Check out this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne guide & walkthrough on how to use the weapon - Light Bowgun! Learn recommended combos, skills, play tips, & more!!!
How To Use Light Bowgun
Related Light Bowgun Articles
| How To Use | Best Builds |
| Recommended Skills | Endgame Tier List |
Light Bowgun - Overview & Strengths
Excels In Mobility
The Light Bowgun allows you to move and shoot fast, and has high mobility in general. You can even use this weapon while performing other maneuvers such as sliding, and evading while shooting.
Great For Support Roles
The Light Bowgun has a wide variety of abnormal status ammo which is great for team hunts. Whenever you can, shoot the appropriate status ammo on the monster's weak point.
Has The Unique Wyvernblast Ammo
The Light Bowgun has the unique Wyvernblast Ammo that lets you set explosive landmines that explode when a monster steps on it. This compensates for the relatively weaker firepower of the Light Bowgun vs. its heavier counterpart the Heavy Bowgun.
Its Melee Attack Has A High Stun Value
The light bowgun can also stun monsters with its melee attack, which is a viable option when attacking up close.
Can Equip Custom Mods For Additional Bonuses
The Light Bowgun can be equipped with custom mods that can improve its performance, including reload speed and more. The only mod it cannot equip is the Shield, and the Deviation Suppressor can only be equipped on Light Bowguns that have deviation.
Has No Shield & Can Only Evade
Unlike the Heavy Bowgun that comes with a shield, the Light Bowgun does not have a shield. You'll mostly rely on evading attacks when using the Light Bowgun.
Firepower Is Relatively Low
The attack power of ammunition available to the Light Bowgun is lower compared to the Heavy Bowgun. As such, your primary goal is to use Wyvernblast as much as possible, and aiming for enemy weakpoints. It's also best to focus your effort on shooting abnormal status bullets.
Light Bowgun Usable Ammo Types
Compatible Ammo Types for Light Bowgun
| Ammo Type | Effect |
|---|---|
| Normal Ammo | Non-specialized ammo. You have infinite Normal Ammo 1, while Normal Ammo 2 and 3 features higher firepower |
| Pierce Ammo | Armor-piercing ammo that deals multiple hits to some monsters |
| Spread Ammo | Ammo that covers a wide area. Deals multiple hits at close range |
| Elemental Ammo | Ammo that causes elemental damage of any of the five element types (Flaming Ammo, Freeze Ammo, Dragon Ammo, Water Ammo, Thunder Ammo |
| Abnormal Status Ammo | Bullets that cause abnormal status on a monster (Poison Ammo, Paralysis Ammo, Sleep Ammo, Exhaust Ammo |
| Cluster Bomb | Ammo that fragments into smaller shells. Can cause teammates to be knocked back |
| Slicing Ammo | Ammo that sticks to the target and releases sharp blades that can sever tails |
| Sticky Ammo | Ammo that lodges into the target and explodes. Can also stun monsters |
| Recover Ammo | Recovers health when shot towards an ally |
| Demon & Armor Ammo | Ammo that increases strength and defense of the target |
| Tranq Ammo | Works similarly to the Tranq Bomb. Used to capture monsters ensnared in traps |
| Special: Wyvernblast | The Light Bowgun's special ammo which is shot towards the ground, and explodes when shot or triggered by a monster. It is charged every 60 seconds |
Light Bowgun - Recommended Skill List
Increase Attack Power Of Ammo Types
When using the Light Bowgun, it is important to increase the damage of the corresponding ammo type being used (Spread Ammo, Pierce Ammo, etc.) and to strengthen your resiliency against monster attacks.
Recommended Skills To Increase Ammo Type Attack Power
| Skill | Effect |
|---|---|
| RECOMMENDED! Special Ammo Boost | Increases attack power of Special Ammo |
| RECOMMENDED! Normal Shot | Increases attack power of Normal Ammo |
| RECOMMENDED! Spread/Power Shots | Increases the attack power of Spread Shot & Power Shots |
| Attack Boost | Increases raw attack power and affinity with at least level 4 or higher |
| Critical Eye | Increases your affinity rate |
| Maximum Might | Increases affinity when stamina is full |
| Weakness Exploit | Increases affinity rate of attacks that land on monster weak spots |
| Critical Boost | Increases the damage of critical hits |
| Agitator | Increases attack power and affinity when large monsters become enraged |
This skill mix allows you to strengthen the attack power of ammo you will usually use when using the Light Bowgun. It's important to also increase the attack power, as well as affinity stats to improve overall damage.
Recommended Skills To Improve Durability & Resistance
| Skill | Effect |
|---|---|
| RECOMMENDED! Free Elem / Ammo Up | Unlocks the weapon's hidden element and also increases bowgun loading capacity |
| Evade Window | Extends the invulnerability period when evading |
| Earplugs | Prevents stun from monster shouts |
The Free Elem / Ammo Up skill allows you to load more bullets per reload, increasing your damage potential on a monster. Since the Light Bowgun does not have a shield, it's recommended to improve evasion related skills such as the Evade Window.
Light Bowgun - Gameplay Tips & Tricks
Familiarize Yourself With Ammo Types
Each Light Bowgun can only equip a specific set of ammo, so familiarize yourself with each available ammo type. Before going on any hunt, equip only ammo that you can use, and which fits best to the hunt.
Ammo Types Have Different Damage Types
Each ammo type also has a different Damage Type. For example, Slicing Ammo can deal cutting damage, which will be best aimed towards monster tails.
Make Sure To Fire Within Critical Distance
Ranged weapons work best when fired within its Critical Distance, which will deal the maximum possible damage. Outside the Critical Distance, ammo will deal less damage, and when completely out of range, you will not deal any damage.
Reticle Glows Bright When Within Critical Distance
Watch the reticle as you aim towards a monster. It should glow bright to indicate if you are within Critical Distance.
Use Wyvernblast When Monster Is Down
Since the Wyvernblast is a stationary mine, it works best when set on a downed monster, or when the monster is resting.
Use Melee Attack To Trigger Wyvernblast
To maximize the damage of Wyvernblast, it is best to trigger it instead with a melee attack to the head. You will hit the head & trigger the explosion at the same time.
Setup Radial Menu For Easy Ammo Crafting
Make use of the radial menu to help you quickly craft ammo and materials on the fly. Make sure to set up for all applicable ammo types you carry.
Check Out How To Use The Radial Menu Here!Light Bowgun - Basic Move List
Basic Move List
| Button | Move |
|---|---|
| | Aim |
| | Fire / Reload (When Out Of Ammo) |
| While Sliding | Sliding Shot |
| | Reload |
| | Reload All Ammo Types |
| While Jumping | Mid Air Reload |
| | Place Wyvernblast |
| + | Melee Attack |
| D Pad Up or Down + or | Select Ammo |
| After Firing | Back or Side Step |
