The Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds stands out as one of the most versatile ranged weapons available in the game. It not only offers remarkable mobility and dependable elemental damage but also features tracer-guided arrows, ensuring that each shot accurately reaches its intended target. With the right build, a skilled hunter can dismantle formidable monsters with ease. However, for newcomers, the Bow’s combo-centric mechanics might initially feel overwhelming.
Once mastered, this weapon transforms into an agile, high-damage per second (DPS) machine capable of delivering sustained barrages and pinpoint accuracy. This comprehensive guide will delve into the most effective Bow builds, essential skills, and lethal combos designed to equip you for success in your hunts.
Optimized Bow Builds for Monster Hunter Wilds
Top Early-Game Builds
1) Albirath Bow I Build
Weapon: Albirath Bow I
Armor:
- G. Ebony Helm
- G. Ebony Mail
- G. Ebony Braces
- G. Ebony Coil
- Xu Wu Greaves
Charm: Surge Charm I
This low-rank elemental build effectively blends Constitution and Stamina Surge, allowing for superior stamina management while benefiting from Burst’s consistent damage boost. It serves as an excellent choice for beginners eager to enhance their elemental output without sacrificing agility.
2) Windbrace Bow I Build
Weapon: Windbrace Bow I
Armor:
- Rey Sandhelm
- Rey Sandmail
- Nerscylla Vambraces
- Balahara Coil
- Nerscylla Greaves
Charm: Fitness Charm I
This advanced early-game setup emphasizes Constitution for stamina efficiency, while Ambush amplifies burst damage. It’s perfectly suited for those looking to deal significant damage during initial strikes against monsters.
3) Quematrice Arco I Build
Weapon: Quematrice Arco I
Armor:
- Bone Helm
- Bone Mail
- Balahara Vambraces
- Bone Coil
- Balahara Greaves
This build utilizes Marathon Runner and Evade Extender to create a dynamic playstyle focused on perpetual movement and arrow bombardment, making it ideal for hunters who prefer evasion over blocking.
Best Mid-Game Builds
Windbrace Bow II Build
Weapon: Windbrace Bow II
Armor:
- Kut-Ku Helm b
- Nerscylla Mail a
- Talioth Vambraces a
- Gypceros Coil b
- Conga Greaves b
Charm: Fitness Charm I
In this high-rank build, stamina regeneration and conservation are maximized to enable uninterrupted attacks. It strikes a perfect balance of comfort and high damage output with Ice Attack, Burst, Weakness Exploit, and Ambush.
Ultimate Late-Game Build
Angelbein Build
Stats:
- Health: 100
- Stamina: 150
- Attack: 228
- Element: 380
- Affinity: 20%
- Defense: 313
- Resistances: Fire (-2), Water (9), Thunder (-5), Ice (6), Dragon (-10)
Armor:
- Gore Helm b
- Arkvulcan Mail b
- Gore Vambraces a
- Gore Coil b
- Gore Greaves b
Charm: Surge Charm III
This endgame build capitalizes on Coalescence and Antivirus to elevate affinity and elemental damage, effectively countering the Black Eclipse Frenzy affliction. Coupled with Critical Boost, Weakness Exploit, and Burst, it delivers phenomenal elemental DPS for the most challenging hunts.
Essential Skills for Effective Bow Play in Monster Hunter Wilds
- Attack Boost: Increases base attack power but is generally less impactful than elemental enhancements.
- Burst: Given the Bow’s rapid fire capability, this skill rewards aggressive play with consistent additional damage.
- Critical Boost: Enhances critical hit damage, advantageous for physical attacks but not affecting elemental strikes.
- Critical Eye: Provides an affinity increase, although Weakness Exploit generally offers a more effective boost to critical rates.
- Critical Element: Vital for high-affinity builds, it escalates elemental damage during critical hits.
- Constitution: Minimizes stamina usage, facilitating longer series of attacks and dodges.
- Evade Window: Extends invincibility frames during dodges, enhancing survivability in combat.
- Evade Extender: Boosts dodge distance, permitting better repositioning opportunities.
- Element Attack: Essential for maximizing elemental damage; the right skill ensures every shot hits with optimal impact.
- Marathon Runner: Reduces stamina consumption during extensive sprinting and charged shots, though less impactful with the Bow’s attack rhythm.
- Spread/Power Shots: Strengthens the most devastating Power Volleys of the Bow, causing significant burst damage.
- Stamina Surge: Accelerates stamina recovery, promoting faster engagement after dodges and shots.
- Weakness Exploit: Delivers substantial affinity boosts for strikes against vulnerable spots, synergizing excellently with the Bow’s fast and precise firing style.
Powerful Bow Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds
| Combo Name | Description | PS5 | Xbox | PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracer Arrow Combo | Marks the target with a Tracer Arrow, ensuring all follow-up shots accurately hit. | R2 + Square → R2 → Circle → Circle | RT + X → RT → B → B | LMB + E → LMB → F → F |
| Flying Shots | A high-mobility aerial combo allowing you to stay airborne while firing homing arrows. | Triangle → R2 + Square → L2 + X → Triangle | Y → RT + X → LB + A → Y | R → LMB + E → RMB + Space → R |
| Piercer Combo | A powerful piercing shot that penetrates through the target. | R2 → Circle → Circle → Triangle + Circle | RT → B → B → Y + B | LMB → F → F → R + F |
| Six Arrows Combo | Simultaneously fires six arrows; best used up close to maximize the connections. | R2 → Circle → Circle → R2 + Triangle + Circle | RT → B → B → RT + Y + B | LMB → F → F → LMB + R + F |
This concludes our guide on the most effective Bow builds, skills, and combos in Monster Hunter Wilds. Equip yourself with this knowledge, and you’re sure to excel in your hunting adventures!