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Monster Hunter Now

Best Bow Builds

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MH Now - 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!

All Bow Guides
Full List How to Use Builds

List of Contents

Best Bow Builds

Bow Build Selection

Jump to a Bow Build
Early Game Build Raw Build
Monster Hunter Now - Water Element Water Build Monster Hunter Now - Fire Element Fire Build Monster Hunter Now - Thunder Element Thunder Build
Monster Hunter Now - Ice Element Ice Build Monster Hunter Now - Ice Element Dragon Build

Early Game Bow Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Blooming Arch Blooming Arch
 100 0% Monster Hunter Now - Poison
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Hood (Grade 2)
 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jagras Mail (Grade 2)
 ▸ Rising Tide Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Girros Vambraces (Grade 2)
 ▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Leather Belt (Grade 2)
 ▸ Health Boost Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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.

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Raw Bow Build

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

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Water Bow Build

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

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Fire Bow Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Rathslinger Rathslinger
(at least Grade 5)		 361 0% Monster Hunter Now - Fire 232
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Helm (Grade 4)
 ▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Rathalos Mail (Grade 6)
 ▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Vambraces (Grade 6)
 ▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Rathalos Coil (Grade 6)
 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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.

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Thunder Bow Build

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

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Ice Bow Build

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

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Dragon Bow Build

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

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

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
Monster Hunter Now - Blooming Arch Blooming Arch
 100 0% Monster Hunter Now - Poison 50
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Hood (Grade 2)
 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jagras Mail (Grade 2)
 ▸ Rising Tide Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Girros Vambraces (Grade 2)
 ▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Leather Belt (Grade 2)
 ▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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
Monster Hunter Now - Aqua Arrow Aqua Arrow
 182 0% Monster Hunter Now - Water 75
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Hood (Grade 2)
 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jyura Mail (Grade 3)
 ▸ Water Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jyura Vambraces (Grade 3)
 ▸ Water Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Leather Belt (Grade 3)
 ▸ Health Boost Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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
Monster Hunter Now - Pulsar Bow Pulsar Bow
 128 0% Monster Hunter Now - Thunder 47
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Hood (Grade 2)
 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Vambraces (Grade 3)
 ▸ Evade Extender Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Coil (Grade 3)
 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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
Monster Hunter Now - Blazing Bow Blazing Bow
 260 0% Monster Hunter Now - Fire 117
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Helm (Grade 4)
 ▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Vambraces (Grade 4)
 ▸ Fire Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Coil (Grade 3)
 ▸ Divine Blessing Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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
Monster Hunter Now - Glacial Arrow Glacial Arrow
 361 0% Monster Hunter Now - Ice 232
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Hood (Grade 2)
 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Vambraces (Grade 4)
 ▸ Evade Extender Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Coil (Grade 5)
 ▸ Ice Attack Lv.2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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
Monster Hunter Now - Diablos Bow Diablos Bow
(at least Grade 4)
 512 0% None
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Hood (Grade 2)
 ▸ Focus Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Special Boost Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Vambraces (Grade 4)
 ▸ Evade Extender Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Leather Belt (Grade 2)
 ▸ Health Boost Lv.2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor 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

Monster Hunter Now - Builds

Best Builds

All Weapon Build Guides

All Weapon Builds
Monster Hunter Now - Sword and Shield Sword and Shield Monster Hunter Now - Great Sword Great Sword Monster Hunter Now - Long Sword Long Sword
Monster Hunter Now - Hammer Hammer Monster Hunter Now - Light Bowgun Light Bowgun Monster Hunter Now - Bow Bow
Monster Hunter Now - LanceLance Monster Hunter Now - Dual BladesDual Blades Monster Hunter Now - Charge BladeCharge Blade
Monster Hunter Now - GunlanceGunlance Monster Hunter Now - Heavy BowgunHeavy Bowgun

Comment

5 Illithan Illithan about 1 year

The bows could certainly have a revision on the builds since we recieved the Rajang Coil with Focus 1,2,3 (lvl 5,6,8). At least for sure, the waterbow can easily replace the Rath coil with the Rajang and the pukei mail with Jyoura

4 Anonymous Anonymous over 1 year

to add as well, if using poison such as rathi’s with powerful spread shots and raw, can even lean in for burst 3 and just crank out the power to try pushing so over raw alone

See more comments (5 Comments)

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