Monster Hunter Wilds | Heavy Bowgun Preview Unveils Huge Changes

The upcoming addition to the long-running Monster Hunter franchise was unveiled in State of Play in May, and we’ve been getting a steady flow of updates on the game since. Monster Hunter Wilds has just given us a sneak peek of the Heavy Bowgun, and I have to say, the changes are pretty exciting. Sure, it's not the Longsword or Charge Blade that everyone raves about, but the Heavy Bowgun has some impressive updates worth discussing.

The preview starts with a closer look at the Heavy Bowgun, and right away, I noticed some Light Bowgun features have been added. In the clip, the hunter loads what turns out to be ignition mode ammo. This special ammo lets the bowgun fire like a light machine gun, rapidly draining the blue UI bar, showing how long you can stay in ignition mode. I love the new UI— It's stylish, uncluttered, and simple, with energy that restores both passively and when you score hits.

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of rapid fire for the Heavy Bowgun, a feature I don't recall seeing in previous games. This lets you shoot multiple times per ammo used, which could be a game-changer. The critical distance mechanic is back too, with the crosshair changing when the monster gets too close, so you know when you're in the sweet spot for maximum damage.

The Heavy Bowgun also has a shield and auto guard function, which used to require a shield mod. Now, it seems like guarding is a built-in feature. You can still guard manually, giving you more defensive options. In the clip, the hunter uses a spread shot that has heavy recoil, suggesting it's perfect for close-range attacks after a guard.

The armor set shown appears to be the high metal armor set, with its iconic knightly look and pointy shoulder guards. Another cool addition is a charged sticky shot or wyvern blast in focus mode. This mode seems to have an auto-aim feature, making it easier to use. The ammo affects the UI, hinting that it might be a built-in special ammo type rather than a crafted one.

I'm particularly excited about a new parry or counterattack move. The hunter readies an explosive at the end of the bowgun, which detonates in a massive AOE upon impact. This adds a strategic element to the Heavy Bowgun's use. We also see piercing shots or dragon ammo, recognizable by the multiple ticks of damage as the bullet travels through the monster. This suggests that different ammo types are back, though it's unclear if they need to be crafted.

The preview ends with a dramatic scene where the hunter shoves the bowgun into a Doshaguma's mouth and fires a point-blank shot. It's a pretty badass move that showcases the weapon's power and versatility.

While the preview leaves some questions unanswered, especially about ammo crafting, the changes to the Heavy Bowgun are definitely intriguing. These updates promise to make the weapon stand out a bit more in Monster Hunter Wilds, and I can't wait to try it out when it releases.

Also, check out the Monster Hunter Wilds' weapon analysis below:

• Monster Hunter Wilds | Insect Glaive Analysis
• Monster Hunter Wilds | Great Sword Analysis
• Monster Hunter Wilds | Longsword Preview Analysis