While close-range weapons are great, the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds* is an exceptional choice for those looking to master a more nuanced weapon. However, it comes with a steep learning curve, so it's crucial for new players to grasp its mechanics before diving in.
Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide
Screenshot via The Escapist
Unlike other weapons in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, the bow demands keen attention to your stamina bar. Every attack you execute consumes stamina. Light attacks are less demanding, but charged attacks significantly deplete your stamina, requiring careful management.
To perform a simple attack, you can left-click on your mouse or press the R2/RT button on your controller. Experiment with combos like Dragon Piercer or Thousand Dragons to enhance your gameplay. Below are the controls you'll need when wielding a bow:
| Combo | PC | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Attack | Left-click | R2 | RT |
| Charged | Hold left-click | Hold R2 | Hold RT |
| Aim / Focus | Hold right-click | Hold L2 | Hold LT |
| Quick Shot | F | O | B |
| Power Shot | F + F | O + O | B + B |
| Arc Shot | Right-click + Left-click + F | L2 + R2 + O | LT + RT + B |
| Charging Sidestep | Right-click + R | L2 + X | LT + A |
| Dragon Piercer | R + F | Triangle + O | Y + B |
| Thousand Dragons | Right-click + R + F | R2 + Triangle + O | RT + Y + B |
| Select Coating | Ctrl + arrow up or down | L1 + Triangle or X | LB + Y or A |
| Apply Coating | R | Triangle | Y |
| Ready Tracer | Left-click + E | L2 + R2 + Square | LT + RT + X |
| Focus Fire: Hailstorm | Right-click + Shift | L2 + Hold R1 | LT + Hold RB |
If you're new to the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, it's wise to spend time in the training ground. There, you can practice combos and familiarize yourself with the controls. Jumping into a monster fight without understanding the mechanics can be risky.
Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)
Attack Monster’s Weak Spots
One of the bow's advantages is the ability to target a monster's weak points with precision. Use Focus Fire: Hailstorm to fire arrows that automatically home in on these vulnerable areas. After focusing your aim, you'll notice red spots on the monster. Simply hold down Shift or R1/RB to lock onto these targets and maximize your damage.
Use Coatings
Screenshot via The Escapist
Coatings are a critical feature of the bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. These special concoctions enhance your arrows without the need for crafting. Your character will generate coatings as you hit enemies with regular arrows. Keep an eye on the blue gauge in the bottom right corner.
To use coatings, perform regular attacks until the gauge is full. Then, press R, Triangle, or Y to apply them to your arrows. Each bow can use two types of coatings, and here's what they do:
- Power Coating – Boosts the overall damage of your arrows.
- Pierce Coating – Enhances the Dragon Piercer ability to penetrate armor.
- Close-Range Coating – Increases damage at close range.
- Paralysis Coating – Gradually inflicts Paralysis.
- Exhaust Coating – Slowly inflicts Stun and Exhaustion.
- Sleep Coating – Gradually induces Sleep.
- Poison Coating – Slowly inflicts Poison.
- Blast Coating – Gradually inflicts Blast.
Use Tracer Arrow
The Tracer Arrow is another valuable tool for bow users in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. This arrow sticks to a monster for a limited time, causing subsequent arrows to home in on the tracer. It's particularly useful for targeting weak spots. However, using a Tracer Arrow consumes some coating points, so use it strategically.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
