Weapon Types & Playstyles

Monster Hunter Wilds offers a diverse arsenal of 14 weapon types, each providing a distinct playstyle and catering to different hunter preferences. Whether you prefer swift, agile combat or powerful, deliberate strikes, there's a weapon for you.

Understanding the nuances of each weapon is key to maximizing your effectiveness and enjoyment. Some weapons excel at dealing raw damage, while others focus on elemental damage, status effects, or defensive capabilities. Your choice of weapon will heavily influence your approach to combat, your positioning, and the skills you'll want to prioritize in your armor.

Here's a brief overview of the weapon categories:

Melee Weapons:

Great Sword: Slow, heavy-hitting weapon with powerful charged attacks.
Sword & Shield: Balanced weapon with good mobility, defensive options, and the ability to use items while drawn.
Dual Blades: Fast, aggressive weapon focused on rapid attacks and high mobility.
Long Sword: Combines reach with fluid combos and counter-attack opportunities.
Hunting Horn: Supports allies with buffs through musical melodies while dealing damage.
Lance: Defensive weapon with a shield for blocking and a long reach for precise thrusts.
Gunlance: Combines the reach of a lance with explosive shelling attacks.
Hammer: Focuses on blunt damage, capable of stunning monsters with powerful charged attacks.
Switch Axe: Transforms between an axe and a sword mode, offering versatile attack options.
Charge Blade: Complex weapon with sword and shield mode, capable of charging phials for devastating elemental discharges.
Insect Glaive: Utilizes a Kinsect to gather buffs and allows the hunter to perform aerial attacks.

Ranged Weapons:

Bow: Mobile weapon firing arrows with charged shots and coatings for status effects or elemental damage.
Light Bowgun: Fast-firing ranged weapon with various ammo types and mobility.
Heavy Bowgun: Slower but more powerful ranged weapon with high damage output and special ammo types.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, all weapons will feature familiar move sets with added polish, incorporating mechanics like Focus Mode and Focus Strikes. Experimenting with different weapons is highly encouraged to find the one that best suits your combat style and the challenges you face.