Bow Controls Guide - Combos, Changes, and New Moves

Bow Controls Guide for Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds). MH Wilds Bow Guide includes how to use bow, attacks, moves, combos, hailstorm, arc shot, and balance adjustments.

Bow Balancing Adjustments

First Major Update Adjustment Details

Bow - How to Use

Shoot From Critical Distance

Too Close Or Far	Critical Distance	Out of Range

The key to using the Bow effectively in Monster Hunter Wilds is to shoot from the Critical Distance. When shooting from this range, your attack power increases, while shooting outside of it significantly reduces the damage. You can determine the Critical Distance by the Aim icon when you have the Bow drawn, so always stay aware and adjust your positioning accordingly.

Applying Close-Range Coating Reduces Critical Distance

The Bow allows you to apply coatings that enhance arrow attack or inflict status effects. One such coating, Close-range Coating, significantly reduces the Critical Distance when applied, so be cautious.

Charge and Shoot

The Bow allows up to three charge levels when shooting arrows. Charging before shooting increases the damage, so it's best to charge before firing. Additionally, by continuously shooting, the next shot will be fired with one higher charge level.

Increase and Maintain Charge Level

If you perform a Charging Sidestep after shooting a charged shot, the Charge Level for the next shot will increase by one stage. Additionally, if you perform a Charging Sidestep while at the maximum Charge Level (Stage 3), the next shot will maintain the maximum Charge.

Timed Charging Sidestep for Discerning Dodge

When you time an enemy's attack with a Charging Sidestep, a special evade action called Discerning Dodge will trigger. This powerful action grants invincibility, allowing you to avoid attacks while recovering both Stamina and Trick Arrow Gauge. Once you're comfortable with Charging Sidestep, try to focus on activating Discerning Dodge as well.

Consume Trick Arrow Gauge

By consuming the Trick Arrow Gauge displayed at the bottom right of the screen, you can shoot a special arrow called "Tracer" and apply coatings to your arrows. The Trick Arrow Gauge fills up by landing attacks or successfully performing Discerning Dodges.

Always Fight With Tracer Active

The tracer stays on the struck area for 10 seconds, causing all arrow attacks during that period to automatically track to that location. Also, all arrows are fired at full charge, even at 1 Charge.

Apply Coatings to Add Effects to Your Arrows

The Bow allows you to apply specific coatings to increase attack power or apply status effects to arrows, depending on the weapon. These Coatings offer a range of effects, from increasing damage to inflicting abnormal statuses like Poison or Sleep. By consuming Trick Arrow Gauge, you can apply coatings multiple times, so make sure to reapply them as needed throughout the fight when the coating runs out.

▼ Coating Types & Effects

Bow - Attacks and Moves

Basic Controls

Apply Coating

Hold ＋ or

Select Coating

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Backstep

＋

Dodge

---

＋

Dragon Piercer

During Combo ＋

Instant Dragon Piercer

＋ ＋

Thousand Dragons

---

During Combo

➡

Power Shot➡Power Volley

---

Hold Then Release

Charge/Shoot

Hold ＋

Ready Tracer

---

Hold

Aim/Focus Mode

Hold ＋

Quick Shot

Hold ＋

Charging Sidestep

➡

Flying Swallow Shot

---

Hold ＋

Focus Fire: Hailstorm

Hold ＋ Hold ＋

Arc Shot

Power Shot/Power Volley

Power Shot and Power Volley are attacks that can be performed as a combo, consuming a large amount of stamina to deliver powerful strikes. Since the arrows spread horizontally, you’ll need to get close to the monster to land the attack.

Discerning Dodge

Discerning Dodge occurs when you perform a Perfect Evade using Charging Sidestep, allowing you to avoid an enemy's attack while in an invincible state. It also recovers Stamina and Trick Arrow Gauge, with Stamina being almost fully restored. Since it is triggered by Charging Sidestep, it also increases and maintains the Charge Level.

Flying Swallow Shot

Jump to the side and fire in midair. It's a nimble attack that lets you adjust your position while attacking, so use it according to the enemy's movements.

Arc Shot (Fuse Arrows)

Arc Shot is an attack that fires multiple arrows called Fuse Arrows. In the first half of the video above, you can see the part where arrows are shot into the air. It can be charged up to three levels, with higher charge levels increasing both the area of effect and the number of arrows fired. Fuse Arrows can be detonated using Dragon Piercer, Thousand Dragons, Instant Dragon Piercer, and other similar attacks.

Instant Dragon Piercer

Instant Dragon Piercer is an attack that can be smoothly executed as a follow-up in combos. If it hits Arc Shot's Fuse Arrows or Tracer, it will explode them.

Ready Tracer

Using Tracer Shot consumes the Trick Arrow Gauge. Arrows will automatically track to the struck area for about 10 seconds, after which the tracer will explode and deal damage, or it will detonate upon receiving a certain amount of damage. Additionally, all arrows will be fired at maximum charge, even at Charge Level 1.

Focus Fire: Hailstorm (Focus Strike)

Focus Fire: Hailstorm is a move performed during the Focus Strike. It attacks all Wounds within the large Aim area at the center of the screen. Once the move is initiated, you are unable to move, and since it shoots twice, the attack time is relatively long. Be sure to time it carefully when using it.

Bow - Recommended Combos

Tracer Attack Combo

This is a simple but powerful combo where you hit with Tracer and then press R2 to fire arrows. If Tracer lands, all arrows will be fired at maximum charge, even at Charge Level 1, allowing you to deal a burst of damage. The Tracer lasts for about 10 seconds, so try hitting it again once it disappears.

Charging Sidestep → Power Shot Loop

This combo follows a specific attack sequence: Shoot → Power Shot → Charging Sidestep → and then continue the loop. If you successfully evade an enemy's attack during Charging Sidestep, you will trigger a Discerning Dodge, enabling you to continue the combo while avoiding attacks and recovering stamina.

Arc Shot → Dragon Piercer

This is a combo where you hit with Fuse Arrows using Arc Shot, then trigger an explosion with Dragon Piercer. Since the animation is long, it's recommended to use it when the enemy is down or in a vulnerable state..

Bow - New Attacks

Discerning Dodge

A Discerning Dodge is triggered when you perfectly evade an enemy attack using Charging Sidestep. When successfully triggered, it restores stamina and the Trick Arrow Gauge while also maintaining or increasing your charge level.

Flying Swallow Shot

Allows you to dodge with Charging Sidestep and shoot arrows in the air with Flying Swallow Shot. A flexible attack that allows you to attack while repositioning to a safer location.

Arc Shot (Fuse Arrows)

Arc Shot is an attack that fires multiple arrows called Fuse Arrows. In the first half of the video above, you can see the part where arrows are shot into the air. It can be charged up to three levels, with higher charge levels increasing both the area of effect and the number of arrows fired. Fuse Arrows can be detonated using Dragon Piercer, Thousand Dragons, Instant Dragon Piercer, and other similar attacks.

Instant Dragon Piercer

Instant Dragon Piercer is an attack that can be smoothly executed as a follow-up in combos. If it hits Arc Shot's Fuse Arrows or Tracer, it will explode them.

Tracer

You can use Tracer Shot by consuming the Trick Arrow Gauge. The arrow will automatically track the area it hits for about 10 seconds, then explode and deal a certain amount of damage. Additionally, all arrows will be fired at maximum charge, even when using Charge Level 1.

Focus Fire: Hailstorm (Focus Strike)

Focus Fire: Hailstorm is a move performed during the Focus Strike. It attacks all Wounds within the large Aim area at the center of the screen. Once the move is initiated, you are unable to move, and since it shoots twice, the attack time is relatively long. Be sure to time it carefully when using it.

Coating Types and Effects

List of Coating (Bow)

Coating	Effect
Power Coating	A coating that increases the attack power of arrows.
Close-range Coating	A coating designed to deal more damage to nearby targets, at the cost of a reduced maximum range.
Piercing Coating	A coating that increases piercing ability. Depending on the monster, it can deal multiple hits.
Poison Coating	A coating that applies poison effects to arrows.
Paralysis Coating	A coating that applies paralysis effects to arrows.
Sleep Coating	A coating that applies sleep effects to arrows.
Blast Coating	A coating that applies explosive powder to arrows.
Exhaust Coating	A coating that applies a fatigue-inducing fluid to arrows.

The types of Coating included in Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds) are the Power, Close-range, and Piercing, which increase damage, and the Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, Blast, and Exhaust which apply status effects.

Close-Range Coating is Strongest

Specifically in Monster Hunter Wilds, Close-range Coating is thought of as the best type of coating, and whether or not a Bow can use Close-range Coating is a factor when it comes to evaluating weapons. By using Close-range Coating, you will need to stay within melee range of the Monster, however, the 1.4x damage multiplier exceeds that of the Power Coating's 1.3x damage multiplier.

Monster Hunter Wilds Related Articles

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Weapon List	Best Weapon Types	Secondary Weapons
Best Equipment	Artian Upgrades	Artian Parts

Weapon Trees and Best Builds

Other Recommended Weapon Builds

Weapon Guide by Monster

Chatacabra	Quematrice	Lala Barina	Congalala
Balahara	Doshaguma	Uth Duna	Rompopolo
Rey Dau	Nerscylla	Hirabami	Ajarakan
Nu Udra	Guardian Doshaguma	Guardian Rathalos	Guardian Arkveld
Jin Dahaad	Guardian Ebony	Xu Wu	Yian Kut-Ku
Gypceros	Rathian	Guardian Fulgur	Rathalos
Gravios	Blangonga	Gore Magala	Arkveld

Useful Weapon Information