Read this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Light Bowgun guide on the best loadout & armor build for this weapon. Includes recommended equipment, elements, decorations, skills, & more!!!
Safijiiva Weapon Builds
Iceborne: Recommended Builds
Top Best Elemental Builds
- Iceborne Starting Builds
- Non-γ Equipment Build
- Lunastra Weapon Build
- Taroth Blitz Support Build 1
- Taroth Blitz Support Build 2
Recommended Skills
Related Light Bowgun Articles
 How To Use | Best Builds |
| Recommended Skills | Endgame Tier List |
Light Bowgun Safi Crested Build
Safi'Jiiva Water Light Bowgun & Crested Armor Build
| Weapon | Augment Decorations |
|---|---|
| Safi's Aquashot Recoil Suppressor x 3 Reload Assist x 1 | Health Regen 1 Element/Status Effect Up 2 Release/Vitality Jewel 4 |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Safi Crested Crown β + | Stream Jewel 4 Stream Jewel 1 Stream Jewel 1 |
| Safi Crested Chest α + | Release Jewel 3 Furor Jewel 2 |
| Safi Crested Vambraces β + | Stream Jewel 4 Furor Jewel 2 Furor Jewel 2 |
| Safi Crested Belt β + | Furor Jewel 4 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Safi Crested Boots α + | Release Jewel 3 Mind's Eye Jewel 2 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Razor Sharp Charm | - |
| Skills | |
| Water Attack Lvl 6 | Resentment Lvl 5 |
| Evade Window Lvl 3 | Blight Resistance Lvl 3 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 | Health Boost Lvl 3 |
| Critical Boost Lvl 3 | Mind's Eye/Ballistics Lvl 1 | Maximum Might Lvl 1 | Razor Sharp/Spare Shot Lvl 1 |
| Dragonvein Awakening (Set Bonus) | True Dragonvein Awakening (Set Bonus) |
Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening
| Skill | No. Of Frames |
|---|---|
| Elemental Capacity III | 1 |
| Recoil Suppressor | 1 |
| Attack Increase V | 3 |
Points of Recommendations
- True Dragonvein Awakening bonus adds additional firepower to elemental damage
- This build focuses more on elemental damage than raw damage
Light Bowgun Rapid Fire Sticky Ammo Build
Safi'jiiva Aquashot LBG Sticky Ammo Build
This set is inspired by the armor build originally shared by Arekkz Gaming on Youtube.
LBG Sticky Ammo Build Details
| Weapon | Decorations |
|---|---|
| Safi's Aquashot Recoil Suppressor x 1 Evading Reload x 2 Wyvernblast Mod x 1 | Satiated/Evasion Jewel 4 |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Nargacuga Helm α + | Vitality Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 |
| Zorah Hide α + | Release Jewel 3 Artillery Jewel 1 |
| Zorah Claws β + | Attack Jewel 4 Pierce Jewel 3 |
| Zorah Spine β + | Artillery Jewel 4 Pierce Jewel 3 |
| Nargacuga Greaves α + | Trueshot Jewel 1 Trueshot Jewel 1 |
| Awakening Charm 2 | - |
| Skills | |
| Artillery Lvl 5 | Attack Boost Lvl 4 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 | Peak Performance Lvl 3 |
| Piercing Shots Lvl 2 | Special Ammo Boost Lvl 2 |
| Evade Window Lvl 2 | Flinch Free Lvl 2 | Health Boost Lvl 1 | Free Meal Lvl 1 |
| True Razor Sharp/Spare Shot (Set Bonus) | Artillery Secret (Set Bonus) |
Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening
| Skill | No. Of Frames |
|---|---|
| Nargacuga Essence | 1 |
| Recoil Suppressor | 1 |
| Attack Increase VI | 1 |
| Attack Increase V | 2 |
Points of Recommendations
- Good continuous damage with Sticky Ammo
- Skills allow for lesser use of coatings, allowing for more shots
- Artillery & Artillery Secret empower Sticky Ammo for good explosive damage
Iceborne Starter Build
Recommended Iceborne Starting Builds
For the starting phase of Iceborne, your fully skill-optimized loadout will be easier & more effective to use. There is no need to craft new gear for Iceborne if your build is solid.
Iceborne Middle Phase (MR~70) Recommended Build
Sticky Ammo Rapid Fire Build
| Weapon Parts | Augmentation Decoration | Brachydios Shot II Evading Reload x3 Wyvernblast Type 2×1 | Attack Jewel [1] |
|---|---|
| Armor | Decoration |
| Zorah Headgear α + | KO Jewel [2] KO Jewel [2] |
| Zorah Hide α + | KO Jewel [2] Vitality Jewel [1] |
| Artian Vambraces α + | Vitality Jewel [1] Vitality Jewel [1] |
| Zorah Spine α + | Release Jewel [3] Flawless Jewel [2] |
| Artian Greaves α + | Maintenance Jewel [1] Maintenance Jewel [1] |
| Razor Sharp Charm Ⅲ | - |
| Skills | |
| Artillery Lv5 | Slugger Lv3 |
| Peak Performance Lv3 | Tool Specialist Lv3 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lv3 | Health Boost Lv3 |
| Tremor Resistance Lv3 | Slinger Capacity Up Lv 1 |
| Flinch Free | Attack Boost Lv1 |
| Razor Sharp/Spare Shot Lv | Artillery Secret (Set Bonus) |
| Critical Status (Set Bonus) | - |
Activates The Minimum Amount of Skills
This build will activate several of the most necessary skills, such as Artillery 5, Ammo Up 3, Peak Performance 3, & KO 3. It will also take battles in the Guiding Lands into consideration & offers some defensive options with Health Boost & Maintenance.
Endgame Recommended Sticky Ammo Rapid Fire Build
| Weapon Parts | Augmentation Decoration | Diregun "Dementia" Evading Reload x3 Wyvernblast Type 2×1 | - |
|---|---|
| Armor | Decoration | Zorah Headgear α + | Attack Jewel [1] Attack Jewel [1] | Zorah Hide α + | KO Jewel [2] Attack Jewel [2] | Rex Roar Braces α + | Release Jewel [3] | Zora Spine α +/ | Release Jewel [3] KO Jewel [2] | Shara Ishvalda Greaves β + | Attack Jewel [4] KO Jewel [2] Special Shot Jewel [1] | Razor Sharp Charm | - |
| Mantle | |
| Impact Mantle | Destroyer Jewel Destroyer Jewel |
| Rocksteady Mantle | True Shot Jewel [1] Slot 1: Free |
| Skills | |
| Attack Boost Lv7 | Artillery Lv5 |
| Tremor Resistance Lv3 | Health Boost Lv3 |
| Slugger Lv3 | Free Elem/Ammo Up Lv2 |
| Flinch Free Lv1 | Partbreaker Lv1 ※Lv3 with Impact Mantle |
| Special Ammo Boost Lv1 ※Lv2 with Rocksteady Mantle | Defense Boost Lv1 |
| Razor Sharp/Spare Shot | Artillery Secret (Set Bonus) |
Stuns Monsters Over & Over!
The Dark Demented Crossbow is capable of rapid fire with Sticky Ammo Lv2, so your main goal should be to stun the enemy over & over. It is possible to stun 5-6 times in the span of one quest!
Reload by Dodging!
The Dark Demented Crossbow's Lv2 Sticky Ammo has a rather slow reload, so it's risky to try reloading normally. Instead, try to add 3 Evade Reload Parts & dodge when you see you've used up your last shot. If you are interrupted by a roar during this time, you'll need to reload manually, so be careful!
Non-γ Equipment Build For Light Bowgun
| Weapon | Decorations | Empress Shell "Styx" | Tenderizer Jewel 2 Expert Jewel 1 |
|---|---|
| Armor | Decorations |
| Dragonking Eyepatch α | Flawless Jewel 3 |
| Drachen Mail α | Critical Jewel 2 |
| Drachen Vambraces α | Crtiical Jewel 2 Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Kirin Hoop α | - |
| Kirin Leg Guards β | Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 |
| Unscathed Charm II | - |
| Skills | |
| Critical Eye Lvl 7 | Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 |
| Critical Boost Lvl 3 | Weakness Exploit Lvl 3 |
| Peak Performance Lvl 3 | Attack Boost Lvl 1 |
| Maximum Might Lvl 1 | Razor Sharp/Spare Shot |
| Blight Resistance Lvl 1 | Light Bowgun Charge Plus |
| Critical Element | Elemental Airborne (Set Skill) |
End-Game Build That's Accessible To Crafting
This build does not have any γ equipment as part of the set, allowing it to be easily made & accessible to those looking to farm monsters with higher difficulty. The Empress Shell "Styx" is an LBG that performs exceptionally well with this set.
Lunastra Weapon Build For Light Bowgun
| Weapon / Mod Types | Augmentation / Decorations | Empress Shell "Styx" Recoil Suppressor x 1 Reload Assist x 2 | Affinity Increase Tenderizer Jewel 2 Expert Jewel 1 |
|---|---|
| Armor | Decorations |
| Kaiser Crown γ | Tenderizer Jewel 2 Tenderizer Jewel 2 |
| Kirin Jacket γ | Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 |
| Drachen Vambraces α | Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 |
| Xeno'jiiva Spine γ | Release Jewel 3 Trueshot Jewel 1 |
| Nergigante Greaves γ | Trueshot Jewel 1 Mind's Eye Jewel 1 |
| Attack Charm III | - |
| Skills | |
| Critical Eye Lvl 7 | Attack Boost Lvl 7 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 | Critical Boost Lvl 3 |
| Weakness Exploit Lvl 3 | Special Ammo Boost Lvl 2 |
| Mind's Eye/Ballistics | Razor Sharp/Spare Shot (Weapon Skill) |
Recommended Build For Wyvernblast
This build focuses on the Light Bowgun's Wyvernblast move, making it more powerful as it hits the monster. Expert & Critical Jewels can be switched out for decorations with elemental attack if you're facing a monster prone to elemental damage.
Taroth Blitz Support Build For Light Bowgun
| Weapon / Mod Types | Augmentation / Decorations | Taroth Blitz Support Recoil Suppressor x 2 Close Range Up ► How To Get This Weapon | Health Increase Forceshot Jewel 3 |
|---|---|
| Armor | Decorations |
| Kaiser Crown γ | Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 |
| Empress Mail β | Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 |
| Drachen Vambraces α | Flawless Jewel 2 Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Kulve Taroth's Malice γ | Mind's Eye Jewel 2 |
| Nergigante Greaves γ | Tenderizer Jewel 2 Tenderizer Jewel 2 |
| Mighty Charm II | - |
| Skills | |
| Attack Boost Lvl 7 | Critical Eye Lvl 4 |
| Critical Boost Lvl 3 | Weakness Exploit Lvl 3 |
| Peak Performance Lvl 3 | Maximum Might Lvl 3 |
| Normal Shots | Mind's Eye/Ballistics |
Can Load Up To 6 Lvl 2 Normal Ammo
This build focuses on the Taroth Blitz Support weapon & allows it to load up to 6 normal Lvl 2 bullets. You can fire more rounds to deal more damage to your targeted monster.
Have 1 Free Mod Type Frame
In this recommended set, you're already require to fill up 2 Mod Type slots with Recoil Suppressors, leaving you with one free frame. You can equip Close Range Up for more firepower when hitting close-range targets.
Augment LBG With Health Increase
To enhance the Peak Performance skill in this set, it's best to augment your Light Bowgun with Health Increase. Avoid taking damage & your attack bonuses will stack, letting you hit the monster harder.
Paralysis & Sleep Focused Support Build For Light Bowgun
| Weapon / Mod Types | Augmentation / Decorations | Taroth Blitz “Support” Recoil Suppressor x 3 | Forceshot Jewel 3 |
|---|---|
| Armor | Decorations |
| Empress Crown β | Vitality Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Kirin Jacket γ | Fungiform Jewel 1 Fungiform Jewel 1 |
| Xeno'jiiva Claws γ | Jumping Jewel 2 Jumping Jewel 2 Gobbler Jewel 1 |
| KKulve Taroth's Malice β | Mind's Eye Jewel 2 |
| Kulve Taroth's Wrath β | Flawless Jewel 2 Friendship Jewel 1 |
| Immobilize Charm Ⅲ | - |
| Skills | |
| Wide-Range Lv5 | Health Boost Lv3 |
| Paralysis Attack Lv3 | Free Elem/Ammo Up Lv3 |
| Peak Performance Lv3 | Evade Extender Lv3 |
| Speed Eating Lv1 | Mushroomancer Lv3 |
| Normal Shots | Power Prolonger Lv3 |
| Handicraft Lv1 | Special Ammo Boost Lv1 |
Support With Paralysis, Sleep & Sticky Ammo
This build can use a wide range of status-effect ammos, like Poison Lv1~2, Paralysis 1~2, Sticky Ammo Lv2~3. For damage, Rapid Fire Normal Ammo 2 is the main choice.
Recover Allies With Wide Range
While not as efficient as Sword & Shield, you can support with Light Blowguns since it sheaths quickly. Focus on stable support skills like Mushroomancer and Wide-Range, then pick up Speed Eating and such.
Build Leans More To Support
This build leans toward support, so damage wise will be less than offensive builds. If you want more damage, swap Evade Extender for Weakness Exploit or Critical Boost.
Best Skills For Light Bowgun
Recommended Skills For Attacking
| Skill | Recommendation / Overview |
|---|---|
| (Element) Attack | Increases attack damage with specific element |
| Normal Shots | Attack power of normal ammunition is increased |
| Spread/Power Shots | Attack power of spread ammo & power shot arrows is increased |
| Piercing Shots | Attack power of piercing ammo is increased |
| Maximum Might | Affinity increases when stamina bar is full |
| Critical Element | Increases elemental damage when dealing critical hits |
| Weakness Exploit | Hitting monster weak spots can do critical hits & increased damage |
| Peak Performance | Attack increases when HP is full |
| Critical Eye | Increases you affinity rate |
| Attack Boost | Increases attack power plus affinity rate at higher levels |
| Critical Boost | Strengthens damage of critical hits |
| Special Ammo Boost | Attack power of bowgun special ammo is increased |
Recommended Supporting Skills
| Skill | Recommendation / Overview |
|---|---|
| Free Elem/Ammo Up | Increases the loading capacity of your bowgun |
| Razor Sharp/Spare Shot | Can save ammo or coatings when attacking |
| Mind's Eye/Ballistics | Shortens critical distance for ammo and arrows |
