Best Bow Builds

Here are the best Bow Builds in Monster Hunter Now. Check out the best early game build, the best elemental Bow builds, and the best Bow build progression against large monsters in this guide!

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Best Bow Builds

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Early Game Build			Raw Build
Water Build		Fire Build		Thunder Build
Ice Build			Dragon Build

Early Game Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Blooming Arch	100	0%
Armor	Skills
Pukei Hood (Grade 2)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Jagras Mail (Grade 2)	▸ Rising Tide Lv.1
Girros Vambraces (Grade 2)	▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1
Leather Belt (Grade 2)	▸ Health Boost Lv.1
Kulu Greaves (Grade 2)	▸ Critical Eye Lv.1

As soon as you unlock Bows by defeating Great Girros in Chapter 2, craft the Blooming Arch Bow. The Focus skill from your Helm will shorten the time to charge attacks, allowing you to access its level 4 shot quicker.

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Raw Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Galebender At least Grade 5	576	-30%	None
Alternative: Diablos Bow At least Grade 5	512	0%	None
Armor	Skills
Rath Soul Helm (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 2
Rathalos Mail (Grade 6)	▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2
Rathian Vambraces (Grade 6)	▸ Lock On Lv. 1 ▸ Burst Lv. 2
Rathalos Coil (Grade 5)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Jyura Greaves (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 2 ▸ Last Stand Lv. 1

This raw build incorporates Focus Lv.5 and damage skills to beat monsters throughout the endgame. While the Black Diablos bow, Galebender, is stronger overall, its Pierce shots may not be ideal for general use and can't be upgraded anytime due to requiring Black Diablos parts.

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Water Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Blessed Rain (at least Grade 5)	335	10%	230
Alternative: Aqua Arrow (at least Grade 5)	370	0%	181
Armor	Skills
Rath Soul Helm (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 2
Pukei Mail (Grade 4)	▸ Poison Resistance Lv. 1 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
Jyura Vambraces (Grade 6)	▸ Water Attack Lv. 2
Rathalos Coil (Grade 5)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Jagras Greaves (Grade 6)	▸ Water Attack Lv. 2

Feel free to swap Pukei Mail with Jyura Mail if you wish to maximize Water Attack, but take note that you'll lose 1 Focus point. You may also use the Pukei Hood if you can't craft the Rath Soul Helm yet.

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Fire Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Rathslinger (at least Grade 5)	361	0%	232
Armor	Skills
Anja Helm (Grade 4)	▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
Rathalos Mail (Grade 6)	▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2
Anja Vambraces (Grade 6)	▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
Rathalos Coil (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 1 ▸ Fire Attack Lv. 1
Jyura Greaves (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 2 ▸ Last Stand Lv. 1

The Blazing Bow and its upgrades can also be used if you're more comfortable using Spread shots. The Rathslinger has higher damage potential, but you'll need to use its Pierce arrows effectively so to maximize the hits. You can also use the Pukei Mail if you want another level of Focus.

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Thunder Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Usurper's Rumble (at least Grade 5)	361	0%	232
Armor	Skills
Rath Soul Helm (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 2
Kadachi Mail (Grade 4)	▸ Evade Extender Lv. 1 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 1
Zinogre Vambraces (Grade 6)	▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 2
Kadachi Coil (Grade 6)	▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 2
Jyura Greaves (Grade 6)	▸ Last Stand Lv. 1 ▸ Focus Lv. 2

You may also use the Pukei Hood if you can't craft the Rath Soul Helm yet. The Pulsar Bow is also a viable alternative if Zinogre isn't easily farmable.

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Ice Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Glacial Arrow (at least Grade 5)	361	0%	232
Armor	Skills
Rath Soul Helm (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 2
Barioth Mail (Grade 6)	▸ Ice Attack Lv. 1 ▸ Ice Resistance Lv. 1
Barioth Vambraces (Grade 6)	▸ Ice Attack Lv. 2
Legiana Coil (Grade 5)	▸ Ice Attack Lv. 2 ▸ Windproof Lv. 1
Jyura Greaves (Grade 6)	▸ Last Stand Lv. 1 ▸ Focus Lv. 2

You may also use the Pukei Hood if you can't craft the Rath Soul Helm yet.

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Dragon Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Insurgent's Bow (at least Grade 5)	368	-30%	292
Armor	Skills
Rath Soul Helm (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 2
Rath Heart Mail (Grade 6)	▸ Focus Lv. 1 ▸ Dragon Attack Lv. 1
Vangis Vambraces (Grade 5)	▸ Dragon Attack Lv. 1 ▸ Peak Performance Lv. 1
Vangis Coil (Grade 6)	▸ Dragon Attack Lv. 2 ▸ Tremor Resistance Lv. 1
Rath Heart Greaves (Grade 6)	▸ Special Boost Lv. 2 ▸ Dragon Attack Lv. 1

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Best Skills for Bow

Recommended Skill to Equip

Skill	Explanation / Recommended Level
Focus	Shortening your Bow's charged attacks greatly increases your damage, so be sure to equip an armor that has at least a level of this skill. Priority: ★★★
Elemental Attack	Take advantage of a monster's elemental weakness by equipping this stat! Priority: ★★★
Attack Boost	This skill increases your raw attack value, improving your DPS. This is worth taking for Bows since most of its power comes from raw attacks! Priority: ★★☆
Health Boost	Increases your health, allowing you to take more hits! Priority: ★★☆
Critical Eye	Raising affinity, or the critical hit rate, can boost your damage further. Priority: ★★☆
Sneak Attack	Attacking the rear is the safest way to not get hit by a monster's rushing attack. This skill will improve your damage while doing this. Priority: ★☆☆

Bow Builds Against Monsters

Best Jyuratodus Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Blooming Arch	100	0%	50
Armor	Skills
Pukei Hood (Grade 2)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Jagras Mail (Grade 2)	▸ Rising Tide Lv.1
Girros Vambraces (Grade 2)	▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1
Leather Belt (Grade 2)	▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1
Kulu Greaves (Grade 2)	▸ Critical Eye Lv.1

Jyuratodus is weak against Thunder, however, the Pulsar Bow uses Pierce Arrows, which may be difficult to use whenever it dives. Instead, the Blooming Arch is recommended due to its powerful Spread arrows, making it easier to deal more damage.

Best Anjanath Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Aqua Arrow	182	0%	75
Armor	Skills
Pukei Hood (Grade 2)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Jyura Mail (Grade 3)	▸ Water Attack Lv.1
Jyura Vambraces (Grade 3)	▸ Water Attack Lv.1
Leather Belt (Grade 3)	▸ Health Boost Lv.1
Jagras Greaves (Grade 2)	▸ Water Attack Lv.1

Anjanath is weak to water so using the Aqua Arrow is recommended to exploit its elemental weakness. Damage can be enhanced by equipping armor pieces with Water Attack.

Best Rathian Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Pulsar Bow	128	0%	47
Armor	Skills
Pukei Hood (Grade 2)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Anja Mail (Grade 4)	▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Kadachi Vambraces (Grade 3)	▸ Evade Extender Lv.1
Kadachi Coil (Grade 3)	▸ Thunder Attack Lv.1
Jyura Greaves (Grade 3)	▸ Focus Lv.1

Rathian has a long body, making the Piercing Thunder arrows of the Pulsar Bow ideal for hunting it. Make sure to prepare a Special Skill before facing it to take advantage of the Special Boost skill.

Best Legiana Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Blazing Bow	260	0%	117
Armor	Skills
Anja Helm (Grade 4)	▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
Anja Mail (Grade 4)	▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Anja Vambraces (Grade 4)	▸ Fire Attack Lv.1
Lumu Coil (Grade 3)	▸ Divine Blessing Lv.1
Jyura Greaves (Grade 3)	▸ Focus Lv.1

The Blazing Bow takes advantage of Legiana's weakness to Fire, so craft it as soon as you can. The Fire Attack skill from the Anja armor will increase your elemental damage, increasing your DPS. It's also recommended to have your Special Skill ready to take advantage of Special Boost.

Best Diablos Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Glacial Arrow	361	0%	232
Armor	Skills
Pukei Hood (Grade 2)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Anja Mail (Grade 4)	▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Kadachi Vambraces (Grade 4)	▸ Evade Extender Lv.1
Legiana Coil (Grade 5)	▸ Ice Attack Lv.2
Jyura Greaves (Grade 3)	▸ Focus Lv.1

The Glacial Arrow is the best Bow to hunt Diablos with because of its weakness to Ice. The combination of the Pukei Hood and Jyura Greaves grants you two levels of Focus, shortening the time of your charged attacks.

For more damage, forge the Legiana Coil to gain two levels of Ice Attack.

Best Rathalos Bow Build

Weapon	ATK	AFF	ELE
Diablos Bow (at least Grade 4)	512	0%	None
Armor	Skills
Pukei Hood (Grade 2)	▸ Focus Lv. 1
Anja Mail (Grade 4)	▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Kadachi Vambraces (Grade 4)	▸ Evade Extender Lv.1
Leather Belt (Grade 2)	▸ Health Boost Lv.2
Jyura Greaves (Grade 3)	▸ Focus Lv.1

Since the Diablos Bow comes with high raw, skills that help with survivability such as Evade Extender and Health Boost can be fitted in. Focus is also important to shorten charging time and improve DPS. An upgraded Pulsar Bow may also be used as Rathalos is weak to Thunder, but it will require a lot of materials to upgrade.

Monster Hunter Now Related Guides

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All Weapon Build Guides

All Weapon Builds
Sword and Shield		Great Sword		Long Sword
Hammer		Light Bowgun		Bow
Lance		Dual Blades		Charge Blade
Gunlance			Heavy Bowgun