MHW Bow Guide: Trees, Attacks & Coating Types

There is nothing more traditional when it comes to long ranged weapons when it comes to weapons such as the bow.

The Bow is considered to be one of the easiest long ranged to wield among the 3 ranged weapons due to its simplicity and ease of usage along with different options when it comes to projectiles released.

Having access to different kinds of arrows and coatings to be applied makes the Bow a crucial weapon for those who wish to deal elemental damage and inflict status effects from afar.

This guide will discuss the strongest bows available for every craftable material tree, the coatings that are available to use and also the different types of attacks you can do with the Bow and more.

Bow Trees

Defender

Weapon Name: Defender Power Bow V

Attack: 264
Materials Required: Immortal Dragon Scale x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Blast
Elemental Damage: 240
Slot: 0

Ore

Weapon Name: Iron Bow III

Attack: 120
Materials Required: Earth Crystal x2, Machalite Ore x2, Iron Ore x 5
Affinity: 0%
Element: None
Elemental Damage: 0
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Steel Bow III

Attack: 168
Materials Required: Carbalite Ore x8, Dragonite Ore x5, Dragonvein Crystal x2
Affinity: 0%
Element: Thunder
Elemental Damage: (90)
Slot: 1

Weapon Name: Alloy Bow II

Attack: 204
Materials Required: Elder Dragon Blood x2, Fucium Ore x13, Carbalite Ore x20, Firecell Stone x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Thunder
Elemental Damage: (150)
Slot: 2

Nergigante

Weapon Name: Doom’s Shaft

Attack: 240
Materials Required: Xeno’jiiva Horn x2, Nergigante Horn+ x5, Nergigante Talon x5, Nergigante Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Dragon
Elemental Damage: 150
Slot: 0

Kulu-Ya-Ku

Weapon Name: Kulu Arrow III

Attack: 156
Materials Required: Odogaron Claw x2, Kulu-Ya-Ku Beak x2, Kulu-Ya-Ku Plume x4, Warped Bone x3
Affinity: 15%
Element: None
Elemental Damage: 0
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Archer’s Dance III

Attack: 204
Materials Required: Nergigante Talon x2 Kulu-Ya-Ku Plume+ x4, Kulu-Ya-Ku Beak+ x5, Bird Wyvern Gem x1
Affinity: 25%
Element: Blast
Elemental Damage: (270)
Slot: 0

Uragaan

Weapon Name: Gigacles

Attack: 228
Materials Required: Teostra Carapace x4, Uragaan Jaw x2, Uragaan Scute x4, Uragaan Ruby
Affinity: 0%
Element: Fire
Elemental Damage: 150
Slot: 1

Rathian

Weapon Name: Princes Arrow III

Attack: 216
Materials Required: Elder Dragon Blood x3, Rathian Spike+ x5 Pink Rathian Scale x6, Rathian Ruby x1
Affinity: 10%
Element: Dragon
Elemental Damage: (240)
Slot: 2

Rathalos

Weapon Name: Rathslinger III

Attack: 216
Materials Required: Azure Rathalos Scale+ x6, Azure Rathalos Carapace x4, Azure Rathalos Wing x3, Rathalos Ruby x1
Affinity: 20%
Element: Fire
Elemental Damage: 240
Slot: 2

Water Element

Weapon Name: Aqua Arrow III

Attack: 144
Materials Required: Monster Bone+ x2, Jyuratodus Fang x4, Jyuratodus Shell x3, Gaju Whisker x3
Affinity: 0%
Element: Water
Elemental Damage: 150
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Water Shot III

Attack: 204
Materials Required: Elder Dragon Blood x3, Jyuratodus Fin+ x6, Jyuratodus Fang+ x5 Wyvern Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Water
Elemental Damage: 240
Slot: 0

Legiana

Weapon Name: Glacial Arrow II

Attack: 156
Materials Required: Paolumu Wing x4, Legiana Claw x4, Legiana Tail Webbing x3, Legiana Plate x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Ice
Elemental Damage: 330
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Legia Snow Fletcher

Attack: 180
Materials Required: Daora Claw+ x2, Legiana Claw+ x5, Legiana Hide+ x3, Legiana Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Ice
Elemental Damage: 390
Slot: 0

Bone

Weapon Name: Hunter’s Bow III

Attack: 144
Materials Required: Monster Bone M x2, Ancient Bone x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: None
Elemental Damage: 0
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Hunter’s Stoutbow III

Attack: 180
Materials Required: Monster Keenbone x2, Monster Bone+ x2, Quality Bone x2
Affinity: 0%
Element: Water
Elemental Damage: (240)
Slot: 1

Weapon Name: Hunter’s Proudbow II

Attack: 216
Materials Required: Elder Dragon Bone x4, Monster Hardbone x6, Quality Bone x20, Dragonbone Relic x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Water
Elemental Damage: (360)
Slot: 1

Vaal Hazak

Weapon Name: Hazak Velos II

Attack: 228
Materials Required: Xeno’Jiiva Veil x3, Vaal Hazak Talon x6, Vaal Hazak Tail x2, Vaal Hazak Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Dragon
Elemental Damage: 270
Slot: 1

Diablos

Weapon Name: Diablos Bow II

Attack: 216
Materials Required: Monster Keenbone x4, Diablos Ridge x4, Diablos Tailcase x2, Diablos Marrow x1
Affinity: -30%
Element: Ice
Elemental Damage: (60)
Slot: 2

Weapon Name: Cera Coilbender

Attack: 264
Materials Required: Xeno’jiiva Tail x2, Black Spiral Horn+ x3, Black Diablos Carapace x6, Dragonbone Relic x2
Affinity: -30%
Element: Ice
Elemental Damage: (150)
Slot: 2

Pukei-Pukei

Weapon Name: Blooming Arch III

Attack: 168
Materials Required: Monster Bone+ x2, Pukei-Pukei Quill x4, Pukei-Pukei Sac x2, Poison Sac x2
Affinity: 0%
Element: None
Elemental Damage: 0
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Datura String III

Attack: 204
Materials Required: Vaal Hazak Wing x2, Pukei-Pukei Sac+ x4, Pukei-Pukei Wing x6, Bird Wyvern Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Blast
Elemental Damage: (240)
Slot: 2

Anjanath

Weapon Name: Blazing Bow II

Attack: 168
Materials Required: Rathalos Marrow x1, Anjanath Fang x4, Anjanath Nose Bone x1, Anjanath Tail x1
Affinity: -20%
Element: Fire
Elemental Damage: 270
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Anja Arch III

Attack: 240
Materials Required: Teostra Mane x2, Anjanath Fang+ x6, Anjanath Nosebone+ x2, Anjanath Gem x1
Affinity: -20%
Element: Fire
Elemental Damage: 390
Slot: 0

Tobi-kadachi

Weapon Name: Pulsar Bow III

Attack: 168
Materials Required: Monster Bone+ x2, Tobi-Kadachi Electrode x2, Tobi-Kadachi Membrane x2, Warped Bone x2
Affinity: 10%
Element: Thunder
Elemental Damage: 210
Slot: 0

Weapon Name: Flying Kadachi Strike Bow

Attack:204
Materials Required: Nergigante Talon x2, Tobi-Kadachi Electrode+ x4 Tobi-Kadachi Claw+ x6, Wyvern Gem x1
Affinity: 15%
Element: Thunder
Elemental Damage: 270
Slot: 1

Dragonbone

Weapon Name: Dragonbone Bow III

Attack: 180
Materials Required: Elder Dragon Bone x10, Brutal Bone x4, Dragonbone Relic x2, Wyvern Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Dragon
Elemental Damage: 420
Slot: 2

Black Steel

Weapon Name: Blacksteel Bow II

Attack: 132
Materials Required: Firecell Stone x1, Fucium Ore x5, Carbalite Ore x10, Wyvern Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Dragon
Elemental Damage: 150
Slot: 2

Weapon Name: Daora’s Sagittarii

Attack: 204
Materials Required: Xeno’Jiiva Wing x2, Daora Horn+ x5, Daora Claw+ x4, Daora Gem x1
Affinity: 10%
Element: Ice
Elemental Damage: 240
Slot: 2

Xeno’Jiiva

Weapon Name: Xeno Metora

Attack: 204
Materials Required: Xeno’jiiva Claw x4, Xeno’jiiva Shell x6, Xeno’jiiva Tail x2, Xeno’jiiva Gem x1
Affinity: 15%
Element: Dragon
Elemental Damage: 180
Slot: 2

Workshop Weapon

Weapon Name: Great Hunter’s Bow

Attack: 228
Materials Required: Ace Hunter Coin x5, Brute Coin x4, Flying Coin x4, Wyvern Gem x2
Affinity: 0%
Element: Blast
Elemental Damage: 150
Slot: 1

Deviljho

Weapon Name: Villainous Brace

Attack: 276
Materials Required: Elder Dragon Blood x5, Deviljho Scalp x2, Deviljho Tallfang x5, Deviljho Gem x1
Affinity: -25%
Element: Dragon
Elemental Damage: 210
Slot: 0

Lunastra

Weapon Name: Empress Arrow “Blaze”

Attack: 216
Materials Required: Research Commission Ticket x1, Lunastra Horn x2, Teostra Horn+ x3, Bazelgeuse Gem x1
Affinity: 20%
Element: Blast
Elemental Damage: 120
Slot: 2

Lunastra/Nergigante

Weapon Name: Empress Arrow “Ruin”

Attack: 216
Materials Required: Research Commission Ticket x1, Lunastra Wing x3, Nergigante Horn+ x3 Nergigante Gem x1
Affinity: 0%
Element: Blast
Elemental Damage: 90
Slot: 2

Lunastra/Xeno’Jiiva

Weapon Name: Empress Arrow “Styx”

Attack: 216
Materials Required: Research Commission Ticket x1, Lunastra Tail x2, Xeno’jiiva Horn x3, Xeno’jiiva Gem x1
Affinity: 10%
Element: Blast
Elemental Damage: 180
Slot: 2

Coating Types

Bows have unlimited ammunition but aside from their innate power, they can also coat their arrows with every release of their Bowstrings.

These attacks consume 1 of these coatings to improve damage or induce status effects that override the innate element of their weapon until they run out.

Close Range
Improves damage only at a minimum distance of attack and is unlimited for a Bow user to use
Power Coating
Improves damage at a maximum distance crafted with an Empty Phial and a Nitroshroom.
Poison Coating
Overrides the element of the weapon to induce Poison Status crafted with Empty Phial and Toadstool.
Paralysis Coating
Overrides the element of the weapon to induce Paralysis status crafted with Empty Phial and Parashroom
Sleep Coating
Overrides the element of the weapon to induce Sleep status crafted with Empty Phial and Sleeping Herb
Blast Coating
Overrides the element of the weapon to induce Blast status crafted with Empty Phial and Fire herb

Every Bow has a different set of coating types available to them but if the coating is unavailable it can be made available using decorations or charms.

Attacks

Charged Shot

Bows can be charged to a maximum of 3 times as a standard action that drains stamina as you pull back and hold on to your charged shot, improving the damage and the status effects of your weapon.

Your Bow attacks in this way fire consecutively to a concentrated area of your aiming reticle, increasing from 1 to a maximum or 3 fully charged arrows.

Keep in mind that the final charge attack leaves you vulnerable to attacks for a split second which may need timing when used.

You can maximize your charge attack to a maximum of four charges with a certain combination of armor type skills or with a Decoration.

Midair Shot

This attack can be pulled off after a successful wall run or after jumping off a ledge or cliff, where you can either take a shot or even let loose a charged one if given the time.

Midair Melee Attack

This attack can be initiated with your long range melee attack button drawing a single arrow to jab onto your intended target.
It does little damage but can initiate a Mount Attack on a monster, applying the coating effect but not consuming the coating.

Quick Shot

Much like the charged shots, these on attacks shoot at a horizontal line spreading your attacks wider, covering a larger area.

This barrage of arrows leads up to an arc shot after releasing the 3rd charged quick shot.

Arc Shot

After making 3 consecutive quick shots, the Bow user can fire an arc shot that rains down iron shrapnel, dealing small amounts of continuous damage in a small area that can stun monsters.

Dragon Piercer

This is the strongest attack of a Bow which can be used in any of the combos of attacks, carrying the power charge of the last arrow that was loosed from the weapon

This attack is also affected with any of the coatings that is currently used by the Bow.

Using this attack will require a charge up and can make you vulnerable, which demands you have an open time window.

When the Dragon Piercer hits a creature, it will penetrate them from one side then exit the opposite side dealing damage along the way with multiple instances of damage which is a great source of damage that can break off parts or even cut off tails.

Pros and Cons

Pros

High Burst damage.
Fast walk speed when not aiming.
High Elemental damage from long range.
Elemental weapon options.
Variety of Ammo Coatings

Cons

Weak single shots
Slow walking speed while aiming down through the reticle.
Limited Ammo Coatings
Static Elemental Damage compared to other ranged weapons.

Overview

Bows are powerful and relentless weapons, capable of unleashing volleys of arrows to rain down on enemies, multiple shots in quick succession and even cause enemies to become inflicted with different status effects.

Arrow coatings make any Bow a more formidable and effective weapon with a various selection of coatings that can provide several benefits and not to mention, they can easily be crafted during missions.

Bows are quite easy to learn but can be hard to master when placing your shots or deciding which attacks to use while keeping pace with the different phases of monsters behavior in battle.

The Bow is also very direct and focused when used in builds that leaves customizability in favor of maximum efficiency which makes it a good choice for hunters that want to make specific builds for depending on the type of quest being carried out.

Also Read Below The Other Bow Guides