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 - 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 & Maintain Charge Level with Charging Sidestep

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.

Do a 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 for Attack Boost

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

Tracer remains on the hit area for 10 seconds, and during that time, all arrows' attacks will automatically track the hit area. Additionally, all arrows will have a critical hit status, and even at Charge 1, they will be shot at maximum charge. The benefits are incredibly powerful, so always aim to keep Tracer on the target as you fight.

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 & Moves

Basic Controls

Apply Coating

Hold ＋ or

Select Coating

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Backstep

＋

Dodge

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＋

Dragon Piercer

During Combo ＋

Instant Dragon Piercer

＋ ＋

Thousand Dragons

---

During Combo

➡

Power Shot ➡ Power Volley

---

Hold Then Release

Charge/Shoot

Hold ＋

Ready Tracer

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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

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.

Ready Tracer

By consuming Trick Arrow Gauge, you can shoot a Tracer. The Tracer remains in the targeted area for about 10 seconds, during which all arrows will automatically track the marked spot. It will explode after approximately 10 seconds or upon reaching a certain damage threshold, dealing additional damage. Additionally, all arrows will land as critical hits, and even at Charge Level 1, they will be fired at their maximum Charge Level.

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

It's a simple yet powerful combo where you hit with Tracer and continuously shoot arrows by holding R2 to attack. When Tracer is applied, all arrows become critical hits, and even with Charge 1, they are shot at maximum Charge, allowing you to deal significant damage. The Tracer will disappear after about 10 seconds, so make sure to hit it again.

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.

Ready Tracer

By consuming Trick Arrow Gauge, you can shoot a Tracer. The Tracer remains in the targeted area for about 10 seconds, during which all arrows will automatically track the marked spot. It will explode after approximately 10 seconds or upon reaching a certain damage threshold, dealing additional damage. Additionally, all arrows will land as critical hits, and even at Charge Level 1, they will be fired at their maximum Charge Level.

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 - Balance Adjustments

Adjustments to Eliminate Damage Bias in the Final Version

In the Monster Hunter Wilds community update, it was revealed that the balance adjustments listed above will be made to the Bow.

Tracer Has Been Nerfed, While Other Attacks Have Received Buffs

The power of 'Tracer,' which was too strong, will be toned down, and in return, the damage and response of overall attacks (such as Basic Combo and Arc Shot) will be enhanced. This is not a pure nerf but rather a way to ensure that attacks other than Tracer can deal solid damage.

Focus Strike Now Targets Monster's Each Wounds Individually

The Bow's Focus Strike, which previously allowed you to lock onto multiple wounds at once, is set to be changed so that it locks onto each wound individually, one by one. This change will result in a longer Focus Strike duration, increasing the risk of receiving attacks and lowering overall DPS.

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Nu Udra	Guardian Doshaguma	Guardian Rathalos	Guardian Arkveld
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