u/AccelRiderX

Just started Wilds yesterday, first time committing to hunting horn (dabbled in it in World, so somewhat familiar with basics). I have figured out how to use Echo Bubbles and Focus Strikes for note stacking (though the timing on the latter feels a bit off still), but what I am a little confused about is how to use Echo Bubbles themselves for additional damage. I understand they cause shockwaves on any hit in and out of the bubble, but not sure how to properly manage their placement for better effect and how to keep monsters in their range.

Would like to hear some advice on how to approach this mechanic and how much I should be concerned about their position and damage, if at all. (Note: I'm playing with a friend, so a good portion of the hunts will be in duo for the time being.)

HBG main here. Have been experimenting with various bowgun builds and got curious about a certain HBG pair. I understand that Safi HBGs, most famously Snipe/Burstcannon occupy the top niche of Shield HBG builds for their respective types. However, I cannot figure out if there is any use for Scorchcannon and Freezecannon.

The way their ammo loadouts and mod charts are set up, it seems they are only meant to capitalize on elemental ammo and maybe Normal 3? But they don't seem to be any stronger with element compared to most HBG available immediately before them. Since they shoot fire+thunder or ice+water, I assumed they were meant to be anti-Alatreon guns, but since elemental HBG is not particularly effective against Alatreon even on his best elements, much less secondary, and they do not have much room for building into raw, I'm not sure if they are even worth using for this in particular. And for everything else it feels like there is no point in picking an element-only HBG (unless it's Kjarr) just to take advantage of shield mods when a raw HBG or elemental LBG would do a better job across the board.

One idea I had is to roll Silver Rathalos Essence to ease up the requirements on True Critical Element and allow it to be used with another set bonus, like Maximum Might Secret, but even then it just barely matches full Safi set damage output while allowing for less comfort. Since Close/Ranged Attack Up mods don't affect element, I don't see if there's any way to take advantage of weapon upgrades to make it any more powerful/useful than its contemporary alternatives.

Has anyone else tried these HBGs and managed to figure something out? I can't seem to find anything and I'm not sure if I'm missing something or there's really isn't any appropriate case where it's worth picking them over another mixed raw+element gun, let alone full raw or LBG elemental.