Heavy Bowgun Guide: Controls and Combos

The Heavy Bowgun (HBG) is a ranged weapon in Monster Hunter Now. Learn how to use the Heavy Bowgun, how to unlock, as well as the recommended combos and tips on how to play the Heavy Bowgun!

Heavy Bowgun Basic Information

Deal Damage from a Distance

The Heavy Bowgun is one of the three ranged weapons in Monster Hunter Now. You will feel slower when using this compared to the Light Bowgun and the Bow, but it does pack a punch!

Can Automatically Guard

You can guard with the Heavy Bowgun just by doing nothing. When a monster does an attack and you feel like you can't dodge it, just don't touch the screen to guard!

Shoots Different Ammo Types

Similar to the Light Bowgun, the Heavy Bowgun can also shoot different ammo types. Always be strategic in changing ammo types to deal consistent damage. We recommend going for the Wyvern Ammo whenever you can!

Ammo Effects and Effective Usage

Different ammo types have different effects and ways to use them effectively. Here's a list of all the ammo types for the Heavy Bowgun:

Heavy Bowgun Controls

List of Controls

Recommended Combos for the Heavy Bowgun

Just Keep Shooting

Similar to the Light Bowgun, the Heavy Bowgun is very simple to use. Shoot whenever there's an opening, and evade when the monster is attacking. You will be slower, but you can use its guard function whenever you feel like you're caught in dangerous position.

Tips on How to Use the Heavy Bowgun

Summary

• Stay at Your Ammo's Critical Range
• Reload Instantly with a Perfect Dodge
• Time Your Reloads
• Use the Wyversnipe SP Skill

Stay at Your Ammo's Critical Range

Each ammo type has a specific range where they deal optimal damage. The Heavy Bowgun's crosshair displays this optimal range. If the hunter is too far from the monster for the ammo to deal its optimal damage, the crosshair loses the orange ring around it.

You must be close to a monster when firing the Wyvern Ammo to do optimal damage after its charge up.

Reload Instantly by Doing a Perfect Dodge

Perfect dodging, which is timing your evades at an exact moment before a monster attack hits, will reload your HBG ammo by one. Use this technique often, especially with the HBG's slow movement.

Prioritize Normal Evasion If You Can't Time It Properly

Survival is still the top priority in MHNow, so do not risk it if you cannot time Perfect Dodges properly. Just focus on dishing out consistent damage by shooting and dodging when needed!

Time Your Reloads

The reload animation for the Heavy Bowgun can be quite slow. Time it right to not get caught in a monster's attack!

Manually Reloading Switches Your Ammo Type

Be careful when manually reloading, as this will change your ammo type. This can throw off your gameplay, so keep an eye on the ammo equipped.

Use Wyversnipe When You Have the Opening

The Heavy Bowgun has two SP skills: the Wyvernsnipe and Wyvernheart. We recommended choosing Wyvernsnipe to deal damage.

Wyvernsnipe Ammo Effects

How to Unlock the Heavy Bowgun

Unlocked After Pre-Season Story 3-1

Assuming the unlock conditions of the new weapon are similar to the previous update, the Heavy Bowgun should be available upon reaching Chapter 3 of the Pre-Season Story.

All Chapters and Quests List

Monster Hunter Now Related Guides

Best Weapons Tier List

List of All Weapons and Guides

Close-Ranged Weapons
Sword and Shield Guide | List	Great Sword Guide | List
Long Sword Guide | List	Hammer Guide | List
Dual Blades Guide | List	Lance Guide | List
Charge Blade Guide | List	Gunlance Guide | List
Long-Ranged Weapons
Bow Guide | List	Light Bowgun Guide | List
Heavy Bowgun Guide | List