How to Use Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds: Moves and Combos

Author: Jack Mar 16,2025

The bow in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, while potentially devastating, presents a unique challenge for newcomers. Its mechanics differ significantly from other weapons, demanding a keen understanding of stamina management. Unlike other weapons, each attack consumes stamina; light attacks consume less than charged attacks. Mastering the bow requires practice and understanding its nuances.

Recommended Videos Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon Guide

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Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Weapon
Screenshot via The Escapist

Basic attacks are executed with a left-click (PC), R2 (PlayStation), or RT (Xbox). More advanced techniques, such as Dragon Piercer and Thousand Dragons, involve specific button combinations. The following table details the controls:

ComboPCPlayStationXbox
Regular AttackLeft-clickR2RT
Charged AttackHold left-clickHold R2Hold RT
Aim / FocusHold right-clickHold L2Hold LT
Quick ShotFOB
Power ShotF + FO + OB + B
Arc ShotRight-click + Left-click + FL2 + R2 + OLT + RT + B
Charging SidestepRight-click + RL2 + XLT + A
Dragon PiercerR + FTriangle + OY + B
Thousand DragonsRight-click + R + FR2 + Triangle + ORT + Y + B
Select CoatingCtrl + arrow up or downL1 + Triangle or XLB + Y or A
Apply CoatingRTriangleY
Ready TracerLeft-click + EL2 + R2 + SquareLT + RT + X
Focus Fire: HailstormRight-click + ShiftL2 + Hold R1LT + Hold RB

For beginners, the training grounds are invaluable. Practice your combos and familiarize yourself with the controls before engaging monsters. Jumping into a hunt unprepared is strongly discouraged.

Related: Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (Best Weapons to Use)

Exploiting Weak Points

The bow excels at targeting 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 lock onto these targets.

Utilizing Coatings

Coating gauge.
Screenshot via The Escapist

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 coatings. Available coatings include:

  • Power Coating – Increased damage.
  • Pierce Coating – Piercing damage with Dragon Piercer.
  • Close-Range Coating – Increased 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.

Mastering Tracer Arrows

Tracer Arrows are invaluable. This special arrow sticks to a monster, guiding subsequent shots. While effective for exploiting weak points, remember that Tracer Arrows consume coating points.

Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.