MH Rise | Heavy Bowgun (HBG) Build - Best Armor & Skills | MONSTER HUNTER RISE (MHR)

Check out this Monster Hunter Rise (Switch) guide on the best heavy bowgun (HBG) builds. Includes recommended equipment, skills, best armor and endgame builds in MH Rise.

Table of Contents

At-A-Glance Overview Of All Builds
Normal Ammo　　　Piercing Ammo
Spread Ammo　　　　Slicing Ammo
Sticky Ammo　　Cluster Bomb Ammo
Best Builds For High Ranks
Best Builds For Low Ranks
Recommended Skills

	Best Builds	Best Heavy Bowgun
	Combos & Controls	Weapon Tree

At-A-Glance Overview Of All Builds

End-Game Builds

Build	Weapon / Skills
▼Normal Ammo Build	Despot's Paroxysm Defense Boost Lv. 5, Weakness Exploit Lv. 3, Critical Boost Lv. 3, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 3, Latent Power Lv. 2, Critical Eye Lv. 2, Reload Speed Lv. 1, Flinch Free Lv. 1
▼Piercing Ammo Build	Guerrera Cannon II Attack Boost Lv. 4, Pierce Up Lv. 3, Weakness Exploit Lv. 3, Defense Boost Lv. 3, Critical Boost Lv. 2, Recoil Down Lv. 2, Stun Resistance Lv. 1, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 1, Latent Power Lv. 1
▼Spread Ammo Build	Sinister Dreadvolley Attack Boost Lv. 7, Aim Booster Lv. 3, Spread Up Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 3, Maximum Might Lv. 3, Stun Resistance Lv. 2, Reload Speed Lv. 1, Affinity Sliding Lv. 1, Flinch Free Lv. 1
▼Slicing Ammo Build	Sinister Dreadvolley Attack Boost Lv. 7, Weakness Exploit Lv. 3, Critical Boost Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 3, Latent Power Lv. 2, Defense Boost Lv. 2, Reload Speed Lv. 1, Steadiness Lv. 1, Flinch Free Lv. 1
▼Sticky Ammo Build	Meteor Cannon Attack Boost Lv. 7, Peak Performance Lv. 3, Spare Shot Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 3, Reload Speed Lv. 3, Marathon Runner Lv. 2, Aim Booster Lv. 1, Stun Resistance Lv. 1
▼Cluster Bomb Build	Felyne Cannon Attack Boost Lv. 7, Spare Shot Lv. 3, Peak Performance Lv. 3, Reload Speed Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 2, Special Ammo Boost Lv. 1, Quick Sheath Lv. 1, Marathon Runner Lv. 1, Stun Resistance Lv. 1

High Rank Builds

Build	Weapon / Skills
▼★4 Build	Cyclecaster Critical Eye Lv. 4, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 3, Speed Eating Lv. 1, Water Attack Lv. 1, Hunger Resistance Lv. 1
▼★6 Build	Usurper's Tremor Attack Boost Lv. 4, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 3, Speed Eating Lv. 1, Evade Extender Lv. 1, Hunger Resistance Lv. 1

Low Rank Builds

Build	Weapon / Skills
▼★2 Build	Iron Assault II Attack Boost Lv. 2, Critical Eye Lv. 3, Water Attack Lv. 1
▼★4 Build	Rapidcaster II Attack Boost Lv. 1, Critical Eye Lv. 1, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 1, Water Attack Lv. 1, Guard Lv. 1, Special Ammo Boost Lv. 1

Heavy Bowgun Normal Ammo Builds

Normal Ammo Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon Name
Despot's Paroxysm Mod: Shield
Attack	Element	Affinity	Defense
226		10%
Decoration	Expert Jewel 2
Special Ammo	Wyvernheart
Rampage Skills	Attack Boost II

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	Zinogre Helm S			Defense Jewel 1
Chest	Remobra Suit S			Defense Jewel 2 Defense Jewel 1
Arms	Vaik Braces S			Defense Jewel 1 Defense Jewel 1
Waist	Vaik Coil S			Expert Jewel 2
Legs	Golden Hakama			Quickload Jewel 1 Brace Jewel 1
Talisman	Weakness Exploit
Skills
Defense Boost Lv. 5, Weakness Exploit Lv. 3, Critical Boost Lv. 3, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 3, Latent Power Lv. 2, Critical Eye Lv. 2, Reload Speed Lv. 1, Flinch Free Lv. 1
Defense
288	3	7	4	-10	6

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Zinogre Horn+ x2 Zinogre Electrofur x3 Fulgurbug x3 Bishaten Fur+ x2
Chest	Remobra Hide+ x3 x1 Toxin Sac x2 Monster Hardbone x1
Arms	Armored Bream x1 Speartuna x1 Immature Sponge x2 Carbalite Ore x3
Waist	Armored Bream x1 Sushifish x2 Gajau Scale x2 Carbalite Ore x3
Legs	Rajang Blackfur x3 Gold Rajang Pelt x1 Rajang Claw+ x2 Beast Gem x2

Key Points About This Build
	This build makes use of level 3 normal ammo and features lower recoil and faster reload speed, all while being able to shoot while moving. It also has very powerful defenses to boot!

Heavy Bowgun Piercing Ammo Builds

Piercing Ammo Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon Name
Guerrera Cannon Mod: Shield
Attack	Element	Affinity	Defense
198		20%
Decoration	Attack Jewel 2
Special Ammo	Wyvernsnipe
Rampage Skills	Attack Boost III

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	Rhenoplos Helm S			Defense Jewel 1
Chest	S. Studded Vest S			Absorber Jewel 1 Absorber Jewel 1
Arms	Rathalos Braces S			Attack Jewel 2
Waist	Skalda Elytra S
Legs	Golden Hakama			Defense Jewel 1 Defense Jewel 1
Talisman	Weakness Exploit
Skills
Attack Boost Lv. 4, Pierce Up Lv. 3, Weakness Exploit Lv. 3, Defense Boost Lv. 3, Critical Boost Lv. 2, Recoil Down Lv. 2, Stun Resistance Lv. 1, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 1, Latent Power Lv. 1
Defense
258	10	3	1	-8	2

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Rhenoplos Carapace x3 Rhenoplos Scalp x1 Carbalite Ore x2
Chest	Dreamshell x1 Somnacanth Scale+ x3 Pearl Hide x2 Novacrystal x1
Arms	Rathalos Scale+ x4 Rath Wingtalon+ x1 Inferno Sac x3 Uroktor Scale+ x2
Waist	Toxic Kumori x1 Quality Stomach x2 Almudron Plate x1
Legs	Rajang Blackfur x3 Gold Rajang Pelt x1 Rajang Claw+ x2 Beast Gem x2

Key Points About This Build
	This build uses level 3 Piercing Ammo, providing lower recoil and faster reload time, in addition to being able to shoot while moving. You should use Counter Charger as your Silkbind move here and use charged shots as much as possible to deal max damage.

Heavy Bowgun Spread Ammo Builds

Spread Ammo Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon Name
Sinister Dreadvolley Mod: Shield
Attack	Element	Affinity	Defense
228		0%
Decoration	Precise Jewel 2 Steadfast Jewel 1
Special Ammo	Wyvernsnipe
Rampage Skills	Attack Boost III

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	S. Studded Hat S			Attack Jewel 2 Brace Jewel 1
Chest	Rakna-Kadaki Mail			Attack Jewel 2 Absorber Jewel 1
Arms	Barroth Vambraces S			Absorber Jewel 1 Absorber Jewel 1
Waist	Rakna-Kadaki Coil			Mighty Jewel 2 Mighty Jewel 2
Legs	Hunter's Greaves S			Mighty Jewel 2
Talisman	Spread Up			Attack Jewel
Skills
Attack Boost Lv. 7, Aim Booster Lv. 3, Spread Up Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 3, Maximum Might Lv. 3, Stun Resistance Lv. 2, Reload Speed Lv. 1, Affinity Sliding Lv. 1, Flinch Free Lv. 1
Defense
266	5	-3	2	-8	2

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Dreamshell x1 Somnacanth Talon+ x2 Gajau Whisker+ x2 Monster Hardbone x1
Chest	Rakna-Kadaki Sharpclaw x3 Rakna-Kadaki Silk x3 Monster Broth x1 Rakna-Kadaki Spike x1
Arms	Barroth Ridge+ x4 Barroth Claw+ x1 Monster Keenbone x1 x3
Waist	Rakna-Kadaki Carapace x4 Rakna-Kadaki Glowgut x1 Rakna-Kadaki Silk x3 Rakna-Kadaki Spike x1
Legs	High-quality Pelt x2 Twisted Rockbone x2

Key Points About This Build
	This Spread build makes up for your low critical range by activating Aim Booster at lvl 3. When you get used to, swap out the power barrel for the shield to boost you DPS. Use Counter Charger to evade attacks.

Heavy Bowgun Slicing Ammo Builds

Slicing Ammo Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon Name
Sinister Dreadvolley Mod: Shield
Attack	Element	Affinity	Defense
228		0%
Decoration	Attack Jewel 2 Quickload Jewel 1
Special Ammo	Wyvernsnipe
Rampage Skills	Attack Boost III

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	Zinogre Helm S			Absorber Jewel 1
Chest	Remobra Suit S			Absorber Jewel 1 Absorber Jewel 1
Arms	Rathalos Braces S			Attack Jewel 2
Waist	Anjanath Coil S			Attack Jewel 2 Sniper Jewel 1 Brace Jewel 1
Legs	Golden Hakama			Defense Jewel 1 Defense Jewel 1
Talisman	Weakness Exploit
Skills
Attack Boost Lv. 7, Weakness Exploit Lv. 3, Critical Boost Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 3, Latent Power Lv. 2, Defense Boost Lv. 2, Reload Speed Lv. 1, Steadiness Lv. 1, Flinch Free Lv. 1
Defense
306	9	-1	5	-8	3

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Zinogre Horn+ x2 Zinogre Electrofur x3 Fulgurbug x3 Bishaten Fur+ x2
Chest	Remobra Hide+ x3 Pukei-Pukei Scale+ x1 Toxin Sac x2 Monster Hardbone x1
Arms	Rathalos Scale+ x4 Rath Wingtalon+ x1 Inferno Sac x3 Uroktor Scale+ x2
Waist	Anjanath Pelt+ x4 Anjanath Scale+ x2 Monster Hardbone x2 Anjanath Gem x1
Legs	Rajang Blackfur x3 Gold Rajang Pelt x1 Rajang Claw+ x2 Beast Gem x2

Key Points About This Build
	This Slicing Ammo build will let let you reduce your charged shot time using Counter Charger. Slicing ammo deals sever damage, so you'll want to use this build to target monsters which have a body part specifically weak to this!

Heavy Bowgun Sticky Ammo Builds

Sticky Ammo Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon Name
Meteor Cannon Mod: Shield
Attack	Element	Affinity	Defense
210		0%
Decoration	Attack Jewel 2 Absorber Jewel 1 Absorber Jewel 1
Special Ammo	Wyvernsnipe
Rampage Skills	Attack Boost IV

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	Ludroth Helm S			Absorber Jewel 1 Quickload Jewel 1
Chest	Vaik Mail S			Attack Jewel 2 Attack Jewel 2 Quickload Jewel 1
Arms	Pukei-Pukei Braces S			Attack Jewel 2
Waist	Ludroth Coil S			Quickload Jewel 1
Legs	Hunter's Greaves S			Attack Jewel 2
Talisman	Spare Shot
Skills
Attack Boost Lv. 7, Peak Performance Lv. 3, Spare Shot Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 3, Reload Speed Lv. 3, Marathon Runner Lv. 2, Aim Booster Lv. 1, Stun Resistance Lv. 1
Defense
230	-6	14	-7	-1	1

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Royal Ludroth Crest+ x2 Royal Ludroth Scale+ x3 Torrent Sac x1 Hydro Hide+ x2
Chest	Armored Bream x1 Speartuna x1 Quality Fin x2 Dragonite Ore x3
Arms	Pukei-Pukei Wing x1 Pukei-Pukei Scale+ x3 Toxin Sac x2 Wroggi Scale+ x2
Waist	Spongy Hide+ x4 Royal Ludroth Claw+ x1 Royal Ludroth Tail x1 Piercing Claw x2
Legs	High-quality Pelt x2 Twisted Rockbone x2

Key Points About This Build
	The Meteor Cannon is a rather flexible weapon which can use not only Sticky Ammo but also Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, and Dragon. You can feel free to adjust it to whichever one you prefer. Also, when you get used to this set you can swap out for a Power Barrel and use Counter Charger to up your DPS.

Heavy Bowgun Cluster Bomb Ammo Builds

Cluster Ammo Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon Name
Felyne Cannon Mod: Shield
Attack	Element	Affinity	Defense
200		0%
Decoration	Quickload Jewel 1 Quickload Jewel 1 Quickload Jewel 1
Special Ammo	Wyvernsnipe
Rampage Skills	Cluster Effect II

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	Pukei-Pukei Helm S			Attack Jewel 2
Chest	Aknosom Mail S			Absorber Jewel 1
Arms	Rathalos Braces S			Attack Jewel 2
Waist	Ludroth Coil S			Absorber Jewel 1
Legs	Hunter's Greaves S			Attack Jewel 2
Talisman	Spare Shot
Skills
Attack Boost Lv. 7, Spare Shot Lv. 3, Peak Performance Lv. 3, Reload Speed Lv. 3, Recoil Down Lv. 2, Special Ammo Boost Lv. 1, Quick Sheath Lv. 1, Marathon Runner Lv. 1, Stun Resistance Lv. 1
Defense
230	-2	3	-6	2	-3

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Pukei-Pukei Carapace x2 Pukei-Pukei Sac+ x3 Carbalite Ore x1 Bird Wyvern Gem x2
Chest	Aknosom Scale+ x1 Aknosom Feather+ x1 Monster Keenbone x2 Carbalite Ore x3
Arms	Rathalos Scale+ x1 Rath Wingtalon+ x3 Inferno Sac x2 Uroktor Scale+ x2
Waist	Spongy Hide+ x4 Royal Ludroth Claw+ x1 Royal Ludroth Tail x1 Piercing Claw x2
Legs	High-quality Pelt x2 Twisted Rockbone x2

Key Points About This Build
	This is a Cluster Bomb build using the Felyne Cannon that prioritizes buffing buffing damage as much as possible via Attack Boost and Peak Performance.

Best Heavy Bowgun Builds For High Ranks

Set Craftable At ★4

Recommended Weapon

Weapon			Decoration
Cyclecaster Mod: Shield			-
Attack	Affinity	Defense
160	0%	-
Special Ammo	Wyvernheart

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	Tetranadon Helm S			-
Chest	Tetranadon Mail S			-
Arms	Alloy Vambraces S			-
Waist	Izuchi Coil S			-
Legs	Tetranadon Greaves S			-
Skill
Normal - Rapid Up Lvl 3, Speed Eating Lvl 1, Water Attack Lvl 1, Critical Eye Lvl 4, Hunger Resistance Lvl 1
Defense
166	-2	11	-9	2	0

Key Points About This Build
	For normal ammo builds, we strongly recommend Tetranadon armor!

Build Materials List

Part	Materials
Head	Tetranadon Disc+ x1 Tetranadon Hide+ x3 Tetranadon Beak+ x1 Torrent Sac x2
Chest	Tetra Carapace+ x4 Tetranadon Hide+ x1 Stoutbone x1 Gracium x2
Arms	Gracium x2 Dragonite Ore x3 Machalite Ore x2
Waist	Great Izuchi Pelt+ x3 Great Izuchi Hide+ x1 High-quality Pelt x2
Legs	Tetra Carapace+ x4 Tetranadon Beak+ x2 Torrent Sac x2

★6 Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon Name
Usurper's Tremor Mod: Shield
Attack	Element	Affinity	Defense
200		10%
Special Ammo	Wyvernheart

Recommended Armor

	Equipment			Decoration
Head	Tetranadon Helm S
Chest	Tetranadon Mail S
Arms	Rathalos Braces S
Waist	Anjanath Coil S
Legs	Tetranadon Greaves S
Talisman
Skills
Attack Boost Lv. 4, Normal - Rapid Up Lv. 3, Speed Eating Lv. 1, Evade Extender Lv. 1, Hunger Resistance Lv. 1
Defense
242	4	11	-8	4	-2

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Tetranadon Disc+ x1 Tetranadon Hide+ x3 Tetranadon Beak+ x1 Torrent Sac x2
Chest	Tetra Carapace+ x4 Tetranadon Hide+ x1 Stoutbone x1 Gracium x2
Arms	Rathalos Scale+ x4 Rath Wingtalon+ x1 Inferno Sac x3 Uroktor Scale+ x2
Waist	Anjanath Pelt+ x4 Anjanath Scale+ x2 Monster Hardbone x2 Anjanath Gem x1
Legs	Tetra Carapace+ x4 Tetranadon Beak+ x2 Torrent Sac x2

Key Points About This Build
	This build has level 2 Normal Ammo, but will deal more damage than a Cyclecaster with lvl 3 Normal!

Best Heavy Bowgun Builds For Low Ranks

★2 DPS Build

Recommended Weapon

Weapon			Decoration
Iron Assault II			-
Attack	Affinity	Defense
100	0%	-
Special Ammo	Wyvernsnipe

Recommended Armor

	Equipment
Head	Izuchi Helm
Chest	Hunter's Mail
Arm	Alloy Vambraces
Waist	Alloy Coil
Legs	Baggi Greaves
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 2, Critical Eye Lvl 3, Water Attack Lvl 1
Defense
44	-4	-2	-5	0	1

Key Points About This Build
	The Iron Assault II is a great weapon that works well with both Normal and Spread ammo. In terms of custom mods, make sure to equip a shield, as it will supplement your defense and allow you to gear offensively with the rest of your items.

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Great Izuchi Pelt x2 Monster Bone S x1 Izuchi Pelt x1
Chest	Remobra Hide x1 Iron Ore x1
Arm	Machalite Ore x2 Iron Ore x3 Earth Crystal x1
Waist	Machalite Ore x2 Earth Crystal x2 Iron Ore x1
Legs	Great Baggi Claw x2 Sleep Sac x1 Baggi Scale x1

Set Craftable At ★4

Recommended Weapon

Weapon			Decoration
Rapidcaster II			-
Attack	Affinity	Defense
100	0%	-
Special Ammo	Wyvernheart

Recommended Armor

Equipment
Head	Barroth Helm
Chest	Tetranadon Mail
Arms	Tetranadon Braces
Waist	Alloy Coil
Legs	Barroth Greaves
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 1, Critical Eye Lvl 1, Normal - Rapid Up Lvl 1, Water Attack Lvl 1, Guard Lvl 1, Special Ammo Boost Lvl 1
Defense
83	-9	6	1	-1	0

Build Materials List

Slot	Materials
Head	Barroth Shell x2 Barroth Claw x2 Barroth Tail x1 Monster Bone M x1
Chest	Tetra Carapace x2 Tetranadon Hide x1 Tetranadon Beak x1 Aqua Sac x1
Arms	Tetranadon Hide x2 Aqua Sac x2 Jumbo Bone x1 Machalite Ore x1
Waist	Machalite Ore x2 Earth Crystal x2 Iron Ore x1
Legs	Barroth Shell x2 Barroth Claw x1 Fertile Mud x1 Eroded Skeleton x2

Key Points About This Build
	This build specializes in buffing normal ammo damage. The level 1 Guard also helps you out defensively. If you should so desire, changing out your helm for a Rhenoplos Helm instead will let you buff Penetrating shots instead.

Heavy Bowgun Recommended Skills

Skill	Effect / Reason
Normal - Rapid Up (Priority: ★★★)	【Effect】 Increases the attack of regular ammo for Bowguns. 【Reason】 This is a straight-up DPS increase. Depending on the weapon, you can go for Spread or Penetrating buffing skills instead.
Ammo Up (Priority: ★★★)	【Effect】 Increases the maximum ammo of Bowguns 【Reason】 Increasing your max ammo means you have to reload less often, effectively increasing your DPS. Works well with Spare Shot.
Guard (Priority: ★★☆)	【Effect】 Reduces knockback and stamina depletion when Guarding. 【Reason】 The Heavy Bowgun's Guard isn't as good, so it's worth supplementing it with this skill. You can reduce damage taken at lvls 1, 3, and 5, so try to aim for an odd number in this skill.
Spare Shot (Priority: ★☆☆)	【Effect】 Rarely lets you fire a shot without expending ammo. 【Reason】 At max you'll have a 20% chance not to use up ammo. This is excellent if it procs, but it is a little unreliable due to the chance element.

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