While close-range weapons are great, the bow is also an amazing choice in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. However, mastering it comes with a steep learning curve, making it essential for new players to grasp its mechanics thoroughly.
Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide
Unlike other weapons in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, the bow demands careful attention to your stamina bar. Each attack you perform consumes stamina, with light attacks using less and charged attacks requiring a significant amount. To execute a basic attack, simply left-click on your mouse or press the R2/RT button on your controller. For those looking to expand their skills, try out combos like Dragon Piercer or Thousand Dragons. Here are the controls you'll need while wielding 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 beginners, it's highly recommended to visit the training ground to familiarize yourself with the bow's combos and controls. Diving into a battle unprepared can lead to frustration, so take the time to practice first.
Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)
Attack Monster’s Weak Spots
One of the bow's greatest advantages is its ability to target a monster's weak points with precision. Utilize Focus Fire: Hailstorm to fire arrows that automatically lock onto these vulnerable areas. After focusing your sight, you'll notice red spots indicating the weak points. Simply hold down Shift or R1/RB to target these effectively.
Use Coatings
Coatings play a crucial role in enhancing your bow's effectiveness in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. These special concoctions can be applied to your arrows without needing to craft them; they're automatically generated as you hit enemies with regular shots. Keep an eye on the blue bar in the bottom right corner of your screen to monitor your coating gauge. Once it's full, you can activate coatings by pressing R, Triangle, or Y. Each bow can use two types of coatings, and here’s a rundown of what's available:
- Power Coating – Boosts the overall damage of your arrows.
- Pierce Coating – Enhances the Dragon Piercer ability to pierce through armor.
- Close-Range Coating – Increases damage when fighting at close range.
- Paralysis Coating – Gradually inflicts Paralysis on the monster.
- Exhaust Coating – Slowly causes Stun and Exhaustion.
- Sleep Coating – Gradually inflicts Sleep.
- Poison Coating – Slowly inflicts Poison.
- Blast Coating – Slowly inflicts Blast damage.
Use Tracer Arrow
The Tracer Arrow is another valuable tool in your arsenal. When fired, it sticks to a monster for a limited duration, allowing subsequent arrows to home in on the tracer. This is particularly useful for targeting weak spots. However, be mindful that using a Tracer Arrow consumes coating points, so use it strategically.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
