If you're diving into *Monster Hunter Wilds* and are considering picking up the bow, you're in for a treat. However, mastering this weapon isn't a walk in the park—it has a steep learning curve that new players need to navigate. But fear not, because understanding the mechanics of the bow can transform you into a formidable hunter.
Recommended Videos Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide
To perform a simple attack, you'll need to left-click on your mouse or press the R2/RT button on your controller. But the bow isn't just about simple shots; it's about mastering combos like Dragon Piercer or Thousand Dragons. Here are the controls you should memorize for wielding the bow effectively:
| 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 in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, I highly recommend heading to the training ground first. It's the perfect place to practice your combos and get a feel for the controls. Don't rush into a fight unprepared!
Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)
Attack Monster’s Weak Spots
One of the best aspects of using the bow is its ability to precisely target a monster's weak points. Utilize the Focus Fire: Hailstorm technique to fire arrows that automatically hone in on these vulnerabilities. After focusing your aim, you'll notice red spots on the enemy. Simply hold down Shift or R1/RB to lock onto these targets and deal maximum damage.
Use Coatings
The strategy here is to use regular attacks to fill up the gauge. Once it's full, press R, Triangle, or Y to coat your arrows. Each bow can use two types of coatings, and here's what you can choose from:
- 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 damage when fighting up close.
- Paralysis Coating – Gradually inflicts Paralysis on the monster.
- Exhaust Coating – Slowly inflicts Stun and Exhaustion.
- Sleep Coating – Slowly puts the monster to sleep.
- Poison Coating – Gradually inflicts Poison.
- Blast Coating – Slowly inflicts Blast damage.
Use Tracer Arrow
The Tracer Arrow is another valuable tool at your disposal when using the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. This special arrow sticks to a monster temporarily, allowing your subsequent arrows to home in on the tracer. It's particularly useful for creating weak spots on the monster. However, be mindful that using a Tracer Arrow will consume some of your coating points, so use it strategically.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
