Bows are some of the oldest weapons in the world, and also one of the original weapons in the Monster Hunter series, and they retain much of what makes them so special in Monster Hunter Stories 3.
Here, Bows build up charge with each attack, but can also apply coatings for extra effects without loss. They're a win-win weapon if you use them right, and here are some of the best the game has to offer.
Tigrex Archer – Tigrex
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Paralysis coating
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Lightning coating
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Exhaust coating
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Defense down coating
After you find the endangered Tigrex and fight them in the wild, you have access to all the weapons you can craft from their parts, and they are very powerful, although the bow is the most.
The Tigrex Archer comes with very high damage and a Wyvernfell stat of 35, as well as a single decoration slot. But its coatings cover such a wide range, allowing you to layer debilitating effects on the enemy so they have no means of fighting back.
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Insurgent's Bow – Deviljho
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Poison coating
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Lightning coating
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Defense down coating
Deviljho can first be found and tamed in Canalta Timberland if you use a Paintball and can manage to beat them. It's well worth it though, as the weapons they offer are top-notch, all the way to the end game.
The Insurgent's Bow has one of the highest attack stats in the game while dealing dragon damage, and also has a high Wyvernfell stat of 35. Its coatings also help you weaken your prey before going in for the fatal strike.
Veldian Arcum – Arkveld
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Accurate down coating
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Evasion down coating
Having first appeared in Monster Hunter Wilds and finding a unique use for the Wyvernsoul Gauge here, Arkveld has weapons that are designed to be used however you want, making them a bit light on features before adding more yourself.
One of the strongest bows with a maximum Dragon damage of 170 and a decent Wyvernfell of 25, the Veldian Arcum comes with three decoration slots for you to do whatever you want with it, while the default coatings make it harder for enemies to hit you and easier for you to hit them.
Diablo's Coilbender – Diablo's
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Exhaust coating
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Attack Down Coating
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Evasion down coating
Diablos are the fear of everyone in every game where they are present, and while they are less of a threat here, their weapons still show how much latent power they have.
Diablo's Coilbender comes with only a single decoration slot, though, 160 normal damage, and a high Wyvernfell stat of 35. However, it also gives you 15 extra defense, and its coatings let you tire out enemies for easy takedowns.
Thunderbolt Bow – Thunder Serpent Narwa
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Paralysis coating
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Sleep Coating
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Lightning coating
When you manage to beat Ibushi and Narwa for the first time, you gain access to their weapons. The majority of these are made from Ibushi's parts, although one very special weapon comes from Narwa.
The Thunderbolt Bow has the highest damage of all bows, 178 Thunder damage, but has a comparatively low Wyvernfell stat of 15, and only a single decoration slot. That said, they are coatings that all apply powerful status effects to enemies that make it easier to stop their attacks from ever hitting you.
Ashen Wrath – Glavenus
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Bleed Coating
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Power Coating
Glavenus, aside from the buffed versions at the beginning, is most consistently seen in Tarkuan, giving you access to a variety of some of the strongest weapons in the game right away, which is useful for endgame content as well.
The Ashen Wrath Bow is a great all-rounder. 164 Fire damage, 15 Wyvernfell and two decoration slots. Its coatings are used solely to increase the damage you and your companions deal, helping you easily pump past its default damage stat.
Glacial willow – Legiana
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Sleep Coating
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Bleed Coating
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Attack Down Coating
Legiana are quite rare, only naturally occurring in small numbers in the Glacial Caps of Serathis, though the weapons they provide are suitably powerful once you manage to hunt down enough of them.
Glacial Arrow deals 164 ice damage, with 15 Wyvernfell and a single decoration slot. Nothing absurdly remarkable, though its coatings raise it, allowing you to weaken an enemy's attack and even put them to sleep.
Hydra Planula – Namielle
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Paralysis coating
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Bleed Coating
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Power Coating
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Accurate down coating
Although Namielle itself can take damage from both water and thunder, its weapons fall solely into the former category. However, they retain some quirks of the monster they come from.
Hydra Planula comes with very good water damage and a Crit Rate of 15%, but lacks any decoration slots. It backs it up with four different coatings, allowing you to strengthen yourself and weaken the enemy.
Dragon Solar Bow – Yama Tsukami
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Paralysis coating
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Sleep Coating
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Power Coating
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Defense down coating
Yama Tsukami is an oddity when it comes to Elder Dragons. Not only are you fighting them in two different locations, but their weapons are equally odd, including the Bow.
Dragon Solar Bow has a very high normal damage stat of 170 and good Wyvernfell at 25, but no decoration slots at all. This is overcome with its coatings, a mixture of status effects and stat-reducing effects, which allow you to handle any situation.
Iceflinger – Velkhana
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Paralysis coating
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Power Coating
Velkhana is one of the easier Elder Dragons if you know how to handle them, and it makes hoarding the materials for their weapons and armor much easier. Which is good, as their gear is some of the strongest in the game.
The Iceflinger Bow comes with 174 Ice damage, one of the highest, as well as 25 Wyvernfell and two decoration slots. The benefits of this are only two coatings, although you can easily add more with your free decoration slots.
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