Read this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Heavy Bowgun guide on the best loadout and armor build for this weapon. Includes recommended equipment, decorations, skills, & more!!!
Safijiiva Weapon Builds
Top Recommended Builds
- Iceborne Starting Builds
- Taroth Assault Support Build
- Pierce Build
- Spread Build
- Dark Devourer Piercing Build
Recommended Skills
Related Heavy Bowgun Articles
 How To Use | Best Builds |
| Recommended Skills | Endgame Tier List |
Heavy Bowgun Safi Crested Build
Safi'Jiiva Blast HBG & Crested Armor Build
| Weapon | Augment Decorations |
|---|---|
| Safi's Burstcannon Close Range Up x 4 Shield x 1 | Attack Increase 2 Defense Increase 1 Ironwall/Release Jewel 4 |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Safi Crested Crown β + | Ironwall/Release Jewel 4 Ironwall Jewel 1 Ironwall Jewel 1 |
| Safi Crested Chest β + | Ironwall/Release Jewel 4 Tenderizer Jewel 2 |
| Safi Crested Vambraces β + | Furor/Vitality Jewel 4 Tenderizer Jewel 2 Tenderizer Jewel 2 |
| Safi Crested Belt β + | Spread Jewel 3 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Safi Crested Boots β + | Spread Jewel 3 Shield Jewel 2 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Fury Charm 4 | - |
| Skills | |
| Guard Lvl 5 | Resentment Lvl 5 |
| Evade Window Lvl 3 | Weakness Exploit Lvl 3 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 | Health Boost Lvl 3 |
| Critical Boost Lvl 3 | Spread/Power Shots Lvl 2 | Blight Resistance Lvl 2 | Guard Up Lvl 1 |
| Dragonvein Awakening (Set Bonus) | True Dragonvein Awakening (Set Bonus) |
Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening
| Skill | No. Of Frames |
|---|---|
| Attack Increase V | 3 |
| Recoil Suppressor | 1 |
| Spread Capacity III | 1 |
Points of Recommendations
- True Dragonvein Awakening is good combo with Resentment
- Damage will be continuous as you keep attacking with Resentment
Spread Heavy Bowgun Build
Safi'jiiva Burstcannon Spread Ammo Build
This set is inspired by the armor build originally shared by Team Darkside on Youtube.
HBG Spread Build Details
| Weapon | Augment Decorations |
|---|---|
| Safi's Burstcannon Close Range Up x 2 Shield x 3 | Attack Increase 1 Affinity Increase 1 Defense Increase 1 Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Spread Jewel 3 |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Nargacuga Helm β + | Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Fortitude Jewel 1 |
| Kirin Jacket α + | Spread Jewel 3 Tenderizer Jewel 2 |
| Nargacuga Braces β + | Release/Vitality Jewel 4 |
| Odogaron Coil β + | Release/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Jewel 2 |
| Garuga Greaves β + | Release/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 |
| Rocksteady Mantle+ | Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 |
| Impact Mantle+ | KO Jewel 2 KO Jewel 2 |
| Ironside Charm 4 | - |
| Skills | |
| Critical Eye Lvl 7 | Guard Lvl 5 |
| Health Boost Lvl 3 | Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 |
| Critical Boost Lvl 3 | Weakness Exploit Lvl 3 |
| Divine Blessing Lvl 3 | Spread/Power Shots Lvl 2 |
| Stamina Surge Lvl 2 | Piercing Shots Lvl 1 |
| Peak Performance Lvl 1 | Fortify Lvl 1 | Peak Performance Lvl 1 | Fortify Lvl 1 |
| True Razor Sharp/Spare Shot (Set Bonus) | - |
Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening
| Skill | No. Of Frames |
|---|---|
| Nargacuga Essence | 1 |
| Spread Capacity III | 1 |
| Recoil Suppressor | 1 |
| Attack Increase V | 1 |
| Slot Upgrade III | 1 |
Points of Recommendations
- Nargacuga set bonus allows chance not to spend ammo for more shots
- Ammo skills increase damage dealt
- Has Guard & Divine Blessing for defense
Iceborne: Heavy Bowgun Starting Builds
Recommended Iceborne Heavy Bowgun Starting Builds
When starting Iceborne, your fully skill-optimized loadout will be easier to use & more effective. There's no need to buy new gear for Iceborne if your build is solid.
Recommended Armor for Early Master Rank Guide Here!Taroth Assualt Support Build For Heavy Bowgun
| Weapon Weapon Mod/s | Augmentation |
|---|---|
| Taroth Assault Support Recoil Suppressor x 1 Close Range Up x 2 | Affinity Increase |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Xeno'jiiva Headgear γ | Elementaless Jewel 2 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 |
| Drachen Mail α | Spread Jewel 3 |
| Drachen Vambraces α | Mighty Jewel 2 Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Xeno'jiiva Spine γ | Release Jewel 3 Attack Jewel 1 |
| Xeno'jiiva Spurs γ | Trueshot Jewel 2 Expert Jewel 2 Expert Jewel 1 |
| Awakening Charm III | - |
| Skills | |
| Critical Eye Lvl 6 | Attack Boost Lvl 4 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 | Critical Eye Lvl 3 |
| Maximum Might Lvl 3 | Blight Resistance Lvl 2 |
| Spread/Power Shots | Power Prolonger Lvl 1 |
| Non-elemental Boost | Razor Sharp/Spare Shot |
| Elemental Airborne | - |
High Loading Capacity
This weapon can be loaded with 6 ammos. Due to its already high magazine size, you need not add a Capacity Up skill. Instead, an Attack Boost was added to increase the damage from the Heavy Bowgun's shots!
Pierce Build For Heavy Bowgun
| Weapon Weapon Mod/s | Augmentation Decoration |
|---|---|
| Taroth Assault Blast Recoil Suppressor x 1 Long Range Up x 2 | Affinity Increase Release Jewel 3 |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Kaiser Crown γ | Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 |
| Kirin Jacket γ | Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 |
| Drachen Vambraces α | Tenderizer Jewel 2 Tenderizer Jewel 2 |
| Kulve Taroth's Malice γ | Pierce Jewel 3 |
| Nergigante Greaves γ | Minds' Eye Jewel 2 Challenger Jewel 2 |
| Attack Charm | - |
| Skills | |
| Attack Boost Lvl 7 | Critical Eye Lvl 6 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 | Critical Eye Lvl 3 |
| Weakness Exploit Lvl 3 | Piercing Shots |
| Mind's Eye/Ballistics | Agitator Lvl 1 |
Penetration Focused Build
This build doubles down on the weapon's Penetration capabilities. Your Level 3 ammo can be loaded up to 10 times when Ammo Up is activated. You will also increase the damage you deal when hitting weak spots thanks to Weakness Exploit.
Spread Build For Heavy Bowgun
| Weapon Weapon Mod/s | Augmentation |
|---|---|
| Dark Devourer Recoil Suppressor x 3 | Attack Increase |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Xeno'jiiva Headgear γ | Flawless Jewel 2 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 |
| Kirin Jacket γ | Attack Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Xeno'jiiva Claws γ | Flawless Jewel 2 Flawless Jewel 2 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Xeno'jiiva Spine γ | Release Jewel 3 Attack Jewel 1 |
| Nergigante Greaves γ | Challenger Jewel 2 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Challenger Charm II | - |
| Skills | |
| Attack Boost Lvl 7 | Agitator Lvl 3 |
| Health Boost Lvl 3 | Blight Resistance Lvl 2 |
| Power Prolonger Lvl 2 | Critical Eye Lvl 1 |
| Special Ammo Boost Lvl 1 | Razor Sharp/Spare Shot |
Spread Type Ammo Focus
This build focuses on the capabilities of the weapon's spread type ammo. Since the power of the spread ammos is dependent on your attack power, several skills that increase this stat such as Attack Boost have been added!
Best Used When Standing Ground
Since you will need to be close to the monster to be as effective as you can, you can use this build in conjunction with items such as Health Boosters to sustain yourself & tank a lot of damage!
No Need For Affinity Skills
Since your damage is not affected by affinity, there is no need to equip affinity raising skills.
Dark Devourer Piercing Build For Heavy Bowgun
| Weapon Weapon Mod/s | Augmentation |
|---|---|
| Dark Devourer Recoil Suppressor x 2 Shield | Health Regen Health Regen |
| Armor | Decorations |
| Xeno'jiiva Headgear γ | Evasion Jewel 2 Artillery Jewel 1 Artillery Jewel 1 |
| Kirin Jacket γ | Artillery Jewel 1 Maintenance Jewel 1 |
| Xeno'jiiva Claws γ | Flawless Jewel 2 Flawless Jewel 2 Vitality Jewel 1 |
| Empress Coil γ | Release Jewel 3 |
| Nergigante Greaves γ | Flawless Jewel 2 Maintenance Jewel 1 Maintenance Jewel 1 |
| KO Charm III | - |
| Skills | |
| Artillery Lvl 3 | Health Boost Lvl 3 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 3 | Slugger Lvl 3 |
| Peak Performance Lvl 3 | Evade Window Lvl 3 |
| Tool Specialist Lvl 3 | Blight Resistance Lvl 2 |
| Power Prolonger Lvl 2 | Critical Eye Lvl 1 |
| Special Ammo Boost | Razor Sharp/Spare Shot |
Increase Your Clip Size
Since the weapon's magazine size is not that big, it is necessary for you to increase the magazine size of your weapon with the Free Elem / Ammo Up skill.
Take Advantage of Multiple Skills
Use your piercing rounds in conjunction with skills such as Artillery, Free Elem / Ammo Up, & Slugger to increase your DPS & even stun the monster!
Also Gives Sustain
This build will also provide some sustain as the shield on this weapon is not that big. The Tool Specialist, Evade Window and Health Boost skills are added to keep you up for longer during the fight!
Best Skills For Heavy Bowgun
Recommended Skills For Attacking
| Skill | Recommendation / Overview |
|---|---|
| Normal Shots | Required when using normal ammos |
| Spread / Power Shots | Required when using spread type ammos |
| Piercing Shots | Required when using piercing type ammos |
| Maximum Might | Increases affinity when stamina is full |
| Weakness Exploit | Increased affinity when hitting monster's weak spots |
| Critical Eye | Increases your affinity rate |
| Attack Boost | Increases your damage output |
| Critical Boost | Increases your damage dealt via critical attacks |
| Peak Performance | Grants an increase to damage when HP is full |
| Agitator | Increased damage when monster is enraged |
| Fortify | Increases attack and defense when you faint |
| Special Ammo Boost | Increases Bowgun's special ammo and Dragon Piercer power |
| Non-elemental Boost | Increases damage of non-elemental attacks |
Recommended Supporting Skills
| Skill | Recommendation / Overview |
|---|---|
| Free Elem/Ammo Up | Draws out a percentage of hidden element, and increases clip size of certain ammo |
| Razor Sharp/Spare Shot | Halves sharpness loss, and has a chance not to expend coating or ammo |
| Mind's Eye/Ballistics | Prevents attacks from being deflected and shortens distance for ammos to reach max power |
| Evade Extender | Extends evasion distance |
