searched hours, eventually needing Amanda Waller's help, and found him where he declared his plan to surrender to Slade. He visited Thea where Walter was unsuccessfully trying to convince her not to leave but Oliver encouraged it and called Isabel to tell her he's surrendering. Oliver waited at the pier but was hit by a drugged Flechette and woke up in the lair, with Laurel. Laurel and Oliver were finally able to make amends over loosing Tommy as Laurel begged Ollie not to surrender telling her that Sebastian is in fact Brother Blood as she originally believed. Oliver then met with Sebastian and revealed his identity to him in an attempt to convince him that Slade is merely using him, Sebastian not believing him. Later Arrow arrived at the location of Brother Blood's Mirakuru army as Diggle was attempted to set a bomb to blow them all but Arrow was distracted by a Mirakuru soldier attacking him as Laurel arrived to save him but were pursued by 7 more. Arrow decided to blow the roof to save themselves. As the attack on Starling continued Arrow woke up he guided Laurel through using his bow and arrow to blow herself out of the debris. When they got clear Arrow, Felicity and Diggle were informed by a S.T.A.R. Labs courier that the cure Cisco and Caitlin produced is now on-route and they set out in the van to retrieve it when the courier's car was flipped and he was injured. On the way the van was attacked by Mirakuru soldiers forcing Arrow and Diggle, with Felicity knocked out, to head out on foot but arrived too late as the cure was stolen. Oliver and Felicity hide in Sara's hideout, as Diggle went to retrieve Roy, where he confessed to having failed the city and the people he wanted to avenge but Felicity stressed that he will be Slade having beat everyone else and hugged him. Oliver then received a call from Sebastian that he had the cure and will give it to him. Oliver and John arrived at his office where he confessed his childhood trauma from his abusive father, also being the origin of his mask's creation, and confessed he only ever wanted to help Starling and gave him the cure.

Oliver brought the cure to the tower but saw on the screen, after Quentin told him, that there were shuttles surrounding the city which Oliver knew was Amanda Waller's. He call her to call off that attack but refused prompting Oliver to use the cure on Roy to test it. The Mirakuru soldiers attacked the tower as Roy awoke but the 4 escaped through a cable just as Lyla arrived in time to destroy the tower and the soldiers within. The team arrived in the cave, finding it wrecked, and Oliver ordered John and Lyla to stop or distract Waller long enough for them to succeed. As Felicity and Roy gathered injection arrows Sara returned with Nyssa and 6 assassin archers to assist Oliver against Slade. Before departing for Queen Consolidated Oliver presented Roy with his own mask, using Sebastian's remarks about crucibles to inspire him, and headed to the building where Arrow and Canary confronted Deathstroke and Ravager along with several soldiers. Nyssa and the league soon arrived with the other assassins and killed Isabel but Deathstroke escaped. Arrow, Canary, Felicity and Quentin then discussed Slade's army leaving the city and was informed that Laurel had been abducted. Oliver then secretly stressed his few options to defeat Slade beside killing him, which she gave him the idea to make him over-think his plan. Oliver then took Felicity to his house to hide and confessed to being in love with her, as a ruse to deceive Slade as Oliver had previously discovered his hidden cameras. Arrow then lead Canary, Nyssa, Roy, Quentin and the League against the Mirakuru army and defeated them but Slade contacted Arrow and told him that he had taken Felicity also. Oliver confronted Slade at the steel-mill where he also had Laurel hostage, against like Sara and Shado, and expressed his deepest hatred for allowing Shado to die but Felicity used this distraction to inject Slade with the cure and Oliver fought him and eventually restrained him with Trick arrows. Some time later Oliver had Slade incarcerated in a Supermax on Lian Yu itself and visited him to thank him for teaching him his skills and left as Slade vowed to get out. Oliver, Diggle and Felicity then walked back to the shuttle where Felicity commented on how Oliver sold the love story between them but was also asked how he knows to fly a shuttle.

Return of the Church of Blood
Not long following his defeat of Slade, The Arrow and Roy grappled on to a "drug shuttle" and climbed up on top. They struggled to hold on while Felicity, back at their base, tried to hack the shuttle's computer. Unable to get a clean signal, Dig suggested to go with "plan B". Oliver proceeded to stab an arrow in to the shuttle. The arrow exploded and the two of them jumped in to the shuttle. As the occupants began shooting at the men, they began fighting back. Oliver fired an arrow at the pilot, which opened up at the end to reveal a ball, hitting the man in the face. As Roy mused over the new "boxing glove arrow" (a term Oliver claimed to hate), Oliver started to fly the shuttle back to stability. He placed an autopilot device on to the controls and busied himself with fighting back the remaining occupants of the shuttle. Roy was momentarily distracted by a comment from Oliver calling him Speedy. In this moment, one of the Spanish-speaking men attempted to fire his gun at Roy, only to get an arrow to the chest from Oliver. Unluckily, Roy was hit by a bullet and began falling from the shuttle.

Oliver confirmed that Felicity's autopilot gadget was working before jumping from the shuttle. As he free-fell, he asked Diggle to prep for surgery for Roy's bullet wound. As he got closer he caught Roy and enabled a parachute. Back at the foundry, Oliver reasoned that their base was much closer than a hospital, so it was the smartest move. While Diggle fetched the appropriate blood, Oliver fixed his dislocated arm in order to help with the surgery. After the surgery, Oliver believed that all they could do was wait. He began to blame himself for making Roy take on such a high-risk mission. Diggle then decided to leave in order to help out his pregnant partner, Lyla. Felicity, meanwhile, told Oliver that he needed a new place to live as the foundry was comparable to a cave. She proceeded to accidentally imply that she wanted him in her bed, as opposed to her intended message of a bed owned by her

Eventually Roy's condition stabilized, though still being in a fairly bad way, and were his condition to worsen then Oliver would personally take him to Starling General. They communicated with Dig who had just received supplies from their supplier, Lodai. Felicity noticed a hostage situation on the top of Winick Tower. As The Arrow arrived there, he threw small arrows at the man, Hoshaw Tolibao, knocking him down. Before he could harm Oliver when he got up, he kicked him back down. On the ground, Hoshaw claimed to be a prophet for Brother Blood, despite Oliver apparently killing Sebastian Blood.

After Laurel talked to Hoshaw, she relayed his claim to be following the word of Brother Blood. The team determined that, as the original Brother Blood, Sebastian Blood, was dead, there had to be a new person taking up the mantle. Oliver decided to suit up and head over to St. Walker's Church, an abandoned orphanage in which Sebastian had grown up. He came across some followers of the Church of Blood, who began crowding around him. Suddenly, Brother Blood appeared. The Arrow requested to know Brother Blood's identity, passing his followers off as lost souls and homeless people. This angered the followers, who began encroaching on him, trying to beat him up. Among them was Werner Zytle, who injected him with some of his enhanced Vertigo. Before they could pull his mask off, he pulled away, throwing down an explosion of smoke. While he was escaping, he found Diggle being dragged by some men to Brother Blood. He hid in the shadows, following them, as they took Dig to their leader. Brother Blood revealed himself to be Clinton Hogue, but not before The Arrow could shoot numerous flechettes in to his back, enabling Oliver to grab Diggle and run. On his way out, The Arrow beat up Clinton. They found some more followers, though Oliver once again used an explosion of smoke, and they began climbing out of the underground. As they reached the top, Oliver came across The Huntress, whom he believed to be in prison. She claimed to be there to pay him back, and to have put a bolt in Diggle's heart. She began beating him up, getting annoyed at him for apparently forcing her to make her wear her outfit. She knocked him to the ground, while meanwhile the followers had reached the surface, causing him to warn her. He got up and went to turn round, instead finding his apparently dead father standing there. He mentioned how Oliver knew several people who had already practically been resurrected, so it was his turn. His father then turned in to his mother, who believed that she should also get a turn. She expressed her disappointment in Oliver. His mother soon turned in to Tommy Merlyn, who knocked him down. He also judged him for not saving him, suggesting that he probably wasn't even his best friend, that title going to John Diggle. Tommy turned in to his father again, who reminded him that he had killed himself to save his life, not to "play dress-up". His father became Slade Wilson, who claimed to be able to beat him easily in a fair fight, which was why Oliver didn't even bother saving his mother, whom Slade's form changed in to. She suggested that Oliver had only let her die so Thea wouldn't find out his vigilante identity. All of these hallucinations from Zytle's Vertigo concoction, The Canary appeared, and he was unsure whether she was real or another hallucination. However, as she was indeed real, she knocked Ollie out in order to take him back to the Arrowcave.

Back at the cave, Felicity drew some blood from Oliver and began running tests on it, finding traces of psychotropic drugs in it. He suddenly woke up, no longer hallucinating. Diggle gave him some "magic herbs" from the island and revealed how Oliver had given him plenty of bruises during their brawl. Oliver went on to determine that he'd been injected with something from one of Blood's followers, also revealing to Felicity the true identity of the new Brother Blood, Clinton Hogue. Though determined to take down Hogue, Sara cautioned restraint, offering to help but only after Oliver had some rest to recover.

As he rested, he dreamt of fighting Thea, ending with her pushing him off of a rooftop. He suddenly awoke and left Thea a voice mail to call him back. As he began to walk around, Roy also woke up. Oliver explained to him what had happened and checked to see if he was okay.

A day later, Oliver met with Ned Foster at Queen Consolidated. He hoped that Oliver was spending his money wisely, rather than wasting all of it partying, and mentioned how he'd found a solution to his financial instability. They entered the conference room to find Walter Steele. He mentioned how, as part of Starling National Bank, he believed he could find significant backers to help Oliver buy back his company, despite his terrible business ethic. Walter assured him that their plan could work, but it all depended on Oliver, due to his notability as a Queen. Oliver left the office on his way to check on Felicity at her office. On the way, he received a call from Diggle, who mentioned his trip to Kahndaq with the Suicide Squad and Oliver wished him luck, and to be careful. Oliver arrived at Kord Industries and asked for Felicity. The man who attended to him recognized him, noting that his friend had yet to turn up in the past two days, on top of a full month of missed days and lost time. Due to this, he fired her and wished Oliver to give her the news. He left for Felicity's apartment, but found it damaged and everything overturned. He returned to the foundry and began to suit up. He and Roy viewed Felicity's security footage, discovering that she'd been kidnapped by Brother Blood's men. Left to the two of them, Oliver unveiled a kevlar-lined suit for Roy, and the two of them left.

They arrived at St. Walker's Church, the Church of Blood's hideout, arriving through the sewers. They crashed through a door, hoping to find Felicity, but there was no one. They proceeded to search the room, suddenly finding an explosive in a desk drawer. They ran for their lives, before the bomb exploded, collapsing the entire building. As they climbed from the rubble, Oliver and Roy noticed a member of Slade Wilson's Mirakuru-powered army. As they did, Oliver's combadge chirped. Over the combadge, Felicity tried to warn them, but was interrupted by Brother Blood. He promised to exchange Felicity for The Arrow, that night on top of Kord Industries. Later on, Oliver was working out when Roy interrupted, asking for any hint of a plan. Oliver expressed some sort of feelings for Felicity, but denied them being actual feelings. That night, they arrived atop Kord Industries. Oliver left his weapons behind and they patted him down, before allowing him to board their shuttle.

Once aboard, Oliver asked to commence the trade. However, refusing to do so, as Oliver had predicted, Oliver knocked almost everyone but Brother Blood out, taking his gun. He threatened to kill for Felicity if he was not taken to her. They soon arrived at the drop zone, but Hogue assured him that his men would be waiting for him, outmatching him four to one. However, Oliver was sure that this would in no way hinder him. Oliver began to threaten Hogue, attempting to find Felicity's location. However, he suddenly jumped at Oliver and stole his gun, though Oliver quickly kicked it out of his hand and pinned him to the ground, right as Arsenal arrived with The Huntress, much to his surprise. They surveyed the interior, Helena suggesting that she kill all of them, but Oliver disagreeing. They crashed in from the ceiling and Oliver took Felicity from her captor, Bartek Kuranski. Felicity kicked him in the crotch, as she'd promised, but everyone was soon electrocuted by Lyle Bolton, despite Oliver's attempts to thwart him, who then took the two women hostage. Given a choice, Oliver chose Helena. Stopping Vanch from intervening, he waited for Bolton to let Helena go. As he did, she turned around and knocked him out. Oliver called in an anonymous tip for the mercenaries to the police, then they left. Before they left, he admitted to Helena that he'd let her choose where she felt she deserved to go. As Oliver began to take off in the helicopter, Hogue came up from behind and attempted to kill Roy. Oliver jumped to the back and tried to grab Roy, but both Roy and Clinton fell out of the helicopter, though Roy was able to grab on to the side while Clinton grabbed on to Roy himself. Oliver attempted to pull Roy up, but Roy first kicked Hogue and made him fall to the ground. They took Helena back to prison, which she'd decided on. While there, Helena suggested that Oliver keep a hold on Felicity. Back at the base, Felicity presented Oliver with a bed in thanks. In return, he gave her a bottle of wine he'd promised her nearly two years ago, and he opened it by shooting an arrow before they shared it.

Caleb Green's vengeance
Sometime following, Oliver met Walter Steele and Ned Foster at Queen Consolidated, who notified him of a board meeting on the 8th of October, and their future plans following that. He thanked Walter before leaving. Before Oliver could hail a cab, he was attacked by an angry man. He was able to miss each of the man's punches, but was soon thrown in to Champions Sports, a sporting shop. He soon came back out, wearing a hockey mask and wielding a baseball bat. The man broke the bat, but Oliver pulled a recurve bow from his back, lodging an arrow in his shoulder. However, he was able to withstand it, due to his Mirakuru enhancement. Luckily, Roy Harper was able to intervene. The man tried to attack them both, but was distracted by the SCIS, who he was forced to flee from. On suggestion from Diggle, Roy grappled up a building with his bow and arrow, holding Oliver as well. They crashed through the window, before heading down the stairs, only to be stopped by the SCIS. They were promptly handcuffed and made to face a wall. However, Felicity called and used a voice imitation program to act as the SCIS chief, forcing them to be freed. The two of them headed back to the Arrowcave, where they found the identity of the man, Caleb Green. Discovering that he had in fact been after vengeance on Robert Queen for his father, and having no Mirakuru cure, Oliver determined that he still had one sin to atone for, planning to leave for Lian Yu with Roy.

War with the League of Assassins and retirement from crusade
Over the next several months Oliver, Diggle, Typhuss Felicity and Roy began a clean up mission of Starling City and put away dozens of criminals, severely crippling the criminal network and leaving the rest of them desperate. Arrow, Diggle and Roy pursued a shuttle carrying illegal RPG's He exploded the back of it, allowing Diggle to sort out the RPGs, then directed the shuttle towards Roy. The pliot, Vincent Steelgrave, made a run for it, but Oliver captured him, commenting that he'd failed the city, before knocking him out. They headed back to the foundry, where Oliver crossed off yet another name from his new list of criminals. He noticed a fern, which she explained as an attempt to liven up the dull surroundings. Oliver promptly received a text from Thea, leading to Roy leaving quickly to do a patrol. As he left, Oliver complimented him on how well he had been doing. Felicity and Diggle also left, though before the latter did, Oliver gave him a gift to celebrate his coming baby. Dig urged Oliver to talk to Felicity, as he believed him to be blatantly in love with her. Later that day, Oliver met with Laurel Lance as Vincent Steelgrave was being taken away by SCIS. Laurel guided him over to a group surrounding Captain Quentin Lance, who was ready to make an announcement. Laurel claimed that it was his surprise. Captain Lance began to announce that, using his new position as a SCIS captain, he was formally recognizing The Arrow as a hero, as well as disbanding the task force created to hunt him down. After that, Oliver rushed on over to the foundry, where he caught up with Felicity. He awkwardly asked her out on a dinner date, which she accepted. That night they were on another mission, going after a member of Steelgrave's crew. Dig patched Oliver over to Felicity, and despite being in the middle of a high speed chase, he asked her as to her interests in Italian food, agreeing on it. The Arrow intercepted Calvin Nico, the man in question, just as Captain Lance also did. He thanked him for what he'd done, excusing himself as he claimed to have somewhere to be. He headed to the restaurant, changing in to a suit and stashing his bag in a compartment. He met Felicity, just as nervous as her. Unable to find anything to talk about, he admitted that he hadn't been on the island for the entirety of his five years away, specifically he'd gone to Hong Kong, for one. He went on to describe how he learnt to stop trusting people, only to begin to do so again when he first met Felicity. Oliver began to suggest that they had the potential to begin a relationship, but the conversation was cut short by a rocket launched aiming for The Arrow. The two of them were knocked out, and Oliver awoke to a badly battered Felicity. He picked her up and took her and his bag back to the base, where he lay Felicity on a table. Roy discovered a GPS tag on Felicity's jacket, Oliver inferring that it had been meant for him, hence the explosive. He gave Lance a call, alerting him as to the situation, and wishing to find the leader of the gang. Felicity suddenly woke up and was comforted by Oliver. Oliver suited up and headed to where they assumed Steelgrave's men to be, where he also found Quentin, who told him of the suspect, Werner Zytle. Werner suddenly appeared, introducing himself and throwing a dart at his neck. He called himself Vertigo, despite The Arrow's claim that The Count was dead. The two began fighting, though The Arrow began to stagger. As Oliver started to hallucinate, Werner explained that he had brought back the Vertigo drug with an addition that made one see their greatest fear. Werner began to turn in to Oliver himself, and resulted in him fighting The Arrow and even winning, holding him up against a wall. Quentin began shooting, distracting him long enough for The Arrow to run off. However, Quentin collapsed and Werner started to walk to him. Before he could do any harm, he was shot with an arrow and fled. The Arrow requested Felicity call an ambulance for the captain. Oliver returned to the base, checking that Felicity was okay. He sent Roy out to patrol for Werner's men and instructed Dig to go home to look after Lyla. Felicity and Oliver headed to Queen Consolidated for Oliver's meeting with the company's board. Surprising them, another bidder for the company, Ray Palmer, arrived. Oliver began a heartfelt speech to the board members in a hope to win the bid for the company, only to quickly be squashed by Ray's motivational speech regarding "QC" transforming the city in to a "Star City". They left and Oliver decided that, clearly having lost to Ray, he had previously made a decision to put aside "Oliver Queen" anyway, and so it was likely for the best. Back at the base, Diggle updated Oliver on Werner's next targets, three crime bosses. Oliver and Roy suited up, while arguing that Diggle had to stay at the base as he was a soon-to-be father. Once at the Rockets Arena, where Werner and the crime bosses were, Roy was sent to deactivate the bomb while Arrow chose to go after Werner, heading to the roof. Werner threw a Vertigo-laced dart at him, though Arrow was able to overcome it. Suddenly, Canary appeared to help keep down Werner's accomplice. Arrow was surprised to see Canary back, but quickly made sure to tie up Werner. They went for a walk and caught up. Sara suggested that she might return permanently to the city, but advised that Oliver needed to have non-vigilantes in his life. Soon after, Oliver headed to the hospital to find Diggle and Lyla, the latter of whom had given birth. John thanked Oliver for giving him the right advice and the two hugged. Out in the hallway, Felicity and Oliver briefly talked about their situation, before kissing and Felicity walking off upset. Suddenly Oliver received a call from Barry, who had woken up from his coma. Meeting on a rooftop, Barry explained his powers of super speed, how they'd come to be and how there were others like him, one of whom killed a man and Barry screwed up the chance to save him. He also expressed doubts, as Dr. Wells had told him that he was just a man struck by lightning, but Oliver promised that his power was a gift to be used in ways Oliver's could not, to be an unseen guardian angel, saving people "in a flash". As Arrow departed he told Barry to listen to his own previous advice and wear a mask. Barry was impressed by Oliver's exit, as was Oliver likewise of Barry's speeding away.

The following morning, Oliver headed to the base with Felicity, Typhuss and Roy, where they horrifyingly found Sara lying on a table, dead. Laurel attempted to explain what had happened, before Oliver closed her eyes and comforted Laurel. Oliver met Laurel upstairs, where she told Oliver of a stuffed shark that Sara was fond of. Oliver promised to find Sara's killer, to which Laurel attempted to suggest that she would also help, though Oliver recommended that she had helped enough thus far. Laurel left, leading to Oliver calling Thea, wishing to simply hear her voice, though he only got her voice mail. Felicity approached, letting him know that they had no video surveillance to go off, so he instead decided to go and survey the area. At the scene, Oliver was only able to find a piece of metal, but meanwhile imagined Sara's murder. Diggle approached, having learnt of Sara's death. He attempted to get Oliver to take some time off of work, but Oliver claimed his vigilante work was all he could do, and proceeded to dissect what he could take from the scene, leading to Dig offering his help. Suddenly, Oliver was called by Felicity, who alerted him to Quentin wanting to meet. Despite initially fearing it would be about Sara, he was told of a corporate financier named John Burke who'd been killed through seemingly similar means to Sara. Back at the foundry, Dig and Oliver brainstormed possible archers, Oliver suggesting only 10 he knew of, most of whom were in the League of Assassins (counting out those, as they didn't target their own). Felicity alerted them to a new attack by the archer, so Oliver had Diggle check A.R.G.U.S.'s database for potentials while he went to question a likely witness. At the crime scene, The Arrow prevented the man from escaping, before finding out that the man he was looking for wore a black hockey mask. Contacting Diggle, he found out a likely suspect was Simon Lacroix/Komodo. Patching through to Felicity, she was able to pinpoint Lacroix. As Komodo almost shot an arrow at a victim, Arrow intercepted. They began driving at each other on motorbikes shooting arrows though Komodo won the match and escaped. Back at the base, they decided on a new tactic - rather than searching for Lacroix, they would attempt to search for his targets. The search took a while, causing Oliver to become impatient and Felicity to become annoyed at him in return. She proceeded to question how Oliver could act so coldly, yet Oliver claimed he could never have that luxury living the life he did. Felicity simply got more upset and stormed out. Following that, Oliver attempted to call Thea again. Not replying, Roy decided to reveal that she'd left him a note upon her leaving, promising to never return to Starling. Oliver read the letter while Roy apologized, and Oliver simply accepted the apology. Laurel came to the team with information regarding Lacroix and determined his next target, Tom Weston, and Oliver left to Ray Palmer's Star City pledge, despite Laurel's attempts to join him. At the event, Komodo inevitably attacked Weston but the Arrow and Roy intervened. Despite his efforts, Komodo was eventually pinned to a wall and unmasked. Laurel appeared aiming a gun at Lacroix. She accused him of killing Sara, though he explained where that he was in Bludhaven to night of Laurel's claim. Oliver dragged Laurel off after she'd realized the gun wasn't loaded. The following morning, Oliver reassured Laurel that Lacroix's alibi was authentic. He promised to eventually find Sara's killer, but he had no clue when that will be and urged her to tell her father of Sara's death. That night, they buried Sara in her previously empty grave, and they all payed their respects. Back at the foundry, John decided that he would re-join the team, as long as it took to find Sara's killer. Following on from that, Oliver decided that they would have to go find Thea and bring her home. Oliver expressed that he didn't want to die down in the basement, before John told him not to and left.

The Arrow ran down a man, questioning him on Sara's death, giving him a piece of evidence from the scene containing his DNA. The man confessed to having been up there drinking but left when Sara showed up after she told them to get lost. Oliver headed back to the base, frustrated that the trail had gone cold. Felicity revealed to have found Thea's true location: Corto Maltese. The three men decided to head to the country. Once in the country, Diggle and Roy settled in to their hotel while they allowed Oliver to find Thea. Oliver found Thea, working at a cafe who was surprised to see him. They began talking, he empathized with her, asking her to come back home with him. Despite claiming to love him, she refused to return at all. Oliver left to help Diggle with a job for Lyla, finding an A.R.G.U.S. agent who was unresponsive, Mark Shaw. Diggle approached as Oliver stayed to watch from afar. After all was clear, they headed to a site, Oliver still observing as backup. When Shaw double-crossed Diggle, Oliver revealed himself, running after Shaw, but he drove away before he could be stopped. They conferred with Lyla, who promised to be sending a wet team to back them up, asking them to keep their powder dry. However, they chose to disregard her message, going after Shaw instead. They called Felicity, who they asked to ping Shaw's phone and determine his location. Meanwhile, Oliver decided to tell Thea "the truth" in order to get her to come home with them. Diggle reasoned that he'd likely lose Thea if he did, though Oliver further reasoned that he'd already lost her to Corto Maltese. Oliver met with Thea, expressing his fear that he would indeed lose her, but she explained that the lying about her own life, particularly her birth father, was what had driven her away. In hearing this, Oliver revealed the truth about their father's suicide, which Oliver had always mentioned as an accidental drowning. He explained that both of their parents had sacrificed themselves so both of them could live, so they had to stick together. Oliver met back up with John and Roy at the scene of Shaw's buy. As the buy was going down, a group of hired men arrived and began shooting at the three spies. They began shooting and firing back with homemade bows and arrows. After he'd ran out of arrows, Oliver grabbed Diggle's gun and shot numerous soldiers, much to the surprise of Roy. Oliver took out the buyer and his guards, taking his laptop of A.R.G.U.S. names, right as Diggle knocked out Shaw, allowing him to go and effectively leave A.R.G.U.S.. They later waited at the airport, disappointed that Thea had not arrived. However, she shortly arrived, much to the particular delight of Oliver. A nearby passenger spilled his coffee all over Thea's hand, though she was unfazed, which weirded out Oliver. Back in Starling, Oliver came across Laurel, who had been injured in a fight. She expressed her wishes to train and help people like Sara had, but Oliver shot her down as he didn't want her to get hurt. Down in the cave, Oliver and Roy talked about Thea, as Oliver seemed to believe Thea was acting differently. However, they were quickly interrupted by Nyssa, who was looking for Sara.

After explaining that she had been killed and eventually buried, Nyssa left. Believing she knew something, Oliver asked Roy to follow Nyssa while he met Thea. At the restaurant, Oliver offered to help, but Thea revealed that she would be taking back Verdant with the help of investors. Following dinner, Oliver left to follow Nyssa, finding her in an abandoned building which she revealed to be Sara's old place. Nyssa went on to reveal that Sara had been in Starling to confirm rumors that Malcolm was alive much to Oliver's shock. They headed back to the base, where Roy expressed his skepticism. However, Oliver confirmed that he was indeed alive, showing photos they'd found on a camera from Sara's safe-house, dating back only a few weeks. Following that, they inspected some paper Sara had left in her boot, which Nyssa determined had ghost ink on it, revealed only with heat from a fire. Finding pieces of information regarding an individual named Jansen and that Sara had gone to her father for help, Laurel was sent to talk to Quentin. Oliver, Roy, Diggle and Nyssa headed to the monastery of Ken Zhi Jansen, a Buddhist monk who had helped Malcolm, and whom Sara had been tracking down. Nyssa found who she believed to be Jansen, though it was in fact Malcolm himself, who quickly got away, despite an attempt by The Arrow to stop him. Back at the base Oliver revealed to Laurel that Malcolm was still alive and was a likely suspect. He went on to mention how he'd tagged him with nanites, traceable via GPS. Laurel got angry that Oliver didn't kill Malcolm when he had the chance, though he reasoned that he would forever be able to trace him, before Laurel stormed out. Nyssa offered to speak to Laurel. Oliver sent Roy to watch over Thea, in case Malcolm contacted her, and had Diggle monitor the tracer program in place of Felicity, who was out of town. Oliver was guided by Diggle to an air conditioning factory, where Oliver was discreetly called by Malcolm, explaining how he'd outwitted him. He asked him to come, unmasked, to Nelson Plaza, an extremely public place, in order to talk completely alone but assured that if even one member of Team Arrow were to show he won't come. At the plaza, Malcolm reasoned that, as he already had a blood debt with Ra's al Ghul, it was illogical to have killed Sara. He also went on to mention how he'd only come back to Starling City for Thea, as he'd saved her the night of Slade's siege. He swore on Thea's life that he wasn't Sara's killer, before walking off. The following morning, Oliver met Thea at The Grind & Jolt Cafe, revealing that she'd previously been saved by Malcolm Merlyn, thinking that she had no clue. Despite being seemingly skeptical, Oliver reassured her that it was true. Heading back to the cave, Oliver told Nyssa of Malcolm's motives. As Nyssa walked off angrily, Diggle reasoned that although Oliver had made a vow not to kill, Nyssa made no such vow. Soon after, Nyssa kidnapped Thea in order to lure Malcolm. Oliver and the team were able to notice the smoke signals she'd sent up and the former headed to the warehouse while the rest secured the perimeter (sans a post-tranquilized Roy). Arrow shot down a tied up Thea, allowing her to escape, before engaging in combat with Nyssa. Dark Archer quickly intervened, the three fighting each other. Before long, Dark Archer pinned Nyssa against a wall and before Arrow knocked Dark Archer down. Claiming to have not killed Sara, Malcolm gave Arrow the simple choice to kill him or not. However, despite Malcolm being a killer, Arrow wished to not break his vows and let Malcolm go. Back at the base, Oliver claimed protection over Malcolm, warning Nyssa not to let any League members near him so long as he is in Starling while she threatened that he'd made an enemy. As she left, Felicity arrived back from Central City. Oliver soon headed upstairs to make sure that Thea was okay, before leaving her and Roy to talk.

Oliver fought with Roy using bo staffs. Roy claimed to have had little sleep, causing Oliver to knock him over. Following that, Oliver went to see Thea at her new place. He believed that she could never afford the loft, though Thea explained that she'd inherited the remains of Malcolm Merlyn's estate. Despite his attempts, Thea refused to let Oliver convince her to throw away the supposed "blood money". Thea left to upstairs when suddenly lights all over the city began going out. Thea rushed downstairs to find Oliver, but he'd already left over the balcony. In the streets, Oliver promptly saved a woman from being hit by a car. He walked past a building when a man claiming to be part of "Brother Eye" explained that they would be bringing the city to its knees. After the transmission, the city's lights were switched back on. Oliver met with Diggle and Felicity at Verdant where they were introduced to Felicity's mom. As they went to go downstairs, Oliver expressed his hesitation to Diggle taking his daughter downstairs. Felicity assured Dig that her mother loved babies and so they handed her over and headed down to the cave. Unable to find them as the previous virus had deleted itself, Oliver wished to find the group before there was a "next time". Brother Eye soon made another broadcast, which Oliver had Felicity trace through breadcrumbs. Learning of the SCIS's dispatch of a riot squad to the Starling National Bank after a threat from Brother Eye, Oliver and Roy suited up before heading over. They shot arrows which released tear gas, dispersing the rioting crowds. During this, Oliver talked to Felicity, who eventually determined that she couldn't stop the virus as she'd written it 5 year prior. Back at the cave, Felicity attempted to explain herself before getting flustered. Oliver calmed her down, asking her to start at the beginning. After she'd explained herself, Felicity looked in to Myron Forest, a potential suspect, while Oliver took care of Thea upstairs, leaving via the alleyway entrance. Thea was trying to get in to the sub-level, while Oliver lied that he'd been told it was completely flooded. He claimed to be there as he was concerned about her, while Thea wished to reconnect with her brother despite their earlier dispute, as she believed family was always family. After this, Oliver and Roy went to interrogate Myron Forest. He reasoned that he was the exact image of what the activists hated, so it was clear that he wasn't part of Brother Eye. They headed back to the Arrowcave, where Oliver made sure that Felicity's former boyfriend wasn't behind it. Not knowing why she was so adamant, she explained in detail how he'd hung himself in prison, absolving him completely, before she stormed off crying. When she came back and ran a tracer hack, Oliver made Felicity leave again, this time for an hour to make amends with her mom. After she didn't return, Diggle had an A.R.G.U.S. agent go to check out Felicity's house while Oliver attempted to call her, though she didn't respond. Meanwhile, Felicity had been kidnapped, though she'd allowed Oliver to trace her. Once he'd found her in an abandoned building, The Arrow brought down motion-sensored machine guns facing him and pointed an arrow at Cooper, who'd taken Felicity hostage. Before he could shoot Felicity, she grabbed his gun and beat him down. They soon returned to the base, where Felicity thanked Oliver for his advice on loving one's family and left to her mother.

Arrow, Diggle and Roy begun pursuing a series of murders involving numerous mob bosses all with the words "Guilty" inscribed in blood on the floor. Later Arrow follows another trial to Ted Grant's Wildcat Gym and found another body and when Ted returned moments later Arrow pulled out an arrow ready to interrogate him but saw Laurel with him who quickly got between them. As Ted was being questioned Arrow questioned Laurel's involvement with him and realized that she was following in Sara's footsteps as he had previously advised against but Laurel still insisted that Ted was innocent as they were at dinner when the murder happened. Arrow broke into Ted's gym and found a secret room where Ted jumped him though Arrow quickly overpowered him, questioned him and learned that he too was once a vigilante but after accidentally killing a man he retired. Arrow and Ted then went to the scene of the supposed murder Ted committed but were jumped by a masked man who Ted knew but the cops showed up and arrested Ted. When Oliver and Laurel went to the Arrow-cave for an update Roy confessed a horrible truth that he believes he killed Sara from a Mirakuru endued episode leaving Laurel distraught and Oliver unsure of what to do, though Diggle advised that they cut Roy out of the team which Oliver was against. Later Laurel and Ted were kidnapped by the mask man, Ted's former protegee Isaac Stanzler, and through a fight Issac was pulled from the car but Arrow was distracted by saving Laurel and Ted while Roy fought and beat Issac begging for Oliver not to abandon him. Later Roy told Oliver that Issac claimed he was just another "weapon in his arsenal", leaving Oliver to think that "Arsenal" should be Roy's code-name. He also used Tatsu's mind technique to uncover why Roy was having visions of killing Sara but this only made him remember the cop he murdered while high on Mirakuru, only seeing Sara because she and Oliver were present when it happened.

Arrow was called in by Quentin after Issac was murdered by another archer, using spade shaped arrows, though Oliver was told by Felicity that she was unavailable for the night as she had a business dinner with Ray Palmer and other associates. Diggle advised to Oliver that he if he wants to be with Felicity then he should make a move before Palmer does, having seen him and her on a screen announcing QC's transition into Palmer Technologies, but Oliver found a location on a piece of paper in the arrow. When they got there they found the apartment room strapped up with numerous pictures of Arrow with hearts around them before getting a call from the woman in question, he told him that she wanted him and gave him a photo of another mob boss she would kill if he didn't meet her. Felicity later learned her identity, Carrie Cutter/Cupid, (former SCIS) who seemed familiar to Oliver and learned she had been stalking all his crime scenes since Slade's attack. Arrow and Arsenal later followed Carrie to Sherwood Florist where Cupid knocked out Arsenal and told Arrow that all she wanted was him, declaring her love for him. However Arrow denounced it and Cupid got away as Arrow tried to save the mob boss. Oliver later helped Roy, still guilty for killing the SCIS officer and for letting Carrie get the best of him, and talked to Carrie's doctor who told him her illness and also diagnosed Arrow as needing treatment, as per using a Robin Hood costume. Arrow followed Cupid's trial but received a call from Carrie that she was in Verdant, where Thea was, and told him to meet her. When Arrow arrived, he realized that Carrie was the same woman he saved during Slade's attack, and tried to reason with her love sickness but this only provoked her into fighting him into the train tracks below where she almost killed them both but Arrow saved her before having her sent to Waller and the Suicide Squad. Acting on Diggle's advise Oliver went to tell Felicity of his feelings, only to see her and Ray kissing, highly enraging him so he and Roy instead went to John's apartment where he and Lyla were having dinner.

Following a murder involving a boomerang that same night, Felicity tracked its materiel origins to Central City where Oliver learned that Barry had in fact been saving people with his powers, under the code-name: The Flash. Arrow later went to a crime scene with Flash and saved him and Detective Joe West from a crazed SCIS officer before Barry dashed off to meet Oliver's team, startling Diggle who Oliver hand't told of Barry's powers. Oliver told Barry of the murder as Barry told Oliver of his meta-human incident and suggested a team-up to catch both but Oliver was hesitant due to their different approaches but Felicity was in favor as S.T.A.R. Labs had the skills to track their criminal faster. Later Oliver decided to help Barry anyway by getting the name of the meta-human but was annoyed by Diggle discussing what Barry can do with his super-speed, rather than cover him, but found a suspect whom Arrow interrogated and learn the culprit's name: Roy Bivolo. Oliver and Felicity met Barry in a cafe and told Barry of Bivolo's identity where Iris West served them coffees and showed signs of affection for Oliver, much to his amusement, but was hesitant against Felicity's suggestion of a team up until she persuaded him. Later Oliver took Barry to their meeting site to train where Oliver scolded Barry for the collateral damage caused at his sites of action, particularly Leonard Snart. Oliver also showed little amusement in Barry's code-name for Snart: Captain Cold calling it silly before Barry sarcastically reminded him of his enemies code-names: Deathstroke and The Huntress. Oliver however told Barry that he needed to study a situation before rushing in. He ordered Barry to run back and fourth once and that he would be hit with an arrow. However, as Barry caught Oliver's arrow shot from his bow, two rigged up crossbows shot Barry in the back. The next day Barry met Oliver for more training where Oliver told him that he needed to take his advise if he ever wants to help more people then hurt them but Barry, having been earlier affected by Bivolo, came to believe that Oliver was jealous. He then mocked him as he may have money, girls and gadgets but he'll never be as fast as he is before storming off. Felicity later told Oliver that Barry had gone crazy and Arrow arrived in time to stop Flash from killing Iris's boyfriend Eddie Thawne and tried to reason with him but Flash forced him into a fight utilizing all of their skills, proving to be evenly matched until Joe and Dr. Wells arrived and use a device which snapped Flash back. After Flash apologized they took down Bivolo and locked him up in their jail, Oliver noting that he has one also in Lian Yu before addressing Team Flash, Joe, Dr. Wells, Cisco Ramon and Dr. Caitlin Snow the importance of keeping his secret and was admired by Dr. Wells for his actions which though Oliver thanked him for, noting an odd vibe from Wells. Later Oliver told Barry at the cafe that he and Iris wouldn't work out, as he and Felicity wouldn't, before running into the woman he got pregnant by accident 8 years ago before leaving.

Following the boomerang weapon's trail Arrow and Arsenal broke into a house where he was supposedly help up but also encountered A.R.G.U.S. agents and insisted they needed to keep looking into it. Oliver later tasked Diggle with learning more form Lyla but Felicity later appeared with the surprise visitors of Cisco and Caitlin and Oliver became frustrated, repeatedly telling Cisco not to touch the weapons and mocking Felicity for letting his secret get out to all of Team Flash. Oliver was told by Diggle that A.R.G.U.S. was being attacked and Arrow and Arsenal went and engaged the attacker but he almost killed Arrow with his boomerangs but was saved by Flash. Arrow, Arsenal and Diggle learned from Lyla that the attacker, Digger Harkness/Captain Boomerang, who was a member of the Suicide Squad on a mission gone south lead by Lyla, she opted to eliminate the team as Waller couldn't be reached but surmised that Harkness's bomb must have malfunctioned and now he's after her so Arrow takes Lyla to the Arrowcave where both Team Arrow and Team Flash used their skills to find Harkness. Following a lead from Quentin, Arrow and Flash found the boomerang maker Klaus Markos and Arrow used his torture methods to interrogate Markos and get a phone from Harkness. However Barry scolded Oliver for his brutality but Oliver reminded Barry of what he'd lost: His best friend, girlfriend and mother all murdered, the latter of which was in front of him but Barry retorted that his mother was murdered in front of him too and still scolded Oliver for his tactics. Later Arrow, Flash, Arsenal and Diggle followed another lead but realized that Harkness had mislead them and attacked the Arrowcave where Lyla was severely injured. Oliver confided in Barry that his experiences on Lian Yu and elsewhere between shaped him into who he is and believes that he traded away Oliver Queen and there isn't anything left inside him except The Arrow. Barry however believed that he didn't loose his humanity to survive by rather his humanity is what kept him alive and shaped him into The Arrow. Arrow and Flash eventually found Captain Boomerang as he was leaving but he had planted bombs forcing The Flash to leave while Arrow engaged Boomerang. However Arrow was unable to torture Boomerang into disarming the bombs, haunted by his own previous actions, but Barry, Caitlin, Cisco, Felicity and Roy where able to stop the bombs and Harkness was sent away for good. Oliver later had another suit-case built for Barry whenever he shows up and Cisco gave Oliver an upgraded uniform with more armor and more equipment space. Later Oliver and Barry went to a private place to prove once and for all who is better: The Flash or The Arrow.

Ra's al Ghul lost his patience in Oliver's failure to find Sara's killer and sent Nyssa a few members of the League to threaten Oliver if he did not find the person within 48 hours, the League would carry out its tradition and kill 50 people a day until the killer is weeded out. Oliver eventually discovered Malcolm Merlyn, in reality was the culprit behind Sara's death, but he used a plant on Thea to make her susceptible to suggestion while not remembering anything that happened while she was under the plant's influence and had her kill Sara. Malcolm threatened to show the League the recording of Thea killing Sara if Oliver told the league Merlyn was behind this. Instead he told Oliver to tell Ra's he did and will be given a right to a trial by combat in order to kill Ra's and erase any blood debt from Ra's rule, including Malcolm's Undertaking and Thea's "killing" Sara. Oliver complied and climbed up a mountain and dueled with an initially unarmed Ra's al Ghul with two swords. However, Ra's skills were too advanced and he defeated Oliver by stabbing him and pushing him off a cliff. Fortunately, thanks to the cold slowing down Oliver's blood loss, Oliver remained clinically alive, but unconscious.

Oliver's body laid on a cliff-side for 4 days until Maseo returned for him and took his body to a cabin in the mountains where Tatsu revived him, much to his shock. After awakening from a nightmare of him being killed in front of Felicity, Oliver tried to walk with difficulty and Tatsu denied still being in contact with Maseo as Oliver suspected, and Maseo informed Oliver he would return to Nanda Parbat. Oliver tried to talk Tatsu into convincing Maseo to return to Starling with him but she claimed she could convince Maseo, but not Sarab, as the events of Hong Kong made him overwhelmed with grief. Later as Oliver prepared to leave League members showed up looking for Maseo who discovered Queen alive but Maseo killed them and injured himself to allow himself back into the League and for Oliver to return to Starling.

After Maseo's departure, Oliver decided to leave for Starling City, much to Tatsu's dismay that she wanted him to stay and rest. Oliver recommended that Tatsu come with him, but she said that to the world, she's dead. Oliver proclaimed that he wants to kill Ra's, but in order to do that he needed to think and act like him, and all that can be attained with the proper training. Oliver left and returned to Starling, as Arrow, that night where he narrowly stopped Malcolm from killing Danny Brickwell. After Brick's arrest, Arrow publicly announced to his city that he will never fail them again. After that, Oliver goes with Malcolm back to Thea's loft where she greeted them. While she is busy making tea, Malcolm agreed to train Oliver. However once Felicity heard this, she was unhappy that Oliver is going against his vows, vows that Felicity swore to Malcolm that Oliver would never break.

Arrow and Arsenal pursued a culprit throughout the city but as they closed in on him Laurel, heading out as Black Canary again, took him down and Arrow scolded the new Canary for her actions but she told him to back off. In the Arrowcave itself Oliver scolded Diggle and Roy for letting Laurel pursue her recklessness but they were soon interrupted with another visit from Malcolm in the cave. He insisted that Ra's had seen his televised return and they need to inform Thea of Oliver's secret if she will survive but Diggle opposed it, believing Oliver will lose Thea if he does. Later Oliver brought Thea into the cave and showed her but rather than get angry for not telling her, Thea thanked Oliver for all the times he saved her life and the people in Starling. However Thea became angry at Malcolm after Oliver revealed he already knew about his secret but Oliver was later concerned with a the more pressing issue of Werner Zytle's escape, and that Laurel went after him alone. Arrow and Arsenal distracted Vertigo's men long enough to pull Black Canary out of the battle and treat her vertigo infection, which caused her to see Sara. Thea came down stairs to ask about Laurel but Oliver demanded that she leave but Roy stood up to Oliver, telling him she has as much right to see the situation and Oliver became mad that Roy stood up to him until Diggle and Felicity calmed the situation. Later Diggle counseled Oliver on the fact that his idea has outgrown himself and the team is beginning to branch out on its own, as they had to accept his death, which Oliver accepts before he and Black Canary headed out to confront and take down Zytle. However Oliver got call from Thea and when he arrived he saw a dead man on the floor and Roy and Malcolm, and Malcolm told him that he was an agent of Ra's. He also told them that to beat Ra's they needed to train in their most feared environment: Lian Yu. He parted ways with the team again, with reassurances that Laurel and Roy would keep the city safe in his absence, as they more than proved themselves capable of.

After arriving on Lian Yu Oliver begun training Thea using Slade's methods with the bamboo sticks from years ago, though Thea also used Malcolm's tactics and both proved evenly matched. While eating dinner Oliver confessed that he'd been back to he island previously, but didn't answer Thea's question in regards if Oliver ever thought he'd make it home while stranded. Later that night when sleeping Oliver had a nightmare about Sara which Thea woke him up from, but asked why he didn't tell her about Sara before and simply told her that she led a complicated life. After taking a walk Oliver decided to visit Slade only to notice his cell door open and the guards dead. After finding Thea and telling her about Slade, Oliver receives a call from Malcolm confessing that he released Slade as a lesson for them to regain they will to be killers and also disables Oliver's phone. Oliver and Thea head to the grave-sites of Robert, Yao-Fei and Shado to retrieve hidden weapons but are ambushed by Slade and put in his cell, where he informs them that he plans to fake their deaths and leave them in the prison. Despite Oliver begging to let Thea go, Slade coldly informed him she's lucky to be alive and not buried next to Shado. Slade asked Thea if she knew the story between himself, Slade and Shado but she simply called him a "sick, son of a bitch", though Slade was unsurprised Oliver never told her reminding Oliver he likes to have secrets. Slade also tells Oliver that had he told him about Shado really died events could have been different and Moira may still be alive before leaving. As Oliver looked for a way out Thea accused him of keeping secrets from him again but Oliver again avoided the issue as Thea was able to get them out, as the cells are built for men and not women. After escaping Oliver is accidentally wounded by one of his set up booby traps and Thea again confronts him about his secrets, why he didn't tell her about Sara and Oliver finally told her the truth: Malcolm killed Sara but used her under the influence of a drug, so she wouldn't remember it, to do kill her. However, before Thea can process this horrible revelation Slade ambushes them again but after sometime the two are able to overpower him, but when Thea tries to kill Slade in revenge for killing Moira Oliver convinces her not to but she still shoots him in the shoulder. After putting Slade back in his cell he notes to Oliver that she has been corrupted and knows it was Malcolm, and also observes that he's lost both his parents and his sister and asks about Felicity and how many more people can Oliver lose before it breaks him to which Oliver doesn't answer. After returning home Oliver asks Thea not to tell Laurel as they need Malcolm, despite the monster he is, as it would complicate their situation. When Malcolm appears Oliver scolds him for using Slade as a weapon and almost killing them and witnessed him and Thea argue over using her to kill Sara and her disowning him as a father.

Oliver and Thea continue to train with Malcolm but he easily overpowers them and remarks how far they have to go to beat Ra's, and suggests that they move into the Arrowcave so the league doesn't find them but they refuse to leave the loft. Later as Oliver trains with his sword Laurel confronts her about lying to her, revealing that Thea told him about Sara, and how he could be keeping Malcolm safe after what he's done. Oliver goes to the loft to confront Thea about telling Laurel the truth reminding her of the danger they face, but learns that Thea has informed the league of Malcolm's whereabouts. Arrow arrives in time to see Nyssa and other league members kidnapping Malcolm and attempts to free him to no avail but manages to capture Nyssa. In the Arrowcave Oliver learns Laurel attacked Malcolm and scolds her for being so reckless and deciding they need to get Malcolm back, but Laurel and Felicity rule against this. Oliver however insists it's really because Thea will eventually begin to feel guilt over what she's done, but also secretly because Oliver really wants to fight Ra's again. He interrogates Nyssa but she immediately tells him where to find Nanda Parbat, and as Oliver is packing Thea tries to persuade him also to no avail. When Oliver is leaving Diggle approaches him and tells him that he's going with him, both because he needs backup and because Oliver doesn't even have his own jet anymore. Eventually the two arrive but are quickly noticed and attacked but manage to subdue and kill some of the guards and eventually find Malcolm being tortured, but are trapped in the same room with him by Ra's personally who welcomes them. Oliver and John are held in a cell where Diggle reveals that he knew Oliver really only wanted to come to beat Ra's, and Oliver reveals that he has nightmares about his almost death and was ruled by his ego. John then remarks that if he ever married again he though Andy would be there and despite losing his brother, he gained another and asks Oliver to be his best man at his and Lyla's wedding to which Oliver accepts. When Maseo brings Oliver before Ra's he begs him to spare Diggle and Ra's, impressed with his bravery in the face of death, reveals that he has no intention of killing Oliver and instead wants him to take his place as the next Ra's al Ghul. Oliver is given a tour of Nanda Parbat and shown the league train and they discus the matter over dinner. Ra's reveals that he is aware of Oliver's duel-identity struggle how he desires to protect his city but loves a woman he can't have, but tells him that he is destined to be alone and Starling City would turn on him and that being the next Ra's he will be able to expand his crusade beyond Starling to the whole world. Ra's also reveals that the bath he bathes actually has a rare water that has cell regenerative abilities and has allowed Ra's to live for centuries beyond the average lifespan. However the waters have begun to lose their effects and Ra's is in fact dying and in addition to being immortal, at least for a few centuries, the league can even adopt Oliver's principle of not killing much to Oliver doubt. When Oliver asks what happens if he declines Ra's tells him they'll simply let him go and releases Diggle and Malcolm as a measure of good faith.

Oliver returns Malcolm back to Thea's loft much to her anger but he begs her to let him stay, insisting it's the only place he can recover with minimal trouble. Back at the Arrowcave the others welcome him back but express frustration in bringing Malcolm back and question why Ra's let them go. Oliver then releases Nyssa who questions why he's releasing her but he simply tells her to talk to her father and she'll know, but refuses to answer to team. Instead he insists on finding a criminal to take down and find Mumur who is in the process of stealing diamonds. Arrow, Arsenal and Black Canary engage Mumur but he is able to get away. Arrow asks Quentin to find a lead on Mumur's men and he agrees but tells Arrow that he can read about it in the papers and belittles him for keeping Sara's death from him, and tells him they're done. Oliver stops by Palmer Technologies where he learns that Felicity and Ray have become lovers and asks her to give him a lead on Mumur and gives him his real identity, Michael Amar, and apologies for not telling him about her and Ray. Oliver visits Thea to check up on her, and to make sure Malcolm is still alive, and she confesses the guilt she feels for almost killing her father but doesn't love him or believe he can love anyone. When Malcolm wakes up Oliver tells him of Ra's offer and Malcolm tells him of a prophecy which states that the one who doesn't perish at Ra's al Ghul's hand will become Ra's al Ghul and Malcolm warns Oliver not to think he has a choice. Later when Oliver is alone with Diggle he reveals Ra's offer to him which Diggle doesn't believe Oliver would ever accept. But since he's been back Quentin is shutting him out, Felicity and Ray are together, and every criminal they faced was released in Brick's campaign and believing that neither Oliver Queen or The Arrow is making a difference begins to think it may be best. Later Roy learns that Amar stole the diamonds to make into bullets so use against cop's protective armor to massacre the SCIS force, payback for being sentenced for a crime he didn't commit but Arrow, Red Arrow, Arsenal, Laurel and Nyssa are able to take down his men and personally saves Quentin from Mumur. After talking to Felicity, Oliver remembers why he is pursuing his crusade, to save people, and informs Maseo that he's declining Ra's offer. However Maseo informs Oliver that they're will be consequences.

Oliver accompanied Barry to Detriot to confront a possible metahuman named Mari McCabe and confirm whether or not she is a threat. Arrow and Flash arrived at the house of Mari’s foster father Chuck but when she saw the two vigilantes she immediately ran and they gave chase. As Flash chased after her on foot Arrow followed on his bike as Mari displayed incredible speed even faster than Flash, even able to run up a building forcing Arrow and Flash to take the fight to the rooftops. Arrow used his grapple arrows to travel between rooftops as Flash continued to chase after Mari on foot, eventually Arrow caught up and told Mari to stop but she simply sarcastically mocked him “I know I know, I’ve failed my city” and used her speed to avoid him. Despite the combined efforts Mari continued to dodge Arrow’s shots, crushing his arrows with her bare hands, and outrun Flash. Mari also displayed the ability to camouflage but Arrow attempted to restrain her with a jettisoning arrow but she outran it, only to slip off the side of the building but then displayed the ability of flight. As Mari attempted to fly away Arrow convinced her to come back as they just wanted to talk, though Flash wanted to handle the talking claiming to be better at it but Arrow simply reminded him he just puts metahumans in the pipeline. However Mari shot down Arrow and Flash’s claim that she was a metahuman claiming that she wasn’t in Central City when the particle accelerator exploded, which Felicity was able to confirm. Though Flash was unconvinced Arrow offered their help to Mari to understand what she can do but she turned them down as she was uninterested and warned them that if they ever showed up at Chuck’s house again, she’d kill them and flew off.

Ignoring Mari's warning, The Flash and Arrow returned later to her house, where they discovered she'd become a vigilante herself, and The Arrow questioned her intentions to take on Detriot's criminals without training. Mair was able to convince them to let her try things on her own for a while, and they offered their help if she required it. After Mari asked if they had an idea of a name for her, The Flash mentioned Cisco's one, "Vixen", before quickly trying to cover up mentioning Cisco. This led to The Arrow learning that Barry had kissed Felicity, causing him to speed off in worry. Before leaving, The Arrow reminded Mari that the life of a vigilante wasn't an easy one, though he was sure she'd handle it.

Oliver arrives, late, for John and Lyla's wedding and stands as his best man during the ceremony and partakes in the reception where he talks to Laurel but notices a hand cast on her and she claims it to be her new trainer. He also talks to Felicity, who caught the bouquet flowers, but they are horrified to learn from a news app on their phones that someone is impersonating the Arrow and killing criminals. In the Arrowcave Oliver realizes the culprit is Ra's al Ghul trying to persuade Oliver to take his place by forcing the city against him and sends everyone out to find leads but convinces John and Lyla to resume their honeymoon, despite their wanting to help. After learning of a drug trade Arrow heads there, knowing it' the league's next target, and engages 4 assassins all wearing his uniform and is confronted by Maseo who tells Arrow to accept his destiny but he refuses. Later as Oliver examines the arrows used, realizing they're identical, is told by Felicity that Ray knows who Oliver is and plans to stop him using an exosuit he built, as he has his own mission to protect the city. Oliver confronts Ray, learning his hero name "Atom", to persuade him that he's hunting the wrong person but he refuses to listen and vows to stop Oliver. Later Arrow and Arsenal respond to a 911 call but find no one and are ambushed by Atom, revealing he faked the call, and attacks them but after a swift battle Arrow overpowers Atom and holds an arrow to him. He challenges Arrow to kill him, proving Felicity wrong, but he hesitates and tells Ray to trust her judgement and leaves. When John returns, after being forced on a Suicide Squad mission, he holds a toast to Deadshot's heroic actions, as he sacrificed himself to get John, Lyla and numerous hostages to safety. However Oliver also notes that if Maseo may start changing his tactics to include innocent civilians.

After Maseo and the league kill Mayor Castle and badly wound Ray, Quentin reopens the anti-vigilante taskforce and Oliver begins hunting Maseo himself to end the conflict. After learning from Laurel that Nyssa is still in Starling he asks her for help in finding Maseo and they follow her lead to a building top, where Arrow, Red Arrow, Arsenal and Black Canary engage Maseo and league members. After defeating them Ra's al Ghul himself appears and makes the same offer again claiming that otherwise he will be imprisoned for the rest of his life as Quentin leads an SCIS raid against them, forcing them to run through the building and barely escape. Oliver, Laurel, Typhuss and Roy make it back to Felicity, Diggle and Thea in the Arrowcave where Oliver calls Quentin to reason with him but he refused and demanded he turn himself in. Later overhears Roy and Thea talking, Roy expressing guilt over having to shoot more SCIS officers, Oliver offered his apologizes for his predicament but their talk is cut short when the SCIS storm the building looking for Oliver, now aware that he is Arrow because Ra's told Quentin, and escapes and flees to Diggle's apartment where he sees Quentin on a screen tell the city of his identity. Oliver then heads to the SCIS precinct and turns himself in, then Felicity, Diggle, Typhuss Laurel and Roy meet up with him and demanded to know why he's turning himself in and Oliver reveals he made a deal with Quentin to get full immunity for them if he turns himself in. When Oliver was being brought to Iron Heights in the prison bus with Quentin he reveals that he is also aware Sara was on Lian Yu and Oliver lied to him, reminding him of his failures to stop Malcolm and Slade's plots, and getting Tommy, Sara, Hilton and Moira killed and angrily tells him that he's not a hero he's a villain. Before Quentin could belittle Oliver further the bus is ambushed by Roy wearing the Arrow suit and turning himself in and taking the fall for Oliver's actions.

Due to Roy being arrested for being the Arrow, the District Attorney decided not to charge Oliver with any crime, but Oliver was guilty that Roy has taken the fall for him. He tried talking Roy out of going to prison, but Roy was insistent on staying to make up for his past sins and to make up for the times Oliver has saved him. Oliver was determined to get Roy out of prison, but he got his hands full when Quentin, sent a squad to investigate Oliver's hideout, only to be disappointed that all of the stuff inside had Roy's fingerprints. With Quentin and the SCIS keeping a close eye for him in the city, he enlisted Ray Palmer's help in defeating a meta-human in the city, Jake Simmons. Initially Oliver was set on taking down Simmons himself but Ray convinces him he can't because of Quentin and goes out in his place, but is defeated by Simmons. When Ray returns Oliver teaches him that he has to rely not on his tech but his instincts or he'll get killed. Thea then walks in and tells Oliver that Roy was attacked by inmates and Oliver decides to break him out but Diggle reminds him he could wind up in prison to, but Oliver was still deadset on it. Diggle attempted to stop him which almost lead to a physical confrontation between them as Diggle tried to stop him from losing everything, but Oliver simply declares he's already lost everything and won't lose Roy. When Oliver leaves the building Felicity chases after him and tries to talk sense into him also and manages to convince him he can't be the Arrow anymore because of Ra's, leaving Oliver to become frustrated with himself believing now there was no Oliver Queen or The Arrow. The second time confronting Simmons, Ray used a neural network system so that Oliver could control Ray's movements from Ray's office, and assisted Ray in defeating Simmons and rescuing Felicity. When Oliver returns to his home he sees Thea in tears and Quentin informs him that Roy has been killed, leaving Oliver distraught and feelings guilty for, but his team revealed that Roy was alive as it was a ploy to fake Roy's death as well as the Arrow's so the police could stop coming after them. Roy parted ways with the team to start a new life shortly after.

When Oliver returned home, he found Thea bleeding to death following her getting stabbed in a fight with Ra's al Ghul and rushed her to the hospital. The doctors informed Oliver they cannot save her. After being contacted by Maseo he angrily confronted him on a rooftop as Maseo told him that if he accepted Ra's al Ghul's offer, then Thea could be resurrected in the Lazarus Pit. Despite Malcolm's warnings that the Pit could change Thea's soul, Oliver is determined to keep his sister alive. When she is dipped into it, she came out mindlessly attacking Oliver before she was put down. When she woke up she had a hard time remembering Oliver, and while it saddened him, he was glad that she is alive. As it was the last time he will supposedly see his friends, Felicity had sex with Oliver and drugged him so they could sneak him out. It faild, but Oliver convinced the League not to kill his friends before saying good-bye to all of them. Oliver renounced his old life, taking on an apprentice role in the League with a new uniform and the name "Al Sah-him" until he is ready to take over as the new "Ra's al Ghul."

Oliver's psyche was supposedly broken down over the course of the next few weeks so he could embrace his new identity as "Al Sah-him" and that Oliver Queen was supposedly dead to him. He dueled a man who he hallucinated as John Diggle, quickly killing him. Ra's and Oliver then walked through the ruins of a destroyed city where to told him the tale of his ascension. He and his best friend Damien Darhk were the horsemen of the previous "Ra' al Ghul", and heirs to his legacy. Though Damien believed himself worthy to ascend the current Ra's was chosen by his predecessor and ordered to execute Darhk, but hesitated and Damien fled with his followers taking samples of the Lazarus Pit and sought to kill Ra's ever since. Oliver also learns that Darhk is the leader of H.I.V.E., the organisation that killed John's brother, and learns that Armitage and Shaw's plans were the work of Darhk. Not wanting Oliver to be burdened by the same mistake he made Ra's assigns Oliver to kill Nyssa, as she is a threat to his ascension. After arriving in Starling City Oliver meets her on the rooftop where Sara was killed and battles her but before he can defeat her, he is stopped by Black Canary and Diggle. Oliver meets with Maseo and informs him of Nyssa's escape and the assassins instead kidnap Lyla while she was looking over her daughter and offered to trade her for Nyssa, much to John's rage. Lyla attempts to get through the Oliver reminding him of the pain John endured when he lost Andy and that meeting Oliver was the only thing that made it go away. Team Arrow arrives and the trade goes successfully but a fight soon breaks out and Oliver wounds and disarms Diggle, only to be shot in the arm by a hooded Thea and Oliver reluctantly leaves with Maseo and a captive Nyssa. However rather than killing Nyssa, Ra's orders Oliver to marry her to connect their families and ensure Ra's bloodline remains in the league, and reveals his plan to use the Alpha-Omega virus Oliver encountered in Hong Kong years ago to wipe out all that remained of Oliver Queen.

After receiving a call for help from Barry to transport his metahuman prisoners to Lian Yu Oliver left Nanda Parbat to Central City to help him. He arrived too late to help with the prisoners but did arrive in time with Firestorm, armed with nanite-infused arrows from Ray to help Barry defeat the Reverse-Flash, revealed to really be Dr. Wells. As Oliver attempted to get a clean shot Flash and Reverse-Flash engaged in combat, and Reverse-Flash eventually subdued Flash and used his tornado abilities to send Firestorm blocks away. But with this distraction Oliver was able to shoot Reverse-Flash with an arrow and temporarily eliminate his speed and engaged him in hand-to-hand combat, but Reverse-Flash eventually vibrated the nanites out of his systems and subdued Oliver. Before Reverse-Flash could kill him Flash intercepted him and after they and battled atop S.T.A.R. Labs, Firestorm forced him off the rooftop and Oliver finished him with another arrow knocking him out. Flash thanked Oliver for his help, noting his haircut and new uniform, and Oliver told Barry he might need the Flash to do a favor for him in the near future before leaving.

After returning to Nanda Parbat liver learns that Maseo provided Ra's with the virus from their time in Hong Kong and was secretly shocked but kept this to himself. Oliver later attended a dinner with Ra's and Nyssa and learned that after their marriage Oliver learned that after his marriage and ascension Nyssa was to bare Oliver's child. Oliver secretly met with Dark Archer and informed him of what was to come, with the bio-weapon planned to be unleashed via a shuttle. Malcolm was shocked, believing Oliver was months away from being the next "Ra's". With the plan to poison Starling City coming up fast, he had Malcolm tell the team of his true intentions. Maseo eventually found Oliver sitting by the fire, alone, and talked with him about the virus and Maseo reveals even before Akio's death he intended to get revenge on Shrieve. However, despite Oliver's offer to release him upon his own ascension Maseo firmly states that the league is his "prison" and escape is no longer an option. Team Arrow, consisting of Diggle, Laurel, Felicity, Malcolm, Ray and Tatsu, arrive in Nanda Parbat to stop Ra's jet and take out numerous league members and eventually the jet itself, but Ra's appears and reveals that he has the virus. With no choice the team surrenders. Ra's interrogates them but they claim Maseo, killed earlier in the conflict, informed them of the virus but Ra's is doubtful. During the imprisonment, Oliver tried to talk to Diggle privately about how his actions were only done to convince Ra's al Ghul he was on his side, but Diggle was still angry nonetheless. Malcolm tries to tell Ra's that Oliver is the mole in his League but Oliver convinced Ra's that Malcolm was lying, though this is also part of an elaborate scheme to convince Ra's Oliver is still on his side. Ra's locked Oliver's team in a cell and supposedly killed them with the virus as Oliver watched his friends scream. He was then married to Nyssa despite her resistance.

During the shuttle ride to Starling City, Oliver revealed his deception and he and Nyssa take out the assassins in the shuttle, but Ra's escapes with the canister of the virus as he and Nyssa managed to land the shuttle. Oliver and Nyssa reunite with the team, where Diggle punches Oliver in the face for his actions. In a brief talk, Oliver revealed that he was likely going to sacrifice his life when he infiltrated the League, determined to stop Ra's at any cost. While looking for Ra's the team learned that Damien Darhk is in Starling City and decide to use him as leverage to force Ra's into handing over the virus. Oliver, Malcolm, John and Nyssa manage to secure the hotel but learn Damien had left hours before and left a decoy in his place, who was soon dispatched by a league assassin. Ra's then contacted Oliver and informed him that the virus had already been activated. Oliver meet with Felicity and she told him that the way to beat Ra's wasn't be expending to die but fighting to live, and Oliver regained his will to live and prepared for the fight, arming himself with the sword that almost killed him. The team begun searching for the virus but a lone assassins met Oliver atop a rooftop and informed him Ra's awaits him atop a bridge, to fight to the death. With little choice Oliver met Ra's and battled him while Team Arrow saved the city from the virus but Ra's eventually gained the upper hand, but Oliver managed to impale him with his blade (while giving Ra's a departure similar to the words Ra's gave him when he was defeated), and Ra's succumbed to his wound. However Oliver is shot by a police sniper off a bridge. He is rescued by Felicity in the A.T.O.M. suit.

Afterward, Oliver decided to stop being a hero for the city as the Arrow is "dead", instead deciding to have a life with Felicity knowing that there are other masks, heroes that can take his place. He gave the title of Ra's al Ghul to Malcolm in return for Malcom's help in defeating Ra's. Nevertheless, he lets Malcolm know he will never forgive him for Sara's death and turning Thea into a killer but is willing to let him go if he doesn't come after him or his friends again. He also gives Thea the hero name of "Speedy" and bids her farewell. Later, he drove off with Felicity in a shuttle, feeling happy for a change of pace.

Fighting H.I.V.E.
Oliver spent 5 months living with Felicity happily. Despite this, he actually missed his old life. He later told his neighbors he planned to propose to Felicity that evening but his plans were delayed (without her knowledge) due to Laurel, Typhuss and Thea's coming and telling him they needed him. Despite reluctance Oliver agreed to come back this one time but upon arriving Diggle made it clear he didn't want Oliver on the team. Cisco had designed Oliver a new suit before knowing he was retiring. Initially, he decided to only wear the suit once then go back into retirement. After learning his enemy was Damien Darhk and realizing he actually missed this old life, Oliver decided to return to his crusade to help Star City once more. Since everyone believed Roy was the Arrow who was "killed", Oliver adopted a new alias, Green Arrow, and vowed to be the symbol of hope that the Arrow never was.

When H.I.V.E. attacked A.R.G.U.S. to obtain a chemical bomb Green Arrow, Speedy and Spartan engaged them and managed to overpower he soldiers, after Green Arrow uses a magnetic arrowhead to forcibly draw their weapons away from them but Green Arrow is confronted by Damien Darhk. Darhk almost drained the life-force out of Green Arrow but is saved by the narrow intervention of Flash who transported him, Speedy and Spartan to safety, but Flash asked for their help protecting a friend of his, Kendra Saunders. After agreeing Team Arrow brought Team Flash and Kendra into the new Arrowcave, much to Barry’s awe, but Kendra is unable to explain why her attacker is after her, claiming to have never seen him before, which aggravates Oliver and Barry’s decision to bring her into the lair and putting them all in danger. However Felicity suggested drinks at Oliver's apartment to calm the mood which he reluctantly agreed to. At the party, Barry and Oliver reconcile for their earlier difference and Barry noticed a change in Oliver which he admitted to now that he's with Felicity, he admitted he's happy and admitted that his claim last year (that guys like them don’t get the girl) was wrong. However admitted their socializing Kendra's attacker stormed the apartment and attacked the teams but Barry sped Oliver’s bow and arrows into his hands and he engaged the intruder, managing to shoot two arrows into his shoulder but Thea intervened and shot him in the chest and caused him to fall over the balcony, but the intruder is nowhere to be seen.

After returning to the Arrowcave Oliver called Quentin for any leads on the intruder and Cisco revealed to Kendra he has powers, the power to see visions of people and past actions they have committed and saw Kendra with wings. At that same moment Malcolm and several league members arrived in the Arrowcave and confirmed the identity of their attack, Vandal Savage, an immortal who was Genghis Khan’s most trusted advisor and guided Julius Caesar through the Gaelic Wars, and Malcolm stated that nothing can be done to save Kendra. After Kendra is abducted by Carter Hall, Green Arrow and Flash set out to find her. After finding him Green Arrow engaged Hawkman with little success, even Flash is outmatched against Carter Hall's flight. After a coordinated effort however Green Arrow and Flash are able to subdue Carter Hall and bring him back to the Arrowcave where he revealed his identity, the reincarnated form of the Egyptian Prince Khufu while Kendra is also the reincarnated form of the Egyptian Priestess Chay-Ara. Both of them are soulmates who were cursed by Savage to reincarnate upon their deaths to Savage could continually kill them and harness their life-force to retail his own immortality and has succeeded 206 times over 4000 years, and claimed that nothing could kill him. Furthermore, Malcolm returned to inform them that Savage had left Star City to retrieve the Staff of Horus to kill Carter and Kendra. To force Kendra’s powers to emerge the teams brought her to a rooftop where to embrace her powers she was to jump, and the fear would awaken her powers. Barry was skeptical but Oliver was persuaded by Carter’s words but Barry prevented Kendra from falling much to Oliver’s annoyance and he tells Barry he needs to trust in his team, and let Kendra embrace who she is. Oliver realized that Savage was headed to Central City for the same reason Kendra was drawn there, to locate the Staff of Horus and Green Arrow and Flash went ahead to stop Savage.

After arriving at the chapel it was located in, Green Arrow and Flash engaged Savage but with the staff his power was amplified and neither hero was able to so much as get close. However, before Savage could finish them, he sensed Kendra finally embracing her destiny and he leveled the chapel to escape, though Flash sped himself and Green Arrow to safety. Knowing that Savage would continue to go after Carter and Kendra, Oliver and Barry called both their teams to Central City. While they awaited their arrival Oliver and Barry had drinks at CC Jitters where a child bumped into Oliver and dropped his Flash action figure. Oliver returned it to him but saw the child run towards Samantha, a woman Oliver had an affair with 8 years ago, and begun to suspect that Samantha’s child is the same child she claimed to have lost in a miscarriage.

After the teams arrived, they held up in a farmhouse on the outskirts of Central City. Shortly after arriving while Felicity, Cisco, Caitlin and Barry begun working on gauntlets to limit the staff’s power and Carter trained Kendra, Oliver headed into town to follow up on Samantha's son. After tracking her down Oliver confronted her about her son, William, but she claimed that she met William’s father 2 months after their affair and Oliver accepted her claim, but discreetly collected a hair of William’s. While leaving Oliver was contacted by Malcolm who informed him of a meeting arranged between them and Barry with Savage to negotiate a ceasefire and with little choice, Oliver and Barry agreed. At the meeting, Savage made his demands, to hand over Kendra and Carter or he would vaporize both Central City and Star City and left, but Green Arrow was steadfast in his choice to protect them, which Flash agreed. However, Malcolm opposed their plan, but unable to sway his choice. He then informed Green Arrow that should his plan fail and get Thea killed, he would kill him. After leaving the meeting, Oliver presented Barry with the hair sample, claiming to be hunting a lead on Damien Darhk in Central City and told Barry not to say anything to anyone else.

Oliver returned to Samantha’s to confront her again and she finally admitted that she was paid 1 million dollars by Moira to lie about the miscarriage, and Samantha didn’t want William to grow up a playboy like his father before him. Oliver, however told her it is his right to know his own son and begged Samantha not to keep William’s existence from Felicity, but Samantha made it clear that if Oliver wanted to be involved in William’s life, he would keep this secret. When Oliver returned to the house, however Felicity already knew about William and is enraged when Oliver tried to lie to her about the matter and told him that things were over between them. Despite being distraught, Oliver ordered Barry, Kendra and Carter to the meeting point, where Kendra and Carter will attack Savage while Barry obtains the staff and use it against Savage, but orders Thea, John and Laurel to remain behind. At the meeting however, Hawkgirl’s conflicted emotions prevent her using her powers and Savage succeeds in killing Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and when Flash attempted to use the staff it being to kill him and Green Arrow intervened and told Flash to run. In this moment of distraction, Savage regained the staff and used it to produce a blast wave that killed Green Arrow instantly and everyone in Central City, but Flash ran back in time back to the meeting with Green Arrow and Malcolm with Savage.

After the meeting, Oliver asked Barry what’s bothering him and he revealed that he already lived the events of the next day and traveled back in time to reluctantly change it, telling him that everyone died because neither Oliver and Kendra are emotionally ready for the conflict because he just found out that he has a son and Felicity broke up with him for not telling her the truth about it, and Kendra is resistant to embrace who she is. Oliver confronted Cisco and told him to talk to Kendra and help her embrace who she is and succeeds and she gained the knowledge of how to beat Savage, a material in the meteorites that destroyed Egypt 4000 years ago which also powers Savage’s staff. After Barry retrieved a sample of the meteorite, Oliver ordered everyone, Laurel, Thea and Diggle included, to the meet up point to take down Savage. At the meeting, Green Arrow and Flash "hand over" Carter Hall and Hawkgirl, but before he can attack, Green Arrow freed them from their restraints and they attacked Savage. Black Canary, Speedy, Red Arrow and Spartan then flanked him and in the distraction Flash grabbed the staff and used it against Savage. However, Flash struggled to use the staff and Green Arrow assisted him and together they use the staff to vaporize Savage to dust.

After parting ways with Carter and Kendra, Barry talked to Oliver about William and telling Felicity, but Oliver is unsure if he should even be involved in William’s life, but Barry convinced him, having grown up without his own father, to be involved. Oliver later visited and confronted Samantha about William’s existence, but promised not to tell Felicity or anybody about William and Samantha allowed Oliver to talk to William. Oliver went to his son and they bonded playing with Flash and Captain Cold action figures. After returning to Star City, Oliver kept his vow to not to tell Felicity about William.

Oliver accompanied Felicity as she tested her legs at the gym following the operation with Paul but with minimal results. While leaving the gym Oliver and Felicity were confronted by Darhk who revealed he had William kidnapped and demanded that Oliver drop out of his mayoral campaign by Friday 6:00pm. When Darhk left Oliver was forced to tell a confused Felicity that William was his son. At the Arrowcave Oliver tried to explain to Felicity that he hadn’t told her about William because of Samantha’s conditions. When Laurel, Thea and John arrived he explained William’s situation to them to and Thea admitted to Felicity that she knew about William and Felicity was more upset when Oliver admitted that Barry and Malcolm also knew. Oliver went to his office to meet with Samantha who explained that William had simply vanished from their house without leaving a note or signs of a struggle. Oliver tried to reassure Samantha that he’d find William but she didn’t believe him and with little choice Oliver told her he was Green Arrow, and showed her the Arrowcave and introduced her to the team. However John reminded Oliver that fighting Darhk was the bigger concern because of his magic and Oliver admitted they needed to adjust their strategy. As Diggle suggested John Constantine Oliver revealed that he was in Hell, literally in Hell itself, but told them about someone else that could help: Mari McCabe/Vixen. Green Arrow travelled to Detroit to seek her help as Vixen was engaging 3 armed gunman and after they took them down, he asked for her help. Back in Star City Oliver introduced Mari to John, Thea, Typhuss, Laurel, Felicity and Samantha and using her powers, she found William’s scent and Oliver ordered his team to follow.

As Vixen followed his scent Oliver asked Dig if what happened was his fault but John reminded him not to blame himself or contemplate what would have happened, as being a parent was not considering the what ifs but focusing on keeping their child safe. Another part of being a parent is knowing where their child is at all times like John does with Sara and told Oliver to consider keeping William close, to keep him safe. After Vixen found William’s location Green Arrow and Vixen confronted Darhk and despite the added strength and managing to hurt him, Darhk still proved stronger than them. He also revealed that he had William moved minutes before their arrival. Darhk used his magic to throw Green Arrow out a window but Vixen was able to catch him and stop him falling to his death, but by the time Black Canary and Speedy showed up Darhk was gone and Vixen was unable to track William. After returning to the Arrowcave Oliver promised a panicking Samantha they’d find William but was contacted by Darhk telling him that, in order to prevent “Green Arrow” from ruining things he was to drop out of his campaign immediately. Mari apologized for being unable to fight Darhk but Oliver reassured her it wasn’t her fault that they don’t even know where Darhk’s powers come from. Mari however suspected that Darhk must use an amulet of some kind the same way she draws her powers, which Quentin confirms having seen an idol in his office from time to time.

As per the agreement Oliver held a press conference declaring his withdrawal and giving his full support to Ruve Adams and afterwards apologized to Alex for wasting his hard work, but he asked for an explanation which Oliver wasn’t able to give. Oliver was called by Mari and informed that Darhk’s power was indeed drawn from an idol but was interrupted when Darhk called telling Oliver to meet him at Nelson Plaza in 3 hours but Felicity was able to track his current location. Instead Oliver, with Samantha’s consent, led the team to Darhk’s estate. Before leaving however Mari talked to Oliver about William and that keeping William out of his life could be what’s best for him. Mari explained that she grew up in a foster home because her parents gave her away because of the evil they were surrounded by, and maybe he should do the same. At the estate Green Arrow, Black Canary, Red Arrow, Spartan and Speedy attacked Darhk’s men while Vixen stole the totem. During the assault however Darhk confronted the five and begun to chock them to death in from of William but Vixen was able to break the idol and cut off Darhk’s access to his powers. Green Arrow then overpowered and defeated Darhk and fled as the SCIS found William. At the SCIS precedent Quentin told Oliver, Typhuss and Thea what William told the detectives, that Darhk didn’t kidnap William that Malcolm did. Later Oliver talked to Mari as she was leaving town who reminded him of what she said earlier, that staying out of his life is what’s best for him and he agreed. Oliver then made a recorded message to William for him to view after his 18th birthday telling him that he is William’s biological father and that he has remained absent from his life, because he is the Green Arrow. After recording the message Felicity stops by and puts her ring on the table and tells him she can’t be with him if he can’t trust her, but at that very moment her spinal implant activates and she is able to walk again but leaves in tears.

In the Arrowcave Oliver discussed with the team a strategy going forward with avenging the attack of Laurel now their top priority. He also tells them he finally got in contact with John Constantine who told him that he found a way to counteract Darhk’s powers by traveling to Hub City and meeting with someone who could assist them in their current situation. Oliver also makes it clear to everyone that he doesn’t want to risk another attack on Darhk until they have found a permanent solution to take down Darhk and nobody is to move on him until then much to Diggle's chargin.

Later as he packed Oliver was confronted by Felicity who convinced him to let her come along.

After H.I.V.E.'s rampage through Star City while attempting to execute Operation Genesis, Darhk was finally killed by Green Arrow. Soon after Darhk's death, Diggle and Thea left Team Arrow to clean up the streets and live their lives. Oliver, Typhuss, Helena, Lois, Chloe, Laurel and Felicity are the only members left. The next day as Oliver got a call from the city council announcing that he was voted to be the new mayor of Star City.

Fighting solo
For the next couple of months Oliver was fighting crime on the streets on his own again, with Felicity still helping him on the computer. Oliver and Felicity were still not dating as they were back to being friends. Oliver resorted back to killing as he blamed himself for Laurel's attack. During this time crime rates went up in the city and many new gangsters showed up including Tobias Church. Many new vigilantes showed up during this time as well, some being inspired by Oliver's public victory over Darhk.

Mayor
As Mayor Oliver struggled at first. He was more committed to being the Green Arrow then actually being Mayor. Thea did most of his work until he recruited a new team. Once he recruited the new Team Arrow he could focus more on being Mayor which improved his efforts.

New team and emergence of Tobias Church
Felicity suggested to Oliver many times that he should recruit some of the new vigilantes and create a new team, which Oliver declined every time. As the vigilantes kept getting in Oliver's way he decided to recruit them as he could not take on all of the crime by himself. Oliver recruited and trained Rene Ramirez, Curtis Holt, and Evelyn Sharp. His training was to rough for them though and they quit working with him. Oliver later recruited Rory Regan as he found himself very similar to him, as they were both trying to fight for their families legacy. The recruits later came back and worked as the new Team Arrow. When Diggle was set up overseas by his commanding officer and arrested he was returned to the U.S. and was placed in a prison. Lyla told Oliver this and he broke Diggle out. Once Diggle returned he rejoined the new team as Spartan.

When Church showed up in Star City he rallied all of the gangs to work together and took charge of all of them. He went after the Green Arrow numerous times and eventually was warned by Prometheus to stay away, which Church disregarded. Church later captured Wild Dog and the latter gave the Green Arrow's name to Church. Church was later arrested by the Green Arrow and killed by Prometheus on his way to jail, due to him not listening to his message.

War against Prometheus
Sometime after Tobias Church arrived in Star City a mysterious figure named Prometheus showed up. He killed a SCIS officer along with Tobias Church. He later killed four others who seemed random but Curtis figured out that the killings were a message he was sending to Oliver. The names were anagrams for people who were on the list.

Another vigilante showed up who goes by the name Vigilante. He and Oliver fought as his methods were too extreme for Oliver as he killed every criminal he fought using machine guns. He also was creating to much collateral damage as innocent civilians would get caught in his crossfire.

Fighting the Dominators
Oliver, Typhuss and Diggle were tracking down Vigilante and engaged him in a shoot out. As Vigilante was about to shoot them The Flash came to their rescue and ran them to Felicity's apartment. Barry told Oliver he needed their help along with the Legends and Supergirl to fight the aliens known as the Dominators, who invaded Earth to exterminate all meta humans. When the Dominators mind controlled the heroes with the exception of Oliver and Barry, the two fought the mind controlled heroes and won as they broke the device mind controlling them. Later Oliver, Thea, Diggle, Ray, and Sara were sucked up to the Dominators mother ship and placed in a shared hallucination were Oliver never got onto the Queen's Gambit. In this hallucination Oliver was getting married to Laurel and Robert and Moira never died. Oliver along with the others slowly realized that this was fake and they all escaped the hallucination. Once they escaped the team later defeated the Dominators and saved Earth.

Grant Wilson's uprising
In 2382 in a potential future Star City was attacked by an army of soldiers lead by Grant Wilson, Slade’s son who also operated as "Deathstroke", and caused mass devastation to the city in what would be known as the Uprising. Grant also exposed Oliver’s identity to the world and the Arrowcave was ruined in a subsequent attack. Green Arrow tried to gather his team and an army of people to fight Grant but Speedy, Red Arrow, Spartan and Captain Lance were all killed along with everyone else who followed him. Green Arrow himself was captured and Deathstroke publicly severed his left arm and Felicity left after deeming the city a lost cause. Despite replacing his arm with a cybernetic arm Oliver was emotionally broken while the city fell into chaos, populated only by criminals with Grant as the city’s leader.

Oliver gained possession of a detachable cybernetic arm similar to the A.T.O.M. Exosuit's arms, but did not use it, as he was emotionally broken while the city fell into chaos, populated only by criminals with Grant as the city’s leader. The only thing closest to family he had left was John’s son, John Diggle Jr. who out of guilt for not being able to save his father refused to take his name and renamed himself "Connor Hawke". Out of his grief, Oliver vanished from public view and was believed dead to everyone, even Connor, and hid in the ruins of the Arrowcave, where he also kept his cybernetic arm. Oliver also secretly resented Sara and Ray as they never returned from their mission with Rip Hunter and believes their presence in his army could have turned the tide. At some point in the next 15 years Connor took Oliver’s place as the Green Arrow though Oliver never encouraged it.

In 2397 Oliver was found by Connor along with Sara and Rip, only weeks following their departure in 2389, seeking a prototype technology for their ship and were stunned to see him alive. However Oliver was scolded by Connor for letting everyone believe he was dead. When Sara asked what happened to her family and everyone else Oliver simply told her they were all gone, and that perhaps if she and Ray had been there it would have changed things. Oliver gave Rip the location of the prototype tech that was relocated after her departure and told them all to leave. Later Sara came back and told Oliver that Grant had taken Conner and was going to execute him but Oliver refused to help her, believing he couldn’t be the Green Arrow anymore. Sara however refused to believe that and handed Oliver his bow and told him that Conner wore the hood the same reason that he does, because Star City will always need a Green Arrow. Reluctantly, Oliver accepted and donned the cybernetic arm.

As Grant was about to execute Conner publicly Green Arrow and White Canary attacked Grant’s army while Green Arrow (Conner) fought Deathstroke. Before Deathstroke could kill him Green Arrow (Oliver) intervened and fought Deathstroke instead. Shortly after the rest of Sara’s team, including Atom, Hawkgirl, Firestorm, Captain Cold, Heat Wave and Rip aided and defeated the army and both Green Arrows were able to defeat Deathstroke. After his defeat Oliver was reunited with Ray and Kendra and congratulated Connor and gave him his blessing as Green Arrow. After the battle Oliver, Conner and Sara returned to the Arrowcave where they begun reassembling Team Arrow to stop the city’s criminal element in the wake of Grant’s defeat. Sara wished to stay but Oliver reminded her of her own mission and Sara bid farewell to them both, wishing them both luck.

Early life
Prior to his time on Lian Yu, Oliver was the stereotypical pampered and spoiled bad boy brat. Coming from an unimaginably wealthy and privileged family, he came to act and think as though he was incapable of having any problems. He was a playboy and notorious womanizer, had more interest in being the life of the party and didn't care who got hurt due to his actions. He was laid back, selfish, reckless, traits he shared with his best friend Tommy Merlyn. He repeated the same mistake over and over again, dropping out of four schools and cheating on Laurel Lance, the love of his life first with Samantha Clayton and then again with her own sister Sara. Despite his party-boy persona, Oliver loved, and cared for his family, his little sister Thea in particular. He possessed some intuitiveness, having an intermediate aptitude for engineering, due to his father being a pilot, and for the The Odyssey being "the one book (he) read in college".

Five years of hell
Upon being marooned on Lian Yu, Oliver began to change, so much so he stated the day he went missing was the day he died. He originally retreated into a shell, exhibiting depression after Sara apparently died; albeit by accident (which he realized was his fault) and his father Robert committed suicide right in front of him. After he is helped and taught by Yao Fei how to survive, he endured torture to protect Yao Fei and disguised himself as a mercenary to sneak into Edward Fyers' camp in an attempt to rescue him. Upon meeting Slade Wilson, Oliver began his journey to becoming a warrior. Slade had decided he should perform a coup de grace on Oliver to spare him the suffering on the island, but Oliver responded by breaking his hand to break free of his restraints, and punching him, inspiring Slade to train him instead. Oliver is shown to be a quick learner. After seeing a maneuver Slade taught him to steal a gun from an armed enemy once, Oliver was able to perform it on one of Fyers' men, and later when Shado taught him archery. Eventually, Oliver excelled in his skills in hand-to-hand combat after training from the two of them.

Overtime, after these events, Oliver gained a much needed sense of direction, loyalty, principles and honor. He sacrificed two chances to return home, first by choosing to convince Yao Fei to leave the island with him and second choosing to kill Fyers to save Shado instead of accepting the former's offer to call in a rescue. Nevertheless, he remained indomitably focused on his goal to return home to Starling City and his family. After he was forced to live in Hong Kong by Amanda Waller, and Maseo Yamashiro and his wife Tatsu were assigned his handlers, Oliver initially refused to work for A.R.G.U.S.. He relented only when Amanda threatened Maseo's family, including his son, Akio. Oliver grew to care for Maseo's family in particular his playing a vital role in saving Tatsu's life and caring for Akio when on the run from general Matthew Shrieve.

However, overtime, Oliver became riddled with evermore trauma, horror and guilt, for his unintentional role in Shado's death, Slade's consequential enmity against him which would haunt him in the years that followed and Sara's apparently dying a second time. When Oliver finally returned to Starling City during the mission to capture Chien Na Wei and recover the Omega super-virus, he later decided he'd go home. When he found a message his father left for him, he learnt of Robert's connection to the corrupt people on The List. Upon being told by Robert he could right his wrongs, Oliver was inspired to make a difference in the world. He returned to Maseo's side to assist his comrade and when he'd return home, he'd begin his crusade for justice for Starling City to honor Robert's sacrificing himself so he could survive.

During his third year of being marooned, when corrupted general Matthew caused the bio-weapon to be released over Hong Kong, resulting in Akio's death, Oliver gave into his emotions, his anger. He tortured Shrieve in cold blood for hours, in vengeance for the destruction he'd caused, and primarily for Akio's death. Realizing later such actions would not make him human, filled with self-loathing and pity, the darkness that had overtaken his life, and to protect his family, Oliver decided to delay his return. To atone for his actions, he'd live in self-imposed exile resolving to better himself so to become the man his father believed him to be, starting with the mission to uncover Baron Reiter's plot back on Lian Yu.

By mid-to-late 2378, when Oliver returned to Starling City, he was a completely different person.

The Starling City vigilante
Upon revealing to the world he was alive after 5 years of being marooned, Oliver masked how he had matured by using the same playboy image he was before. In reality, he had become a stern, disciplined, responsible, serious individual and an intelligent, calculating individual, warrior and tactician, who would always look out for those he cared for, with a newly defined sense of loyalty and service, moral compass and an indomitable will, though a severely traumatized and damaged individual.

Oliver is immensely disciplined emotionally. He excels at masking and compartmentalizing his emotions. He has both a dry and sarcastic sense of humor. Oliver is also very intelligent and calculating in regards to others; he's quick to take notice of talented individuals that show aptitude in secrecy, and when the opportunity presented itself invites such individuals to join his crusade. The first was John Diggle, who noticed Oliver was more capable than he was letting on. Eventually, Diggle became his first partner. Oliver chooses to reveal his secret identity to Captain Typhuss James Kira, Lois Lane and Chloe Sullivan, they join the team as well. Secondly, he took notice of Felicity Smoak who's obviously not quick to accept his blatant lies.

He is immensely talented in the area of subterfuge and deception. He cleverly covered his tracks by opening a night club to explain his nightly escapees while actually fulfilling his duties as the Hood and staged a public ruse in having himself arrested under significant suspicion of being the Hood while having Diggle simultaneously pose as a decoy so to out himself. Oliver admits that he does not like lying to his friends and family about his double life, that it hurts no one anymore than it hurts him. He justifies he only does it to protect them from his secret life as the Starling City vigilante.

Oliver coldly began his vigilante crusade by hunting down and punishing the high-profile criminals on the List, by being a symbol of retribution and fear, known as the Hood. After being convinced by Diggle, Oliver agreed to branch out in taking down regular criminals, such as the Royal Flush Gang and Count Vertigo. He has a sense of justice and honor, and is nearly fearless. His temper is well controlled, and shows a high level of restraint.

When Oliver returned home, after his five years of fighting for survival, he was emotionally damaged, riddled with post traumatic stress and survivor's guilt; he wore the green hood in his vigilante guise in penance for Shado's death. Oliver himself described his state of mind back then as "having no sense of hope". He outright murdered a criminal who abducted him and Tommy simply to keep his new talents secret, justifying that the man shot an innocent bystander. Also he is prone to emotional outbursts when the situation involves someone he holds dear such as when he overdosed The Count with his own Vertigo as revenge for his self-made drug coming into Thea's hands and her getting high, leading to her accident. Oliver, nonetheless, feels guilt, remorse, and tries to atone for his actions.

When Oliver began his crusade, he was comfortable with killing his targets if he deemed it necessary. Also he wasn't afraid to torture suspects for information. Though Oliver was ruthless during his crusade's earlier days, taking lives actually took a toll on him. He admits that his more extreme measures, sometimes torturing people, "takes conviction". Despite this, Oliver did display humanity for people who were crippled, such as Garfield Lynns. Instead of killing him, Oliver displayed rare sympathy for Lynns and offered him help.

Oliver tended to be morally myopic, and somewhat hypocritical. He targets vigilantes with no morals nor codes, who kill solely for personal revenge or money. Whenever he encounters these types of criminals, who often say they are the same, he'd fervently correct them. After taking Diggle and Felicity on his crusade, working with them steers him down a less lethal path, he learns to reconnect with people he cares for, with his humanity.

Despite his newer, tough and more honorable exterior, Oliver can be very stubborn, and doesn't like to admit when he's wrong. He had a slight sense of arrogance believing that he could mend Helena Bertinelli out of her crime spree, and maybe even be with her as he had grown feelings for her, and later thinking he could lead a life with McKenna Hall while being the Hood. Though Oliver will admit when he makes mistakes and learns from them as well, only doing it when he is faced with cold hard facts. Oliver has great difficulties trusting people due to what happened the five years he was away from Starling City. He can sometimes be controlling and unintentionally abrasive. He also tends to be blind when it comes to his family, not wanting to believe when they're up to something that can be dangerous or if they're straight up lying to him.

Upon failing to stop Malcolm Merlyn's Undertaking and his best friend Tommy Merlyn's death, Oliver chose to return to Lian Yu to live in self-imposed exile. Upon being convinced by Diggle and Felicity to return to Starling City, Oliver agreed to resume his crusade, but inspired by and honoring Tommy's sacrifice and memory he took on a more merciful, pacifist approach, changing his codename to the Arrow, only killing when absolutely, justly unavoidable. As the Arrow, Oliver never acts as judge, jury and executioner and stands by his newly defined morals, and cleaning up the crime-ridden underworld of Starling, providing a symbol of protection and justice became his primary objective.

Later on, Oliver compares himself to his friend Barry Allen that as the Flash, he can inspire people (after Barry witnesses him torture a suspect, Klaus Markos for information) while what he does in Starling City is "what's ugly". After Barry inspires him not to torture Digger Harkness to diffuse a series of bombs, Barry later contradicts him that while the Arrow can't inspire people, Oliver Queen certainly can. Over time, Oliver learns to open up to the people close to him, his team in particular, eventually including letting Thea in on his secret, and being lighthearted upon hearing her say she couldn't be more proud of him. Though haunted, driven to make up for the various people - Shado, Moira, Tommy - he feels he failed, Oliver comes to terms with what his mantle has become, finding a semblance of peace. Oliver also grows as a leader for his team, coming to see them as equals, as well as a mentor for capable aspiring vigilantes such as the Barry and Ray Palmer. Despite the many losses and tragedies he has endured in his life Oliver remains steadfastly undeterred in providing a symbol of justice and hope to his city as the Arrow.

After defeating Ra's al Ghul, Oliver decided to retire from life of a vigilante and pursue a relationship, a normal life with Felicity. When he announced his intentions to retire, Oliver tells the team that he is confident the city is safe under their protection now that he can no longer be The Arrow. Oliver mentions to Felicity as they are driving away from Starling City that he is finally happy with his life.

As Green Arrow
After being retired from vigilantism for 6 months, living in peaceful, romantic suburbia with Felicity, Oliver has taken a more peaceful, relaxed approach to life. He has become more calm, grounded, mature and level-headed. He has put many demons to rest, including having removed Shado's tattoo, no longer burdened with the guilt. Though he enjoys his new life as a civilian being in love with Felicity, planning on proposing to her, he realizes he can't change who he is in his bones when he sees the state that newly branded Star City is in, that his sense of service, justice and duty still remain under his new-found sense of peace and tranquility, and comes out of retirement, changing his codename to Green Arrow, with a new determination to be the symbol of hope to the people of Star City that the Arrow never was.

As Green Arrow, Oliver has seemingly become against killing and torturing his foes in general. Oliver has also become more mature in regards to people, having lost some of his more byronic traits, his paranoia and coldness. After being inspired by Quentin Lance and Jessica Danforth, he realizes that there is something he cannot offer as a vigilante, hope and inspiration, "someone who can do things in the light of day and protect himself", so Oliver decides to run for mayor of Star City. When he discovered that Laurel used the Lazarus Pit to bring Sara back from the dead, he became very angry and criticized her for this, mainly because innocent people got killed because of this action of hers, but as he used the Lazarus Pit to save Thea, he doesn't place anything further on her, coming up with the option to restore Sara's soul instead. He and Quentin also come to solve their differences after the reveal of Quentin working with Damien Darhk, accepting Quentin's concern for Laurel and resolving with Quentin becoming a counter-spy in Darhk's circle.

Upon learning of the existence of his son William, and that Moira paid Samantha Clayton 1 million bars of gold if she told him she had a miscarriage, Oliver becomes very angry that his late mother deprived him of his own child and how it could risk his relationship with Felicity, wanting to be a father and to be in his son's life Oliver reluctantly agrees with Samantha's condition that William and no one else learns the truth.

Despite his more calm, grounded, mature and level-headed traits, Oliver still has his moments of being impulsive, like when he revealed to the public that Damien Darhk is the leader of H.I.V.E., believing the latter would only come after him, he finds out the hard way that he was wrong, this action of his results in Felicity becoming paralyzed, later when he cuts off Malcolm's left hand and removed him as the leader of the League of Assassins, the latter reveals the existence of his son William, to Damien, to get revenge on Oliver.

Behind, or perhaps entirely in spite of his convictions and ethics, Oliver possesses a grey moral. His developing moral center was stunted after he was shipwrecked on Lian Yu and there he learnt one and only virtue; survive no matter the cost, a belief which he did not abandon after his leaving the island. His first day being shipwrecked, Oliver was barely able to bring himself to kill a bird but he learnt to do it without remorse quickly after. It was Shado that observed deep within Oliver is internally conflicted. The idea of schangjen which he learnt on Lian Yu embraces the cold-blooded killer side whereas he may appear or strive to be a hero despite this other half. This side, however only tends to surface whenever Oliver is around his suitor, Felicity Smoak who he admits is the best of the two of them. Oliver's morality has been transmutable at times. After the events of the Undertaking he began refusing to kill his enemies, abandoning his feelings of self-hatred and accepting himself as a hero but these were destroyed when he was forced to join the League of Assassins and become his dark side in the form of Al-Sa Her. Oliver learnt the fine line between mercy and those who had no choice but to be put down while dealing with random enforcers and genuinely irredeemable enemies because of his time there though. Although he chose to spare Malcolm Merlyn and Slade Wilson he did kill Ra's al Ghul and Damien Darhk but with good reason as Ra's had proven to be an unreasonable zealot who would kill the population of a city to prove a point and killed his sister previously and Darhk, a psychopath who attacked his friend in front of his eyes.

When Diggle and Thea quit the team, and in the wake of Laurel's attack Oliver became extremely dark and ruthless again, regressing to his old ways. He is back to killing people whenever he deems it necessary, blaming himself for Laurel's attack because he had multiple chances to kill Darhk but didn't until Laurel was attacked. He also tourtures criminals for information if need be.

Powers

 * Light Magic: Accepting how near-invincible Damien Darhk's magic is, Oliver learned from Esrin Fortuna on how to counteract it. As Damien's powers come from the absorption and manipulation of dark energy (i.e. death and fear), Esrin began teaching Oliver how to channel the light energy (i.e. hope and joy). Oliver can channel this energy through the magical tattoo John Constantine had given to him. Once mastering this, Damien's dark magic ultimately became ineffective against Oliver.

Abilities

 * Acrobatics/Free-running: Oliver is an accomplished acrobat, capable of scaling buildings, and running from rooftop to rooftop with ease. He is maneuverable and graceful, able to pursue and outrun a target in various types of terrains. His skills allow him to fluidly dodge and attack from different directions without losing balance.
 * Expert computer skills: During his time in A.R.G.U.S., Oliver learned much about programs and networks. He is capable of hacking a system to transfer bank accounts, acquire guarded information, and work around security programs. However, his skills pale against Felicity's as he often went to her when he was unable to do something even before she joined his team.
 * Expert driver/pilot: Oliver is skillfully able to man multiple vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, he is even able to shoot targets while driving these vehicles. Oliver also knows how to fly a shuttle and he was once able to crash land a shuttle without dying with the help of Nyssa.
 * Expert interrogator/torturer: During his time with the A.R.G.U.S., Oliver became an effective interrogator and torturer. He is capable of inflict much physical pain into a target without killing them and is even capable of using mind games to worsen the discomfort. As the Arrow, Oliver commands an intimidating presence to where most criminals fear him and give up information willingly.
 * Expert survivalist: Oliver has great survival skills, as he was taught by Yao Fei how to survive in the wild. He was able to live on the island and provide for himself. His skills and willpower allowed him to survive near-death experiences. He is also an master escape artist, able to free himself from various confinements.
 * High-level intellect/Master tactician/Expert leader: Oliver is very sharp-witted and methodical, alert and adaptive to various situations. He can to determine much of what transpired in the area from little evidence. He is a quick learner, having gained great knowledge, if not skill, in various fields. He is highly tactical, both in preparation and while in action, able to quickly analyze the situation and how best to handle it. For intimidation as a vigilante, Oliver can strike fear into others, able to effectively gain information and manipulate their actions. Oliver is skilled at psychological warfare, using his enemies' plans and wants against them all while feigning defeat. Oliver can also be very deceptive, effectively convincing all that he is not vigilante for years through various carefully designed ruses, even fooling a lie-detector test. Oliver is also an effective leader, both as a businessman and for a vigilante team and is able to motivate and inspire others which later helps him become mayor.
 * Honed senses: Oliver is able to pick up danger before anyone else in his vicinity does, showing noticeably sharp hearing and sight. His keen skills of perception offer aid in otherwise detrimental situations. He is likewise able to anticipate the attack patterns of the meta-human the Flash to successfully strike him and catch the latter's own attack.
 * Indomitable will/High pain tolerance: A driven and determined person, Oliver is nearly fearless and almost never gives up under most situations. He is quite resistant to pain and drugging, allowing him to continue fighting or even survive near-death situations. After being trained by the League of Assassins, his tolerance for pain is almost inhuman as he was able to take an arrow piercing through his arm while barely flinching. He could even resist Darhk's telekinetic hold long enough to fire an arrow clean at him.
 * Master archer: Oliver is an extremely skilled archer, able to precisely hit targets from great distances. He can shoot 6 bouncing tennis balls without missing in quick succession, shoot objects off of people without harming them and retain his accuracy even whilst he was in rapid movement. He can also anticipate an enemy projectile to block it with an arrow and fire multiple arrows at once. Throughout his career as a vigilante, word quickly spread that Oliver never misses. He also has skills in close-combat, able to shift between melee fighting and shooting with ease.
 * Master hand-to-hand combatant/Martial artist: Oliver excels in close-range combat, able to compete against the most dangerous of combatants, including Slade Wilson, Ra's al Ghul, and Vandel Savage. His style shows advanced skill in Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Jeet Kun Do, Eskrima Kali, Kyūdō, Boxing, Bojutsu, Hapkido, Judo, Karate, Krav Maga, Jujitsu, Silat, Wrestling, Sambo, Aikido, and Kickboxing. He can effectively change his battle tactics and attack patterns to suit the situation and compete against multiple people at once.
 * Master knife-fighter/Knife-thrower: Oliver is shown to be highly skilled with knives. He was able to kill a man with a single stab, and was seen skillfully practicing Kali knife-fighting techniques with John Diggle. Oliver is also skilled in using knives in long-range combat, and can utilize his arrows as improvised knives, by using them to stab enemies in combat.
 * Master marksman/Firearms: Oliver has shown similar skill in the use of various other firearms as he has with archery. During his time with A.R.G.U.S., Oliver also became an adept sniper, able to accurately hit his moving targets from almost a mile away. Oliver showed similar proficiency as he quickly shot down his targets. Oliver is also skilled in throwing bladed objects, as he able to accurately disarm or take down his enemies with flechettes. He even saved Diggle from Chien Na Wei by throwing an off-balance kitchen knife.
 * Master detective/Forensics expert: Oliver can effectively search for information and follow clues. He is very precise with forensics, able to analyze and gather information. From his analysis of various residues and such, he is also shown a considerable knowledge of chemistry.
 * Master stick fighter: While training with Slade, Oliver learned to spar toe-to-toe with the latter. During combat, Oliver often employs his bow as a make-shift blunt weapon to use against his enemies. Oliver is capable of using a bo-staff, as he defeated three of Xavier Reed's men and fought on par against Sara Lance while sparring.
 * Master swordsman: Originally, due to training from Slade Wilson, Oliver became highly proficient in swordsmanship. However, Oliver's near-sole dependence on his bow and arrow over the years dulled this skill. Later, Oliver training for three weeks under Ra's greatly improved his skill; he is able to swiftly subdue Nyssa and likewise fight on par against the League of Assassins' leader himself.
 * Medical knowledge: Oliver knows much on human anatomy, able to torture people for hours without fear of killing them. From Yao Fei, Oliver learned pressure point manipulation, able to paralyze a person into a seemingly dead state and undo it. For healing, Oliver can patch up most injuries on himself or others, even bullet wounds, and able to quickly determine the nature of a poison. Oliver is also is skilled in meditation, able to guide others in regaining memories.
 * Multilingual: Oliver is fluent in English, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, Tibetan, and Arabic. He can speak Mandarin so effectively that a blinded Chinese Triad member believed Oliver was actually Chinese.
 * Network: Oliver has established many connections with various organizations over the course of his life, gaining aid for various natures. These organizations include Solntsevskaya Bratva, Roy Harper's street contacts, A.R.G.U.S., and the League of Assassins.
 * League of Assassins training: Oliver has gone through the training all League members do. His ability in unarmed combat, infiltration, stealth, escapology, melee weapons, tolerance of pain, and force of will are greatly improved.
 * Occult knowledge: Oliver gained great knowledge regarding magic and the supernatural world, able to immediately identify Damien Darhk's magical powers and distinguishing it from meta-human abilities.
 * Peak of human physical condition: Oliver is in top physical form after five intense years of survival which he maintains through various extensive training regimens. Oliver is strong enough to incapacitate the much larger John Diggle and can breaking a grown man's neck with little effort. He is also strong enough able to knock people off the ground with ease, as he did to Lonnie Machin and his recruits. Oliver's reflexes are fast enough to catch an incoming arrow or deflect it with a hand-held object. His durability is also remarkable as he is sturdy enough to be unfazed by a pool stick broken across his chest and is resilient to blows from those with greater strength than himself. He is resilient to the point to where he survived being impaled by a scimitar and falling off a mountain side. After being trapped in a cold tropical climate for several years, his body has become well adapted to cold temperatures to the point that he is unfazed by ice cold temperatures while shirtless. Oliver can endure long periods of free-diving without air. His conditioning also lets him recover from most injuries very quickly (though not superhumanly). At age 61 in a potential future, Oliver was still superbly fit for his age, performing almost as efficiently as in his prime.
 * Skilled cook: During his time on the island, Oliver learned to cook animals for nourishment. During his 5 months of retirement as a vigilante, Oliver became a talent cook with many praising his culinary skills in various styles.
 * Skilled engineer/metalsmith: Oliver has demonstrated to be a capable engineer, learning from his father he demonstrated the ability to fix a broken radio when Slade couldn't. His time in the Bratva furthered his constructive skills as he was able to create electronic devices, explosives, forging his own arrows, and was even able to create makeshift bows and arrows using various hotel room items.
 * Stealth: Oliver is very elusive. He can sneak in and out of most guarded buildings without being detected, follow his targets for long periods of time unnoticed, and quickly disappear from sight even in broad daylight.

Equipment

 * Blood draining equipment: Oliver had blood draining equipment which he continually used to drain small amounts of his blood to store away for medical emergencies.
 * Carbon Fiber Longbow: This carbon fiber longbow serves as Oliver's spare bow, after his customized recurve bow was chopped in half by a downward forearm strike from Malcolm. It belonged to his late mentor Yao Fei. Oliver has also used it as an improvised quarterstaff.
 * Customized hunting arrows: Oliver, in his vigilante persona, uses as his signature weapon of choice numerous types of green arrows, which he creates and designs himself, combined with his customized recurve bow or carbon fiber longbow to fulfill his promise and mission he made to his father before his death. He carries arrows and flechettes (miniature projectiles stored on gauntlets, the equivalent of throwing knives) that add up to 24 in number. After becoming a member of the League of Assassins, Oliver now uses black arrows.
 * Customized Oneida Kestrel Compound bow: This customized Oneida Kestrel compound bow serves as Oliver's new bow, designed by Felicity. It can fire 2 small explosives from the ends of the bow riser. Oliver also uses it as an improvised quarterstaff. As of the Season 3 premiere, it curls into a smaller size.
 * Eskrima Sticks: Oliver has been shown to frequently utilize Eskrima sticks as training and sparring weapons.
 * Flechette: Oliver, as Green Arrow, carries flechettes or the equivalent to darts to disarm people. He uses one to disarm Quentin of his gun. He carries it around his forearm. It is unknown what materials it is made from. It can be assumed that Oliver may carry some trick fletchettes as he uses smoke producing ones to assist in his escape from the SCIS.
 * Ghost combadge: Oliver uses this ghost combadge to call Quentin, from the other ghost combadge that he gave him anonymously, whenever he needs his help. When he called Quentin it is shown that it uses the same voice changer technology that Oliver uses to disguise his voice as the Arrow, whenever he was talking to people who know what his voice sounds like. On 2 occasions it was used by Laurel. It is unknown if it was designed by Oliver.
 * Green Arrow gauntlets: These gauntlets are used by Oliver (as his heroic alter-ego Green Arrow).
 * Green Arrow mask: Oliver wears a mask to hide his identity from his enemies. His mask is a dark green in color to match his hood and suit. It is made from a compressible micro-fabric. This has the ability to conceal Oliver's identity very effectively, it has no restrictions on his visual field while on the run or aiming arrows. It is unknown if it was designed by Cisco or Barry Allen.
 * Green Arrow suit: Oliver wears a protective suit as Green Arrow, to hide his identity from his enemies, when he goes out fighting crime. It was designed by Cisco Ramon after his previous suit was taken by the police and destroyed. It is unknown what materials it is made from.
 * Katana: Oliver was seen in the Arrowcave training with a katana, likely to sharpen his swordsman skills.
 * Lian Yu Herbs: Oliver brought back herbs with him from Lian Yu that could counteract most types of drugs and poisons and even heal infections.
 * Oliver Queen's crossbow: Oliver used a crossbow once when he was in the elevator shaft, when he was in the building of Merlyn Global Group, while using one of his grappling hook bolts and swinging across the elevator shaft. It is shown to be strong enough to hold 2 people, like Oliver and Felicity Smoak.
 * Oliver Queen's motorcycle: Oliver uses a Ducati Monster Diesel Edition motorcycle to get around Star City, when he is out on patrol as Green Arrow. His civilian motorcycle is a Ducati Divel Carbon Edition.
 * Trick arrows: Oliver has used custom-designed arrows such as incendiary arrows that explode on contact. On occasions, he has also been known to use arrows embedded with recording and listening devices.
 * Quiver: A green arrow container strapped to Oliver's back. He uses it to carry his arrows as the Arrow. After becoming a member of the League of Assassins, Oliver now uses a black quiver to carry his arrows.
 * Voice filter: Oliver uses this device to disguise his voice, whenever he was talking to people, who know what his voice sounds like, as the Arrow. Oliver now uses this device to disguise his voice, regardless of who he speaks to as Green Arrow.

Future equipment

 * Cybernetic arm: In one potential future of 2397, after his left arm was cut off by Grant Wilson, Oliver is forced to use a cybernetic arm, one that had great strength, dexterity and speed, allowing Oliver to fight as efficiently as with his original arm. The moving mechanisms inside the arm and it's overall appearance resemble the arms on the A.T.O.M. Exosuit.

Former equipment

 * The Arrow suits: Oliver wore a protective suit as the Arrow, to hide his identity from his enemies, when he went out fighting crime. Later, Barry Allen made a mask from a compressible micro-fabric. This allowed Oliver to conceal his identity more effectively than the previously used grease paint with restrictions on his visual field. Later, Cisco Ramon designed a new costume made with a polymer Kevlar weave. It was 25% lighter and could carry 15% more gear. However, after he was framed by the League of Assassins, it was destroyed.
 * Chinese dao: While becoming a member of the League of Assassins, Oliver would wield a sword as most members do.
 * Customized recurve bow: Oliver, as the Arrow, used as his weapon of choice a customized recurve bow combined with his arrows to fulfill the promise he made to his father before his death. It is unknown who it was designed by and it features standard recurve limbs and a riser that has a metal enclosure for the hand. Oliver also used it as an improvised quarterstaff. It was destroyed by Malcolm Merlyn.
 * Demon's Head ring: Having defeated Ra's al Ghul in combat, Oliver inherited a particular ring the master assassin wore which symbolizes his position as the Demon's Head. Oliver kept it long enough to pass on the title of Ra's al Ghul to Malcolm.
 * League of Assassins recurve bow: When Oliver was forced to join the League of Assassins he got a new, all-black, takedown recurve bow.
 * League of Assassins suit: Oliver wore a protective suit, used by the members of the League of Assassins, while operating as Al Sah-him, to hide his identity from his victims. It is unknown what materials it is made out of, with the exception of Kevlar.
 * Smoke bombs: Oliver used a smoke bomb in his fight against Nyssa to temporarily blind her.

Victims

 * Edward Fyers (defense of Shado)
 * Fyers' mercenaries
 * Amazo soldier
 * Anthony Ivo (mercy kill)
 * Amazo mercenaries
 * Adam Cadswidth
 * Jordan Kern
 * Rogue Army soldiers
 * Matthew Shrieve (alongside Maseo Yamashiro)
 * Vlad (Self-defense)
 * Conklin
 * Shadowspire mercs
 * Taiana Venediktov (mercy kill)
 * 3 kidnappers
 * 3+ Adam Hunt's mercs
 * Constantine Drakon (self-defense)
 * Leo Mueller
 * 2 mobsters
 * Ted Gaynor
 * Cyrus Vanch's mercs
 * Guillermo Barrera
 * Joseph Falk (defense of Roy Harper)
 * Dr. Webb
 * Mr. Blank
 * Malcolm Merlyn's mercs
 * Street thug
 * Count Vertigo (defense of Felicity Smoak)
 * 2 Mirakuru soldiers (defense of Laurel Lance)
 * Unnamed criminal
 * Vandal Savage (alongside Barry Allen; resurrected)
 * Ra's al Ghul
 * Damien Darhk