Damage? Check. Slicing tails? Check. Status effects? Double check. If you’re looking for a weapon that deals consistently high damage, is adaptable to any hunt, and effortlessly locks down even the toughest monsters… all while allowing you to run circles around your target–the Light Bowgun (LBG) is king. 

Here are 5 of the best builds for our Heavy Bowgun’s not-so-little brother.

5. Blue Blaze Bolt - Sticky Slicing

Blue Blaze Bolt Sticky Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter Rise

If you love the tail-cutting capabilities of weapons like the Long Sword and Switch Axe but prefer a safer, more hands-off approach, slicing ammo is your friend. And the Scorned Magnamalo LBG fills that role perfectly.

What We Love About This Build:

Makes great use of multiple ammo types.

• Relying solely on Sticky or Slicing ammo often means restocking multiple times per hunt, but having both (along with Cluster ammo) provides everything you need to take a monster down fast.

It’s satisfying.

• Using Slicing ammo to chop off a monster’s tail before it has a chance to breathe is one of the most fun ways to start a hunt and never gets old.

Budget friendly. Most recommended skills are easily obtainable.

• Having a charm with Attack Boost (3) is ideal, but you can be perfectly viable with a lot less.

The Nitty Gritty:

Weapon: Blue Blaze Bolt (340 Attack, 0% Affinity)

• Some Recoil, Fastest Reload Speed, Arc Shot, Wyvernblast. 

Head: Archfiend Armor Cerato

• Weakness Exploit (1), Resentment (2)

Chest: Kushala Cista X

• Recovery Speed (3), Handicraft (2), Ammo Up (2)

Arms: Archfiend Armor Epine

• Dereliction (2), Resentment (1)

Waist: Malzeno Coil

• Blood Rite (2), Partbreaker (1), Attack Boost (1)

Legs: Archfiend Armor Sceros

• Dereliction (1), Resentment (1)

Talisman: Best available. Refer to recommended skills below.

Petalace: Absolute Petalace

Armor Skills:

Attack Boost (7), Defiance (5), Agitator (3), Peak Performance (3), Handicraft (3), Spare Shot (3), Slugger (3), Artillery (3), Ammo Up (3), Recoil Down (3)

Switch Skills:

Fanning Maneuver, Forward Dodge (or Quickstep Evade if preferred), Reload

Barrel:

Long Barrel

Build Playstyle:

Lock down your target with pitfall or shock traps, then spam Slicing ammo (target tails when you can and don’t worry too much about critical distance). Swap to Sticky ammo when needed and repeat until you can capture. Throw in Cluster shots when you’re feeling especially mean.

 

4. Grand Cross - Normal 3

Grand Cross Normal Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter Rise

As the best (and only) Normal ammo LBG on our list, the Grand Cross LBG is a no-brainer for hunters who prefer raw destructive power. Just remember to stay within that critical distance sweet zone!

What We Love About This Build:

Fast hunt times.

• Being forced to rely on critical distance for optimal damage means quick hunt times once you get the hang of it.

Raw power.

• Normal ammo is a no-frills, pure damage choice for hunters simply looking to put a smackdown on their target while feeling like a real sharpshooter.

Easily adaptable.

• Since your main focus is keeping within critical distance, you can worry less about the size or positioning of your target and spend more time dealing damage.

The Nitty Gritty:

Weapon: Grand Cross (370 Attack, 0% Affinity)

• High Recoil, Very Slow Reload Speed, Wyvernblast 

Head: S. Studded Hat X

• Ballistics (2), Steadiness (2), Tune-Up (1)

Chest: Archfiend Armor Baulo

• Weakness Exploit (1), Resentment (1), Chain Crit (1)

Arms: Golden Lunebraces

• Critical Boost (1), Peak Performance (1), Chain Crit (1)

Waist: Malzeno Coil

• Blood Rite (2), Partbreaker (1), Attack Boost (1)

Legs: Silver Solgreaves

• Critical Boost (1), Redirection (1), Maximum Might (2)

Talisman: Best available. Refer to recommended skills below.

Petalace: Absolute Petalace

Armor Skills:

Attack Boost (4), Normal Up (3), Weakness Exploit (3), Critical Boost (3), Maximum Might (3), Reload Speed (3), Recoil Down (3), Steadiness (3), Bloodrite (2), Tune-Up (1)

Switch Skills:

Quickstep Evade, Reload, Critical Firepower, Wyvern Counter, Mech Silkbind Shot

Barrel:

Long Barrel

Build Playstyle:

Maintain critical distance and unload Normal 3 ammo on the target until you’re out of breath. Focus on hitting broken monster parts to make good use of the heals from Blood Rite. Restock if needed, then rinse and repeat.

 

3. Rosensiegen - Rapid Fire Spread 2

Rosensiegen Rapid Fire Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter Rise

The Espinas LBG is a great choice for anyone looking to relax with a comfy build. Non-stationary reloads, mobile firing with Spread 2 and 100% affinity makes this LBG a dream for all Rapid Fire fanatics.

What We Love About This Build:

It feels safe.

• While using Spread ammo effectively requires you to be close to your target, the Rosensiegen’s Rapid Fire capability tears down monsters before they have a chance to attack.

Not fully reliant on Spread ammo.

• For spunkier monsters (or when you just feel like REALLY pinning one down), the Rosensiegen comes equipped with Poison and Paralysis ammo too.

Ultra-high DPS. 

• Any Spread ammo user can tell you there’s nothing quite like seeing a stack of critical numbers every shot you take. Rapid Firing with the Rosensiegen sends your DPS into orbit.

The Nitty Gritty:

Weapon: Rosensiegen (330 Attack, 10% Affinity)

• Some Recoil, Above Average Reload Speed, Wyvernblast

Head: Barroth Helm X

• Attack Boost (1), Defense Boost (1), Offensive Guard (1), Spread Up (1)

Chest: Archfiend Armor Baulo

• Weakness Exploit (1), Resentment (1), Chain Crit (1)

Arms: Golden Lunebraces

• Critical Boost (1), Peak Performance (1), Chain Crit (1)

Waist: Sinister Grudge Tassets

• Mail of Hellfire (1), Coalescence (1)

Legs: Storge Greaves

• Bloodlust (1), Razor Sharp (1), Spare Shot (1)

Talisman: Best available. Refer to recommended skills below.

Petalace: Absolute Petalace

Armor Skills:

Attack Boost (4), Critical Boost (3), Weakness Exploit (3), Spread Up (3), Steadiness (3), Rapid Fire Up (3), Ballistics (2), Recoil Down (2), Evade Extender (2)

Switch Skills:

Quickstep Evade, Reload, Critical Firepower, Wyvern Counter, Silkbind Glide

Barrel:

Long Barrel

Build Playstyle:

Stick close to your target for optimal damage from Spread ammo (use Spread 2 for Rapid Fire). Swap to Paralysis ammo if your target won’t stop moving.

 

2. Astalos Flashblaster - Rapid Fire Elemental Piercing

Astalos Flashblaster Piercing Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter Rise

This Elemental LBG build is focused on dealing consistently high dps through Rapid Fire Piercing ammo. If you enjoy tailoring your build to target a specific monster’s weakness, look no further than the Astalos Flashblaster. 

What We Love About This Build:

Great base build for elemental coverage.

• Simply swapping weapons and decorations takes a lot less time than building dozens of sets to cover each element and ammo type.

High DPS.

• Insanely high damage output when targeting large monsters and positioned correctly.

No rare talisman needed.

• Farmable template build that anyone can make, regardless of talisman quality. Slot in extra attack or defense depending on your situation.

The Nitty Gritty:

Weapon: Astalos Flashblaster (320 Attack, 20% Affinity)

• Average Recoil, Average Reload Speed, Wyvernblast

Head: Storge Helm

• Bloodlust (1), Coalescence (2)

Chest: Silver Solmail

• Elemental Exploit (1), Critical Element (1), Fire Attack (3)

Arms: Archfiend Armor Epine

• Dereliction (2), Resentment (1)

Waist: Artillery Corps Tassets

• Ammo Up (2), Reload Speed (1)

Legs: Archfiend Armor Sceros

• Dereliction (1), Resentment (1)

Talisman: Best available. Refer to recommended skills below.

Petalace: Absolute Petalace

Armor Skills:

Thunder Attack (5), Fire Attack (3), Spare Shot (3), Dereliction (3), Resentment (2), Ammo Up (2), Reload Speed (2), Rapid Fire Up (2), Evade Extender (2), Coalescence (2)

Switch Skills:

Quickstep Evade, Reload, Critical Firepower, Wyvern Counter, Silkbind Glide

Barrel:

Long Barrel

Build Playstyle:

Position yourself correctly for long monsters (so the Pierce ammo hits as many times as possible) and Rapid Fire until you can’t. Restock when needed, then rinse and repeat.

 

1. Abyssal Hailstorm - Spread 3

Abyssal Hailstorm Spread Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter Rise

The Gaismagorm LBG build is our only set that can reliably handle Spread 3 ammo with the best skills and maintain the fastest reload speed. It’s no surprise this is one of our top picks for LBG users looking to blast their way through new title updates.

What We Love About This Build:

Magnificent affinity. 

• The Gaismagorm LBG has a base affinity of -10%, but it’s easily boosted to 100% by slotting in a Kushala Daora soul and equipping the armor listed below.

Exceptionally versatile.

• This is the only LBG on our list that can handle Spread 3 ammo, Critical Firepower, and Long Barrel while keeping recoil low and reload speed at fastest.

No need for dangerous armor skills.

• Because of its insanely high affinity, the Gaismagorm doesn’t need to resort to riskier armor skills like Bloodlust.

The Nitty Gritty:

Weapon: Abyssal Hailstorm (380 Attack, -15% Affinity)

• High Recoil, Below Average Reload Speed, Wyvernblast

Head: Silver Solhelm

• Critical Boost (2), Critical Element (1), Windproof (3)

Chest: Barioth Mail X

• Quick Sheathe (1), Maximum Might (2)

Arms: Barroth Vambraces X

• Attack Boost (2), Affinity Sliding (1), Offensive Guard (1), Spread Up (1)

Waist: Anjanath Coil X

• Attack Boost (2)

Legs: Storge Greaves

• Bloodlust (1), Razor Sharp (1), Spare Shot (1)

Talisman: Best available. Refer to recommended skills below.

Petalace: Absolute Petalace

Armor Skills:

Attack Boost (4), Critical Boost (3), Weakness Exploit (3), Spread Up (3), Reload Speed (3), Recoil Down (3), Windproof (3), Maximum Might (2), Ballistics (2), Evade Extender (2), Critical Eye (1), Critical Element (1), Spare Shot (1)

Switch Skills:

Quickstep Evade, Reload, Marksman, Fanning Maneuver, Silkbind Glide

Barrel:

Long Barrel

Build Playstyle:

Get up close and personal with whatever monster you’re fighting. Take advantage of the Hailstorm’s high affinity by staying in range and unloading as much of your clip as you can to avoid downtime.

Light Bowgun Recommended Skills:

Shot Type Up (Normal, Pierce, Spread):

• This is the #1 armor skill every Bowgun build needs. Level 3 gives a massive boost in attack power for the specified shot type. Just make sure you’re using the correct skill for your build.

Attack Boost:

• Not much of an explanation needed on this one. Attack Boost increases your attack, with additional perks depending on the level. At level 7 this skill provides an attack bonus of +10% with a bonus +10.

Recoil Down:

• Reduces recoil when firing Bowgun ammo. This skill makes aiming with a Light Bowgun feel much more controlled. It’s a big help, particularly when dealing with highly mobile monsters.

Reload Speed:

• Increases reload speed of bowguns. Kind of a no-brainer here. Faster reloading equals more time spent shooting.

Spare Shot:

• Great skill for overall efficiency. At level 3, Spare Shot has a 20% chance of not expending any ammo when shooting. 

Evade Extender:

• This one isn’t mandatory, but it is a personal favorite. Level 3 dramatically extends the distance you travel while evading. Evade Extender is particularly useful for weapons like the Light Bowgun, where proper positioning can mean the difference between life and death.

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