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 Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Build for Bow | Bow Controls Guide | Bow List |
Bow Balancing Adjustments
First Major Update
| Free Title Update 1 |
|---|
| - Dragon Piercer damage has been decreased - Power Volley elemental values have been increased. - Thousand Dragons damage has been increased. - This includes when using Close-range Coating and Power Coating. - Power Shot and Power Volley are now affected by the skill Charge Master. - Fixed an issue where sneak attacks could not be canceled when using light bowgun, heavy bowgun, or bow. |
Bow - How to Use
| 1 | ▼Shoot from Critical Distance |
|---|---|
| 2 | ▼ Charge and Shoot |
| 3 | ▼ Increase & Maintain Charge Level with Charging Sidestep |
| 4 | ▼ Consume Trick Arrow Gauge for Attack Boost - Fight while keeping Tracer active at all times - Apply Coatings to Arrows for added effects |
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
| How to Charge/Shoot |
|---|
Hold Then Release |
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 With Charging Sidestep
| How to Do Charging Sidestep |
|---|
Hold + |
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
| Trick Arrow Gauge Details |
|---|
| - Trick Arrow Gauge increases when landing an attack or successfully executing a Discerning Dodge. - You can apply both Tracer and coating by consuming 1 gauge each. - Hold up to Max of 3 Gauges |
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
| How to Do Ready Tracer |
|---|
Hold + |
| Tracer Details |
| - Remains on the hit area for around 10 seconds ┗ After around 10 seconds, it explodes when hit by a Dragon Piercer - All arrows track the area you hit - All arrows have critical hit status, and even at Charge 1, they are shot with maximum charge |
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
| How to Apply Coatings |
|---|
Hold +or Select CoatingApply Coating |
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
| Coatings | Effects |
|---|---|
| Power Coating | Increases arrow damage |
| Close-range Coating | Reduces arrow range but increases damage |
| Piercing Coating | Allows arrows to Pierce |
| Poison Coating | Arrows inflict Poison |
| Paralysis Coating | Arrows inflict Paralysis |
| Sleep Coating | Arrows inflict Sleep |
| Blast Coating | Arrows inflict Blast |
| Exhaust Coating | Arrows inflict Stun/Exhaust |
Bow - Attacks and Moves
Basic Controls
Power Shot/Power Volley
| How to Do |
|---|
During Combo |
| - A powerful attack that consumes a large amount of stamina. - The arrows spread horizontally. - In the Final Version, it is adjusted to shoot centered around the aim direction. |
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
| How to Do Charging Sidestep |
|---|
Hold + |
| - Becomes invincible and can evade attacks - Restores Stamina and Trick Arrow Gauge - Increases or maintains Charge Level |
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.
Perfect Evade GuideFlying Swallow Shot
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + Charging Sidestep ➡ 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)
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + Hold + |
| - Fires multiple residual Fuse Arrows - Each Charge Level increases the range and the number of arrows - Can explode with various Dragon Piercer attacks. - In the Final Version, the stamina consumption and arrow drop time are reduced. |
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
| How to Do |
|---|
During Combo + |
| - Can be used during mid-combo - Can explode Arc Shot's Fuse Arrows and Tracer |
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
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + |
| - Remains on the hit area for approximately 10 seconds * It explodes either after approximately 10 seconds or when hit by a Dragon Piercer - All arrows will track the hit area. - All arrows are critical hits - Even at Charge Level 1, arrows will be fired at max Charge Level - In the final version, the power is toned down. |
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)
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + |
| - Attacks all wounds within the aim area - Long attack animation - In the final version, the targeting of wounds is changed to lock on one by one. |
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
| Combos | Recommendation Rating |
|---|---|
| ▼Tracer Attack Combo | ★★★ |
| ▼Charging Sidestep → Power Shot Loop | ★★・ |
| ▼Arc Shot → Dragon Piercer | ★・・ |
Tracer Attack Combo
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold +Hold + |
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
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold+ Hold + Hold ++ Then Repeat |
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
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold +Hold + Hold ++ |
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
| Moves | Inputs |
|---|---|
| ▼ Discerning Dodge | Hold + |
| ▼ Flying Swallow Shot | Hold + |
| ▼Arc Shot | Hold ++ |
| ▼ Dragon Piercer | During Combo+ |
| ▼ Ready Tracer | Hold + |
| ▼ Focus Fire: Hailstorm (Focus Strike) | Hold + |
Discerning Dodge
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + |
| - Becomes invincible and can evades attacks - Restores Stamina and Trick Arrow Gauge - Increases or maintains Charge Level |
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.
Perfect Evade GuideFlying Swallow Shot
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + Charging Sidestep ➡ 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)
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold +Hold + |
| - Fires multiple residual Fuse Arrows - Each Charge Level increases the range and the number of arrows - Can explode with various Dragon Piercer attacks. - In the final version, the stamina consumption and arrow drop time are reduced. |
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
| How to Do |
|---|
During Combo + |
| - Can be used during mid-combo - Can explode Arc Shot's Fuse Arrows and Tracer |
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
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + |
| - Remains on the hit area for approximately 10 seconds * It explodes either after approximately 10 seconds or when hit by a Dragon Piercer - All arrows will track the hit area. - All arrows are critical hits - Even at Charge Level 1, arrows will be fired at max Charge Level - In the final version, the power is toned down. |
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)
| How to Do |
|---|
Hold + |
| - Attacks all wounds within the aim area - Long attack animation - In the final version, the targeting of wounds is changed to lock on one by one. |
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.
Monster Hunter Wilds Related Articles
Recommended Weapon Guides
Weapon Trees and Best Builds
| Great Sword | Long Sword | Sword & Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Dual Blades | Hammer | Hunting Horn |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Lance | Gunlance | Switch Axe |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Charge Blade | Insect Glaive | Bow |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Light Bowgun | Heavy Bowgun | |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
Weapon Guide by Monster
Useful Weapon Information
| ▶ How To Switch or Change Weapons | ▶ Sharpness Modifier and Recovery |
| ▶ Weapon Adjustments |
Great Sword
Long Sword
Sword and Shield
Dual Blades
Hammer
Hunting Horn
Lance
Gunlance
Switch Axe
Charge Blade
Insect Glaive
Bow
Light Bowgun
Heavy Bowgun