Monster Hunter Rise can seem like a really daunting game to anyone new to the franchise or anyone who hasn't played one of the games in a while. However, the layers of complexity also are what make it one of the best Nintendo Switch games out there. You just might need some help navigating the game.
Players can use 14 weapon types that each have their own weapon tree and unique fighting style. In this guide, I'll go over the Light Bowgun's attacks, skills, and suggest the best builds to use with it.
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun fighting style
The Light Bowgun is a high mobility weapon that can shoot close to mid-range at a fast rate. It differs from the Heavy Bowgun by being less powerful, but offers a faster firing speed. It's perfect for people who prefer to evade, shoot fast, and inflict special effects on their prey.
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun controls
| Controls | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| ZL | Crosshairs | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| ZR | Fire | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| X | Reload | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
| Hold L + X or B | Select Ammo | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
| X + A | Melee Attack | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
- Reload: Reloads selected ammo. Hold X to reload all ammo in sequence.
- Wyvernblast: Places explosive rounds that detonate when attacked. These are replenished after a certain amount of time.
- Silkbind Glide: A Silkbind attack that makes you surge forwad at lightning-fast speed. Pressing ZR unleasing a powerful close-range attack.
- Fanning Vault: A Silkbind attack that uses a Wirebug to vault you forwards. Press ZR to fire, X to reload, and A to fire a Wyvernblast directly below you.
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun combos
Unlike other weapons in Monster Hunter Rise, the Light Bowgun does not offer any combos.
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun Silkbind Attacks
| Silkbind Attacks | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| R + X | Silkbind Glide: A Silkbind attack that makes you surge forwad at lightning-fast speed. Pressing ZR unleasing a powerful close-range attack. | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| R + A | Fanning Vault: A Silkbind attack that uses a Wirebug to vault you forwards. Press ZR to fire, X to reload, and A to fire a Wyvernblast directly below you. | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| R + A | Fanning Maneuver: Uses a Wirebug and centrifugal force to move left or right while increasing attack power temporarily. You can take shots while moving. | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun combos
Unlike other Monter Hunter Rise weapons, the Light Bowgun does not have combos.
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun Switch Skills
Each weapon in Monster Hunter Rise has unique Switch Skills, so called because you can have one of two skills activated for each attack at a time.
| Attack | Switch Skills |
|---|---|
| Silkbind Attack | ○ Fanning Vault: A Wirebug sends you skyward and then you fire a Wyvernblast directly beneath yourself.○ Fanning Maneuver: A Wirebug helps you flank left or right and increases your attack temporarily. You can fire while moving. |
| Regular Attack | ○ Reload: Reloads your ammo. The speed at which you reload will depend on the kind of ammo in use.○ Elemental Reload: Reloads your ammo somewhat slower than usual, but increases the damage your elemental shots will deal. |
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun Best Builds
As always, the best builds are a matter of opinion. I prefer to wear gear that offers plenty of defense. Here are the builds that will help compliment the Light Bowgun's abilities.
Best Builds for 2 Star Quests
| Area | Best equipment |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Hunter's Rifle II |
| Head | Izuchi Helm |
| Chest | Hunter's Mail |
| Arms | Alloy Vambraces |
| Waist | Alloy Coil |
| Legs | Baggi Greaves |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 44
- Fire: -4
- Water: -2
- Thunder: -5
- Ice: 0
- Dragon: 1
- Attack Boost Lvl 2
- Critical Eye Lvl 3
- Water Attack Lvl 1
Best Builds for 4 Star Quests
| Area | Best equipment |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Cross Blitz |
| Head | Barroth Helm |
| Chest | Tetranadon Mail |
| Arms | Tetranadon Braces |
| Waist | Alloy Coil |
| Legs | Kadachi Greaves |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 85
- Fire: -6
- Water: 4
- Thunder: 1
- Ice: 0
- Dragon: 0
- Attack Boost Lvl 1
- Critical Eye Lvl 2
- Water Attack Lvl 1
- Constitution Lvl 1
- Special Ammo Boost Lvl 1
- Normal/Rapid Up Lvl 1
Best Builds for 5 Star Quests and higher
| Area | Best equipment |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Jaeger II |
| Head | Tetranadon Helm S |
| Chest | Tetranadon Mail S |
| Arms | Lagombi Vambraces S |
| Waist | Baggi Coil S |
| Legs | Tetranadon Greaves S |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 193
- Fire: -9
- Water: 13
- Thunder:-6
- Ice: 9
- Dragon: 2
- Normal/Rapid Up Lvl 3
- Attack Boost Lvl 2
- Critical Eye Lvl 2
- Ice Attack Lvl 1
- Speed Eating Lvl 1
- Evade Extender Lvl 1
- Sleep Resistance Lvl 1
- Hunger Resistance Lvl 1
Best Builds for Endgame
| Area | Best equipment |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Jaeger Prime |
| Head | Tetranadon Helm S |
| Chest | Tetranadon Mail S |
| Arms | Rathalos Braces S |
| Waist | Rathalos Coil S |
| Legs | Tetranadon Greaves S |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 245
- Fire: 4
- Water: 15
- Thunder: -9
- Ice: 6
- Dragon: -5
- Normal/Rapid Up Lvl 3
- Attack Boost Lvl 4
- Speed Eating Lvl 1
- Windproof Lvl 1
- Evade Extender Lvl 1
- Hunger Resistance Lvl 1
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun Best Skills
As you create your builds and get further into the game, we recommend working on obtaining these skills.
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| Normal/Rapid Up | Increases the amount of damage the Light Bowgun deals. |
| Ammo Up | Makes it so you can carry more ammo for your Light Bowgun. |
| Spare Shot | This makes it so that you'll sometimes be able to shoot without actually using any of your ammo. Over time, this will make it so you don't run out of ammo as quickly. |
Let it fly
The Light Bowgun is a great choice for people who prefer to dive away from danger and shoot from a distance. Players can also force special effects on enemies using this weapon's fast-shooting style.
More navigation links:
Monster Hunter Rise Light Bowgun
All Weapons
