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Monster Hunter Now

Best Heavy Bowgun Builds

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

All Heavy Bowgun Guides
Full List How to Use Builds

List of Contents

Best Heavy Bowgun Builds

Heavy Bowgun Build Selection

Jump to a Heavy Bowgun Build
Early Game 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 - Dragon Element Dragon Build

Early Game Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Jagras Assault Jagras Assault
 135 0% Monster Hunter Now - Water Element 38
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Leather Headgear (Grade 2)
 ▸ Critical Eye 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 Jagras Greaves (Grade 2)
 ▸ Water Attack Lv.1

Jagras Assault is a good starter Heavy Bowgun. Pair this weapon with generally good skills to start farming more difficult Large Monsters.

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Water Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Mountainous Roar Mountainous Roar
(at least Grade 6)		 428 0% Monster Hunter Now - Water 319
Alternative:
Monster Hunter Now - Water Cannon Water Cannon
(at least Grade 6)		 475 0% Monster Hunter Now - Water 251
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Mizutsune Helm (Grade 6)
 ▸ Water Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 6)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jyura Vambraces (Grade 6)
 ▸ Water Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Lagoon Coil (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
▸ Recoil Down Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Rath Soul Greaves (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 2
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 1

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Fire Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Flammenkanone Flammenkanone
(at least Grade 6)		 475 0% Monster Hunter Now - Fire 251
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Helm (Grade 6)
 ▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
▸ Fire Resistance Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 6)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Anja Vambraces (Grade 6)
 ▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Lagoon Coil (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
▸ Recoil Down Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Rath Soul Greaves (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 2
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 1

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Thunder Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Mightning+ Mightning+
(at least Grade 6)		 461 0% Monster Hunter Now - Thunder 320
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Tzitzi Headgear (Grade 6)
 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 2
▸ Evade Extender Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 6)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Zinogre Vambraces (Grade 6)
 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Pukei Lagoon Coil (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
▸ Recoil Down Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Rath Soul Greaves (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 2
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 1

This build caters to dealing more damage with 4 points of Thunder Attack and max levels on both Recoil Down and Reload Speed skills. This will ensure that the weapon's sluggish nature won't get in the way of your damage.

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Ice Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Daora Grande Daora Grande
 551 0% Monster Hunter Now - Ice 238
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Banbaro Helm (Grade 6)
 ▸ Tremor Resistance Lv. 1
▸ Recoil Down Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 6)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Barioth Vambraces (Grade 6)
 ▸ Ice Attack Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Coil (Grade 6)
 ▸ Ice Attack Lv. 2
▸ Windproof Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Rath Soul Greaves (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 2
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 1

This build caters to dealing more damage with 4 points of Ice Attack and max levels on both Recoil Down and at least 2 points in Reload Speed skills. This will ensure that the weapon's sluggish nature won't get in the way of your damage.

▲ Back to Build Selection ▲

Dragon Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Dark Devourer Dark Devourer
(at least Grade 6)		 475 -30% Monster Hunter Now - Dragon 394
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Vangis Helm (Grade 5)
 ▸ Slugger Lv. 1
▸ Dragon Attack Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 6)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv. 2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Vambraces (Grade 6)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 2
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 Heavy Bowgun

Recommended Skills to Equip

Skill Explanation / Recommended Level
Recoil Down As this skill lowers recoil, more levels to this skill make us shoot our ammo faster and make us more mobile in the process.
Priority: ★★★
Reload Speed Reloads are one of the bowgun's biggest weaknesses. Higher levels of Reload Speed make our reloads faster and make us more mobile.
Priority: ★★★
Elemental Attack
Fire | Water | Thunder | Ice | Dragon		 Extra elemental damage is the best source of damage you can have fighting large monsters. The downside, of course, is having to craft and upgrade multiple weapons and armor for each element.
Priority: ★★★
Attack Boost This skill is recommended simply because it increases your attack power with no conditions. It's always worth having if you can.
Priority: ★★☆
Peak Performance With a ranged weapon, keeping the Peak Performance buff up for extra damage should be easier than other weapon types.
Priority: ★★☆
Critical Eye For the same reason as Attack Boost, Critical Eye would always be a good source of damage for more critical hits.
Priority: ★☆☆
Health Boost Increasing your HP pool makes you survive hunts and helps you save on potions.
Priority: ★☆☆

Heavy Bowgun Builds Against Monsters

Best Jyuratodus Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Pulsar Shooter Pulsar Shooter
 128 0% Monster Hunter Now - Thunder 47
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Helm (Grade 2)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jagras Mail (Grade 2)
 ▸ Rising Tide Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Vambraces (Grade 2)
 ▸ Evade Extender Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Coil (Grade 2)
 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kulu Greaves (Grade 4)
 ▸ Critical Eye Lv.1

When fighting Jyuratodus for the first time, use the Pulsar Shooter to exploit its thunder weakness. You can use this thunder build early in the game until you get enough materials for the best one.

▴Best Thunder HBG Build▴

Best Anjanath Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Jagras Assault Jagras Assault
 135 0% Monster Hunter Now - Water 38
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Helm (Grade 2)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 3)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jyura Vambraces (Grade 3)
 ▸ Water Attack Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Coil (Grade 3)
 ▸ Divine Blessing Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Jagras Greaves (Grade 2)
 ▸ Water Attack Lv.1

At this point in the game, you can farm for equipment optimized to take down Anjanath for the first time. This build will help you through your first Anjanath fight.

▴Best Water HBG Build▴

Best Rathian Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Pulsar Shooter Pulsar Shooter
 128 0% Monster Hunter Now - Thunder 47
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Helm (Grade 2)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Recoil Down 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 Anja Greaves (Grade 3)
 ▸ Peak Performance Lv.1

The Pulsar Shooter built with Kadachi armor is still optimized for your first Rathian fight. You can easily take it down with this build.

Best Legiana Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Blazing Assault Blazing Assault
 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 Lumu Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Recoil Down 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 Anja Greaves (Grade 4)
 ▸ Peak Performance Lv.1

With enough Anjanath materials, you can use this build for your first Legiana fight. This will be enough to take it down with ease.

▴Best Fire HBG Build▴

Best Diablos Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Shattercryst Shattercryst
 361 0% Monster Hunter Now - Ice 232
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Helm (Grade 2)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Vambraces (Grade 4)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Coil (Grade 5)
 ▸ Ice Attack Lv.2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Greaves (Grade 4)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv.1

Legiana equipment is ideal against your first fight with Diablos. With Ice as it's weakness, this build can take it down with ease.

▴Best Ice HBG Build▴

Best Rathalos Heavy Bowgun Build

Weapon ATK AFF ELE
Monster Hunter Now - Pulsar Shooter Pulsar Shooter
(at least Grade 4)
 370 0% Monster Hunter Now - Thunder 181
Armor Skills
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Helm (Grade 2)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv. 1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Lumu Mail (Grade 4)
 ▸ Recoil Down Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Vambraces (Grade 4)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv.1
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Kadachi Coil (Grade 5)
 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv.2
Monster Hunter Now - Legs Armor Legiana Greaves (Grade 4)
 ▸ Reload Speed Lv.1

Upgrade your Pulsar Shooter to take down Rathalos in your first fight with it. This will be easy, since the range of the HBG will allow you to deal damage even when the King of the Skies is flying.

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Monster Hunter Now - GunlanceGunlance Monster Hunter Now - Heavy BowgunHeavy Bowgun

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