Monster Hunter World (MHW)

What Is Critical Distance?

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CriticalDistanceBanner.jpg
Bows, Light Bow Guns, and Heavy Bow Guns: these ranged weapons have a critical distance that varies from weapon to ammo type. Read on to learn how to deal the most damage when hunting in Monster Hunter World (MHW)!

What Is Critical Distance

Ranged weapons aren't perfect at every distance. There is an area wherein you can maximize the amount of damage output. This is the critical distance.

The distance between the hunter and the monster wherein the most damage is dealt.

Use Reticle To Identify Critical Distance

Ranged weapons have a reticle that allows a more precise aim. What this reticle also has is a visual queue when the hunter is at a critical distance.

While aiming, there will be a second orange ring to prompt that you are the perfect distance to strike!

Reticle Effect
CriticalDistance.jpg Critical distance
YellowNormal.jpg Close to critical distance
NormalDistance.jpg Normal distance
OutOfRange.jpg Out of range

Importance of Critical Distance

Make sure you are at a critical distance before you fire. This allows you to be more efficient by waiting for the perfect shot instead of depleting your ammo on lower damage output.

Ballistics Skill

RathalosEssence.jpg
The skill Mind's Eye/Ballistics will increase the range of the critical distance. This is acquired by equipping three or more Master Rank Rathalos gear to receive Rathalos Essence.

Critical Distance for Bowguns

Ammo Critical Distance
Normal Ammo Short-Mid Range
Pierce Ammo Mid-Long Range
Spread Ammo Short Range
Elemental Ammo Mid Range
Sticky Ammo Explodes after sticking to target
Cluster Bomb Shoots into the air then scatters
Wyvern Ammo Short-Mid Range
Recover Ammo Short Range
Demon Ammo/Armor Ammo Support Ammo
Tranq Ammo Support Ammo
Wyvernblast Placed on ground

Rapid Fire

You may be at a critical distance at the moment, but keep in mind that the monsters move around. If you are using rapid-fire, you can easily miss your shots.

Utilize rapid-fire when the monster is down to ensure your shots will land!

Sticky Ammo and Cluster Bombs

Sticky Ammo and Cluster Bombs are a type of ammo that does not rely on the critical distance to deal the most damage. These ammo types explode after impact.

Critical Distance for Bows

Ammo Critical Distance
Charged Shot 1 Short-Mid Range
Charged Shot 2 Short-Mid Range
Charged Shot 3 Mid-Long Range
Charged Shot 4 Mid-Long Range
Dragon Piercer Short-Mid Range

Special Scope for Heavy Bow Gun

SpecialScope.jpg
The special scope is available in the Monster Hunter World (MHW) expansion, Iceborne. It is a scope that is attached to the Heavy Bow Gun to make the aim more precise. This requires you to be around five steps away from the monster to be at Critical Distance.

Dragon Piercer

The Dragon Piercer has several shots, therefore it can not be assured that every single one with hit the monster. To increase the chance that all the arrows hit its target, have the Mind's Eye/Critical Distance skill.

Monster Hunter World (MHW) Related Guides

All Beginner Guides

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Beginner's Guide | How to Play MHW

Monster Hunter World Guides

Base Game Guides
Story Walkthrough and How to Unlock Iceborne Money Farming Guide
Food Guide and All Canteen Ingredients Best Timing for Well-Done Steak
Best Weapons for Beginners How to Pause Quests
How Do Quest Rewards Work? How to Track Monsters
What is Critical Distance? How to Use Wedge Beetles
How to Use the Chat Functions Character Creation Guide
How to Use the Training Area List of Crafting Recipes
List of Poogie Costumes How to Break Rank Caps
Monster Threat Levels How to Raise Hunter Rank Fast
Post-Game Content How to Find ??? Rathian Tracks
Weapon and Armor Augments Explanation of Each Status Effect
How To Capture Monsters How To Hunt Monsters
How To Mount Monsters Monster Parts and Weaknesses Guide
How to Join a Friend's Expedition Monster Crown Size Guides
How to Get the Dragoon Jump Emote Tailraider Safari Guide and Best Items to Get
Argosy Guide and Best Choices How to Aim Cannons
Alpha or Beta Armor Lucky Voucher Effects
Bowgun Special Ammo Guides How to Equip Skills
Difference of Cut and Blunt Damage Type Hunting Horn Notes and Effects
Unchangeable Features Turf Wars and List of Matchups
List of Trophies and How to Unlock (MHW) -

Stat Guides

Stat Guides
What Does Attack Do? What Does Defense Do? What Does Elemental Resistance Do?
What Does Affinity Do? What Does Elemental Attack Do? What is Elderseal?

How to Track Grimalkynes

Grimalkyne Tribes
All Grimalkyne Tribes and Rewards
Bugtrappers Protectors Troupers
Plunderers Gajalaka Boaboa

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