Heavy Bowgun Guide and Best Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Heavy Bowgun is a powerful, long-range weapon that offers high damage potential with a variety of ammunition types, and also a powerful defense. It is ideal for hunters who prefer a slower but more impactful playstyle, using explosive, piercing, and elemental rounds to take down monsters from a distance.

Unlike the Light Bowgun, the Heavy Bowgun sacrifices mobility for strong firepower. It has devastating special ammo, the ability to use gun modifications for customization, and mechanics such as the ignition mode, or auto-guard.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Heavy Bowgun in Monster Hunter Wilds, from its mechanics and best combos to its strengths, weaknesses, and various combo possibles.

In the event you are looking for our Heavy Bowgun builds, please click the link below.

Strengths

• High damage output – Heavy damage but from a safe distance.
• Versatile Ammo Types – includes unlimited Normal, Pierce, and Spread Ammo.
• Has an Ignition Mode which can enhance your damage even further.
• Auto-Guard Mechanism – Gives you a defensive advantage.

Weaknesses

• Limited mobility - Due to the weight, the HBG makes it hard to dodge/evade.
• Requires Gauge management.
• Auto-Guard only works for frontal assaults, it will not protect you against sides or rear which requires you to manage positioning.
• Requires a lot of Ammo management.

Each ammo type has an optimal range, known as its Critical Distance, where it deals maximum damage. For instance, Normal Ammo is most effective at medium range, Pierce Ammo at long range, and Spread Ammo at short range. While aiming, your reticle will glow orange when you are within the Critical Distance, indicating optimal positioning:

When you press , , or you enter the Ignition Mode. This special Mode allows the Heavy Bowgun to fire special ammo by consuming the Ignition Energy Gauge.

This gauge fills over time and when you land successful attacks. Activating Ignition Mode enables the use of powerful moves like Wyvernheart Ignition and Wyverncounter Ignition. You will have to be careful when managing the energy left on your gauge as both moves require it.

Wyvernheart Ignition unleashes a very fast barrage of bullets that increase in damage the longer you maintain fire. This move is basically similar to a huge machine gun. It is ideal for sustained damage during openings in a monster's defenses, such as when a wound is visible or when the monster is on the ground. To use it, activate Ignition Mode and hold the fire button:

• Ignition Mode: , , or
• Hold Fire , , or

When you fire Wyvernheart, you will see the ignition gauge go down under your reticle:

As mentioned, the more you hold it, the more damage it will do. If you stop firing mid-way, for example to evade or move, the damage will be retained until you fire again, it will not reset (unless your Gauge is empty).

Wyverncounter Ignition is the other attack that will use your ignition gauge. This move is a charged attack designed to offset a monster's assault. By timing this move properly with an incoming attack, you can stagger the monster, leaving it vulnerable. Hold the designated button during Ignition Mode to charge and release this counterattack:

• Ignition Mode: , , or
• Hold Wyverncounter Ignition , , or

Focus Blast: Wyvern Howl is a special ammo type, similar to the ignition mode, that deals increased damage to wounded monster parts. You have a total of three charges for Focus Blast. Unlike the Ignition attacks however, its ammo replenishes over time without requiring successful hits. This is your perfect move to use in order to exploit wounds on monsters.

The Auto-Guard feature will automatically block any frontal attacks when you are not performing other actions, enhancing your defense. For a Perfect Guard, which offers greater benefits, you will need to guard manually by pressing + , + , or + .

Keep in mind that it is always better to manually guard, as the auto-guard also does not work from the side or rear. It is only efficient if the attack is frontal. The manual guard will also allow you to hit a Perfect Guard, meaning higher chances of triggering a Power Clash.

The Heavy Bowgun supports various ammo types, each suited for different situations. Three of them have unlimited Ammo:

• Normal Ammo: Standard shots effective at medium range.
• Piercing Ammo: Bullets that penetrate targets, dealing multiple hits, best at long range.
• Spread Ammo: Wide-spread shots ideal for close-range encounters.

All the other types of Ammo have to be crafted and placed beforehand in your Ammo pouch. We recommend you always try to have the needed materials in your inventory, in case you need to replenish your ammo quickly during a hunt by visiting a camp.

You can set up a Radial Menu just for that, and dedicate it to crafting Ammo to make it easier.

In order to switch Ammo during a fight you need to:

• + or
• + or
• + or

Customization options for the Heavy Bowgun allow you to fit your ammo loadout based on the monster you are hunting and your combat strategy, so choose wisely. Here is a list of all the currently available Ammo types, their effect, and the total Ammo capacity possible with and without mods:

In addition to the Ammo, the Heavy Bowgun can also be equipped with Mods. There is currently no detailed information available about the various mods, but if it is anything similar to previous games, you should be able to get modifications such as increased Ammo capacity, reduced recoil, faster reload times, or even increased damage.

This section will be updated once more information about the mods is available.

While some ammo types are unlimited, others require crafting. Gathering materials during hunts allows you to craft specialized ammo, making sure you are prepared for various encounters. Regularly restocking and managing your inventory is essential for any hunting expeditions. For more information on how to craft Ammo for the heavy Bowgun you can refer to our Crafting Guide:

Spread and pierce are one of the strongest Heavy Bowgun Ammo as they are both part of your base unlimited bullets, and very powerful. Explosive types of Ammo are also good to have, similar to element damage Ammunitions which can always add damage on your Monster. Try to also always have a few Demon, Armor, and Recover Ammo, as those can drastically change the outcome of a tough fight.

Understanding how the Heavy Bowgun and its combos work is important if you want to keep up damage and stay on the offensive. The Heavy Bowgun is all about strategic positioning, managing ammo and ignition gauge, and maximizing burst damage. Mastering its mechanics allows you to unleash devastating firepower while maintaining control over the battlefield, making it a powerhouse for those who prefer a calculated yet high-damage playstyle.

Basic combos are rather easy to pull off and good for beginners or anyone just starting out with the Heavy Bowgun. Once you get the hang of the basics, you can easily move on to more advanced combos.

Aim → Fire → Reload
The basic attack sequence for the Heavy Bowgun.

• Aim: Hold / /
• Fire: Hold / /
• Reload (when out of Ammo): Press / /

Reload single ammo → Reload all ammo types (Hold button)
Refilling ammo efficiently depending on the situation.

• Reload one type: Tap / /
• Reload all ammo types: Hold / /

Toggle Ignition Mode

• Enter/Exit Ignition Mode: Press / /
• Quickly toggle during a dodge: Dodge + / /

Aim → Fire
Fires explosive rounds that detonate after a short delay.

• Aim: Hold / /
• Fire: Hold + / + / +
• Has three charges, regenerates over time.

Unsheathe on Seikret → Aim → Fire

• Unsheathe weapon: Press / / while mounted
• Aim: Hold / /
• Fire: Hold / /
• Reload: Tap / /
• Focus Strike: Press + / + / +

Once you got the basics down, it is time to step up to more advanced combos. They can be tricky to pull off, but if you can land them consistently, you will deal massive damage and have better control over the fight.

Ignition → Fire
A strong machine gun firing forward at the monster.

• Activate Ignition Mode: Press / /
• Fire the Machine Gun: Hold / /

Ignition → Charge → Release at the right time
A counter move that allows you to parry, repel the attack, and deals damage.

• Activate Ignition Mode: Press / /
• Charge Wyverncounter: Hold / /
• Release at right time: Release the charge button when the monster is about to attack to counter it

Manual Block → Perfect Guard → Power Clash
Minimizes your knock back compared to the Auto-Guard and allows you to perfect guard and enter power clash.

• Manual Block: Press + / + / +
• Perfect Guard Timing: Block right before impact
• Counter: If executed properly allows you to enter Power Clash

Jump → Reload → Shoot → Land

• Jumping Reload: Press / / while in the air
• Mid-air shot: Press / / while in the air

The Heavy Bowgun in Monster Hunter Wilds is perfect if you want a high-damage, long-range playstyle with strong defensive options, and a powerful Burst for sustained firepower. It requires methodical positioning, and Ammo management, but can deal heavy damage no matter the monster you are hunting.