Monster Hunter Wilds is less than 10 days away. Another massive entry in the series, pitting us hunters against some of the toughest, nastiest monsters Capcom have to offer.
A crucial element of success in any Monster Hunter game is selecting the right weapon. With 14 diverse weapon types, each offering unique playstyles and advantages, choosing the perfect fit can seem daunting.
We want to help, by breaking-down each weapon, helping you find the ideal tool for your hunting adventures.
Understanding Your Playstyle
Before diving into the specifics of each weapon, consider your preferred playstyle.
Do you favour aggressive, close-quarters combat? Perhaps you prefer a more tactical, ranged approach? Or maybe you’re a support player, focusing on buffs and healing?
Do you prefer mobility over raw power or tank-like defence?
Understanding your strengths and preferences is the first step towards weapon mastery.
Melee Weapons: Up Close and Personal
These weapons excel in direct confrontation, demanding quick reflexes and precise positioning. Running straight up to a monster, weapon in-and and having the confidence to go for it, is a massive part of the fun.
What weapon lends itself to your style?
- Great Sword: The behemoth of blades. Slow but powerful, the Great Sword rewards patience and timing. Its charged attacks can stagger even the mightiest monsters, but its sluggishness leaves you vulnerable. Ideal for players who favour calculated strikes and devastating damage.
- Long Sword: A stylish and versatile weapon. The Long Sword boasts excellent reach and fluid combos. Its Spirit Gauge mechanic allows for powerful spirit attacks, rewarding aggressive play. A good all-rounder, suitable for hunters who value speed and precision.
- Sword and Shield: A balanced weapon offering a mix of offence and defence. The Sword and Shield allows for quick attacks and the ability to block incoming blows. A great choice for beginners and players who appreciate a more defensive approach. A Monster Hunter classic and fantastic all-rounder. Often slept on as people think it’s too basic.
- Dual Blades: A flurry of furious attacks. Dual Blades emphasize speed and agility, allowing hunters to unleash a relentless barrage of strikes. Their Demon Mode enhances attack power but drains stamina, requiring careful management. Perfect for aggressive players who revel in constant offence. These feel great in the Monster Hunter Wilds beta, too.
- Hammer: The blunt force trauma specialist. Hammers are slow but pack a tremendous punch, capable of stunning monsters with well-placed blows to the head. A favourite for players who enjoy delivering knockout blows. Some people just live that “bonk!” lifestyle.
- Hunting Horn: A unique support weapon. The Hunting Horn can unleash powerful melodies that buff the hunter and their allies, providing invaluable advantages in battle. While capable of dealing decent damage, its primary role is support. Ideal for team players who enjoy enhancing their squad’s performance. A good horn player is a gift to any hunt, for sure.
- Lance: The impenetrable fortress. The Lance is a defensive powerhouse, allowing hunters to block virtually any attack. Its charged attacks and counter thrusts can deal significant damage. A good choice for players who prefer a methodical and defensive playstyle.
- Gunlance: A fusion of lance and cannon. The Gunlance combines the defensive capabilities of the Lance with the explosive power of a cannon. Its shelling attacks can inflict significant damage, but its ammo capacity is limited. A complex weapon that rewards practice and strategic thinking.
- Switch Axe: A versatile weapon with two forms. The Switch Axe can transform between a powerful axe mode and a swift sword mode, offering adaptability in combat. Its phial mechanic allows for powerful elemental attacks. A complex weapon suitable for experienced hunters.
- Charge Blade: A highly technical weapon with multiple forms. The Charge Blade can switch between sword and shield mode and axe mode. Charging phials with the sword allows for devastating axe attacks. A challenging but rewarding weapon for dedicated hunters.
- Insect Glaive: The aerial acrobat. The Insect Glaive allows hunters to vault into the air, performing aerial attacks and mounting monsters with ease. Its Kinsect companion can gather extracts from monsters, providing various buffs. A unique and mobile weapon perfect for hunters who enjoy aerial combat. A personal favourite here, but learning the ins and outs can take a bit of time.
Ranged Weapons: Keeping Your Distance
These weapons allow hunters to engage monsters from a safe distance, offering a more tactical approach.
- Bow: A versatile ranged weapon. The Bow offers a variety of arrow types, allowing hunters to adapt to different situations. Its charge mechanic allows for powerful charged shots. A good choice for hunters who prefer a flexible and mobile ranged option.
- Heavy Bowgun: The heavy hitter of ranged weapons. The Heavy Bowgun boasts powerful ammo types and a shield for added defence. Its customisation options allow for a wide range of playstyles. Ideal for hunters who favour raw power and strategic positioning.
- Light Bowgun: A rapid-fire ranged weapon. The Light Bowgun excels at rapid-fire attacks and status ailment application. Its mobility and quick reload speed make it a formidable weapon in the right hands. A good choice for hunters who prefer a fast-paced and versatile ranged option.
Weapon mastery
Once you’ve picked what you think is going to work for you, Monster Hunter always gives you ways to maximise your potential.
Each weapon in Monster Hunter requires its own approach. Different combos leading you into different damage/attacks. Blunt damage for knocking monster out, cutting damage to remove parts to build better gear.
Elemental damage or status effects can be applied based n the versions of the weapon you craft, or the types of ammo you use.
Monster Hunter is for sure an action-focused game. But no matter the weapon you choose, the strategy that comes with it is what matters. Learn how to best utilise your weapon for damage, combos that you can cancel for a quick dodge, ways to mount monsters and so on.
The depth of combat and ways you can approach a hunt are what makes the series so good. Monster Hunter Wilds is no different.
Double-up
The new feature in Monster Hunter Wilds is that you can take 2 weapons out with you on a hunt. So now, after all that practice and experience with your favourite/main weapon. It’s time to push on a secondary as well.
The approach is is great. You can look at covering more options whilst on the go. Ranged main? No problem, bring an up-close weapon with you, too for some bigger damage perhaps? Or a focus on cutting off parts.
Maybe you want to be focusing on status ailments and then swap to heavy damage for a quick finish? Suddenly, we have that flexibility and a fresh way to approach those big hunts that will take time to master.
Take your time
Ultimately, the best weapon for you depends on your individual preferences and playstyle. Experiment with each weapon in the training area and take them on a few hunts to get a feel for their mechanics. Don’t be afraid to try different weapons until you find one that clicks.
Once you’ve got that, you’re half way there.
Then it’s armour, perks and other ways to maximise your health, damage, use of stamina and a whole other set of benefits. Work on your weapons first, than we’ll come back to complete builds to compliment your Monster Hunter play-style.
See you out in the Wilds!