Heavy Bowgun Controls Guide - Combos, Changes, and New Moves

Heavy Bowgun guide for Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds). Guide includes how to play Heavy Bowgun, Ignition Mode, counter moves, recommended combos, attacks, controls, tips and more!

Heavy Bowgun Balancing Adjustments

First Major Update

Heavy Bowgun - How to Use

Fire While Maintaining Ammo's Critical Distance

The most important thing when using the Heavy Bowgun in Monster Hunter Wilds is to shoot ammo while maintaining Critical Distance. Shooting beyond this range lowers the damage output, so make sure to remain within the Critical Distance while firing.

▼ How to Check Critical Distance

Too Far or Close	Critical Distance	Out Of Range

Aiming for Weak Points to Deal More Damage

Monsters have hit zones for each body part and targeting the weak spot when shooting with ammo makes it easier to deal damage. There are also ammo types, such as Sticky Ammo and Cluster Bomb, that deal fixed damage regardless of the body part. The key strategy mainly revolves around aiming ammo at the enemy's weak spot to maximize damage.

Use Ammo Properly to Fight to Your Advantage

There are various types of Bowgun Ammo. The number of Ammo is infinite for Normal Ammo, Pierce Ammo, and Spread Ammo, so switch between them. For example, use Normal Ammo and Spread Ammo for small monsters, and Pierce Ammo for large monsters. If you want to use other types of ammo, you will need to bring them with you as items.

Ignition Mode Has Two Types of Special Ammo

Press the ◯ button to switch to Ignition Mode. A blue gauge will appear at the bottom right of the screen, which is consumed when firing special ammo types: Wyvernheart Ignition and Wyverncounter Ignition.

Use Wyvernheart When You See an Opening

Wyvernheart deals a high amount of damage within a short time frame, making it a powerful option during burst windows. While in Ignition Mode, you can shoot it by holding R2. Its damage increases the more the monster is hit, so you should continue firing until the blue gauge is depleted or the monster recovers.

▼ Wyvernheart Ignition Features

Use Wyverncounter Ignition to Counter Monster Attacks

During Ignition Mode, you can fire Wyverncounter bullets by pressing △ button, If timed correctly, you can counter the enemy's attack. Firing Wyverncounter bullets consumes the blue gauge in the bottom right corner of the screen. However, take note that If the gauge is insufficient, you won’t be able to fire which may leave you vulnerable.

▼ Wyverncounter Ignition Features

Use Auto Guard to Withstand Enemy Attacks

The Heavy Bowgun has low movement speed when unsheathed, making it difficult to evade enemy attacks or reposition. However, if you are facing an enemy's attack, you can block it. Note that you cannot block attacks from the sides or rear, so always ensure you are facing the direction of the attack.

Perform Perfect Guard Manually

You can also Guard at any time by pressing △ + ◯. If you do it at the right moment, a Perfect Guard will activate, reducing both HP and stamina consumption when blocking attacks. However, keep in mind that Perfect Guard will not trigger when using Auto Guard.

Also Works as a Secondary Weapon

Boost Firepower With Demon Ammo

The Heavy Bowgun is a strong secondary weapon that shoots Demon Ammo on the ground and increase damage by touching the smoke. This can increase the damage of not only your main weapon but also buff your allies in multiplayer mode.

Inflict Status Effects During Hunts

As a secondary weapon, the Heavy Bowgun can utilize status-inflicting ammo such as Sleep Ammo, allowing you to incapacitate monsters during hunts. We recommend equipping the Heavy Bowgun as a sub-weapon, as it will give you more flexibility when hunting.

Understand Weapon Characteristics when Firing Ammo

When using the Heavy Bowgun, it's important to understand how it exactly works when shooting. Since accurate and efficient shots are required to hit monsters, prioritizing weapon performance skills over damage-oriented skills is recommended. This ensures better control over your shots and improves overall effectiveness during combat.

Heavy Bowgun Mods

Heavy Bowgun Stats Can Be Adjusted With Mods

Similar to previous titles, Monster Hunter Wilds also has Mod slots for each Bowgun, most of which have yet to be revealed. These effects usually include increasing Ammo Capacity, Ignition Gauge, etc.

Confirmed Bowgun Mods

Heavy Bowgun - Attacks & Moves

List Of Controls

Basic Controls

Reload

After launch press

Step

Ignition Mode Switch

＋

Guard/Perfect Guard

---

Fire

Hold

Aim/Focus Mode

Hold ＋

Focus Blast: Wyvern Howl Shot

Hold ＋ or

Select Ammo

Ignition Mode

Hold

Wyvern Ignition

Wyverncounter Ignition

Focus Blast: Wyvern Howl (Focus Strike)

Focus Blast: Wyvern Howl is the Heavy Bowgun’s Focus Strike attack. It can be executed during Ignition Mode by pressing or holding R1 to increases its damage output.

Ignition Mode

You can switch back to Normal Mode by pressing ◯. By consuming the gauge at the bottom right of the screen, you can shoot a Special Ammo determined for each weapon, and the gauge will recover either after the normal time passes or when the Ammo hits.

Wyverncounter

When in Ignition Mode, press △ to perform a Wyverncounter. Alternatively, you can press and hold △ to increase its damage, which also allows you to delay the counter to time it with the monster's attack

Guard (Perfect Guard)

The Heavy Bowgun can now guard at any time by pressing ◯ + △ to activate Perfect Guard. Auto Guard can also be enabled, but it will prevent Perfect Guard from being activated.

Heavy Bowgun - New Attacks

Focus Blast: Wyvern Howl (Focus Strike)

Focus Blast: Wyvern Howl is the Heavy Bowgun’s Focus Strike attack. It can be executed during Ignition Mode by pressing or holding R1 to increases its damage output.

Ignition Mode

Ignition Mode can be switched to Standard Mode using the ◯ button. By consuming the gauge at the bottom right of the screen, you can fire the Special Ammo assigned to each weapon. The gauge recovers over time in Standard Mode or when ammo successfully hits a target.

Wyverncounter

When in Ignition Mode, press △ to perform a Wyverncounter. Alternatively, you can press and hold △ to increase its damage, which also allows you to delay the counter to time it with the monster's attack

Guard (Perfect Guard)

The Heavy Bowgun can now guard at any time by pressing ◯ + △ to activate Perfect Guard. Auto Guard can also be enabled, but it will prevent Perfect Guard from being activated.

Types and Effects of Ammo

Types of Ammo

Unlimited Ammo for Normal, Pierce, and Spread Ammo

Monster Hunter Wilds' Normal Ammo, Pierce Ammo, and Spread Ammo are no longer consumable items, and now can be used infinitely. Other Ammo exist as items, so you must purchase or synthesize them to replenish them.

Ammo’s Level Is Fixed for Each Weapon

Bowgun Ammo's level is fixed for each weapon. However, it is possible to raise the Ammo's level by customizing your weapon.

Monster Hunter Wilds Related Articles

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Chatacabra	Quematrice	Lala Barina	Congalala
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Nu Udra	Guardian Doshaguma	Guardian Rathalos	Guardian Arkveld
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