How to Use the Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds offers players numerous weapons to explore, most of which have a focus on melee, or slightly extended range. There are three ranged weapon options in Monster Hunter Wilds. However, while the Light Bowgun and Heavy Bowgun use mechanics that rely on ammunition, the Bow makes use of the yellow gauge located underneath the player’s health bar.

Both the Light Bowgun and the Bow are considered to be great weapons for beginners to try first. This makes it a great choice for a player’s first dive into the world of ranged combat.

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How to Use the Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds

Like all weapons, the Bow has a variety of controls. These can be found in the top right of the screen while players are in the Training area. These controls work well in a variety of combos, but before players explore these combos, they should get the hand of these individual controls first. Players will see these controls change while holding down certain buttons and after inputting some of them.

Players should always start their journey with a new weapon in the Training Area.

Whenever players practice in this Training Area they will see the names of these controls appear in the middle of the screen along with their inputs and how they chain together. Below is a list of the controls available for the Bow. The bow is a particularly great weapon for players who wish to go at the game solo for its flexability and range.

Bow Controls	PS5	Xbox	PC
Standard Attack (can be charged)	R2	RT	LMB
Focus Mode	L2	LB	RMB
Coating	Triangle	Y	R
Dragon Piercer	Triagle + O	Y + B	R + F
Quick Shot	O	B	F
Thousand Dragons	R2 + Triangle + O	RT + Y + B	LMB + R + F
Tracer Shot	R2 + Square	RT + X	LMB + E
Hailstorm	L2 + R1	LT + RB	RMB + Shift
Arc Shot	L2 + R2 + O	LB + RT + B	LMB + RMB + F
Charging Sidestep	L2 + X	LB + A	RMB + Spacebar

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Bow Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds

Now that players can see how the screen displays chained controls, they can out some of the Bows combos. After heading to the Training Area, players will see a list of basic commands on the bottom left of the screen. While these can be great for understanding the basics, this is just the surface. Here is a list of combos for the Bow and how players will be able to perform them. Players should start by trying out each of the Bow’s controls in the top right corner of the screen.

Combo Name	Description	PS5	Xbox	PC
Dragon Piercer Combo	While the Dragon Piercer can be used outside of a combo, using it this way will cause the most damage in a smaller span of time. This is a powerful combo shot that will travel through the target monster. Some arrows will miss their target if the player is outside of the Bow’s effective range.	R2, O, O, Triangle + O	RT, B, B, Y + B	LMB, F, F, R + F
Thousand Dragons Combo	The Thousand Dragon is performed the same way as the Dragon Piercer, but also pressing the basic arrow attack button at the same time. This will shoot 6 arrows at once, but should only be done closer to the target to ensure all arrows connect. Being too close to the target can leave the player staggered for a short duration.	R2, O, O, R2 + Triangle + O	RT, B, B, RT + Y + B	LMB, F, F, LMB + R + F
Tracer Combo	This combo will allow the player to first shoot their target with a tracer. This ensures that follow-up shots will home in on their target. This is a great combo to pile on the damage and open a wound for Hailstorm.	R2 + Square, R2, O, O	RT + X, RT, B, B	LMB + E, LMB, F, F
Homing Flying Swallow Shots	This is not listed in the game’s list of combos. However, it is a great way for players to make the most out of their coatings. Players will start by coating their arrows, then plant a tracer arrow on their target. They will now repeat the charging sidestep to bound into the air while they run circles around their target and fire multiple arrows while airborne. These coated arrows will hone in on the player’s target while the player continues to stay highly mobile.	Triangle, R2 + Square, L2 + X, Triangle	Y, RT + X, LB + A, Y	R, LMB + E, RMB + Space, R

Players can perform an attack called the Flying Swallow Shot when they make an attack while traveling through the air. These can be tricky to land, but can home in on tracers.

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Tips & Tricks for Using the Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds

Timed Shots

Players can hold down a basic attack arrow to start charging a shot. This will cause their stamina to slowly deplete but will deal more damage in the process. This is perfect for when an enemy is moving about and being too hard to pin down. The player can then release this charged arrow once they can line up their shot after their target slows down, or is stunned by a friend they’re playing with.

Don’t Rely on Just Combos

Players don’t need to only use combos. While this can maximize damage output, attempting a combo while in an unfavorable position can do the opposite and reduce a player’s damage output. The Thousand Dragons attack is a great option to use after dodging an enemy that attempts to rush into a player, as this puts them close enough for all arrows to connect once they stop. Different monsters behave differently, so be mindful of what you’re using.

Hailstorm

When a monster is wounded, players can deal a massive amount of damage by striking its wound with the Hailstorm attack. To perform this attack, aim the bow at the monster’s wound and press either R1 for PS5, RB for Xbox, or Shift for PC. This will fire a barrage of arrows called the Hailstorm. If this attack hits a wound, it will instantly be followed up by a Dragon Piercer. Players can also release a fully charged Hailstorm while a tracker is on its target.

Know Your Bow’s Coatings

Players can enhance their arrows using special coatings. Different bows will offer different coatings, so be sure to pack the right bow for your hunt. Players can change between their coating choices using their radial menu. This is the same button to bring up the option to sharpen a player’s melee weapon. While in this radial menu, players can press the top or bottom face buttons on a controller to cycle between their options. This will be the Spacebar and R key for PC players. As specified earlier, different bows will make use of different coatings. Always be mindful of this when you plan on crafting new ones.

Boost Attack Over Defense

The Bow lets players keep more distance from enemies and, as such, means they should focus on ramping up their attack over defense. Use meals that will raise attack, and keep a couple Mega Potions in your item pouch should you get hit. This lets players deal a lot more damage and lets them recover a plentiful amount of health after falling back.