Monster Hunter: World can play quite differently depending on which weapon type you pick for your hunter, with some more conducive to new players and others requiring some serious skill to master.
Focused on high mobility and a rapid rate of fire, the light bowgun is a solid choice for the initiate monster hunter if you can master moving while shooting and don’t mind reloading more frequently.
The LBG features a wide range of ammo types for maximum versatility, so if you like inflicting status effects to help out your teammates or make a solo battle more manageable, then the light bowgun is for you. The only real downside is that you need to frequently farm for ammo components, so it does add to the grind.
Ready to try out an MH World light bowgun build? Below we cover everything you need to know and outline the best build currently available!
Rocking a light bowgun build!
Monster Hunter World Light Bowgun Basics
Positioning and multi-tasking are key here, as each LBG has an optimal damage range, which you can see when the crosshair glows. To fire the bowgun, use L2 to aim and R2 to fire (on the PS4), or you can also fire from the hip without aiming. A melee attack with the bowgun is available in a pinch, but it isn’t really meant to actually kill monsters.
You don’t have to worry about combos with the light bowgun, and you can instead focus on crafting different types of ammo for each situation while staying at a distance during a fight. Unlike the heavy bowgun, you can still effectively dodge and roll out of the way in close combat, using sidestep multiple times in a row to slide away from an attack.
Don’t forget that light bowguns have special ammo fired with a different button (circle on PS4). This special ammo builds up over time (rather than being crafted or bought), so make sure to fire it when the gauge is full or you are effectively losing out on additional ammo.
Be sure to also customize LBG weapons at the smithy to install add-ons like a Recoil Suppressor, Reload Speed Assist, or increases to damage at either close or long range, depending on your preferred play style.
Modifying an LMB (thanks to Fefxtralife for the screenshot)
Best Monster Hunter World LBG Builds
Slicing ammo was nerfed a bit in the latest patch, so it may be time to retool your light bowgun build to focus on normal shots. The Karma light bowgun at the end of the Odagaron tree is a fabulous way to go if you put together the right combination of equipment and skills.
There are several different ways to go on the mods, but the combo of Reload Assist x2 and one Close Range Up mod lets you quickly reload and deal tons of damage while close to an enemy — just get ready to dodge quickly!
Weakness Exploit / Attack +
You want to capitalize on the weakness exploit skill to increase your damage as much as possible with your high rate of fire on the LBG. Dragonking Eyepatch and Kaiser Vambraces work well here, but there are plenty of other armor sets with weakness exploit if you went a different route.
Besides weakness exploit, the attack boost skill also pairs incredibly well with a light bowgun build. On this end, Dober Mail and Nergigante Coil both offer attack boost additions.
A killer Karma Light Bowgun build (thanks to Social Dissonance for the screenshot)
Don’t forget that many of the Nergigante pieces feature attack boost as well, so feel free to swap out other equipment on that set (such as Kaiser Vambraces for Nergigante Vambraces) if you like attack boost over weakness exploit.
Next, it’s time to think about the legs armor slot. While there are plenty of good options here, the Diablos Nero Greaves give a boost to normal shot, which works very well with the Karma LBG. Finally, Awakening Charm II gives you an edge with a bonus to the Free Elem/Ammo Up skill.
Other LBG Builds
The Karma, of course, isn’t the only possible route to a great light bowgun build! No matter which weapon you pick, the armor types are typically going to be similar, as you want to utilize weakness exploit and attack boost. If you want to go a different route, though, the Xeno’jiiva set with expert and mighty jewels attached can boost your affinity.
Don’t discount LBGs from the Nergigante tree (like Nergal Spitter or Cataclysm’s Trigger) or those from the Workshop tree (like the Dai-onigashima). While it has lower affinity, the Cataclysm’s Trigger in particular has higher base attack and can be a big damage dealer.
Putting together a Cataclysm’s Trigger build (thanks to FightinCowboy for the sreenshot)
Even More MH World Guides
Although each of your individual attacks tends to deal less damage with an LBG, you will get hit far less often, making it an excellent option for any hunter. Light Bowguns also recently got an overall buff to damage in one of the latest patches, so give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Still need help with the rest of this addictive monster-hunting grind fest? Be sure to check out our Monster Hunter: World guides below:
- Beginner’s Guide – How To Always Be Ready For The Hunt
- How To Mount Monsters
- Easy Vespoid Harvesting
- Finding The Great Hornfly in MH World
- Monster Hardbone Farming Locations
- Firecell Stone Harvesting Locations
- Elderseal Weapon Guide
- How To Unlock Kirin
- Finding The Plunder Blade
- Lava Nugget Farming
