Let's Compare And Contrast Monster Hunter Wilds' Heavy And Light Bowguns

In Monster Hunter Wilds, players are presented with a diverse arsenal of weapon categories, ranging from the straightforward Great Sword to the morphing Charge Blade, and the melodic Hunting Horn. Among these, the Heavy Bowgun and Light Bowgun, while similarly named, offer distinct gameplay experiences. This guide explores the differences between the Heavy Bowgun and Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter Wilds to help you determine which weapon aligns with your preferred playstyle.

Both Bowguns enable hunters to attack monsters from a safe distance. The primary distinctions between them become apparent in their mobility and defensive capabilities. The Heavy Bowgun, living up to its name, significantly impairs hunter movement speed. However, in exchange for this reduced movement, it grants the ability to guard and even execute a Power Clash to counter monster assaults.

Conversely, the Light Bowgun does not hinder hunter agility, resulting in a more fluid combat experience. While lacking a guarding option, it compensates with enhanced maneuverability, including a sidestep and slide. Furthermore, Rapid Fire Mode expands upon these agile options by incorporating a strafing dodge termed Burst Step, allowing continued firing during movement.

It is also worth noting that both weapon types, particularly the Heavy Bowgun, are effective when mounted on a Seikret. The restriction to standard fire and Focus Blasts while mounted is mitigated by the extensive variety of available ammo.

While both weapon types can utilize identical basic ammunition, notable differences persist in their firing dynamics. The Heavy Bowgun is characterized by a slower rate of fire but delivers substantial damage per shot. Additionally, the optimal range for critical hits tends to be further from the target with the Heavy Bowgun.

These characteristics are inverted for the Light Bowgun. Shots are fired more rapidly, but with reduced individual impact. Observation also suggests that the critical damage range is generally closer for the Light Bowgun across all ammo types.

Each Bowgun is equipped with a unique secondary firing mode and options for Special Ammo. For the Heavy Bowgun, these are intrinsically linked; Ignition Mode must be activated to utilize the following special ammunition:

• Wyvernheart Ignition: Unleashes a hail of bullets with escalating damage based on consecutive hits.
• Wyvernpierce Ignition: Fires a penetrating projectile that inflicts sustained damage as it passes through the target.
• Wyverncounter Ignition: A chargeable counter-attack employed to retaliate against monster offensives.
• Wyvernblast Ignition: Launches a cluster of projectiles that detonate over a wide area.

The Light Bowgun enhances its firing potential through Rapid Fire Mode, its signature ability. While the subsequent Special Ammo options are not restricted to Rapid Fire Mode, they gain increased effectiveness when used in conjunction with it:

• Adhesive Ammo: Deploys a sticky explosive that detonates after a short delay. Repeatedly striking the explosive amplifies its damage output.
• Wyvernblast: Plants a mine that persists for a brief period and can be triggered by attacks from any source. It can be detonated multiple times within its active duration.

A key element of Monster Hunter Wilds lies in the ability to experiment with the skill system and diverse weapon setups. Regarding Bowguns, certain ammunition types demonstrate greater synergy with one over the other. Pierce Ammo stands out as a highly effective ammo choice and performs admirably with both Bowgun types. Personal experience suggests it is particularly potent with the Heavy Bowgun due to its substantial damage output.

Conversely, ammunition inflicting elemental or status conditions excels with the Light Bowgun. The accumulated elemental damage becomes significant with the Light Bowgun’s rapid firing capability. Similarly, inducing status ailments is considerably easier when consistently hitting a monster with relevant ammo.

Both Bowguns are exceptional tools, serving as excellent secondary armaments for hunters who favor melee combat as their primary approach. Opting for a Bowgun as a primary weapon is also viable, although coordinating with an online hunting group is advisable to maximize effectiveness as a ranged damage dealer.

Monster Hunter Wilds is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PCs.

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