While close-range weapons are certainly effective, the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds* stands out as an exceptional choice for players willing to master its complexities. However, its steep learning curve means that newcomers should take the time to thoroughly understand its mechanics.
Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide
Unlike other weapons in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, the bow demands careful attention to your stamina bar. Each attack you execute will deplete some stamina, with light attacks consuming less and charged attacks taking a significant toll. To execute a basic attack, simply left-click on your mouse or press the R2/RT button on your controller. For those eager to explore, the bow offers various combos such as Dragon Piercer or Thousand Dragons. Below are the controls for using a bow across different platforms:
| 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 visit the training ground in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. This is the perfect place to practice your combos and familiarize yourself with the controls. Jumping into a battle with a monster without proper practice is not advised.
Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)
Attack Monster's Weak Spots
One of the key advantages of using the bow is the ability to target a monster's weak points with precision. Utilize the Focus Fire: Hailstorm to fire arrows that automatically lock onto these vulnerable areas. After focusing your sight, red spots will appear on the enemy. Simply hold down Shift or R1/RB to lock onto these targets and maximize your damage output.
Use Coatings
Coatings are a crucial element when using the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. These special concoctions can enhance your arrows without the need for crafting. Your character will automatically generate coatings as you hit enemies with regular arrows. Keep an eye on the blue bar in the bottom right corner of your screen.
To use coatings, continue to perform regular attacks until the gauge is full. Then, press R, Triangle, or Y to apply the coatings to your arrows. Different bows can utilize two types of coatings from the following list:
- Power Coating – Increases the overall damage of your arrows.
- Pierce Coating – Allows you to pierce through armor using the Dragon Piercer ability.
- Close-Range Coating – Boosts your close-range damage.
- Paralysis Coating – Gradually inflicts Paralysis.
- Exhaust Coating – Gradually inflicts Stun and Exhaustion.
- Sleep Coating – Gradually inflicts Sleep.
- Poison Coating – Gradually inflicts Poison.
- Blast Coating – Gradually inflicts Blast.
Use Tracer Arrow
Another useful tool at your disposal is the Tracer Arrow. This special arrow adheres to a monster for a limited time, causing any subsequent arrows you fire to home in on the tracer. This is particularly effective for targeting and creating weak spots on a monster. Be mindful, though, as using a Tracer Arrow consumes some coating points, so use it strategically rather than continuously.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
