Best Heavy Bowgun Builds for Iceborne
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These are the best builds for the Heavy Bowguns in Monster Hunter World (MHW) Iceborne for DLC progression and endgame. Learn about the best builds, skills, and weapons for the Heavy Bowguns below!
List of Contents
Iceborne Heavy Bowgun Best Endgame Meta Build
Endgame Fatalis Pierce/Spread Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
|
Vor Buster
Attack: 510 Custom Mods: Recoil Suppressor x2 Shield x3 |
Challenger/Protection Jewel 4 Challenger/Protection Jewel 4 Agitator 1, Divine Blessing 1
x2 |
|
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
Brachydium Helm Alpha +
|
Slots: ②②①
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) Guard (Lv 2) |
Mind's Eye Jewel 2 Mind's Eye Jewel 2 Mind's Eye/Ballistics 1
x1Shield Jewel 2 Shield Jewel 2 Guard Up 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
Dragonhide Beta +
|
Slots: ④④④
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) |
Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1Satiated/Attack Jewel 4 Satiated/Attack Jewel 4 Free Meal 1, Attack Boost 1
x1 |
Dragonclaws Beta +
|
Slots: ④④④
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) Handicraft (Lv 3) |
Ironwall/Expert Jewel 4 Ironwall/Expert Jewel 4 Guard 1, Critical Eye 1
x3 |
Dragonbarbs Beta +
|
Slots: ④④④
Critical Eye (Lv 2) |
Satiated/Attack Jewel 4 Satiated/Attack Jewel 4 Free Meal 1, Attack Boost 1
x1Spread Jewel 3 Spread Jewel 3 Spread/Power Shots 1
x2 |
Dragonfeet Beta +
|
Slots: ④④④
Evade Window (Lv 1) |
Critical/Protection Jewel 4 Critical/Protection Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Divine Blessing 1
x3 |
| Challenger Charm V | None | |
Fatalis Build Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Agitator 7 | Critical Eye 7 |
| Attack Boost 5 | Divine Blessing 5 |
| Guard 5 | Critical Boost 3 |
| Weakness Exploit 3 | Evade Window 2 |
| Free Meal 2 | Spread/Power Shots 2 |
| Guard Up 1 | Mind's Eye/Ballistics 1 |
| Inheritance (Fatalis Legend 2) | Transcendence (Fatalis Legend 4) |
| True Razor Sharp / Spare Shot (Fatalis Legend 4) | |
Taking advantage of Inheritance from the Fatalis Legend Set Bonus, this build provides high affinity and attack using the unlocked Agitator 7, complemented with Critical Eye, Critical Boost, and Weakness Exploit.
Transcendance from the Fatalis Legend Set Bonus provides comfort and survivability with True Razor Sharp and the huge Health and Stamina boost. This gives you a chance to not consume ammo and gets you to max HP without Health Boost and eating meals or consuming Max/Ancient Potions.
Guard Up and Guard let you use your shield to block more attacks while reducing the stamina blocking consumes and its knockback.
Just swap out the Spread Jewels for Pierce Jewels if you want to use Pierce Ammo instead!
Iceborne Heavy Bowgun Meta Builds
| Meta Builds |
|---|
|
|
Sticky Ammo Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
|
Rajang Destroyer
Attack: 495 Custom Mods: Shield x4 Power Barrel x1 |
Ironwall/Attack Jewel 4 Ironwall/Attack Jewel 4 Guard 1, Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Brachydium Helm Alpha +
|
Slots: ②②①
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) Guard (Lv 2) |
Destroyer Jewel 2 Destroyer Jewel 2 Partbreaker 1
x1Shield Jewel 2 Shield Jewel 2 Guard Up 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Brachydium Mail Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Agitator (Lv 2) |
Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1KO Jewel 2 KO Jewel 2 Slugger 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Brachydium Braces Alpha +
|
Slots: ②②ー
Agitator (Lv 2) Artillery (Lv 3) |
KO Jewel 2 KO Jewel 2 Slugger 1
x2 |
|
Brachydium Faulds Alpha +
|
Slots: ③ーー
Agitator (Lv 3) Artillery (Lv 2) |
Destroyer Jewel 2 Destroyer Jewel 2 Partbreaker 1
x1 |
|
Grand God's Peer Feet Beta +
|
Slots: ④④ー
Health Boost (Lv 3) |
Ironwall/Attack Jewel 4 Ironwall/Attack Jewel 4 Guard 1, Attack Boost 1
x2 |
| Razor Sharp Charm | None | |
Sticky Ammo Build Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Agitator 7 | Attack Boost 7 |
| Artillery 5 | Guard 5 |
| Health Boost 3 | Slugger 3 |
| Partbreaker 2 | Weakness Exploit 1 |
| Guard Up 1 | Razor Sharp/Spare Shot 1 |
| Agitator Secret (Brachydios Will 2) | Artillery Secret (Brachydios Will 4) |
This build focuses on firing as much Sticky Ammo on the monsters to deal a lot of damage using the unlocked Artillery and Agitator, together with Attack Boost.
Equipping the Impact Mantle combined with Slugger makes stunning monsters very fast.
Spare Shot gives you a chance to not consume ammo, making your stock of ammo and crafting materials last longer in a fight before needing to go back to camp to resupply.
Guard Up and Guard let you use your shield to block more attacks while reducing the stamina blocking consumes and its knockback.
Frostcraft Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lightbreak Cannon
Attack: 450 Custom Mods: Close Range Up x4 Power Barrel x1 |
Destroyer/Maintenance Jewel 4 Destroyer/Maintenance Jewel 4 Partbreaker 1, Tool Specialist 1
x1KO Jewel 2 KO Jewel 2 Slugger 1
x1 |
|
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Rimeguard Helm Gamma +
|
Slots: ④④②
Coalescence (Lv 3) Resuscitate (Lv 1) |
Destroyer/Maintenance Jewel 4 Destroyer/Maintenance Jewel 4 Partbreaker 1, Tool Specialist 1
x2Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Rimeguard Mail Gamma +
|
Slots: ④②①
Critical Draw (Lv 3) Ice Attack (Lv 3) |
Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1KO Jewel 2 KO Jewel 2 Slugger 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Rimeguard Vambraces Gamma +
|
Slots: ④③ー
Recovery Up (Lv 3) Ice Attack (Lv 3) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Furor Jewel 2 Furor Jewel 2 Resentment 1
x1 |
|
Frostfang Faulds Beta +
|
Slots: ④③①
Critical Draw (Lv 1) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Furor Jewel 2 Furor Jewel 2 Resentment 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Rimeguard Greaves Gamma +
|
Slots: ④②ー
Peak Performance (Lv 3) Quick Sheath (Lv 2) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1KO Jewel 2 KO Jewel 2 Slugger 1
x1 |
| Challenger Charm V | None | |
Frostcraft Build Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Ice Attack 6 | Attack Boost 5 |
| Agitator 5 | Coalescence 3 |
| Critical Boost 3 | Critical Draw 3 |
| Health Boost 3 | Partbreaker 3 |
| Peak Performance 3 | Quick Sheath 3 |
| Recovery Up 3 | Slugger 3 |
| Tool Specialist 3 | Resentment 2 |
| Resuscitate 1 | Punishing Draw (Frostfang Absolute Art 1) |
| Critical Element (Velkhana Divinity 2) | Frostcraft (Velkhana Divinity 4) |
This is a Clutch Claw focused build that uses Frostcraft together with Attack Boost, Agitator, Critical Draw, and Critical Boost to boost the damage of Weapon Attacks from sheath.
Use of Rocksteady Mantle and Temporal Mantle is encouraged, so you can successfully launch Weapon Attacks without being thrown off. Always make sure to keep track of their CDs and put them on immediately when they're off cooldown.
Tool Specialist reduces the cooldown of mantles, letting you use them more frequently. A little bit of Resentment takes advantage of the fact that you will inevitably be taking damage when you have Rockstead Mantle on and are clutching on the monster.
Punishing Draw combined with Slugger gives you Weapon Attack a chance to stun the monster when you clutch on their face.
Pierce/Spread Build
| Weapon | Decorations | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Safi's Snipecannon
Attack: 375 Custom Mods: Shield x4 Power Barrel x1 |
Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Weakness Exploit 1, Divine Blessing 1
x1 |
||
| Awakened Ability | |||
| Pierce Capacity III | Attack Increase V x2 | Recoil Suppressor | |
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations | |
|
Frostfang Helm Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Critical Eye (Lv 2) |
Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Weakness Exploit 1, Divine Blessing 1
x1Shield Jewel 2 Shield Jewel 2 Guard Up 1
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x1 |
|
|
Brachydium Mail Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Agitator (Lv 2) |
Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Tenderizer/Protection Jewel 4 Weakness Exploit 1, Divine Blessing 1
x1Destroyer Jewel 2 Destroyer Jewel 2 Partbreaker 1
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x1 |
|
|
Brachydium Braces Beta +
|
Slots: ④④ー
Agitator (Lv 2) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x2 |
|
|
Brachydium Faulds Beta +
|
Slots: ④①ー
Agitator (Lv 3) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x1 |
|
|
Garuga Greaves Alpha +
|
Slots: ③③ー
Critical Eye (Lv 2) Piercing Shots (Lv 1) |
Mind's Eye Jewel 2 Mind's Eye Jewel 2 Mind's Eye/Ballistics 1
x1Pierce Jewel 3 Pierce Jewel 3 Piercing Shots 1
x1 |
|
| Razor Sharp Charm | None | ||
Pierce/Spread Build Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Agitator 7 | Critical Eye 7 |
| Critical Boost 3 | Divine Blessing 3 |
| Health Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
| Piercing Shots 2 | Partbreaker 1 |
| Guard Up 1 | Mind's Eye/Ballistics 1 |
| Razor Sharp/Spare Shot 1 | Agitator Secret (Brachydios Will 2) |
| Punishing Draw (Frostfang Absolute Art 1) | |
A pre-fatalis Pierce/Spread build that uses Safi weapons and Raging Brachydios' Armor. The unlocked Agitator 7, combined with Weakness Exploit, Critical Eye, and Critical Boost, provides high affinity. Piercing Shots or Spread Shots increase your damage.
For a Spread ammo build, swap out Mind's Eye Jewel and Pierce Jewel for Spread Jewels, and use Safi's Burstcanon with a Spread Capacity 3 Awakening.
Iceborne Heavy Bowgun Progression Builds
| Progression Builds |
|---|
|
|
Starter Iceborne Build
The Guardian Armor plus Defender Weapon combo is a viable starter build for Iceborne's early game. It has good enough defense to take hits from the early monsters, as well as enough damage to let you farm for your early Iceborne build.
The Guardian Armor set is given to all players from the start of the game and has good defense and survival skills while the Defender Weapon can be crafted from the Smithy and can be fully upgraded with ease.
Early Iceborne Progression Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
|
Gnashing Flammenkanone +
Attack: 360 Custom Mods: Recoil Suppressor x2 Shield x2 |
Ironwall Jewel 1 Ironwall Jewel 1 Guard 1
x1 |
|
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Barroth Helm Beta +
|
Slots: ④①ー
Guard (Lv 2) |
Release Jewel 3 Release Jewel 3 Free Elem/Ammo Up 1
x1Vitality Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 Health Boost 1
x1 |
|
Bone Mail Alpha +
|
Slots: ②ーー
Attack Boost (Lv 2) Health Boost (Lv 1) |
Shield Jewel 2 Shield Jewel 2 Guard Up 1
x1 |
|
Barroth Vambraces Alpha +
|
Slots: ③①ー
Marathon Runner (Lv 1) Guard (Lv 1) |
Release Jewel 3 Release Jewel 3 Free Elem/Ammo Up 1
x1Vitality Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 Health Boost 1
x1 |
|
Barroth Coil Alpha +
|
Slots: ①ーー
Agitator (Lv 2) Guard (Lv 1) |
Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Jagras Greaves Alpha +
|
Slots: ②①ー
Free Meal (Lv 1) Recovery Up (Lv 1) |
Tenderizer Jewel 2 Tenderizer Jewel 2 Weakness Exploit 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
| Attack Charm III | None | |
Early Iceborne Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Attack Boost 7 | Guard 5 |
| Health Boost 3 | Agitator 2 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up 2 | Marathon Runner 1 |
| Recovery Up 1 | Weakness Exploit 1 |
| Free Meal 1 | Guard Up 1 |
An all-rounder starter set using the Anjanath Heavybowgun for its access to Spread 3 and Pierce 2. Equipped with Attack Boost, Guard Up, and Guard, it boasts high damage while being able to tank monster attacks.
Mid-Late Iceborne Progression Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
|
Baleful Night
Attack: 390 Custom Mods: Shield x4 Power Barrel x1 |
--- | |
| Armor | Decorations | |
|
Fulgur Helm Beta +
|
Slots: ④②ー
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1 |
|
Rathalos Mail Beta +
|
Slots: ④ーー
Weakness Exploit (Lv 2) |
Brace/Maintenance Jewel 4 Brace/Maintenance Jewel 4 Flinch Free 1, Tool Specialist 1
|
|
Artian Vambraces Alpha +
|
Slots: ①①ー
Free Elem/Ammo Up (Lv 2) Tool Specialist (Lv 2) |
Vitality Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 Health Boost 1
x2 |
|
Odogaron Coil Beta +
|
Slots: ④②ー
Critical Eye (Lv 2) |
Elementless Jewel 2 Elementless Jewel 2 Non-elemental Boost 1
x1Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1 |
|
Garuga Greaves Beta +
|
Slots: ④②②
Critical Eye (Lv 2) |
Release Jewel 3 Release Jewel 3 Free Elem/Ammo Up 1
x1Pierce Jewel 3 Pierce Jewel 3 Piercing Shots 1
x1 |
| Master's Charm III | None | |
Mid-Late Iceborne Progression Build Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Critical Eye 7 | Critical Boost 3 |
| Free Elem/Ammo Up 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
| Health Boost 3 | Tool Specialist 2 |
| Piercing Shots 2 | Flinch Free 1 |
| Non-elemental Boost 1 | |
A high affinity Pierce HBG build thanks to Critical Eye, Weakness Exploit, and Critical Boost. Combined with Non-elemental Boost and Piercing Shots, this Pierce build can take monsters down fast.
Iceborne Best Heavy Bowguns and Skills
Best Heavy Bowguns
| Weapon | Explanation |
|---|---|
|
Vor Cannon
[Atk] 435 | [Affinity] -20% |
・High raw damage ・Recommended for all major ammo types |
|
Demonlord Beastbuster
[Atk] 450 | [Affinity] 0% |
・Best choice for sticky ammo builds |
|
Loyal Thunder
[Atk] 420 | [Affinity] 0% |
・Best choice for shield and spread ammo builds |
Best Heavy Bowgun Skills
| Skill | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Health Boost ( ★★★ ) |
Increases maximum health to increase your survival rate A must have for beginners |
| Piercing Shots ( ★★★ ) |
Vital for builds that use Pierce Ammo |
| Spread/Power Shots ( ★★★ ) |
Vital for builds that use Spread Ammo |
| Weakness Exploit ( ★★★ ) |
A meta staple that increases your affinity when striking a monster's weak spot. This also applies to weakspots created from Clutch Claw attacks. |
| Critical Boost ( ★★★ ) |
Increases the damage of critical hits. Best used when paired with Weakness Exploit |
| Critical Eye ( ★★★ ) |
Increases your Affinity |
| Mind's Eye/Ballistics ( ★★★ ) |
Improves an ammo's critical distance |
| True Razor Sharp/Spare Shot (★★) |
Spare Shot gives us a chance to prevent ammo loss when shooting |
| Guard (★★) |
Improves block efficiency and lessens stamina loss when guarding, perfect for spread ammo and other close-range HBG builds |
Monster Hunter World (MHW) Iceborne Related Guides
Best Builds
Best Endgame Builds and Weapon Progression Builds
Best Builds Per Weapons
| Melee Weapons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Long Swords |
 Great Swords |
 Sword and Shield |
 Dual Blades |
 Hammer |
 Hunting Horn |
 Lance |
 Gunlance |
 Switch Axe |
 Charge Blade |
 Insect Glaive |
|
| Ranged Weapons | |
|---|---|
 Bow |
 Light Bowgun |
 Heavy Bowgun |
|
Best Counter Builds
| Monster Counterbuilds | |
|---|---|
 Fatalis
|  Alatreon |
Comment
Anonymous over 5 yearsOk I’m sorry but the piercing build with demonlord beast buster is dumb. They want you to use a HBG that doesn’t even use pierce ammo for a pierce build? What?!
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Sticky Build armor shown vs skills & gem slots don't add up. Golden Hakama Beta for the leg piece that is shown is incorrect, what should be there is Grand God's Peer Feet Beta. That one does have the Healthboost 3 skill with 2x 4 slot gem sockets.