The bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, while demanding a steeper learning curve than other weapons, offers incredible potential. Mastering it unlocks a powerful and versatile ranged combat style. New players should understand its unique stamina mechanics: each attack depletes your stamina, with charged shots consuming significantly more than light attacks.
Recommended Videos: Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide
-------------------------------------
Unlike other weapons, efficient bow usage hinges on managing your stamina. A basic attack is executed with a left-click (PC), R2 (PlayStation), or RT (Xbox). More advanced techniques, like Dragon Piercer and Thousand Dragons, require specific combo inputs. The controls are detailed below:
| Combo | PC | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Attack | Left-click | R2 | RT |
| Charged Attack | 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 |
Beginners should familiarize themselves with these controls in the training grounds before tackling monsters. Practice is key to mastering the bow's nuances and maximizing its effectiveness.
Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)
Exploiting Weak Points
The bow excels at targeting a monster's weak points. Focus Fire: Hailstorm automatically locks onto these vulnerable areas, highlighted in red after focusing your aim. Hold Shift (PC), R1/RB (consoles) to unleash this powerful attack.
Utilizing Coatings
Coatings significantly enhance your arrows. Regular attacks gradually fill a coating gauge (bottom-right corner). Once full, press R (PC), Triangle (PlayStation), or Y (Xbox) to apply coatings. Each bow supports two coating types from the following list:
- Power Coating – Increased arrow damage.
- Pierce Coating – Enhanced penetration with Dragon Piercer.
- Close-Range Coating – Boosted close-range damage.
- Paralysis Coating – Inflicts Paralysis.
- Exhaust Coating – Inflicts Stun and Exhaustion.
- Sleep Coating – Inflicts Sleep.
- Poison Coating – Inflicts Poison.
- Blast Coating – Inflicts Blast.
Tracer Arrows
Tracer Arrows are invaluable tools. These arrows stick to monsters, guiding subsequent shots for a limited time. This is especially useful for consistently hitting weak points, but remember, creating a Tracer Arrow consumes coating points.
*Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
