Monster Hunter Wilds Best Weapons - Tier Lists & Rankings

Introduction

Welcome to our MH Wilds best weapons guide, hunter! In this breakdown, we will reveal the most powerful weapons in Capcom’s latest game, ranked according to their efficiency and use cases.

We’ll start by introducing the exciting new features in the weapon system of Monster Hunter Wilds and take a closer look at each weapon type, exploring their unique traits and advantages.

Then, we’ll explore MH Wilds weapon tier lists and highlight the top weapons depending on your experience, preferences, playstyle, and objectives. Gear up and get ready for an unforgettable hunt!

Pre-launch Weapons Tier List

Below, we have listed the weapons tier list for Monster Hunter Wilds beta:

• S: Long Sword, Hunting Horn, Bow, Gunlance, Switch Axe
• A: Great Sword, Dual Blades, Lance, Charge Blade, Insect Glaive, Light Bowgun
• B: Sword & Shield, Hammer
• C: Heavy Bowgun

Best Weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds Overall

We know your time is precious, so we’ve decided to reveal the top 5 Monster Hunter Wilds weapons right from the start.

• 1. Long Sword
• 2. Hunting Horn
• 3. Switch Axe
• 4. Bow
• 5. Great Sword

Table of Contents

In this guide, we will cover the following subjects:

• Weapons Role in Gameplay
• Weapon Types
• Tier Lists Breakdown
• Beginner Weapons Tier List
• Highest DPS Weapons
• Solo Weapons Tier List
• Multiplayer Weapons Tier List
• Speedfarming Weapons Tier List
• Best Part-breaking Weapons
• Most Popular Weapons
• Tier Lists by Playstyle
• Weapon Choosing Tips
• FAQ
• Final Thoughts

The Vital Role of Weapons in MH Wilds Gameplay

Everyone knows that weapons are crucial in Monster Hunter Wilds, defining your gameplay, strategy, and overall experience. Each weapon type offers unique mechanics, strengths, and weaknesses. The weapon defines your combat approach.

e.g. the Great Sword deals powerful strikes, requiring perfect timing, and the Dual Blades deal quick attacks in close combat but require quick reflexes.

Monsters have various weaknesses, so selecting the right weapon can help you exploit vulnerabilities, making hunts more rewarding.

Mastering a weapon type involves learning combos, timing, and resources. This progression improves player skill and gameplay.

What makes a weapon good in MH Wilds?

In Monster Hunter Wilds, a good weapon is determined by how well it aligns with your playstyle, the monster's combat behavior, and the environment. Multiple factors contribute to a weapon's efficiency, like:

• 1. Versatility and adaptability: how it performs against different monster types
• 2. Weapon damage type: depending on the monster’s weak points and the parts you need, blunt (Hammer, Hunting Horn, etc.) or cutting weapons (Long Sword, Switch Axe, etc.) can be more suitable.
• 3. Elemental and Status Effects: matching the weapon’s element to a monster’s weakness. Elemental damage (fire, thunder, etc.) or status effects (paralysis, poison, etc.) can be used to exploit monster vulnerabilities, making your weapon very effective.
• 4. Combat techniques: Mobility-focused weapons (Dual Blades, Insect Glaive, etc.) gain extra utility in dynamic battles, while ranged weapons (Bow, Light Bowgun, etc.) can attack from long distances without needing to get close and take risks.
• 5. Crafting and upgrades: The weapon progression system allows you to improve it until it meets your needs, adding elemental damage, affinity, or status effects. Higher-tier weapons crafted from rare monster materials offer better base stats and unique bonuses, being more versatile and deadly in hunts.

A good weapon should meet most of the criteria above, be versatile, and work well in different scenarios so you don’t have to replace it too often. It’s also essential to pick a weapon type that fits your playstyle and feels enjoyable to use in the long run. This way, you’ll avoid wasting valuable materials figuring out what suits you best.

Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Element & Status Effect

In Monster Hunter Wilds, weapons can have elemental attributes or status effects, which play a crucial role in hunting. Elements are tied to raw damage types, while status effects apply debuffs that weaken or disable monsters differently. Choosing the right combination based on a monster's natural resistances and weaknesses maximizes efficiency in battle.

Weapon Elements in MH Wilds

Elements mean damage types tied to natural forces (fire, water, thunder, ice, dragon). Each monster has specific elemental weaknesses and resistances, meaning the right choice can significantly increase your damage output.

Note: I highly recommend researching its elemental weaknesses before taking on a specific monster. Elements play a crucial role in hunting, and choosing the right weapon element can sometimes be the most important factor that determines if you win or lose the encounter.

Weapon Status Effects in MH Wilds

Status effects are special debuffs that weaken monsters after repeated hits with a status-inflicting weapon. Instead of adding raw damage, they make the monster easier to fight by slowing, stunning, or disrupting its movements.

Mastering status effects can simplify fights by controlling the battlefield and reducing a monster’s ability to fight back. Selecting the right status-inflicting weapon for a specific monster is just as crucial as choosing the appropriate weapon type.

How to get & upgrade weapons in MH Wilds?

In Monster Hunter Wilds, crafting and upgrading weapons is essential for progressing through the game and taking on more powerful monsters.

To obtain and upgrade weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll need specific monster parts, which can be farmed by targeting and breaking the necessary parts to ensure they drop. Once you’ve collected enough materials, you can forge your weapon at the Smithy.

Upgrading follows the same process; gather monster parts and additional upgrade materials from the environment, then visit Smithy to enhance your weapon.

Weapons Crafting Basics

Weapon crafting is an important part of progression in MH Wilds, allowing hunters to prepare their arsenal to suit different monsters and hunting styles.

Below is a quick guide on how to craft and upgrade your weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds:

1. Farming materials:

• • Monster parts – defeat monsters to gather unique materials. Target and break specific parts, such as tails or horns to increase the chance of obtaining key components.
• • Environmental resources – Ore, minerals, herbs, plants, insect extracts, and other materials found in the Forbidden Lands are essential for forging and upgrading some weapons.

2. Crafting at Smithy:

• • Visit Smithy and use the collected materials to craft new weapons or improve the ones you already have.
• • The weapon tree system offers multiple upgrade paths, allowing customization based on elemental attributes, affinity, and raw damage.
• • Higher-tier upgrades enhance attack power, elemental effects, and unique abilities, making your weapon efficient when hunting difficult monsters.

Mastering the crafting system ensures you always have the right weapon, adapting to different monster weaknesses and combat situations.

Weapon Sharpness & Sharpening Mechanics

Maintaining weapon sharpness is crucial in Monster Hunter Wilds, as a dull blade reduces damage and effectiveness against monsters.

After landing multiple hits, your weapon will lose sharpness, causing reduced damage. Use a sharpening tool to restore your weapon’s sharpness and regain its full damage potential. You can equip specific armor skills like Sharpness to slow down sharpness depletion, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.

Your current sharpness level is displayed on the top left of the screen, alongside your health bar and stamina bar.

Note: when you prepare for a hunt, ensure your weapon sharpness bar is full. Keep an eye on sharpness for optimal performance, preventing sudden loss of damage output in battle.

Incremental Sharpening

Incremental sharpening is a new mechanic in MH Wilds that allows hunters to sharpen their weapons in short intervals rather than completing the full sharpening animation at once. It is very useful in battle, providing flexibility when there’s not enough time for an entire sharpening session. Incremental sharpening can also be done while riding.

Weapon Changes in Monster Hunter Wilds

In Monster Hunter Wilds, weapons have evolved, introducing new mechanics and features that build on the foundations of previous games while adding adjustments to make hunts more realistic. These changes enhance gameplay by refining combat systems, improving mobility, and creating better strategic opportunities. Below is an overview of the key weapon innovations in MH Wilds:

Focus Mode

The new focus mode allows players to target specific monster body parts precisely, creating wounds that amplify damage when hit repeatedly. This mechanic adds a more in-depth strategic layer, rewarding accuracy and tactical planning.

Focus mode encourages a more tactical approach to combat, as wounded areas remain vulnerable, making it easier to exploit weaknesses and break specific monster parts. Additionally, focus mode introduces a greater sense of impact, ensuring that each attack feels meaningful. Mastering this system allows hunters to maximize damage output.

In the following list, we have outlined the weapons that excel at striking specific monster parts with focus mode:

• Great Sword
• Long Sword
• Bow
• Light Bowgun
• Switch Axe
• Dual Blades

Dual Weapon Loadout

Hunters can equip and swap between two weapons throughout a hunt. This system allows quick transitions between combat styles, so players can easily adapt to monsters' behavior and battle conditions.

The disadvantage of this dual weapon system is that players must handle two different weapon types, each with its specific mechanics and combos. This means the learning curve will be harder, and more practice will be required to optimize the swapping mechanic completely. However, you can avoid this by equipping the same weapon type in both slots, but with different properties.

It's a small price to pay for the advantages it offers. The benefits surpass the initial challenge once you learn how to use it effectively.

Whether pairing a fast weapon with a heavy one or combining melee and ranged weapons, you can benefit from maximum versatility thanks to this system. The right loadout can enhance efficiency and control in any encounter.

Below is a breakdown of some of the best weapon combinations, optimized for different hunting strategies and playstyles:

Now that we’ve explored the new Monster Hunter Now dual weapon system let’s dive deeper and uncover how weapon swapping works during combat.

Weapon Swapping Mechanics

With the dual weapon loadout system, hunters can switch between two equipped weapons at any point during a hunt. This feature allows players to shift between attack styles, weapon ranges, and damage types to counter monster behaviors and environmental challenges.

Hunters also have the option to equip two weapons of the same type but with different elemental powers, status effects, or attributes. This makes your build more efficient against multiple monster types in a single hunt, ensuring optimal damage based on weaknesses without changing your playstyle.

On-Mount Weapon Swapping

An important innovation in MH Wilds is the ability to swap weapons while riding the Seikret mount. This provides fluid combat flow and flexibility. This new feature allows you to adapt to changing battle conditions without leaving the battlefield, so transitions between different weapon types will be smooth.

Slide-Grinding

Slide grinding lets you use surfaces to build momentum, reposition quickly, and execute deadly attacks. This mechanic enhances agility, ensuring continuous offensive pressure.

Beyond mobility, slide grinding creates chances for high-impact strikes, making combat more fluid. Mastering this technique allows hunters to defeat sneaky monsters by using the terrain.

Sprinting with Weapons

The new ability to sprint while keeping weapons drawn is a great advance in mobility. This mechanic allows you to maintain offensive momentum and quickly get close to monsters with no pause.

This is a significant quality-of-life improvement, eliminating the need to stop and draw weapons. Your hunter can stay in motion, repositioning and attacking. This is especially valuable during hunts, where quick movement is essential for luring monsters into more favorable spots.

Hit Stop Enhancement

A key improvement in Monster Hunter Wilds is the refined hit-stop effect, which enhances the weight and impact of attacks. When landing a powerful strike, a brief but noticeable pause occurs, emphasizing the force of the hit and making combat feel more immersive.

This effect significantly improves your experience and helps and your combos will be better. Whether using a Great Sword’s charged slash or a Hammer’s crushing blow, the hit-stop effect makes every strike more satisfying.

Weapon Adjustments

Monster Hunter Wilds brings a range of weapon adjustments to refine balance, fluidity, and overall gaming experience. These improvements make weapons more responsive and fun.

Several weapons have been fine-tuned to improve their performance, allowing a dynamic hunting experience:

• Insect Glaive – The Vaulting Dance move returns, enhancing aerial combat and providing greater mobility for airborne attacks.
• Switch Axe – Sword Mode transformation has been refined, and the Full Release Slash now negates knockback, ensuring smoother, uninterrupted combos.
• Lance – A new charge counter has been introduced, enabling players to charge while guarding and creating more substantial defensive counterplay opportunities.
• Sword & Shield – The Rising Slash can now be performed while guarding, adding offensive versatility without sacrificing defense.

Will there be new weapons?

Monster Hunter Wilds will not introduce new weapon categories. The game will feature the classic 14 weapon types that have been a core element of the series.

While the weapon types remain the same, Monster Hunter Wilds will still bring new weapons due to the introduction of new monsters. Since weapons in the series are crafted using monster parts, every new monster will provide unique weapons with different aesthetics, elemental properties, and stats.

Even though there are no brand-new weapon classes, each weapon tree will expand, ensuring that hunters have fresh gear to craft and master.

Now that we've explored the general aspects of weapons in MH Wilds, it's time to take a closer look at each weapon type. We'll break down their unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses, helping you understand how each performs in battle and which playstyle is perfect for you.

All Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Types

Monster Hunter Wilds features 14 weapon classes, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, and specialized roles in combat. This section will explain how each weapon performs, the scenarios where they excel, and the situations where they may struggle.

➤ Great Sword

A slow but powerful weapon capable of dealing devastating blows with precision. The Great Sword is one of the most powerful weapons in the game, capable of dealing huge damage with one strike. It excels in charged attacks that can break monster parts, but its slow animations and lack of mobility require positioning and patience. Timing is the key, so missing a hit can leave you vulnerable.

A great sword is best for hunters who prefer calculated, high-damage strikes and patience in battle.

➤ Sword and Shield

The sword and shield is the most balanced weapon in the game, offering quick attacks, defensive options, and the ability to use items without sheathing. The SnS is a well-rounded weapon offering speed and defense. While it lacks the raw power of heavier weapons, it makes up for it with speed, fluid combos, and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Sword and shield is perfect for versatile hunters who want agility and adaptability in combat.

➤ Dual Blades

The dual blades are the best for speed and agility. This weapon delivers a continuous attack. They have some of the fastest combos in the game, allowing hunters to stack elemental or status damage rapidly. This weapon is a relentless flurry of strikes for fast, aggressive hunters but their short range and reliance on maintaining sharpness mean that positioning and frequent weapon maintenance are crucial.

Dual blades are recommended for experienced hunters who want non-stop aggressive combos.

➤ Long sword

The long sword is a mid-range melee weapon with fluid, stylish combos and a rewarding counterattack system. Its Spirit Gauge mechanic enhances attack power over time, encouraging precise & aggressive gameplay. However, mastering timing and movement is essential to maintain the Spirit Gauge and unleash its full potential.

Long sword is one of the most popular weapons and has very satisfying combos.

➤ Bow

The bow is a ranged weapon that focuses on mobility and elemental damage. It allows hunters to fire arrows rapidly while dodging to avoid attacks. The bow can be adapted to various monsters and weaknesses with coatings and charge shots. Proper stamina management and aiming skills are essential to maximize its potential.

The bow is the most suitable for ranged hunters who like consistent damage and adaptability.

➤ Gunlance

The gunlance is a hybrid weapon combining defense with explosive firepower. It combines the defensive capability of the lance with powerful explosive shells, allowing for high burst damage. It rewards careful positioning and patience, as it has long animations and limited mobility. However, its Wyvern’s Fire attack can deal devastating damage when timed correctly.

The gunlance is ideal for hunters who enjoy mixing guarding with an explosive offense.

➤ Hunting Horn

The Hunting Horn is a support weapon that buffs allies while dealing heavy impact damage. This powerful support weapon allows hunters to buff their teammates while dealing blunt damage that can knock out monsters. It has a unique rhythm-based attack system, rewarding players who can manage note combinations.

Recommended for multiplayer and perfect for supportive players who also want to deal stunning melee damage.

➤ Heavy Bowgun

The heavy bowgun is the ranged weapon with the highest damage, but it has slow movement and long reload times, making positioning critical.

The Heavy Bowgun is the highest-damage ranged weapon. It can fire heavy ammo and deal insane damage, but it has slow movement and long reload times.

➤ Light Bowgun

The light bowgun is a rapid-fire ranged weapon specializing in status effects. It sacrifices raw power for speed and versatility, allowing hunters to fire quickly, inflict status effects, and reposition easily.

The light bowgun is the best choice for agile hunters who like to inflict status effects and stay mobile.

➤ Charge Blade

The charge blade is a technical weapon that balances defense, precision, and explosive power. It morphs between Sword & Shield mode, which provides mobility, guarding, and phial charging, to Axe mode, where stored phial energy is unleashed in powerful Elemental Discharge attacks.

Skilled hunters can also utilize Guard Points, which turn well-timed blocks into counterattacks. Mastering phial management, guard points, and strategic morphing make this one of the most rewarding but technically demanding weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Charge blade is the perfect weapon for hunters who enjoy switching between defense and explosive damage but are also ready to invest much time in practice.

➤ Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive is the ultimate mobility-focused melee weapon, allowing hunters to vault into the air and attack from above. Its Kinsect companion gathers monster extracts that provide buffs such as increased attack power, defense, and speed. Mastering extract management and aerial maneuvers make this weapon incredibly fun and versatile for dynamic combat.

Insect glaive is an excellent choice for hunters who enjoy fast-paced, airborne combat and strategic buffing.

➤ Lance

The lance is the most defensive melee weapon, featuring a strong shield for blocking and countering attacks. Its accurate, repeated thrusts deliver consistent and controlled damage, while the new charge counter mechanic lets you absorb and retaliate against enemy attacks. Patience and positioning are essential if you want to use this weapon.

Lance is perfect for hunters who prefer tanking and methodical combat.

➤ Switch Axe

The switch axe morphs between axe mode, which has high reach & fluid swings, and sword mode, which deals powerful elemental or explosive attacks. This weapon excels in aggressive play, rewarding those who can effectively manage stamina and morph attacks. The new Full Release Slash negates knockback, making combos smoother.

Switch axe is a fantastic choice for players who enjoy switching between fluid combos and high-damage explosions.

➤ Hammer

The hammer is a brutal melee weapon specializing in stunning monsters targeting the head. With charged attacks, spinning strikes, and heavy smashes, it’s one of the best weapons for crowd control and KO potential. Its ability to flinch and stagger enemies makes it an excellent choice for disrupting monster movements and setting up follow-up attacks.

The hammer is the most suitable choice for hunters who want blunt force and the ability to stun enemies.

Each weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds offers a unique experience, rewarding those who master their strengths and adapt to different combat scenarios. Whether you prefer high-speed melee, defensive counters, or long-range dominance, there's a weapon class that suits your hunting style.

Now that we've explored everything from general mechanics to the unique traits of each weapon class, it's time to get to the reason you came here in the first place: Monster Hunter Wilds weapon tier lists.

Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List: Detailed Breakdown

In this section, we’ll break down the best weapons for different scenarios, helping you find the most suitable options based on your playstyle. Whether you're looking for the strongest meta weapons for breaking monster parts or a reliable choice for high DPS, these rankings will give you a clear understanding of how each weapon type performs in various situations.

Below, I’ll break down each tier so you can better understand the rankings and why a weapon deserves its spot within that tier:

• S-Tier - The top-performing weapons in most builds. These are the most effective choices for their role or playstyle and are often considered best-in-slot.
• A-Tier - Highly effective weapons that provide great utility and are commonly used in their respective situations. They have excellent performance, but they are behind S-Tier ones.
• B-Tier - Decent but situational weapons that can be useful in certain builds but generally work best as secondary rather than primary.
• C-Tier - The least effective weapons for a given scenario, rarely used due to their limited advantages. While they may still have other applications, they are generally not recommended over higher-tier options.

Disclaimer: tier lists are always subjective, and these rankings reflect my personal experience and knowledge from playing the previous Monster Hunter titles. I’ve tested various weapons across multiple scenarios, and this tier list is based on my findings. However, your ideal weapon choice should be based on your playstyle, preferences, and what feels best for you.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the rankings and what each tier represents, it's time to jump straight into the actual MH Wilds weapon tier lists. With this in mind, let’s explore which weapon types stand out in Monster Hunter Wilds and how they perform in different situations.

Best Weapons for Beginners

Choosing the right weapon as a beginner in Monster Hunter Wilds can make a huge difference in your learning experience. Some weapons are easier to play, offering straightforward mechanics, and strong defensive options, while others require advanced knowledge and precise execution to be efficient.

At the start of MH Wilds, you can access all 14 weapon types, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best. However, your first weapon choice is crucial, as it can make your start smoother.

To help you get started, here’s a tier list of the best beginner weapons based on ease of use, effectiveness, and adaptability in various hunting scenarios. The best-classed weapons offer simple mechanics, fast attacks, and defensive options.

If you’re new to Monster Hunter Wilds, starting with an S or A-Tier weapon will make learning the game much easier before moving on to more technical weapons.

Highest DPS Weapons

In Monster Hunter Wilds, choosing a high DPS (damage per second) weapon can improve hunting efficiency. Weapons with substantial DPS help take down monsters faster, shortening fights and reducing the risk of taking damage. However, raw damage isn’t everything—weapon complexity, mobility, and playstyle compatibility also play a key role.

Based on available information and community discussions, here's a tier list highlighting weapons known for their high DPS potential:

This tier list prioritizes damage consistency over pure attack power, ensuring that the weapons ranked higher can maintain reliable DPS throughout a hunt. While raw damage is essential, a weapon's ability to continuously apply pressure without frequent downtime defines its effectiveness in sustained combat.

Best Weapon for Solo Play in Monster Hunter Wilds

When hunting solo in MH Wilds, you need a weapon that balances defense, mobility, and damage to handle fights without team support. The best solo weapons are the most well-rounded, offering a mix of survivability, offensive potential, and adaptability to different monster encounters.

Here’s a tier list ranking the best weapons for solo play based on tankiness, mobility, and damage consistency:

Note: don't get me wrong, all weapons are made to be suitable for solo hunting but a weapon that is too aggressive without defensive options or too slow without mobility can make your life much harder. Stick to balanced weapons that allow you to deal damage while staying safe.

Best Weapon for Party Hunts: Multiplayer Meta

In Monster Hunter Wilds, multiplayer hunts require a different approach than solo play. The best weapons for party hunts are those that maximize team synergy, provide utility or support, and deal consistent damage without disrupting allies. Weapons that offer buffs or sustained DPS will perform best in co-op hunts.

Below is a tier list with the best weapons for multiplayer, considering team synergy, DPS, and support potential:

The best weapons in MH Wilds multiplayer are those that support the team, deal high DPS, or have excellent defensive potential. Weapons like the Hunting Horn shine by buffing teammates, while ranged weapons such as the Heavy Bowgun excel at dealing massive damage from a safe distance while the monster is focused on others. Tanky weapons like the Lance are also valuable, as they can hold the monster’s attention, allowing teammates to deal damage safely.

If you’re joining a party hunt, choose a weapon that contributes to team efficiency by enhancing allies, dealing damage safely, or controlling the monster’s focus.

Best Weapons for Speedfarming in MH Wilds

Speedfarming in Monster Hunter Wilds is about efficiency, fast kills, and minimizing downtime. The best weapons for speed runs and farming focus on high DPS, quick execution, and adaptability. Weapons with fast attack speed, strong burst damage, or ranged safety dominate in quick hunts.

Below is a tier list ranking the best weapons for speed farming based on damage output, execution speed, and versatility:

The best weapons for speed farming in Monster Hunter Wilds allow constant aggression, high burst damage, or fast repositioning. Fast-hitting melee weapons and consistent ranged ones are best for quickly finishing hunts. To maximize efficiency, focus on S and A-tier weapons.

Best Weapons for Breaking Monster Parts

Breaking monster parts in Monster Hunter Wilds is crucial for obtaining rare materials and weakening enemies during hunts. The best part-breaking weapons focus on high-impact damage, strong cutting power, or rapid hit accumulation.

Weapons with blunt force excel at breaking skulls and horns, while sharp weapons are best for slicing tails and exploiting weak points. Below is a tier list of the best weapons for breaking monster parts:

The best weapons for breaking monster parts deal concentrated damage to a specific area. Great Sword, Hammer, and Charge Blade break tough parts while fast-hitting weapons like Switch Axe and Dual Blades work best for cutting tails.

Weapon Popularity Tier List

In Monster Hunter Wilds, weapon popularity varies among players, often influenced by playstyle preferences, ease of use, weapon combos, and effectiveness. Some weapons have a more extensive player base due to their versatility and accessibility, while others are dedicated to hunters who invest enough time to learn their mechanics.

Based on available data and community discussions, here's a tier list of weapon popularity:

It's important to note that weapon popularity can fluctuate over time due to game updates, balance changes, and evolving player preferences.

Now that we’ve covered weapon popularity, it’s time to take a more technical approach and rank weapons based on playstyle. Different hunters prefer different approaches to combat. Some favor aggressive gameplay, others rely on precision and positioning, while some prefer defense and tactical setups.

Weapon Tier List by Playstyle

Choosing a weapon that matches your preferred playstyle is key to enjoying the game and improving your hunting efficiency. Whether you like fast combat, defensive counterplay, or ranged precision, there’s a perfect weapon for you in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Below are three tier lists based on weapons playstyle. We have split the 14 weapons in MH Wilds into high-mobility, heavy, and ranged weapons, helping you find the best options for your favorite combat approach.

High-Mobility Weapons Tier List

Weapons in this category focus on speed, agility, and constant movement, allowing hunters to stay on the offensive while quickly repositioning to avoid damage. High-mobility weapons excel in hit-and-run tactics, aerial attacks, and quick strikes.

Note: These weapons focus on speed and agility. Dual Blades and Insect Glaive offer the fastest attacks, while Long Sword and Sword & Shield provide mobility with solid damage. Switch Axe and Charge Blade are mobile but need setup.

Heavy Weapons Tier List

Heavy weapons prioritize raw power and devastating attacks, often requiring charged strikes to release their full damage. They tend to be slower, but their burst damage and high part-breaking ability compensate.

Note: These weapons trade speed for power. Great Sword and Hammer hit the hardest, while Charge Blade and Switch Axe mix power with versatility. Gunlance deals explosive damage, Lance focuses on defense, and the Hunting Horn has support purposes.

Long-Range Weapons Tier List

Long-range weapons specialize in damage from a distance, allowing hunters to stay out of the monster's way while maintaining consistent DPS. These weapons require ammo management, positioning, and aiming, making them ideal for players who prefer tactical combat.

Note: These weapons deal damage from a distance. The bow is mobile, the Light Bowgun is fast and efficient, and the Heavy Bowgun delivers high-burst damage. I have included the Gunlance because it has some ranged attacks, even if they are mostly melee.

This breakdown helps you identify the best weapons based on your playstyle. Whether you like high mobility, heavy attacks, or ranged potential, there's a weapon type suited to your preferences in Monster Hunter Wilds.

How to choose your Weapon in MH Wilds?

Choosing the right weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds depends on your playstyle, experience, and what feels most comfortable. Every weapon is excellent, but finding the right fit will make hunting more straightforward and rewarding.

Below we will share some pro tips on how to choose your weapon in MH Wilds based on the most important criteria:

1. Playstyle

• Aggressive: Dual Blades, Insect Glaive, Sword & Shield;
• Heavy-Hitting: Great Sword, Hammer, Charge Blade;
• Defensive: Lance, Gunlance, Long Sword
• Tactical: Bow, Light Bowgun, Heavy Bowgun
• Support & utility: Hunting Horn, Sword & Shield

2. Mobility

• High mobility: Dual Blades, Insect Glaive, Long Sword
• Balanced mobility: Sword & Shield, Switch Axe, Bow
• Low mobility: Great Sword, Gunlance, Heavy Bowgun

3. Melee or Ranged

• Melee (close combat): Dual Blades, Insect Glaive, Sword & Shield, Long Sword, Switch Axe, Charge Blade, Lance, Great Sword, Gunlance, Hammer, Hunting Horn.
• Ranged (long distance): Bow, Light Bowgun, Heavy Bowgun.

4. Complexity

• Easiest to learn: Sword & Shield, Dual Blades, Long Sword, Hammer
• Intermediate: Great Sword, Bow, Light Bowgun, Switch Axe, Insect Glaive
• Advanced: Charge Blade, Gunlance, Heavy Bowgun, Lance, Hunting Horn

Once you have an idea of what type of weapon suits your playstyle, keep these tips in mind to make your final decision easier:

• Test all weapon types in the training area. You can use every weapon from the start.
• Start with something simple, then move to advanced weapons once you're comfortable.
• Watch experienced players to see how different weapons perform in real hunts.
• Consider monster matchups. Some weapons perform better against certain enemies.
• Stick with what feels best. A weapon you enjoy will always be the most effective.

There’s no wrong choice when picking a weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds. Every weapon is powerful when used correctly. Start with something that matches your playstyle, then experiment as you gain experience. The best weapon is the one you enjoy mastering. Find yours, improve your skills, and enjoy the hunt.

Below, we've gathered answers to hunters' most common questions about weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. The following section will clarify everything, whether you're new to the series or looking for deeper insights.

MH Wilds Best Weapons Guide - F.A.Q.

What’s the best weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds?

There is not only one best weapon in MH Wilds, as it depends on your playstyle and preferences. Long Sword, Bow, and Dual Blades are popular due to their versatility, mobility, and strong DPS.

What is the fastest weapon in MH Wilds?

Dual Blades are the fastest melee weapon, allowing quick attacks without downtime. The bow is the fastest ranged weapon, offering quick shots and high mobility.

What is the best starting weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Sword & Shield and Long Sword are great for beginners due to their easy combos, mobility, and DPS. Hammer is also suitable for those who prefer simple but strong attacks.

What is the best solo weapon in MH Wilds?

Sword & Shield, Great Sword, Long Sword, and Bow are great solo weapons due to their high DPS, defensive options, and versatility.

What is the best weapon for group hunts in MH Wilds?

Hunting Horn is the best support weapon, providing buffs for teammates. Bowguns excel at ranged damage without disrupting melee allies. Lance is great for tanking, allowing others to attack safely.

Which weapon does the most damage in MH Wilds?

Great Sword deals the highest raw damage per hit, while Charge Blade and Heavy Bowgun offer massive burst damage. Hammer also ranks high in the top for KO damage, making it excellent for disabling monsters.

Can you change weapons mid-hunt in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Yes! You can change weapons mid-hunt at camps or swap them directly using the new Dual Weapon Loadout, which allows you to switch between two equipped weapons without returning to camp.

Can you swap weapons while riding in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Yes! You can swap between your equipped weapons while riding your Seikret mount, allowing you to adapt to different combat situations without stopping the hunt.

What weapon is best for breaking monster parts?

Great Sword, Hammer, and Charge Blade are best for breaking monster parts in MH Wilds. Dual Blades, Switch Axe, and Long Sword excel at cutting monster parts.

Are ranged weapons better than melee weapons in MH Wilds?

It depends on the situation. Ranged weapons allow safe damage from a distance, while melee weapons typically hit harder per strike and excel at breaking monster parts.

Now that we’ve covered the essential weapon-related questions let’s bring everything together and summarize our MH Wilds weapons guide.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right weapon is about understanding your playstyle, strengths, and preferences. Whether you prefer a fast and agile approach, heavy-hitting weapons, or ranged combat, the developers have added a suitable option for every hunter. The best way to find your weapon is by experimenting, practicing, and refining your skills. Please start with the one that feels comfortable, learn its combos, and adapt as you progress.

Throughout this Monster Hunter Wilds weapons guide, we've explored all weapon types, revealed the most relevant tier lists, explained the new weapon mechanics, and provided key tips to help you choose the best weapon for your playstyle. No matter which weapon you choose, the key to success is practice. It’s time to step into the wild and take down all monsters!

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