In the expansive universe of Monster Hunter Wilds, players are offered an impressive array of weapon choices, allowing for a highly customizable hunting experience. Unlike previous iterations, players can seamlessly transition between weapons during missions, utilizing their mount’s side pouch for quick access to gear. Among the many weapon options, the bow stands out as a popular choice, particularly for those new to the game. Its versatility, combined with a wealth of upgrade opportunities, makes it a favored path for many hunters. However, selecting the right armor set is vital for maximizing the bow’s potential. Below, we present a ranked list of the most effective armor sets for bow users.
8. Ajarakan Alpha Armor
Conquer Ajarakan for This Armor
- Blast Resistance: Guards against Blastblight attacks
- Bombardier: Enhances explosive item damage
- Partbreaker: Increases efficiency in breaking monster parts
- Resentment: Boosts attack power when health is low
The Ajarakan Alpha Armor set can be crafted after defeating the fiery Ajarakan ape in the Oilwell Basin. For bow enthusiasts, combining this armor with explosive items can amplify damage output significantly. The Partbreaker skill is particularly valuable for those looking to gather materials from monsters efficiently.
7. Balahara Alpha Armor
Defeat Balahara to Acquire This Armor
- Evade Extender: Increases dodge distance
- Evade Window: Extends invulnerability period post-dodge
- Geologist: Boosts item gathering efficiency
- Scaling Prowess: Simplifies mounting monsters and causing wounds
- Stamina Surge: Enhances stamina recovery rate
The Balahara Alpha Armor set is acquired from the sandworm-like creature found in the Windward Plains. This armor is beneficial for bow users by increasing evasion capabilities, allowing them to avoid damage effectively. Additionally, Scaling Prowess facilitates easier monster mounting, which can lead to greater damage inflicted on weak points.
6. Blango Armor
Challenge Blangonga for This Armor
- Agitator: Boosts attack power when monsters become enraged
- Blangonga’s Spirit: Enhances Palico and Support Hunter capabilities
- Counterstrike: Increases attack power after being knocked down
- Item Prolonger: Extends the duration of items
- Palico Rally: Strengthens Palico abilities
- Wide Range: Allows item sharing among teammates
The Blango Armor set rewards players for defeating the returning Blangonga, a smaller, monkey-like creature from the Iceshard Cliffs. This armor set excels for solo players who enjoy teaming up with Palicoes and Support Hunters, enhancing overall team dynamics and boosting item effectiveness.
5. Chatacabra Alpha Armor
Vanquish Chatacabra for This Armor
- Flexible Leathercraft: Accelerates gathering speed and prevents knockdown during carving
- Item Prolonger: Extends item effectiveness
- Speed Eating: Allows for quicker consumption of items
- Weakness Exploit: Enhances critical damage on weak points
- Wide Range: Enables item sharing with allies when used
The Chatacabra Alpha Armor set is obtained from the first monster encountered in the game, Chatacabra, found in the Windward Plains. The combination of the Item Prolonger and Wide Range skills allows for excellent synergy with healing items, while Weakness Exploit proves advantageous for maximizing damage to monster weak points.
4. Dahaad Beta Armor
Defeat Jin Dahaad to Acquire This Armor
- Agitator: Increases attack power when monsters become enraged
- Adaptability: Provides protection against temperature extremes
- Bind Resistance: Prevents damage from webbing and frostblight
- Jin Dahaad’s Revolt: Amplifies attack power after recovering from binds
- Tremor Resistance: Offers support in quaking environments
- Weakness Exploit: Amplifies damage dealt to weak points
The Dahaad Beta Armor set is challenging to acquire as it involves facing Jin Dahaad, one of the game’s formidable foes, located in the Iceshard Cliffs. The Adaptability skill is particularly useful, negating the need for consumable items that mitigate environmental effects. Coupled with Weakness Exploit, this armor is a powerful choice for expert hunters.
3. Guardian Arkveld Beta Armor
Defeat Guardian Arkveld for This Armor
- Blight Resistance: Protects against various blight attacks
- Elemental Absorption: Converts elemental damage into power
- Flayer: Simplifies the process of inflicting wounds
- Guardian Arkveld’s Vitality: Provides healing after destroying a wound
- Partbreaker: Enhances the ability to break monster parts
- Weakness Exploit: Increases affinity for exploiting weak points
2. Guardian Rathalos Beta Armor
Conquer Guardian Rathalos for This Armor
- Guardian’s Pulse: Chance to increase fire damage dealt
- Intimidator: Keeps smaller monsters at bay
- Survival Expert: Enhances healing from environmental sources
- Weakness Exploit: Boosts damage on weak points
- Windproof: Mitigates wind pressure effects
The Guardian Rathalos Beta Armor set can be forged from materials gathered after defeating the Guardian Rathalos. Despite being a relatively weaker variant of Rathalos, the skills offered by this armor set, especially Weakness Exploit, make it invaluable for challenging encounters.
1. Hirabami Alpha Armor
Defeat Hirabami to Craft This Armor
- Evade Extender: Boosts dodge distance
- Evade Window: Lengthens invulnerability duration after dodging
- Ice Resistance: Provides protection against ice-based damage
- Peak Performance: Increases attack power when health is full
- Scaling Prowess: Aids in mounting monsters and inflicting wounds
Finally, the Hirabami Alpha Armor is obtained from defeating the Hirabami, snake-like creatures found in the Iceshard Cliffs. This armor set is particularly useful for bow users focusing on damage output while maintaining health, thanks to the Peak Performance skill that increases attack power when health is maximized.