DexertoHaving the best Bow build in Monster Hunter Wilds can be the difference between a quick 10-minute kill, or lengthy hunt. Fortunately, we have outlined the best armor sets to carry you through low and high-rank quests.
The bow is one of the best weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds thanks to its excellent range and high-damage shots, which enable you to deliver volley after volley of arrows. After all, having a weapon that can effortlessly target monster weak points is a bonus to any hunter looking to get those all-important part-break rewards.
However, to account for this, Hunters will need to learn how to manage their stamina bar effectively, and which combos to use during battle. Even if you’re an experienced Bow user or a fledgling ranger, our Bow guide will give you the best build and breakdown of all the new combos to ensure you’re equipped for the hunts ahead.
Best Bow build in Monster Hunter Wilds
Best low rank Bow build
The best low rank Bow armor set in Monster Hunter Wilds utilizes the Guardian Rathalos and Guardian Rathalos Vambraces, which provides Weakness Exploit level 2. The set is then rounded off with the Xu Wu Mail, Xu Wu Coil, and Xu Wu Greaves.
All these armor pieces will enable you to get three levels of Stamina Surge, which will help with your stamina recovery when spamming Charged Sidesteps and charged shots.
You can see our full recommended build in the table below:
HEAD | TORSO | ARMS | Waist | LEGS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G. Rathalos Helm Weakness Exploit 1 Intimidator 1 | Xu Wu Mail Stamina Surge lvl 1 1x lvl 1 decoration slot | G. Rathalos Vambraces Weakness Exploit 1 | Xu Wu Coil Maximum Might 1 Stamina Surge 1 | Xu Wu Greaves Stamina Surge 1 1x lvl 1 decoration slot |
The above sets will give you the following skills:
- Stamina Surge level 3
- Weakness Exploit level 2
- Maximum Might 1
This set also comes packed with two level-one decoration slots, so you’ll be able to slot in two points of Recovery or any other low-level skill.
As for the weapon, I recommend rushing out the Dosha Fearbringer 1, which offers the highest raw damage alongside the Guardian Dosha Bow. It also comes with two level 2 decoration slots, which are great for slotting in damage-based skills like Weakness Exploit, Critical Boost, Critical Eye, and Attack Up.
I also recommend building the Constitution Talisman to help with your stamina depletion. With this build, you’ll not only be able to quickly destroy low rank monsters but it can also be used in early high rank.
Best Bow skills
The best Bow skills combine utility-based skills like Stamina Surge, which increases your stamina recovery speed by up to 30%. Pair this with Constitution, to help further reduce your stamina depletion during Charged Sidesteps.
Lastly, the must-have offensive skills are all tailored around raising your Bow’s affinity, with crit damage and crit boosting skills like Critical Eye, Critical Boost, Weakness Exploit, and Attack Up. I recommend building armor sets and slotting in decorations that have the following skills:
- Constitution
- Stamina Surge
- Weakness Exploit
- Critical Boost
- Critical Eye
- Attack Up
- Peak Performance
- Focus
Best Bow skill explained
Constitution
Constitution reduces stamina depletion when performing stamina-draining moves such as evading, which is vital for Bow’s Charging Sidestep. This stamina-saving mechanic will help you continuously spam the Charging Sidestep, raising your DPS, and ensuring you even have a little stamina for dodging monster attacks.
Stamina Surge
Stamina Surge increases your stamina recovery speed by up to 30% at level three. Just like Constitution, this armor skill is vital for comfy Bow builds that want to keep spamming Charging Sidestep.
With Bow being one of the most stamina-hungry weapons in Wilds, having both Constitution and Stam Surge will ensure you have opportunities to deliver back-to-back level three shots, while also having enough utility to avoid damage.
Weakness Exploit
Weakness exploit increases the affinity (crit rate) by up to 30% when you land an attack on a monster’s weak point. This is huge for precision-based weapons like Bow, which can consistently aim for monster weak points.
When you combine this with the new Focus Strike mechanic, which delivers extra damage to highlighted wounds, you have a recipe for a mighty hit.
Critical Boost
Critical Boost increases the damage of your critical hits by up to 40% at level three. As you can imagine, this goes well with skills like Weakness Exploit and Critical Eye that raise your affinity (crits).
Critical Eye
Critical Eye increases your affinity by up to 40% at level seven. This is just flat crit chance and works wonders with wex and Crit Boost. In fact, with the right build and buffs, you can consistently proc deadly crits that deal huge amounts of damage.
Attack Up
As the name suggests, Attack Up raises your weapon’s attack and affinity. This is great for those looking to eke as much damage as possible out of your Bow.
Peak Performance
Peak Performance increases attack when your health is full. As you can imagine, this skill is only good if you’re not getting hit. If you’re competent and know your way around a monster’s attacks, then you’ll want to slot this in where you can.
Focus
Focus increases the fill rate for weapons with gauges and the charge rate for weapons with charge attacks. While we don’t recommend using Focus over any of the damage-based skills above, it does make for a more comfy build. Having less charge time to get to level three is also nice.
How to play Bow
To play Bow effectively you first need to master the Charging Sidestep, which is where you begin charging your shot, then hit the dodge button along with the direction you wish to move in the with left analog stick. As you dash, release your shot and rinse and repeat.
You can also work your way up to level three charge shots by spamming regular attacks. You’ll know when you hit level three charge as two circles will briefly close in around your reticle (you start at level one charge). Your Hunter’s bow will also flash twice, which will indicate that you’re at level three charge.
Once at level three charge, simply spam dodges and attacks to deliver back-to-back charged shots. As soon as your stamina bar runs out, finish off your combo with some Power Shots, Power Volleys, and Arc Shots. If the monster is downed, in a trap, or not facing you, then you round off the combo with either a Dragon Piercer (target is distant) or Thousand Dragons shot (target is close range).
Once any weak points have been exposed, it’s time to deliver a volley of arrows with Focus Fire Hailsorm. Holding down the right bumper will bring up a large circle that will automatically pinpoint any exposed weak points on a monster.
When you see any glowing weak points, you want to quickly use Focus Fire Hailstorm to break the monster part and deal loads of damage. Lastly, be sure to use the Tracer arrow to constantly target weak points and get those all-important part breaks. It’s important to note, that all your shots will go toward the tracer arrow, so be sure to aim well when using it or you could be hitting none weak points.
Attacks also build up your Trick Arrow Gauge (little blue bar bottom right), which enables you to equip your ammo coatings and unleash Tracer Arrows. So long as you have enough Trick Arrow meter, you’ll be able to constantly apply Power Coatings.
Now that you know how to play Bow effectively in Monster Hunter Wilds, be sure to check out our best builds for Dual Blades and Long Sword.
