While close-range weapons shine in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, the bow stands out as an exceptional choice, though it comes with a steep learning curve. New players should take the time to grasp its mechanics thoroughly before diving into battles.
Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide
Screenshot via The Escapist
The bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds* differs from other weapons due to its reliance on stamina management. Every attack consumes stamina, with light attacks requiring less and charged attacks demanding a significant portion. To execute a simple attack, use the left-click on your mouse or press the R2/RT button on your controller. Explore various combos like Dragon Piercer or Thousand Dragons to enhance your combat effectiveness. Here's a detailed breakdown of the controls for using the bow:
| Combo | PC | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Attack | Left-click | R2 | RT |
| Charged | Hold left-click | Hold R2 | Hold RT |
| Aim / Focus | Hold right-click | Hold L2 | Hold LT |
| Quick Shot | F | O | B |
| Power Shot | F + F | O + O | B + B |
| Arc Shot | Right-click + Left-click + F | L2 + R2 + O | LT + RT + B |
| Charging Sidestep | Right-click + R | L2 + X | LT + A |
| Dragon Piercer | R + F | Triangle + O | B + Y |
| Thousand Dragons | Right-click + R + F | R2 + Triangle + O | RT + Y + B |
| Select Coating | Ctrl + arrow up or down | L1 + Triangle or X | LB + Y or A |
| Apply Coating | R | Triangle | Y |
| Ready Tracer | Left-click + E | L2 + R2 + Square | LT + RT + X |
| Focus Fire: Hailstorm | Right-click + Shift | L2 + Hold R1 | LT + Hold RB |
For those new to the bow, a visit to the training ground in *Monster Hunter Wilds* is highly recommended. It's the perfect place to practice your combos and get accustomed to the controls. Jumping into a monster fight without this preparation is not advised.
Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)
Attack Monster's Weak Spots
A key advantage of using the bow is the ability to target a monster's weak points more effectively. Utilize the Focus Fire: Hailstorm technique to shoot arrows that automatically lock onto these vulnerable areas. After focusing your sight, you'll notice red spots on the enemy indicating weak points. Simply hold down Shift or R1/RB to lock onto these targets and maximize your damage output.
Use Coatings
Screenshot via The Escapist
Coatings are a crucial feature of the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. These special concoctions can enhance your arrows' effectiveness without the need for crafting. As you hit enemies with regular arrows, your character will gradually generate coatings, indicated by the blue bar in the bottom right corner. Fill the gauge with regular attacks, then press R, Triangle, or Y to apply coatings to your arrows. Each bow can only use two types of coatings, and here are the options available:
- Power Coating – Increases the overall damage of your arrows.
- Pierce Coating – Allows you to pierce through armor using the Dragon Piercer ability.
- Close-Range Coating – Boosts your close-range damage.
- Paralysis Coating – Slowly inflicts Paralysis.
- Exhaust Coating – Slowly inflicts Stun and Exhaustion.
- Sleep Coating – Slowly inflicts Sleep.
- Poison Coating – Slowly inflicts Poison.
- Blast Coating – Slowly inflicts Blast.
Use Tracer Arrow
The Tracer Arrow is another valuable tool in your bow's arsenal in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. When fired, it sticks to a monster for a limited time, causing subsequent arrows to home in on the tracer. This feature is particularly effective for targeting and creating weak spots. Be mindful, though, as using a Tracer Arrow consumes coating points, so use it strategically rather than continuously.
*Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
