Making the best Bow build in Monster Hunter World Iceborne isn’t an easy feat. Just like the Dual Blades, this weapon relies a lot on every monster’s weak spots, as well as elemental weaknesses. Beyond that, you need to micro-manage the coat-applying part to increase your DPS potential. With that in mind, making the right Bow build will cost a lot of time and a lot of Zenny. Yet, to make things easier for you, we have a few ideas on where to get started with proper Bow builds in every Hunter Rank.
Base Game Bow Builds
Low Rank
| Slot | Set 1 | Set 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bow | Any | Any |
| Head | Rathian – Health Boost 1 | Rathian – Health Boost 1 |
| Chest | Butterfly – Health Boost 1 | Butterfly – Health Boost 1 |
| Arms | Ingot – Health Boost 1 | Ingot – Health Boost 1 |
| Waist | Jagras – Fortify 1 | Paolumu – Divine Blessing 1 |
| Legs | Ingot – Defense Boost 1 | Gala Suit – Divine Blessing 1 |
| Charm | Defense Charm – Defense Boost 1 | Defense Charm – Defense Boost 1 |
In truth, making a Bow build for Low Rank in Monster Hunter World isn’t that complicated. You only need to focus on increasing your survivability and getting your defenses up. Any Hunter knows that Low Rank is the game’s tutorial with some story, so don’t fret too much about min-maxing anything here.
Still, you can look to add Fortify to your build, as it increases your Attack and Defense stats. In addition, always replace your current Bow with one that has the higher DPS numbers. All you need in LR is a Bow that hits hard, so pick whichever you prefer.
High Rank
| Slot | Dragon Piercer Set | Power Shot Set | Stamina Set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bow | – Tobi-Kadachi – Diablos – Any Elemental Bow | – Tobi-Kadachi – Diablos – Any Elemental Bow | – Tobi-Kadachi – Any Elemental Bow |
| Head | Azure Rathalos β – Critical Boost 1 | Azure Rathalos β – Critical Boost 1 | Tobi-Kadachi α – Constitution 2 |
| Chest | Rathalos β – Weakness Exploit 2 | Rathalos β – Weakness Exploit 2 | Rathalos β – Weakness Exploit 2 |
| Arms | Anjanath β – Special Ammo Boost 1 | Teostra β – Weakness Exploit 1 | Odogaron α – Constitution 1 – Critical Eye 1 |
| Waist | Azure Rathalos α – Windproof 2 – Piercing Shots 1 | Odogaron β – Critical Eye 2 | Leather Belt α – Stamina Surge 1 Nergigante α – Attack Boost 2 – Stamina Surge 1 |
| Legs | Rathalos Alpha α – Jump Master 1 – Weakness Exploit 1 | Lavasioth β – Spread/Powershot 1 | Rathalos Alpha α – Jump Master 1 – Weakness Exploit 1 |
| Charm | Special Shot Charm – Special Ammo 1 Blessing Charm – Divine Blessing 1 | Fitness Charm – Constitution 1 Blessing Charm – Divine Blessing 1 | Fitness Charm – Constitution 1 |
When you reach High Rank, the gameplay style for Bow users will change drastically. Here, you’ll need to focus on hitting monsters’ weak points and elemental weaknesses more often than in LR. When it comes to Elemental Bows, the Tobi-Kadachi tree is among the best, especially since most creatures are weak to Thunder damage. If you prefer raw DPS, however, the Diablos tree is always a great option.
To make this build work, you need to focus on Critical Boost and Weakness Exploit. You can also add Bow Charge Plus or Special Ammo if you’re going for the Dragon Piercer. Also, the Rathalos set is excellent for Critical Element, so that’s one to keep an eye out for, too. Lastly, the Stamina Set is a good recommendation if you want an all-rounder type of set or if you’re still learning the ropes of this weapon.
Bow Build for High Rank Post-Kulve Taroth/Behemoth/Arch-Tempered
| Slot | Fire Set | Water Set | Ice Set | Thunder Set | Dragon Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow | Kjarr Bow “King” | Kjarr Bow “Water” | Kjarr Bow “Stream” | Kjarr Bow “Spark” | Kjarr Bow “Decay” |
| Head | Teostra γ – Critical Eye 2 | Teostra γ – Critical Eye 2 | Kushala β – Ice Attack 2 | Teostra γ – Critical Eye 2 | Teostra γ – Critical Eye 2 |
| Chest | Nergigante α – Stamina Surge 2 – Agitator 1 | Nergigante α – Stamina Surge 2 – Agitator 1 | Nergigante β – Weakness Exploit 2 | Nergigante α – Stamina Surge 2 – Agitator 1 | Nergigante β – Weakness Exploit 2 |
| Arms | Drachen α – Critical Eye 2 – Attack Boost 1 | Drachen α – Critical Eye 2 – Attack Boost 1 | Drachen α – Critical Eye 2 – Attack Boost 1 | Drachen α – Critical Eye 2 – Attack Boost 1 | Vaal Hazak γ – Dragon Attack 3 |
| Waist | Zorah γ – Bombardier 2 – Critical Eye 1 | Zorah γ – Bombardier 2 – Critical Eye 1 | Zorah γ – Bombardier 2 – Critical Eye 1 | Zorah γ – Bombardier 2 – Critical Eye 1 | Xeno’Jiiva γ – Critical Boost 1 |
| Legs | Teostra γ – Critical Eye 2 | Teostra γ – Critical Eye 2 | Zorah γ – Blast Attack 2 – Critical Eye | Teostra γ – Critical Eye 2 | Xeno’Jiiva γ – Critical Boost 1 |
| Charm | Blaze Charm III – Fire Attack 3 | Flood Charm III – Water Attack 3 | Frost Charm III – Ice Attack 3 | Shock Charm III – Thunder Attack 3 | Master’s Charm III – Critical Eye 3 |
Assuming you’ve hunted Kulve Tarot more than once, you can now focus on hitting Elemental weaknesses. For that, the Kjarr Bows will be ideal. These are the Decos you’ll need:
- Critical Eye.
- Each Element Attack (Fire, Water, etc), depending on your Bow and set.
- Slot in Spread/Power Shots, Bow Charge Plus, and/or Normal Shot.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Expansion Bow Builds
Early Master Rank
| Slot | Kulve Set | Standard Set |
|---|---|---|
| Bow | – All Kjarr Bows | – All Elemental Bows |
| Head | Hornetaur β+ – Weakness Exploit 1 – Dragon Attack 1 | Azure Rathalos β – Critical Boost 1 |
| Chest | Kulu-Ya-Ku α+ – Stamina Surge 1 – Critical Eye 2 | Rathalos β – Weakness Exploit 2 |
| Arms | Drachen α – Critical Eye 2 – Attack Boost 1 | Kulu-Ya-Ku α+ – Critical Boost 1 – Pro Transporter 1 Jagras α+ – Evade Extender 2 – Recovery Up 1 |
| Waist | Hornetaur β+ – Weakness Exploit 1 | Hornetaur β+ – Weakness Exploit 1 |
| Legs | Barroth β+ – Stun Resistance 2 | Barroth β+ – Stun Resistance 2 |
| Charm | Fitness Charm III – Constitution 3 | Fitness Charm III – Constitution 3 |
You can keep using your Kjarr Bows up until Master Rank 3. The only thing you’ll need to change here is your armor for one that provides better defense. The Evade Extender is always a great pick here.
Monster Hunter World Iceborne Bow Build for Mid-Late Master Rank Pre-Safi’Jiiva/Kulve Taroth
| Slot | Kulve Set | Standard Set | Velkhana Set | Namielle Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow | All Kjarr Bows | – Coral Pukei-Pukei – Glavenus – Legiana/Shrieking Legiana – Tobi-Kadachi | – Coral Pukei-Pukei – Glavenus – Legiana/Shrieking Legiana – Tobi-Kadachi | – Coral Pukei-Pukei – Glavenus – Legiana/Shrieking Legiana – Tobi-Kadachi |
| Head | Fulgur Anjanath β+ – Weakness Exploit 1 | Azure Rathalos β – Critical Boost 1 | Velkhana α+ – Divine Blessing 2 – Coalescence 1 | Velkhana α+ – Divine Blessing 2 – Coalescence 1 |
| Chest | Rathalos β+ – Weakness Exploit 2 | Rathalos β – Weakness Exploit 2 | Velkhana β+ – Quick Sheathe 2 | Velkhana β+ – Quick Sheathe 2 |
| Arms | Odogaron α+ – Constitution 2 – Critical Eye 1 | Odogaron α+ – Constitution 2 – Critical Eye 1 | Odogaron α+ – Constitution 2 – Critical Eye 1 | Teostra β+ – Weakness Exploit 1 |
| Waist | Odogaron β+ – Critical Eye 2 | Odogaron β+ – Critical Eye 2 | Odogaron β+ – Critical Eye 2 | Namielle α+ – Constitution 2 – Stamina Surge 1 |
| Legs | Barroth β+ – Stun Resistance 2 | Barroth β+ – Stun Resistance 2 | Barroth β+ – Stun Resistance 2 Yian Garuga β+ – Critical Eye 2 | Namielle β+ – Stamina Surge 2 |
| Charm | [Element Attack] Charm III – [Element Attack] 3 | [Element Attack] Charm III – [Element Attack] 3 | [Element Attack] Charm III – [Element Attack] 3 | [Element Attack] Charm III – [Element Attack] 3 |
If you’ve reached MR★4, it is time to get rid of the previous armor set and weapons. Here, you’ll have to focus on either the Glavenus or Legiana trees for Water and Thunder damage. In terms of decorations, we recommend the following:
- Critical Eye.
- Weakness Exploit.
- Spread/Power Shots.
- Bow Charge Plus.
- Normal Shot.
If you’ve faced a few Elder Dragons, you can swap your head and chest pieces. Combining the Namielle and Velhkana sets is a good choice, especially with the Stamina Surge bonuses. However, the damage won’t be that great.
Pre-Safi’Jiiva/MR Kulve Taroth/Alatreon
| Slot | Fire Set | Water Set | Ice Set | Thunder Set | Dragon Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow | Glavenus | – Guild Palace – Coral Pukei-Pukei | Barioth/Frostfang Barioth | Furious Rajang | Blackveil Vaal Hazak |
| Head | Silver Rathalos α+ – Fire Attack 2 – Windproof 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Windproof 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Windproof 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Windproof 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Windproof 2 |
| Chest | Silver Rathalos α+ – Critical Boost 2 – Fire Attack 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 2 |
| Arms | Furious Rajang β+ – Stamina Surge 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Slinger Capacity 3 | Furious Rajang β+ – Stamina Surge 2 | Kirin β+ – Thunder Attack 3 | Furious Rajang β+ – Stamina Surge 2 |
| Waist | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 1 – Windproof 1 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 1 – Windproof 1 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 1 – Windproof 1 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 1 – Windproof 1 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 1 – Windproof 1 |
| Legs | Silver Rathalos α+ – Fire Attack 2 – Slinger Capacity 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Slinger Capacity 2 Raging Brachydios β+ – Weakness Exploit 2 Yian Garuga β+ – Critical Eye 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Slinger Capacity 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Slinger Capacity 2 Raging Brachydios β+ – Weakness Exploit 2 Yian Garuga β+ – Critical Eye 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Slinger Capacity 2 |
| Charm | Master’s Charm IV – Critical Eye 4 | Flood Charm V – Water Attack 5 | Master’s Charm IV – Critical Eye 4 Frost Charm V – Ice Attack 5 | Master’s Charm IV – Critical Eye 4 | Wyrmsbane Charm V – Dragon Attack 5 |
You’ll be using the Silver Rathalos set for the True Critical Element and Slinger Secret bonuses. These are great if you want to buff your DPS with Thousand Dragons, which, at this point, should be better than Dragon Piercer. As usual, here are the skills we recommend:
- Critical Eye.
- Weakness Exploit.
- Each Element Attack (Fire, Water, etc), depending on your Bow and set.
- Health Boost.
- Spread/Power Shots.
- Bow Charge Plus.
- Normal Shot.
Monster Hunter World Iceborne Bow Build for Post-Safi’Jiiva/MR Kulve Taroth/Alatreon
| Slot | Alatreon Set | Safi Set | Dragon Set | Raw Blast Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow | – Kjarr Bow – Safi Hellbow (Fire) – Safi Boltbow (Thunder) | – Kjarr Bow – Safi Hellbow (Fire) – Safi Boltbow (Thunder) | Alatreon | – Safi Shatterbow (Blast) – Raging Brachydios |
| Head | Alatreon α+ – Resentment 3 Critical Eye 2 | Safi’Jiiva β+ – Evade Window 1 – Critical Boost 1 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Windproof 2 | Silver Rathalos α+ – Fire Attack 2 – Windproof 2 |
| Chest | Safi’Jiiva β+ – Blight Resistance 1 – Critical Boost 1 | Safi’Jiiva α+ – Blight Resistance 2 – Critical Boost 1 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 2 | Silver Rathalos α+ – Critical Boost 2 – Fire Attack 2 |
| Arms | Safi’Jiiva β+ – Blight Resistance 1 | Safi’Jiiva β+ – Blight Resistance 1 | Furious Rajang β+ – Stamina Surge 2 | Furious Rajang β+ – Stamina Surge 2 |
| Waist | Alatreon α+ – Attack Boost 4 – Dragon Resistance 3 | Safi’Jiiva β+ – Evade Window 2 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 1 – Windproof 1 | Silver Rathalos β+ – Critical Boost 1 – Windproof 1 |
| Legs | Safi’Jiiva β+ – Critical Boost 1 | Safi’Jiiva β+ – Critical Boost 1 | Alatreon α+ – Defense Boost 3 – Dragon Attack 4 | Silver Rathalos α+ – Fire Attack 2 – Slinger Capacity 2 |
| Charm | Fury Charm V – Resentment 5 [Element] Charm V – [Element] Attack 5 | Fury Charm V – Resentment 5 [Element] Charm V – [Element] Attack 5 | Master’s Charm V – Critical Eye 5 | Challenger Charm V – Agitator 5 |
Since we’ve reached the post-game of Monster Hunter World Iceborne, it is time to look at the ultimate Bow builds, and for that, you’ll keep focusing on Elemental attacks. Element VI and V are the buffs you’ll need to watch out for. In terms of skills for your armor set, here are the ones we recommend:
- Critical Eye.
- Weakness Exploit.
- Each Element Attack (Fire, Water, etc), depending on your Bow and set.
- Resentment can be used as an Element Attack alternative since you’ll have lots of red health with the Safi set.
- Health Boost.
- Spread/Power Shots.
- Bow Charge Plus.
- Normal Shot.
- Stamina Surge Level 3.
- Divine Blessing Level 1.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
