Just like its smaller counterpart, the Heavy Bowgun is essentially the same weapon, but it hits more like a truck. with a compromise to the mobility, it has a higher base damage stat than its smaller brother, the Light Bowgun. Overall an excellent ranged choice.
However, if you want more mobility while compromising on the damage a little bit, we recommend choosing the light bowgun instead. The real mobility aspect isn’t removed with the heavy bowgun, but with the addition of wirebugs, dodging enemy attacks is now easier. Not only that, but you can use a couple of Elemental ammunition in both the heavy and the light bowgun; this is to suit your needs in times of fights.
Key Takeaways
- The Heavy Bowgun has a greater base damage compared to the Light Bowgun, but its mobility is limited, this weapon features a counter shot skill, which can deflect monster attacks and deal damage back.
- The free Silkbind Glide ability provides added protection, helping hunters dodge monster attacks.
- For an effective early game Heavy Bowgun build, the Gale Crossbow+ and the Rhenoplos Helm X, S. Studded Vest X, Somnacanth Braces X, Anjanath Coil X, and Ingot Greaves X armor set are recommended.
- To optimize this build, you should use Precise Jewel 2 x 3, Thrift Jewel 2 x 1, Absorber Jewel 1 x 3, Steadfast Jewel 1 x 3, and Brace Jewel 1 x 1 decorations.
- In the mid-game stage, the Golm Cannon+ and the S. Studded Hat X, Rakna Mail X, Malzeno Braces, Rakna Coil X, and Grand God’s Peer Feet armor set are considered the best choices for a Heavy Bowgun build.
Best Heavy Bowgun Build
Here is a comparison table for the Best Heavy Bowgun Build in MHR Sunbreak:
No. Names Defense Rarity Attack Affinity Deviation Recoil Reload Mods Cluster Bomb Type Special Ammo Rampage Slots Rampage Skills
1 Gale Crossbow+ 0 5 180 10% None Average Above Avg ??? N/A Wyvernsnipe 1 Affinity Boost IV
Small Monster ExploitBuddy Rally
2 Golm Cannn+ 0 8 360 0% LR Severe High Ver Slow ??? N/A Wyvernsnipe - -
3 Bordeaux Candlestick+ 0 9 360 0% None Averag Below Avg. ??? Arc Shot Wyvernsnipe - -
Counter Shot
The heavy bowgun has a few convenient skills to help the user better enjoy the weapon, like the counter shot. As the name suggests, it counters the Monster’s attack without taking damage and returns damage as a counter, which is pretty straightforward. It is a very beneficial skill and is helpful when the Monster has the potential to one-shot you or is aggro towards you.
Free Silkbind Glide
The free Silkbind Glide is another convenient skill that helps out in times of need. It is essentially a dodge where the character slides to dodge the attacks and is plausibly better than the standard wirebug dodge. You can use this skill to either slide towards the Monster when it’s vulnerable to get a perfectly charged shot or dodge away when it is aggressive towards you.
Early Game Heavy Bowgun Build
Being the best Early Game Heavy Bowgun build, it will be the most optimal for missions between Master Ranks 1-2
Weapon
- Gale Crossbow+

Defense 0
Rarity 5
Attack 180
Affinity 10%
Deviation None
Recoil Average
Reload Above Avg.
Mods ???
Cluster Bomb Type N/A
Special Ammo Wyvernsnipe
Rampage Slots 1
Rampage Skills Affinity Boost IV
Small Monster ExploitBuddy Rally
This bowgun has a base attack damage of 250 with 0 defense and 10% affinity. It uses a special type of ammo called the ‘Wyvernsnipe’ and has an average recoil with an above-average reload speed.
You can craft this with Bird Wyvern Gem x1, Great Izuchi Pelt + x3, Novacrystal x1, Izuchi+ x10 Points, and 18000 Zenny.
Armor
- Rhenoplos Helm X
- S. Studded Vest X
- Somnacanth Braces X
- Anjanath Coil X
- Ingot Greaves X
-
Rhenoplos Helm X:
- Base Defense: 90
- Skills: Pierce Up x2, Stun Resistance x1, Muck Resistance x1
- Crafting: Eltalite Ore x2, Rhenoplos Scalp x1, Large Herbivore Bone x2, 6000 Zenny.
-
S. Studded Vest X:
- Base Defense: 96
- Skills: Normal/Rapid Up x1, Pierce Up x1, Tune-Up x1
- Crafting: Goldlite Ore x1, Pearl Glosshide x2, Somnacanth Shard x3, Deepshell x1, 8000 Zenny.
-
Somnacanth Braces X:
- Base Defense: 96
- Skills: Bombardier x2, Divine Blessing x1, Spare Shot x2, Handicraft x1
- Crafting: Great Baggi Claw + x2, Somnacanth Cortex x1, Somnacanth Dreamtalon x2, Somnacanth Shard x4, 8000 Zenny.
-
Anjanath Coil X:
- Base Defense: 98
- Skill: Attack Boost x2
- Crafting: Anjanath Mantle x1, Monster Toughbone x2, Anjanath Shard x2, Anjanath Fur x4, 8000 Zenny.
-
Ingot Greaves X:
- Base Defense: 94
- Skills: Attack Boost x2, Critical Eye x2
- Crafting: Monster Toughbone x2, Sapphiron Ore x1, Meldspar Ore x1, Purecrystal x1, 8000 Zenny
This entire armor set has a base defense of 474.
The recommended skills and decorations are as follows:
Decorations
- Precise Jewel 2 x 3
- Thrift Jewel 2 x 1
- Absorber Jewel 1 x 3
- Steadfast Jewel 1 x 3
- Brace Jewel 1 x 1
Skills
- Pierce Up
- Attack Boost
- Spare Shot
- Ballistics
Mid Game Heavy Bowgun Build
Being the best Mid game Heavy Bowgun build, it will be the most optimal for missions between Master Ranks 3-6
Weapon
- Golm Cannon+

Defense | 0 |
Rarity | 8 |
Attack | 360 |
Affinity | 0% |
Deviation | LR Severe |
Recoil | High |
Reload | Ver Slow |
Mods | ??? |
Cluster Bomb Type | N/A |
Special Ammo | Wyvernsnipe |
Rampage Slots | – |
Rampage Skills | – |
This bowgun has a base attack damage of 380 with 0 defense and 0% affinity. It has high recoil and uses a special type of ammo: Wyvernsnipe.
You can craft this with Caked Stiffbone x1, Golm Thick Juice x3, Garangolm Cortex x4, Garangolm Hardfang x2, and 24000 Zenny.
Armor
- S. Studded Hat X
- Rakna Mail X
- Malzeno Braces
- Rakna Coil X
- Grand God’s Peer Feet
-
S. Studded Hat X:
- Base Defense: 96
- Skills: Ballistics x2, Steadiness x2, Tune-Up x1
- Crafting: Monster Toughbone x1, Steel Gajau Whisker x2, Somnacanth Dreamtalon x2, Deepshell x1, 8000 Zenny.
-
Rakna Mail X:
- Base Defense: 108
- Skills: Spread Up x1, Reload Speed x2, Spare Shot x1
- Crafting: Rakna-Kadaki Spike + x1, Monster Essence x1, Rakna-Kadaki Silk + x3, Rakna-Kadaki Hardclaw x3, 12000 Zenny.
-
Malzeno Braces:
- Base Defense: 120
- Skills: Wirebug Whisperer x1, Attack Boost x2, Blight Resistance x1
- Crafting: Pure Dragon Blood x3, Malzeno Hardfang x2, Malzeno Shard x4, Malzeno Cortex x3, 20000 Zenny.
-
Rakna Coil X:
- Base Defense: 108
- Skills: Spread Up x1, Spare Shot x1, Tune-Up x1
- Crafting: Rakna-Kadaki Spike + x1, Rakna-Kadaki Silk + x1, Rakna-Kadaki Glowgut + x1, Rakna-Kadaki Cortex x4, 12000 Zenny.
-
Grand God’s Peer Feet:
- Base Defense: 116
- Skills: Critical Boost x2, Latent Power x1, Flinch Free x2
- Crafting: Pure Dragon Blood x5, Rajang Hardclaw x2, Gold Rajang Pelt + x1, Rajang Wildpelt x3, 20000 Zenny.
This entire set comes up to 548 in defense stats.
The recommended skills and decorations are as follows:
Decorations
- Spread Jewel 3 x1
- Tenderizer Jewel 2 x3
- Critical Jewel 2 x1
- Thrift Jewel 2 x1
- Absorber Jewel 1 x3
- Sniper Jewel 1 x1
- Brace Jewel 1 x1
Skills
- Attack Boost
- Critical Boost
- Weakness Exploit
- Spare Shot
End Game Heavy Bowgun Build
The best Heavy Bowgun build will be the most optimal for Master Rank 6 and above missions.
Weapon
- Bordeaux Candlestick+

Defense 0
Rarity 9
Attack 360
Affinity 0%
Deviation None
Recoil Average
Reload Below Avg.
Mods ???
Cluster Bomb Type Arc Shot
Special Ammo Wyvernsnipe
Rampage Slots –
Rampage Skills –
This Bowgun has a base attack damage of 360 with 0 defense and 0% affinity. It has an average recoil while using a special type of ammo: Wyvernsnipe.
You can craft this with MR Pyre Rakna. Kadaki x15 Points, Monster Essence x3, Pyre-Kadaki Dull Glowgut x3, Daora Fellwing x2, and 52000 Zenny.
Armor
- Utsushi True Mask (H)
- Rakna Mail X
- Rhenoplos Braces X
- Rakna Coil X
- Utsushi True Greaves (H)
-
Utsushi True Mask (H):
- Base Defense: 110
- Skills: Razor Sharp x2, Spare Shot x2, Wirebug Whisperer x1, Attack Boost x2
- Crafting: Frocium x2, Monster Slogbone x1, Rakna-Kadaki Hardclaw x2, Elgado Ticket x1, 16000 Zenny.
-
Rakna Mail X:
- Base Defense: 108
- Skills: Spread Up x1, Reload Speed x2, Spare Shot x1
- Crafting: Rakna-Kadaki Spike + x1, Monster Essence x1, Rakna-Kadaki Silk + x3, Rakna-Kadaki Hardclaw x3, 12000 Zenny.
-
Rhenoplos Braces X:
- Base Defense: 90
- Skills: Artillery x2, Load Shells x1, Special Ammo Boost x1
- Crafting: Crushing Fang x2, Rhenoplos Scalp x1, Large Herbivore Bone x1, 6000 Zenny.
-
Rakna Coil X:
- Base Defense: 108
- Skills: Spread Up x1, Spare Shot x1, Tune-Up x1
- Crafting: Rakna-Kadaki Spike + x1, Rakna-Kadaki Silk + x1, Rakna-Kadaki Glowgut + x1, Rakna-Kadaki Cortex x4, 12000 Zenny.
-
Utsushi True Greaves (H):
- Base Defense: 110
- Skills: Evade Window x1, Agitator x1, Attack Boost x2
- Crafting: Purecrystal x1, Monster Slogbone x1, Mizutsune Hardclaw x2, Elgado Ticket x1, 16000 Zenny.
This entire set comes up to 526 in defense stats.
The recommended skills and decorations are as follows:
Decorations
- KO Jewel 2 x3
- Wirebug Jewel 2 x2
- Artillery Jewel 2 x1
- Absorber Jewel 1 x3
- Quickload Jewel 1 x1
- Brace Jewel 1 x1
Skills
- Attack Boost
- Spare Shot
- Slugger
- Artillery
This wraps up the Heavy Bowgun Build for the MHR Sunbreak Expansion. If you still feel like you would prefer a different weapon, we have multiple weapon guides such as the Longsword Guide, Greatsword build, bow build, dual blades build, or the Switch axe build. However, if you still think this is the perfect weapon for you, we have covered all the best builds in all the game stages (early, mid, and late game). We hope you benefitted from this builds guide, and we wish you the best of luck with your monster hunting!
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Meet Abubakar a computer scientist in day and competitive MMO-RPG expert at night. Abubakar has a diverse experience in games like Monster Hunter, Xenoblade, Splatoon, Witcher series as he likes to grind for the best and produce hands-on experience from his hours of gameplay in these titles.