Is it okay to use ranged weapons as a new player?

[Intra]

I was wondering if ranged weapons might act as a crutch because you don't learn monster patterns as well if you are pinging away from a distance.

Is this true or am I concerned for nothing?

[__]

I had a hard time with them in the beginning. I would say learning monster patterns was more important with ranged because the monsters keep trying to move in on you. I say play what you want unless you get stuck & what you use doesn't work.

[Sir Gorke]

Well, that depends- I will say that some weapons (ranged or not) are more forgiving in "not paying much attention" to some monster attack then others. But I will agree also with Alphafert, that for range weapon users must be more aware in this matter- especialy when monster try to attack in melee ( IN MELEEEE!!!). But all weapon types benefits from Hunter's awerness and knowlege about monster moves- because You then know how much and what type (ammo types for ranged) of hits You can sneak between wyvern assault

[Chrysalis]

Use the weapon that suits you best, but if you asked me, I would say that you shouldn't begin with a range weapon.

[TVMAN]

Originally posted by Intra:

I was wondering if ranged weapons might act as a crutch because you don't learn monster patterns as well if you are pinging away from a distance.

Is this true or am I concerned for nothing?

I don't get it. Why don't you just try it and find out for yourself? This game encourages you to experiment and try out different weapons, so what's the point of baselessly speculating when you can just craft a ranged weapon and see for yourself?

I mean the monster isn't going to just let you sit back and plink away at it in safety. It's going to aggro on you and try to stomp you flat. Really not sure why you'd think it'd be otherwise.

[W+M1 Pyro]

the latter. its not that the monster will just stand still while you make holes in him, they will insistenly try to close the distance between them and you. also ammo have a minimum and maximum range before the damage start to fall off (this vary on the ammo you use and can be prolonged with a certain skill). this mechanic sometimes, especially in group hunts where everyone is scattered around an area minding his own business, will require you to catch up with the monster to be in the optimal range distance to maximize damage output, just like a melee weapon would require.

[☢ Vi ☢]

This is my first MH game and I've been almost exclusively using a bow, it just feels the best to me and how I want to play. Also using a mouse and keyboard feels much easier with a bow than any of the melee weapons, they feel kind of awkward and clunky to me with a mouse. I'd say just use whatever weapon you want to and feel the most comfortable with.

[Remi]

Form your own opinion on what you consider a crutch by testing out everything. If you feel dirty for abusing the monster with exploits you don't need to do it, conversely if you think that x monster sucks you're free to cheese it however you see fit.

[Kakaroto]

Imo using any ranged weapon is easier indeed. You just don't need to glue on the monster like melee, meaning less chance to get hit. But if you enjoy them, go crazy.

[JamesFace]

That may be true for earlier monsters but later on you actually have to watch out for some attacks, like Diablos for instance. Many a ranged player has complained because they have been killed by the burrow attack xD

[JamesFace]

In regards to the OPs question the main reason it’s more difficult to play ranged for a new player is the ammo crafting, you don’t have the mats to craft more straight away. The bow is a bit easier on this as the coatings can be purchased pretty cheap and the main dmg is from the bow itself

[Garviel Loken]

Originally posted by Intra:

I was wondering if ranged weapons might act as a crutch because you don't learn monster patterns as well if you are pinging away from a distance.

Is this true or am I concerned for nothing?

You'll be fine just observe how they move and apply that to when you go mele

[Kiwimaru]

My opinion, learning monster patterns is more a state of mind. You can quite easily go the entire game just dodging and rolling preemptively just cause you feel X monster might tail whip soon or do a dive attack. I consider that just basic monster knowledge. You know X monster can do X moves. My idea of pattern is when and what it will do. This is more observation and initiative. Having a reason to know this is beneficial for weapons like LS or CB because they have parry like moves that reward this kinda of initiative.

[Grottowalker]

Ranged and melee both play the same game but during combat are looking for certain moves over others. With range you still need to be in critical distance. If you are far enough to avoid all attacks doing nothing then you are probably out of critical range.


Game is about position in relation to the monster, and watching out for the moves that can make you cart.

Some moves are much harder to Dodge at range and some are harder to Dodge point blank.

[J.M.]

Well, in general, not recommended if you don't have the resource to craft the weapons. I used bow as a starter weapon then found out that at the beginning stage, I needed five different bows for five elements. This was annoying as I didn't had money nor material so I had to farm for a long period of time. Bow guns on the other hand, consume too much ammo. According to my friends who started with bow guns, mostly you spent your reward money on ammo since bow guns deal low damage and a lot of ammo is needed at the beginning stage. On the other hand, most monsters' attacks are physical and ranged weapons do not provide physical damage reduction while melee weapons do. Also, for most melee weapons, you only need to follow one progression path.