Sunbreak Light Bowgun Guide: Combos, Controls and Moveset | Monster Hunter Rise｜Game8 (2025)

This is a guide to the Light Bowgun (LBG), a weapon in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (MH Rise). Read on to learn about new Light Bowgun (LBG) controls and combos, how to use Light Bowgun ammo and mods, Light Bowgun vs Heavy Bowgun comparisons, as well as details on Light Bowgun Switch Skills.

All Light Bowgun Guides
	How to Use	Best Builds

Light Bowgun Balance Changes

Update 10.0

Decreasing the wirebug cost of Silkbind Guide significantly increased LBG's comfort and overall playability.

The nerf on Sticky Ammo as well as the increase in recoil on powerful ammos would definitely hit its damage performance compared to base Rise - but in a sense LBG is still pretty great to use.

Weapon Changes in Sunbreak

Light Bowgun New Sunbreak Attacks and Moves

Official Light Bowgun Preview Video

Silkbind Attack: Wyvern Counter

This attack works as a retreating maneuver by firing a shot with massive recoil and using the Wirebug to stop the hunter from flying too far.

While this move doesn't deal a lot of damage, it gives the Light Bowgun more mobility to evade incoming attacks. It can even stop breath attacks if the explosion is timed right!

Switch Skill: Critical Firepower

The Switch Skill narrows down the critical distance range and increases recoil. In exchange, some shots can deal more damage than usual! Note that this only applies to certain ammo types.

It works best with raw ammo and boosts the damage by around 30% for Normal, 20% for Spread, and 10% for Pierce.

Silkbind Attack: Mech Silkbind Shot

Not introduced in any trailer, Mech Silkbind Shot is an additional Silkbind Attack added to the Sunbreak Expansion. This Silkbind attack unleashes a flurry of shots that has increased partbreak and deals mounting damage. This is the Light Bowgun's version of Heavy Bowgun's crouching shot that enables the Hunter to let out bullets one after the other. Mech Silkbind Shot does not overheat, but it has a limited number of bullets.

Monster Hunter Rise: SunbreakRelease Date and New Monsters

How Good is the Light Bowgun?

Tier List Ranking

MHRise Ranking	→	Sunbreak Ranking
(S - A - B) 3 Level Tier		(SS - S - A) 3 Level Tier

The nerf on Sticky and Slicing ammo really hurt the Light Bowgun but the mobility options it got in Sunbreak lessened the blow. The new Critical Firepower switch skill are synergized well with the new silkbind attacks as it gives the Hunter options to create a gap whenever necessary.

However, the elemental damage meta we have today is proven effective to maximize the LBG's power, making it a top weapon in Sunbreak!

Weapon Tier List

Light Bowgun Strengths

High Mobility

The Light Bowgun offers higher mobility compared to its heavier counterpart. You can essentially juggle tasks while firing without having to be stationary while doing so.

Rapid Fire

In some builds and instances, such as special upgrades, the Light Bowgun can rapidly fire its bullets at a target. One such build is the Sticky Ammo Rapid Fire build which has proven to be popular among Light Bowgun users.

All-Around Utility

Similar to the Heavy Bowgun, the Light Bowgun has access to a wide range of ammo types which covers everything from damage to utility. LBG can play a support role in multiplayer, shooting different types of munitions like sleep or stun, or act as a DPS by raining powerful ammo through monsters.

Light Bowgun Weaknesses

Cannot Guard

Perhaps to balance its mobility, you cannot guard against monster attacks with a Light Bowgun. You have to make do with being nimble and keeping your distance against monsters.

Light Bowgun Builds

Light Bowgun Controls

Recommended Control Setups

To easily learn the bowgun, we highly suggest that the player adjust the camera settings first. We suggest changing the camera speed to fast to make the aiming way easier. If the player is not comfortable with this setup, we suggest switching back to default.

List of Settings: Best Settings to Choose

Light Bowgun Silkbind Attacks

Silkbind Glide

The Silkbind Glide is similar to a combat slide. You can use this to close the distance between you and the enemy monster or to quickly move away. You can also fire off a powerful attack anytime while gliding or at the end of the glide. This attack boosts the damage of detonated Wyvernblasts and stops you mid-glide. It also uses one Wirebug and has medium Wirebug recovery speed.

Fanning Vault

The Fanning Vault is an excellent addition to the Light Bowgun's kit, giving it added mobility. It sends you flying high, allowing you to dodge incoming attacks and perform additional actions such as reloading or firing down a Wyvernblast while midair. This Silkbind Attack also uses one Wirebug and has fast recovery.

Possible Actions During a Fanning Vault

Fanning Maneuver

This technique can be switched out with Fanning Vault or Wyvern Counter. It requires one Wirebug and has fast recovery.

The user slides sideways in an arc with the Wirebug and can fire shots while in motion. This attack is very useful in maintaining critical distance while moving sideways!

On top of that, Fanning Maneuver also temporarily increases attack power by around 10%.

Mech Silkbind Shot

This Silkbind attack unleashes a flurry of shots that has increased partbreak and deals mounting damage. This is the Light Bowgun's version of Heavy Bowgun's crouching shot that enables the Hunter to let out bullets one after the other. Mech Silkbind Shot does not overheat, but it has a limited number of bullets.

Wyvern Counter

With Sunbreak monsters terrorizing Hunters with their insane attack damage, it's great that Light Bowguns will have a new evasive Silkbind in Wyvern Counter. Use this to create distance between you and the monster when you're in a pinch!

Light Bowgun Switch Skills

Switch Skills are unlocked with different conditions as you progress in the game. Base game MHRise provides Hunters with three (3) slots of Switch Skills, with the Sunbreak expansion adding two (2) more.

Note: Skills in red are exclusive to the Sunbreak expansion.

Switch Skills Guide: How to Unlock Switch Skills

Elemental Reload

Elemental Reload is only worth using if you can bring reload speed to Fastest with skills or using Tune-Up with no mods. Use this only with elemental bowguns, as it doesn't do anything otherwise.

List of All Ammo and Coatings

Quickstep Evade

This converts the usual roll dodge into a dash dodge. The distance covered is not that big but the recovery time between dodges are smaller so you can dodge all day. The attack power of the shot used immediately after evading is also boosted!

Fanning Maneuver

This is a Silkbind move that strafes you left or right depending on the direction. You can shoot while sliding and maintain distance from the monster. This is a great tool for repositioning yourself when in a pinch or for gaining around 10% additional damage.

Critical Firepower

Increases damage in exchange for a narrower critical distance and more recoil, so proper recoil management with Recoil Down or a Silencer will be required. Ballistics may also be necessary to make up the lost critical distance. Critical Firepower boosts Normal shots by 30%, Spread increases by 20%, and Pierce increases by 10%.

Mech Silkbind Shot

This Silkbind attack unleashes a flurry of shots that has increased partbreak and deals mounting damage. This is the Light Bowgun's version of Heavy Bowgun's crouching shot that enables the Hunter to let out bullets one after the other. Mech Silkbind Shot does not overheat, but it has a limited number of bullets.

Wyvern Counter

With Sunbreak monsters terrorizing Hunters with their insane attack damage, it's great that Light Bowguns will have a new evasive silkbind in Wyvern Counter. This can even be used against certain breath attacks. Use this to create distance between you and the monster when you're in a pinch!

Ammo Types and Mods

List of Light Bowgun Ammo Types

Light Bowguns have specific ammo support. Check your Light Bowgun's details to know if a certain ammo type is compatible.

Light Bowgun Mods

If you interact with the Smithy in the Steelworks or Hub Prep Area or check out any Item Box, you can apply mods to your Light Bowgun. Just interact with them and choose Customize Bowgun.

Use Mods Depending on Your Playstyle!

We recommend using mods depending on your playstyle. If you prefer using Sticky Ammo or recoil-heavy Pierce Ammo, use a Silencer mod because of the recoil reduction. For most ammo types, use the Long Barrel to slightly extend your range and boost your damage. The Tune-Up skill also boosts the effects of mods, and can provide an additional level of Reload Speed if not using any mods.

Light Bowgun Attacks and Combos

Rapid Fire

The Light Bowgun is capable of Rapid Firing shots or hitting multiple times per shot. Only ammo with the Rapid Fire Shot Type behavior can be fired rapidly, so take note of this! These vary per weapon so keep an eye out for weapons with the ammo you'd like to Rapid Fire if you enjoy using Rapid Fire LBGs!

Slide Evade

You can execute a Slide Evade by evading twice in succession. This is useful when you need to quickly distance yourself from the monster!

Detonate Wyvernblasts

You can detonate Wyvernblasts by attacking or shooting them or by letting monsters hit them (like a trap). You can place up to 3 Wyvernblasts in a row. Each Wyvernblast refreshes in around a minute.

Tips on How to Use the Light Bowgun

Keep Proper Distance

Like the Heavy Bowgun, maintaining critical distance is important for maximizing your damage output. The critical distance is indicated by an orange reticle with a red center. While maintaining a safe distance is good for survivability, you should only consider using Status, Slicing, and Sticky Ammo at this distance since most shots at this range will deal reduced damage and make your hunts take longer. Avoid going out of range as your shots will not hit the monster.

Types of Distances

Know the Ammo Behavior in the Weapon Details

Moving Shot Enabled	You can shoot while moving.
Moving Reload Enabled	You can reload while moving.
Single Fire Auto Reload	If you shoot a single shot, it will reload automatically.
For Rapid Fire	Shots can be fired quickly.

In Monster Hunter Rise, the shot type behavior of certain ammo changes per weapon. You can check these out in Equipment Info from the Start Menu then press Y to check the Ammo details. This screen also displays the recoil and reload speed of each ammo in the weapon. This will help you better understand how each ammo behaves with your current Bowgun!

Aim for Low Recoil and Fastest Reload

Bowguns are most effective when recoil and reload time are minimized for your primary ammo. Use skills like Recoil Down and Reload Speed to bring these down to Low and Fastest, respectively, for your desired ammo. Watch out for any equipped Switch Skills and Mods like the Silencer as these can also affect recoil and reload!

Bring Items for Crafting Ammo and Use the Radial Menu

On longer hunts, you might find yourself running out of ammo before finishing a hunt. To avoid having to return to camp and restock, bring crafting materials to make more ammo. Make sure to assign these to your radial menu or shortcuts so you can combine while shooting!

Ammo Crafting List and How to Craft Items

Don't Forget to Use Status Ammo

If your Bowgun supports status ammo, don't forget to use them. Though they won't deal massive damage, they can create openings that you and your allies can exploit!

Use the Proper Ammo Against Monsters

Depending on the monster's physiology and body frame, some ammo is more effective than others. Knowing which ammo to use per monster is a sign of a great Gunner.

Elemental Ammo Types

Elemental ammo can be very powerful against monsters weak to elemental damage. These also have very generous critical distance thresholds, as the elemental damage does not drop with distance. Dragon Ammo is generally not worth using due to its very limited capacity. Check your Hunter's Notes to learn the elemental weaknesses of every monster!

Utilize Repositioning Silkbinds

The Light Bowgun comes with several Silkbinds for repositioning, so use these to your advantage. Fanning Vault can help you reposition yourself to a safer location and can even let you place a Wyvernblast on the monster while in the air! Fanning Maneuver not only moves you a great distance, but also boosts damage. Wyvern Counter is also great for getting out of tight spots in Master Rank.

Use Wyvernblast When There is a Huge Opening

The Light Bowgun is unique for having the Wyverblast. When an enemy monster is staggering on the ground or asleep, place Wyverblasts next to them, then detonate them for extra damage.

Be Mindful of Wyvernblast's Cooldown

Wyvernblast is one of the most useful tools in a Light Bowgunner's arsenal so try to use this effectively and be aware of its cooldown!

You'll know a Wyvernblast is on cooldown if the ammo head is missing and the case is blinking yellow. Wyvernblast has an estimated cooldown time of 1 minute per ammo.

Heavy Bowgun vs. Light Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun and the Light Bowgun play similarly but with a few minor differences. If you are trying to decide on which one to try out, here are some comparisons that we observed:

Light Bowgun Known Bugs and Fixes

Update 3.5 Bug Fix

Update 3.5 fixed a bug related to both the Light Bowgun and the Heavy Bowgun! Specifically, this was about the Steadiness skill. When Bowgun players used this skill, it didn't show up on the screens of the other players in the lobby.

You can also now reliably change ammo through the Radial Menu while riding your Palamute.

Update 3.5: Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection Collaboration, DLC, and Patch Notes

Changes from MHW: Iceborne

Elemental and Elemental Pierce Ammo are now Separate

In Monster Hunter World, Elemental Ammo can penetrate monsters and hit them multiple times. In Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise), Elemental Ammo now hits once, and the ''piercing'' characteristic has been passed to the Pierce Elemental Ammo.

List of All Ammo and Coatings

Cluster Bomb is Now Useable by Light Bowguns

In Monster Hunter World, Cluster Bombs were exclusive to the Heavy Bowgun. Light Bowguns can now use Cluster Bombs in Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise), so feel free to use them!

Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise) Related Guides

Melee Weapon Guides

Melee Weapons
Great Sword Guide | Weapon Tree	Long Sword Guide | Weapon Tree	Sword and Shield Guide | Weapon Tree
Dual Blades Guide | Weapon Tree	Lance Guide | Weapon Tree	Gunlance Guide | Weapon Tree
Hammer Guide | Weapon Tree	Hunting Horn Guide | Weapon Tree | Melodies	Switch Axe Guide | Weapon Tree
Charge Blade Guide | Weapon Tree	Insect Glaive Guide | Weapon Tree | Kinsects

Ranged Weapon Guides

Ranged Weapons
Light Bowgun Guide | Weapon Tree	Heavy Bowgun Guide | Weapon Tree	Bow Guide | Weapon Tree