Monster Hunter WildsLight Bowgun Guide

The Light Bowgun is a mid-to-long-range weapon specialized in mobility and firing different ammo types in quick bursts. Hunters looking for a weapon capable of dealing damage from a distance while maintaining mobility will be drawn to the LBG.

Exclusive to this weapon is the Rapid Fire gauge, which allows for a more aggressive playstyle and firing in quick bursts. In addition, the Wyvernblast is a mine that can be deployed onto the ground and explodes on impact from attacks, allowing for further burst damage.

To check out the other ranged weapons, check out our guides for the Bow and Heavy Bowgun.

If you want to learn about all 14 weapons, check out our weapon breakdown to see which suits your playstyle best.

This article was written by @dxvis.

Strengths

• Its combination of range and mobility is unmatched. Players can maneuver through the fight easily while staying on the offensive.
• Since each ammo type has unique mechanics and usage, hunters can approach fights with the Light Bowgun in different ways depending on the scenario.
• Bowguns allow for customization, allowing players to equip modifiers such as Silencers and Power Barrels.

Weaknesses

• Equipping ranged weapons makes hunters take more physical damage from attacks, and the LBG needs to stay somewhat close to the monster, exposing the hunter to attacks.
• Requires efficient set building with Skills such as Reload Speed and Recoil Down to function properly.
• It cannot block or offset monster attacks or trigger a Power Clash.

The Light Bowgun has seen some changes and additions in Wilds:

• A new move, the ‘Burst Step’, which allows to fire while side-stepping.
• ‘Chaser Shots’, another new move that allows firing stronger shots at the cost of mobility.
• The Rapid Fire mechanic is now tied to the Rapid Fire Mode.

Check the ‘Moveset highlights’ section for more details.

Ammo Changes

In Monster Hunter Wilds, the ammo level is no longer tied to items but instead specified by each Bowgun. That means you’ll only carry “Normal Ammo”, which will transform into Lv1, Lv2, or Lv3 Normal Ammo depending on the weapon equipped.

In addition, Normal, Piercing, and Spread Shots now have infinite capacity, so you will never run out. Other more powerful ammo types, such as Elemental Ammo or Cluster Shots still need to be crafted, though.

Bowgun Basics 

Aiming (L2) and Firing (R2) are the bread-and-butter of ranged weapons. You will want to keep aiming while on the offensive. Keep track of the shots left in your magazine, though -when they run out, you will have to reload, which can keep you immobile and exposed to attacks-.

The weapon's effective range depends on the ammo used. When the reticle glows orange, it indicates that your shots will deal full damage. Spread ammo works best at short distances, while Normal is suited for medium distances. Pierce shots are best used at long distances.

Rapid Fire Mode (◯)

Rapid Fire is a mechanic that allows your shots to fire in a quick burst, allowing for higher DPS. It has seen some slight changes in Wilds.

In this game, the Rapid Fire gauge will appear above your ammo type. This gauge fills over time and when landing shots on monsters, too. By pressing (◯) while idle, the Hunter will attach an ammo drum to the Bowgun and activate the Rapid Fire Mode.

While in Rapid Fire mode, each shot will fire additional times, which vary per ammo type. For example, Normal ammo increases from 3 to 5 shots per ammo spent, while Spread goes from 1 to 2. Firing in this mode will deplete the gauge.

Rapid Fire benefits only work for certain ammo types, determined by the Bowgun you’re currently using. You can see which ammo benefits from Rapid Fire by looking for the Rapid Fire symbol in your equipment tab.

Double Dodges

The Light Bowgun has the unique ability to combine a sidestep with a slide, which can cover significant distance and is a great tool for repositioning.

Burst Step

The Burst Step is a new move introduced in Wilds. While in Rapid Fire mode, dodging (Left Stick in a direction + X) immediately after firing will trigger a Burst Step, which allows to fire at the same time as dodging.

The dodge varies slightly between ammo types. Normal ammo will have you slide in the direction, whereas firing Spread ammo will cause the Hunter to dive.

The Burst Step encourages a hyper-aggressive playstyle while in Rapid Fire mode, as it further boosts the Light Bowgun’s DPS.

Sidestep Reload

Performing a Burst Step when there is no ammo left on the magazine will instead trigger a Sidestep Reload.

Instead of firing, the Hunter will reload as they slide in the selected direction. A Sidestep can be chained into a Dodge (Left Stick in a direction + X) in order to further reposition.

The Sidestep Reload is a handy move, so Hunters looking to pick up the Light Bowgun should familiarize themselves with it as soon as possible.

Chaser Shot (R2 > O)

Another addition to the LBG’s move set in Wilds is the Chaser Shot, performed by pressing (O) after firing (R2).

The Chaser shot deals more damage than a regular one but locks the player in place briefly, so Hunters must be careful not to expose themselves. 

Chaser Shots can be performed both in Normal and Rapid Fire modes.

Wyvernblast (△ + ◯)

NOTE: This button combination is used for Special Ammo, but Wyvernblast is the only one confirmed to be in the game so far.

This move will deploy a mine directly beneath the Hunter that explodes when nearby Hunter attacks hit -yours and others-, allowing for burst damage. Use it on a downed or immobilized monster for best results.

Wyvernheart recharges over time.

Focus Blast: Eagle Strike (L2 + R1)

The three special ammo gauges directly right of your Special Ammo are used to fire the Focus Blast: Eagle Strike.

If the shot connects with a monster wound, it will explode on impact, dealing massive damage. 

Holding down (R1) will charge up the shot, dealing even more damage.

NOTE: Unlike previous games, there is no way to change Bowgun reload or recoil. All Bowguns have the same recoil animation and reload speeds for an ammo type. Check the ‘Ammo information’ section for details.

You can change Bowgun mods at the Smithy to improve the weapon stats and change the Special Ammo.

This information is visible in the first tab of the Equipment Info menu, shown in the screenshot below. Aside from the usual weapon stats (attack, affinity, slots and defense bonus), there is bowgun-specific information.

Note: Each Bowgun tree can show different options. All the possible mod and ammo options are listed below. 

First mod slot (Normal Ammo Magazine above) has ammo upgrades. The possible options are:

1. Ammo Powder: Increases damage of the respective ammo by 5%
2. Ammo Magazine: Increases clip size for the respective ammo by 1.

Second mod slot (Rapid Fire Magazine above) Has different options to choose from:

1. Ammo Magazine: Increases clip size for the respective ammo by 1.
2. Rapid Fire Magazine: Increases rapid fire ammo capacity by 1 shot,
3. Special Ammo Magazine: Increases capacity for Special Ammo by 1.
4. Rapid Fire Mod: Increases recovery speed of the Rapid Fire Gauge
5. Special Ammo Mod: Reduces Special Ammo cooldown.

Special Ammo slot. Determines the ammo you shoot with (△ + ◯):

1. Wyvernblast. Deploys a mine that explodes a few times when struck by attacks.
2. Adhesive Shot. Fires a shell that sticks where it lands. Attacking it will increase the damage it deals when it explodes after a short time.

NOTE: Unlike previous games, recoil and reload speeds are set in stone and there is no way to change them (As of patch 1.0).

Each ammo type has different properties. Not every bowgun can fire all the different ammo types. 

Higher level ammo boosts raw damage or elemental / status properties when applicable. Below is a list of all the ammo types in the game: 

• Normal Ammo: Fires 3 regular shots at medium range. Has low recoil and quick reload speed.
• Pierce Ammo: Fires a long range shot that pierces through a monster, dealing multiple instances of damage. Has low recoil and slow reload speed.
• Spread Ammo: Fires multiple pellets at short range. Has high recoil and quick reload speed.
• Slicing Ammo: Deals high damage and can sever monster tails. Has high recoil and slow reload speed.
• Sticky Ammo: Deals high damage and can K.O. monsters when hit on the head. Has medium recoil and very slow reload speed.
• Cluster Bomb: Fires a powerful cluster bomb in an arc trajectory, which explodes upon landing and deals AoE damage. Has medium recoil and very slow reload speed.
• Wyvern Ammo: Charges a powerful explosive shot with very short range. Has very high recoil and medium reload speed.
• Status (Poison Ammo/ Paralysis Ammo / Sleep Ammo): Cause build-up of the respective status. They have medium range, low recoil and quick reload speed.
• Elemental ( Fire/Water/Thunder /Ice/Dragon): Similar to Pierce ammo, they deal multiple damage instances when piercing through a monster. They have medium range, low recoil and quick reload speed. Dragon Ammo has a higher recoil and slower reload.
• Support (Recover Ammo / Recover Ammo / Demon Ammo): These ammos leave a lingering cloud wherever they hit, granting the respective effect (HP recover/Defense Boost/Damage Boost) to Hunters that enter it. The buffs are not removed upon swapping weapons.
• Exhaust Ammo: Causes monsters to enter their exhausted state.
• Tranq Ammo: Has a tranquilizing effect that can capture monsters when they’re on a trap.

Depending on your Light Bowgun build, here are the sort of skills you'll often see LBG players using.

From the official Monster Hunter channel: