Edited By
Dominic Crown

A heated debate is brewing among players regarding the viability of status effect bows. As Monster Hunter's community diversifies its weapon choices, many question whether bows relying on status effects can hold up against elemental options in combat.
New players are shifting from melee to ranged weapons, sparking a demand for clarity in bow builds. One participant noted, "elemental damage has been emphasized in the meta, particularly with Artian Fire/Water bows for their close range coatings."
However, others are advocating for the utility of status effects. A player shared, "I run poison to help exhaust monsters faster," indicating that while meta builds exist, successful gameplay can involve experimentation with different bows.
Elemental Preferences: Several replies recommended focusing on elemental bows, particularly the Artian variants, for their superior damage.
Status Coatings: Discussions surfaced about using blast and paralysis for their crowd control benefits, though some argued status effects may underperform compared to elemental choices.
Personal Findings: A newer bow player expressed gratitude for the community's tips, reporting success against challenging monsters after a brief learning period.
"I managed to only get hit once against AT Rey Dau It was so smooth!"
Responses to the discussion revealed varied perceptions regarding the effectiveness of bows:
Some praised the uniqueness of status effects, underscoring their potential in multiplayer settings.
Others criticized the reliance on non-elemental bows, suggesting they lack competitiveness in high-level hunts.
General consensus points to the efficacy of elemental builds over status effects for most situations.
โฒ Elemental bows are currently favored, especially the Artian Fire/Water models.
โผ Status effects like paralysis or sleep are seen as niche, yet can provide crowd control.
โ A new playerโs experience highlights a sometimes smooth transition into bow mastery, supported by community strategies.
As the meta shifts, will players continue to experiment with status effects, or will elemental bows reign supreme? The discussion is ongoing, inviting players to share their battles and strategies.