Comprehensive Guide to Bow Builds and Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds stands out as one of the most technical and dynamic ranged weapons available, offering a wide array of elemental effects and status ailments alongside intimidating combos and finishing moves. With its unique gameplay mechanics, it’s not only engaging but also a fantastic choice for new players looking to make their mark in the game.

While the Bow may not deliver the brute force of melee weapons, its range provides a strategic advantage that allows hunters to maintain a safe distance from aggressive foes. This characteristic is essential for avoiding damage as it includes a highly effective dodge mechanic, enabling players to sidestep attacks at the last moment.

That said, mastering the Bow requires understanding several intricate mechanics. Players must learn to navigate various arrow coatings to inflict different types of damage and effectively utilize the different shot types at their disposal.

This guide aims to inform you about the mechanics of the Bow, introduce effective combos, and suggest optimal builds to maximize your hunting experience.

Comprehensive Bow Guide for Monster Hunter Wilds

Understanding Bow Combos

Two critical concepts to remember when using the Bow are its effective range and the charging time of shots. To assess your distance from the target, hold L2 and position the reticle over the monster. If it appears white, you’re too far; when it turns orange, you’re in the ideal range and should strive to maintain it.

When firing arrows using L2 and R2, mastering the technique of “half-charging” is key. There are two levels of charge available: a full charge delivers maximum power but is slower, while a half charge is quicker and still provides decent damage output, resulting in a balanced DPS.

However, relying solely on this strategy can limit your damage potential. You should also incorporate the Dragon Piercer Combo into your attacks, which entails pressing R2, then Circle twice, followed by pressing Triangle and Circle simultaneously to unleash a powerful attack that fires arrows in a wider arc.

Here’s a sequential workflow to effectively use the Bow during battles:

Hold L1, followed by pressing Triangle to cycle through your arrow coatings until you reach an ailment coating such as poison. Release L1 and press Triangle again to load the coating.
Check your range by holding L2 to ensure the reticle is orange.
Execute the basic Dragon Piercer Combo with the sequence: R2, Circle, Circle, then press Triangle and Circle at the same time.
After depleting your arrows, reload your coating.
Upon inflicting your status ailment (e.g., poison), switch back to your pierce or physical coating.
Check for any inflicted wounds by holding L2 and trigger a Focus Fire with R1 to break them.
When a monster is downed, unleash your strategic Thousand Dragons Combo by pressing R2, followed by Circle, then Circle again, and finally pressing R2 + Circle and Triangle together.
Target specific monster parts by holding L2, charging up shots with R2, and releasing when the reticle is refilled.

Effective Bow Builds for Monster Hunter Wilds

As you embark on your journey in Monster Hunter Wilds, it’s essential to start contemplating how to synergize your Skills and gear sets early on. Doing so will better prepare you for the substantial challenges of the end-game content, eliminating the feeling of needing to catch up.

Early Game Strategy

During the initial stages of your adventure, focusing on speed and adaptability is crucial. Acquiring the Alloy Helm and Alloy Greaves is a priority, as these are readily available and will provide beneficial points in the Quick Sheathe skill. This skill allows for faster weapon stowage, making item use much more efficient—vital for surviving the game’s early difficulties.

As you progress, consider integrating the Balahara set for enhanced dodging capabilities. For an early elemental weapon, the Quematrice Arco is an excellent choice due to its elemental damage output.

Weapon: Quematrice Arco
Helm: Alloy
Cuirass : Balahara
Gauntlets : Balahara
Waist : Balahara
Greaves: Alloy
Talisman: Defence Talisman

Mid-Game Advancement

As you delve deeper into the game, access to advanced skills becomes available. A strong recommendation is to equip four pieces of the Rey Dau set, which grants boosted Latent Power, enhancing both your attack and dodging abilities.

Another formidable option is the Ebony Odogaron set, which amplifies your attack power via the Burst Skill, especially beneficial for the fast-paced Bow. While this set offers greater attack potential, it’s crucial to note its reduced defense against various elements; however, the Bow’s range helps mitigate this downside effectively.

Weapon: Guardian Rathalos Albirath Bow
Helm: Ebony Odogaron
Cuirass: Ebony Odogaron
Gauntlets: Ebony Odogaron
Waist: Ebony Odogaron
Greaves: Guardian Rathalos
Talisman: Element corresponding to the monster being targeted

By honing your understanding of the Bow and tailored builds, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle even the most challenging monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds, turning each hunt into a thrilling pursuit.

Source&Images