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The Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds is an excellent choice for players just starting out, yet it has a steep learning curve due to its intricate mechanics. While aiming and shooting arrows is the primary way to inflict damage, mastering the Bow involves managing stamina, making the most of its mobility, and understanding its unique special moves, including the roles of coatings and the Trick Arrow gauge. With that in mind, here’s a guide on how to effectively use the Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds and its fundamental moves.
Guide to the Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds offers a ranged approach that emphasizes precision and the use of specialized arrows to take down foes with targeted strikes. Essentially, players shoot a Tracer arrow to mark a specific part of a monster and then use different coatings and arrows to maximize damage and apply status effects that exploit enemy weaknesses.
Remember, the Bow has mobility features that allow for quick evasion, though it’s best to keep your distance from monsters. If you’re in a multiplayer game, having teammates draw the monster’s attention while you attack from afar can prove very beneficial. You won’t have to manage ammo while using the Bow, but do pay attention to your Trick Arrow gauge for optimal performance.
Understanding Ready Tracer in Monster Hunter Wilds
One of the key mechanics for the Bow is the Ready Tracer. This feature involves shooting an arrow with a flare that lodges itself into the monster instead of disappearing. As long as that flare is lit, it tracks all following arrows, making it ideal for targeting specific monster parts. Techniques like Thousand Dragons and Focus Fire: Hailstorm work particularly well with this mechanic.
Bow Coatings and the Trick Arrow Gauge
Your Trick Arrow gauge is visible in the bottom-right corner of your HUD, above where you select your coatings. Loading a Tracer or equipping a coating will consume part of this gauge. Coatings provide buffs and status effects for your arrows. Here’s an overview:
- Blast: Arrows cause blast damage.
- Close-Range: Increases damage at the cost of range.
- Exhaust: Arrows can stun enemies.
- Paralysis: Arrows induce paralysis.
- Pierce: Arrows can pass through targets.
- Poison: Arrows inflict poison damage.
- Power: Boosts damage output.
- Sleep: Arrows can put foes to sleep.
Coatings aren’t treated as inventory items, so you won’t need to manage them separately, but each Bow type can only use certain coatings. For example, the Expedition Tree can only use Power and Poison, while the Bone Tree can handle Close-Range and Paralysis. Choose coatings that best suit the monster you’re up against.
Understanding Stamina with the Bow
Stamina is important for the Bow, as it consumes stamina with each shot fired. More powerful attacks use more stamina, so managing your stamina is vital. Charging shots also deplete stamina, along with the Charging Sidestep, which enhances your dodging ability but isn’t a direct attack.
Bow Moves and Attacks
Below are the basic moves and attacks available with the Bow:
- Shoot (hold to charge)
- Aim (hold)
- Quick Shot
- Power Shot + Volley (during combo)
- PC: F -> F
- PS: Circle -> Circle
- XB: B -> B
- Arc Shot (while aiming and charging a shot)
- Charging Sidestep (while aiming)
- PC: Space + WASD (directional)
- PS: X + LS (directional)
- XB: A + LS (directional)
- Flying Swallow Show (after Charging Sidestep)
- Dragon Piercer
- PC: R + F
- PS: Triangle + Circle
- XB: Y + B
- Thousand Dragons
- PC: LMB + R + F
- PS: R2 + Triangle + Circle
- XB: RT + Y + B
- Select + Apply Coating
- PC: Mouse Wheel up/down -> R
- PS: L1 + Triangle / X -> Triangle
- XB: LB + Y/A -> Y
- Ready Tracer (while charging a shot)
- Focus Fire: Hailstorm (while aiming)
More weapon guides for MH Wilds
In conclusion, the Bow is a versatile ranged weapon, though it does have some limitations in range. If you sit too far from your target, you’ll see a warning that you’re out of range. When your reticle glows orange, you’re at the optimal distance to deal maximum damage, especially important for multi-arrow attacks like Thousand Dragons.
Always try to shoot a Tracer whenever you can, as it helps ensure your arrows hit and lets you target specific weak spots, but be mindful of your stamina. Consider using items and meals that boost stamina before tackling larger monsters like Rey Dau in Monster Hunter Wilds.
If you perfectly time a Charging Sidestep to dodge an incoming attack, you can trigger a move called Discerning Dodge, which fills up part of your Trick Arrow gauge. Practice this to keep your coatings and Tracers replenished. Arc Shots will also apply Tracers automatically, but they can be tricky to execute if the monster is on the move.
If you need more assistance from the Hunter’s Guild, you can learn about
how to change your appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds or check out our
beginner’s guide to get the best start!
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