Monster Hunter Rise Latest News
★ New Silkbind Attacks and Switch Skills
★ Sunbreak Expansion Release Date and Features
┗ All Game Editions | Bonus Add-On Content | Amiibo
┗ New Monsters | Pro Controller | Follower Quests
This is a guide to the Heavy Bowgun (HBG), a weapon in Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise). Read on to learn about new Heavy Bowgun (HBG) controls and combos, how to use Heavy Bowgun ammo and mods, Heavy Bowgun vs Light Bowgun comparisons as well as details on Heavy Bowgun Switch Skills.
All Heavy Bowgun Guides | ||
---|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
List of Contents
Using Setting Sun lets your Wirebug create a ring that increases the number of hits for ammo fired through it. This makes it especially useful for multi-hit ammo like Pierce Ammo, allowing you to rack up a lot of damage!
Crouching Shot is a new Switch Skill added in Sunbreak. This allows Heavy Bowgun users to crouch and stay in place, allowing rapid, successive shots with lower recoil.
Firing intervals are shorter as shots are fired while crouching, but at the risk of overheating the weapon, which can't be used until it cools down.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
Release Date and New Monsters
Switch | PC | Action |
---|---|---|
![]() zL |
![]() Right Click |
Crosshairs |
![]() zR |
![]() Left Click |
Fire |
![]() A |
![]() MB4 |
Load Special Ammo |
![]() X |
![]() |
Reload |
Hold, ![]() ![]() ![]() L + X or B |
Hold, Ctrl + ![]() ![]() Hold Ctrl + MB5 or MB4 |
Select Ammo |
![]() ![]() X + A |
![]() ![]() MB5 + MB4 |
Melee Attack |
Hold, ![]() ![]() Hold, R + X |
Hold, ![]() ![]() Hold Shift + MB4 |
Free Silkbind Glide |
Hold, ![]() ![]() Hold, R + A |
Hold, ![]() ![]() Hold Shift + MB5 |
Counter Shot |
Auto Sheath | Manual Sheathe |
---|---|
Camera Speed | Fast |
Gunner Reticle Camera Controls | Type 1 |
Gunner Reticle Speed | Fast |
To easily learn the bowgun, we highly suggest that the player adjust the camera settings first. We suggest changing the camera speed to fast to make the aiming way easier. If the player is not comfortable with this setup, we suggest switching back to default.
Switch Controls |
![]() ![]() R + X |
---|---|
PC Controls |
![]() ![]() Shift + MB5 |
The Free Silkbind Glide is similar to a tactical slide. It helps close the gap between you and the monster. If you time it right, you can also hit a sneaky attack by the end of your glide.
Switch Controls | ![]() ![]() |
---|---|
PC Controls |
![]() ![]() Shift + MB4 |
With Counter Shot, you plant yourself firmly on the ground with the wirebug and block incoming attacks. If you block an attack, you can quickly recover and do a counter shot.
This new Silkbind Attack can be switched out with Counter Shot.
A parry-specific move, Counter Charger can absorb an attack from a monster and nullify its damage. This also has the bonus effect of reducing the amount of time needed to fire a Charged Shot.
Switch Skills are unlocked as you progress in the game. The very first one is obtained after finishing the ★3 Village Urgent Quest, Feathered Frenzy.
The best Switch Skills we recommend for each slot are marked in red.
Controls | Original Skill | ⇔ | Switch Skill |
---|---|---|---|
X + A MB5 + MB4 |
Melee Attack | ⇔ | Tackle |
R + X Shift + MB5 |
Counter Shot | ⇔ | Counter Charge |
A MB4 |
Mech-Wyvernsnipe | ⇔ | Healing Mech-Wyvernsnipe |
Switch Skills Guide: How to Unlock Switch Skills
Switched With | Controls |
---|---|
Melee Attack |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Description | |
A shoulder check by the Hunter. Prevents flinching and knockback, but still allow significant damage. Only use this for weak attacks that may knock you back! |
We suggest using this more than Melee Attack. As a Heavy Bowgunner, you don't need the Melee Attack because you are always far from the monster but having a Tackle ready for when a monster suddenly pounces on you is a great thing to have.
Switched With | Controls |
---|---|
Counter Shot |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Description | |
A parry skill using Wirebugs. Absorbs an attack from a monster without taking any damage. Will shorten the amount of time for a Charged Shot. Wirebug Gauge Recovery Speed: Medium Wirebug Cost: 1 |
Though this sounds awesome, we still recommend using Counter Shot than Counter Charger. Unless your build revolves around the Charged Shots of the HBG, there is no reason to sacrifice the quick counter-attack capability of Counter Shot.
Switched With | Controls |
---|---|
Mech-Wyvernsnipe |
Press (Press A or MB4 again to stop.)
![]() ![]() Press ![]() ![]() Press A or MB4 (Press A or MB4 again to stop.) Press zR or Left Click to fire. |
Description | |
Fires a specialized shot, different depending on the weapon. Has its own gauge, and replenishes over time. Regular Wyvernheart and Wyvernsnipe deals less damage but can heal the hunter. |
Heavy Bowgun is a DPS-heavy weapon so we don't recommend sacrificing damage for healing yourself. Wyvernsnipe and Wyvernheart Ammos are precious DPS tools for you to opt for decreasing its damage.
Switch Controls | Hold, ![]() |
---|---|
PC Controls | Hold, ![]() |
You can now do charge shots by holding zR. While charging, your Heavy Bowgun will glow like that in Hammer, Great Sword, and Bow charge attacks. Release at the right time for maximum damage!
Switch Controls | While unsheathed, ![]() While unsheathed press A |
---|---|
PC Controls | While unsheathed, ![]() While unsheathed press MB4 |
The Heavy Bowgun has a different mode that allows it to fire a special set of ammo. It has a long animation so only switch ammo when there are no enemies nearby or the monster is currently downed/unable to act.
Heavy Bowgun relies on the proper use of ammo types in certain situations. Knowing how to use them is half the work! Here is a quick guide on how each ammo works:
![]() |
Normal ammo for general use; infinite number |
---|---|
![]() |
Penetrates armor and, depending on the monster, will hit multiple times |
![]() |
Ammo that specializes on short range. When close, it will hit multiple times. |
![]() |
Explodes after landing on a monster |
![]() |
Powerful pierce and burst ammo. Headshots may stun. |
![]() |
Detonates 3 bombs on impact. Can also hit your allies. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with Fire Element. Good against monsters weak to Fire. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with Water Element. Good against monsters weak to Water. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with Thunder Element. Good against monsters weak to Thunder. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with Ice Element. Good against monsters weak to Ice. |
![]() |
Pierce ammo imbued with Fire Element. Good against monsters weak to Fire. |
![]() |
Pierce ammo imbued with Water Element. Good against monsters weak to Water. |
![]() |
Pierce ammo imbued with Thunder Element. Good against monsters weak to Thunder. |
![]() |
Pierce ammo imbued with Ice Element. Good against monsters weak to Ice. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with Poison. Poisons the monster after a number of hits. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with Paralysis. Paralyzes monsters after a number of hits. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with Sleep status. Makes the monsters doze off after a certain number of hits. |
![]() |
Decreases the monster's stamina so it can be stunned more easily. |
![]() |
Reovers health to allies when shot. |
![]() |
Provides increased attack on allies when shot. |
![]() |
Provides increased defense on allies when shot. |
![]() |
Ammo that has cutting damage. Can cut tails. |
![]() |
Ammo imbued with the Dragon Element. Useful against monsters with a weakness to dragon. |
Wyvernsnipe Cooldown | Wyvernheart Cooldown |
---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
Using the Heavy Bowgun gives you the option to use Ammo that is unique to the HBG. Both ammo types are different from each other, which takes a bit of practice to use.
These Special Ammo types are also included with the HBG and differ from weapon to weapon. They can be used anytime but has cooldowns between uses.
Switch Controls |
While unsheathed, ![]() While unsheathed press A then aim and fire. (zL+ zR) |
---|---|
PC Controls |
While unsheathed, ![]() While unsheathed, MB4 then aim and fire (Left Click or Right Click + Left Click) |
The Wyvernheart is the closest you get to a hand-held minigun in the game. It has a charge meter but you can choose to use it even if it is not fully charged. Make sure to keep your rapid-fire on the target since straying off from the target decreases your damage but staying on point increases it.
Switch Controls |
While unsheathed, ![]() While unsheathed press A then aim and fire. (zL+ zR) |
---|---|
PC Controls |
While unsheathed, ![]() While unsheathed, MB4 then aim and fire (Left Click or Right Click + Left Click) |
True to its name, the Wyvernsnipe grants an HBG user the ability to pop shots that deal high amounts of damage. Once the shot connects, it hits a monster a few times before finally ending in a big explosion.
If you talk to Hamon the Blacksmith, he can offer you several ways to Mod your Heavy Bowgun. Just talk to him, choose Customize Bowgun, and choose the Bowgun you want to customize. The options are as follows:
Shield | Makes it possible to Auto-Guard |
---|---|
Power Barrel | Improves Firepower |
When your Heavy Bowgun is equipped with the shield, you can automatically block attacks! If a monster is too quick for you to react, think about equipping a Shield mod for your Heavy Bowgun!
We recommend using mods depending on your playstyle. If you prefer to stay beside monsters and use Spread Shots, use the Shield mod because of auto-guard.
|
Non-Critical Range Damage | ![]() |
---|---|
Critical Range Damage | ![]() |
Critical Range is achieved by positioning certain distance away from a monster. This is indicated by an orange reticle with an inner circle. Shots within Critical Range deal maximum damage and each ammo type has their own critical range thresholds.
Maintaining Critical Range is the key for efficient hunts with a Heavy Bowgun and maintaining it for as much as possible is paramount. You can check the Critical Ranges of all ammo types in the Training Area!
Physical Ammo Types | |
---|---|
![]() |
Ammo types that are effective against Fanged Beasts and other enemy types with weakness to ammo. Aim properly on the head whenever the monster is down for maximum damage. |
![]() |
These are effective against Flying Wyverns and Leviathans. The larger or longer the body, the more hits a Pierce Ammo can do! Use these against large monsters like Tetranadon or Basarios. |
![]() |
Most difficult one to utilize but is also the most devastating, Spread Ammo is used when next to a monster and is effective for all Monster types. Just be sure to avoid hits because you are technically in close-range. |
![]() |
Arguably the most difficult ammo type to utilize due to its weird spread pattern, Shrapnel Ammo is best used for extremely large monsters such as a bloated Tetranadon or Diablos |
![]() |
Slicing Ammo is one of the most effective ammo against any hunt due to its ability to focus all of its damage on a single spot. As the name implies, this particular ammo type has the ability to sever monster tails as well, allowing you to get that extra carve on certain monsters. |
![]() |
Be careful when using Cluster Bombs since you can only carry a few of these into your item pouch. This ammo type is essentially a mortar shell so timing and positioning are key to using this efficiently. After firing, it leaves you exposed as well since the reload time is longer than other ammo types. Cluster Bombs can also knock your allies back. |
Elemental Ammo Types | ||
---|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
- |
Each of these ammo types correspond to a specific element and have very generous Critical Range thresholds. Check your Hunter's Notes to learn the elemental weaknesses of every monster!
If your Heavy Bowgun can use Status Ammo, do not forget to use them. They may not have high firepower but they can create openings for you and your allies!
Using Wyvernheart and Wyvernsnipe when a monster is downed is ideal since using special ammo leaves you exposed to attacks.
![]() |
You can shoot while moving. |
---|---|
![]() |
You can reload while moving. |
![]() |
If you shoot a single shot, it will reload automatically. |
![]() |
Shots can be fired quickly. |
In Monster Hunter Rise, the shot type behavior of certain ammos changes per weapon. You can check these out in Equipment Info from the Start Menu then pressing Y to check the Ammo details. This will help you better understand how every ammo will behave based on your current Bowgun!
▲ Can also be seen from the Ammo Type HUD
Evading while using a Heavy Bowgun is a slow feat, so it's best to invest in a Shield mod and some Guard or Guard Up. It's better to attempt a block than evade plus with the new counter silkbind attack Counter Shot / Counter Charger, you can give back whatever damage is done to you.
Take note that you can block shots with Counter Shot / Counter Charger without a shield mod as well.
Ranking | ![]() |
---|
Heavy Bowguns or the HBG can exert high amounts of firepower but with fairly low mobility. It is still the DPS powerhouse we know and love but with the Light Bowgun having access to previously HBG-exclusive Cluster Bomb ammo, Heavy Bowgun became a second choice.
![]() ![]() |
Loyal to its name, the Heavy Bowgun boasts high damage output per bullet and can punish, but at the cost of less mobility.
You can add a shield mod for your Heavy Bowgun. This allows your Heavy Bowgun to better block incoming attacks and reduce damage taken from them. Partner this with Guard and Guard Up for maximum survivability.
![]() ![]() |
With the Heavy Bowgun being a powerhouse given the right build, it suffers from low mobility. As an HBG user, you are usually anchored to one spot and dish out damage. If a monster charges at you, it will take some time for you to sheathe the HBG and dodge - which usually gives the monster a clear shot at you.
To mitigate this use the mobility Silkbind attack Free Silkbind Glide or counter using Counter Shot / Counter Charger.
There is a specific set distance for bullets and arrows to hit an enemy monster. You can't be far away and still hit your shots, essentially avoiding a fight and becoming a sniper. That's why for most players it is difficult to figure out the Goldilocks spot, the place just right to hit your shots and keep a safe distance from an enemy monster.
The Heavy Bowgun and the Light Bowgun plays almost alike but with a few minor differences. If you are trying to decide on which one to try out, here are some comparisons that we observed:
Light Bowgun | Heavy Bowgun | |
---|---|---|
Mobility | High | Low |
Access to All Ammo | Yes | No |
Wyvernblast | Yes | No |
Elemental Reload | Yes | No |
Charged Shots | No | Yes |
Guarding | No | Yes |
Wyvernheart / Wyvernsnipe | No | Yes |
Update 3.5 fixed a bug related to both the Light Bowgun and the Heavy Bowgun! Specifically this is about the Steadiness skill. Apparently, when Bowgun players used this skill, it didn't show up on the screens of the other players in the lobby.
You can also now reliably change ammo through the Radial Menu while riding your Palamute.
Update 3.5: Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection Collaboration, DLC, and Patch Notes
![]() ![]() ![]() |
In Monster Hunter World, Elemental Ammo can penetrate monsters and hit multiple times. In Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise), Elemental Ammo now hits one time and the ''piercing'' characteristic is now passed to the Pierce Elemental Ammos.
In Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise), Heavy Bowguns can now charge their shots like Great Swords and Bows by holding down zR.
Weapon Type Guides | ||
---|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Melee Weapons | ||
---|---|---|
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree | Melodies |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree | Kinsects |
Ranged Weapons | ||
---|---|---|
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
![]() Guide | Weapon Tree |
Monster Hunter Rise | MHR (MH Rise) Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Heavy Bowgun Guide: Combos, Controls and Moveset | Monster Hunter Rise
Genshin Impact Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Elden Ring Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Monster Hunter Rise | MHR (MH Rise) Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Pokemon UNITE Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch) Wiki Guide
Pokémon Sword and Shield Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Pokemon Legends: Arceus Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
Rune Factory 5 Guide & Walkthrough Wiki
©CAPCOM CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.