The bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds* stands out as an exceptional choice for players who enjoy a strategic and challenging weapon. However, its steep learning curve means that new players should take the time to understand its mechanics thoroughly.
Recommended Videos Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide
Screenshot via The Escapist
Unlike other weapons in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, the bow demands careful attention to your stamina bar. Each attack you execute will consume some stamina. While light attacks are relatively gentle on your stamina, charged attacks can significantly deplete it.
To perform a basic attack, you can left-click on your mouse or press the R2/RT button on your controller. There are also various combos to experiment with, such as Dragon Piercer or Thousand Dragons. Here are the controls you'll need when using the bow:
| Combo | PC | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Attack | Left-click | R2 | RT |
| Charged | Hold left-click | Hold R2 | Hold RT |
| Aim / Focus | Hold right-click | Hold L2 | Hold LT |
| Quick Shot | F | O | B |
| Power Shot | F + F | O + O | B + B |
| Arc Shot | Right-click + Left-click + F | L2 + R2 + O | LT + RT + B |
| Charging Sidestep | Right-click + R | L2 + X | LT + A |
| Dragon Piercer | R + F | Triangle + O | B + Y |
| Thousand Dragons | Right-click + R + F | R2 + Triangle + O | RT + Y + B |
| Select Coating | Ctrl + arrow up or down | L1 + Triangle or X | LB + Y or A |
| Apply Coating | R | Triangle | Y |
| Ready Tracer | Left-click + E | L2 + R2 + Square | LT + RT + X |
| Focus Fire: Hailstorm | Right-click + Shift | L2 + Hold R1 | LT + Hold RB |
If you're new to the bow, it's highly recommended to head to the training ground in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. This is the perfect place to practice your combos and get accustomed to the controls. It's not advisable to engage in a battle with a monster until you're confident in your abilities.
Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)
Attack Monster’s Weak Spots
One of the advantages of wielding the bow is the ability to precisely target a monster's weak points. Utilizing the Focus Fire: Hailstorm technique allows you to shoot arrows that automatically home in on these vulnerable spots. Once you focus your sight, red indicators will appear on the monster, signaling its weak areas. Simply hold down Shift or R1/RB to lock onto these targets and maximize your damage output.
Use Coatings
Screenshot via The Escapist
Another critical feature of the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds* is the use of coatings. These are special concoctions that you can apply to your arrows, enhancing their effects without the need for crafting. As you hit enemies with regular arrows, your character will gradually generate coatings, which you can monitor using the blue gauge in the bottom right corner of your screen.
To utilize coatings effectively, continue with regular attacks until the gauge is full. Once filled, press R, Triangle, or Y to apply the coating to your arrows. Here’s a list of available coatings, although each bow can only utilize two types:
- Power Coating – Increases the overall damage of your arrows.
- Pierce Coating – Enhances the Dragon Piercer ability to penetrate armor.
- Close-Range Coating – Boosts damage when fighting at close range.
- Paralysis Coating – Gradually inflicts Paralysis on the target.
- Exhaust Coating – Slowly induces Stun and Exhaustion.
- Sleep Coating – Gradually puts the monster to sleep.
- Poison Coating – Slowly inflicts Poison.
- Blast Coating – Gradually inflicts Blast damage.
Use Tracer Arrow
The Tracer Arrow is another valuable tool when using the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. This special arrow adheres to a monster for a limited time, allowing any subsequent arrows you fire to automatically target the tracer. It's particularly useful for creating and exploiting weak spots on the monster. However, be mindful that using a Tracer Arrow consumes coating points, so use it strategically rather than continuously.
*Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
