Weapons Guide for Monster Hunter Wilds

      There are numerous essential tips and tricks to master in Monster Hunter Wilds, but none are as crucial as effectively utilizing your weapon. All 14 weapons are accessible from the start, and each one significantly alters the dynamics of a hunt. Seasoned hunters will likely recognize most of them, but there are new elements to consider this time. If you intend to play with friends, ensure that you're not hindering the team by merely spamming attacks. Before adding a new weapon to your wishlist, take a look at this brief weapons guide for Monster Hunter Wilds.

      **Weapons Guide**

      As previously mentioned, there are 14 weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. We’ll give you a brief overview of each weapon's strengths, weaknesses, and playstyle, but the best way to choose is to test one in the training area.

      **Great Sword**

      For those who prefer a slower weapon that delivers a powerful blow, the Great Sword reigns supreme. This iconic weapon of the franchise is capable of high-damage charge attacks and blocking. It requires bravery and careful timing to land hits due to its slow swing speeds, but when you do connect, it counts.

      **Long Sword**

      A sword so lengthy that even Sephiroth would envy it. This weapon allows for perfect dodges and counterattacks reminiscent of an action game. It also features wide, sweeping attacks effective against smaller mobs and can hit multiple parts of a monster simultaneously. Successful hits build a spirit gauge which can be utilized for a special combo that enhances your attack.

      **Sword and Shield**

      If you're new to the series, this is an excellent weapon to start with. It offers rapid strikes with both the sword and shield, a decent block, dodging capabilities, and is the only weapon that permits item usage without stowing it away first.

      **Dual Blades**

      For a more elaborate option, the Dual Blades are equally fast but involve additional layers to consider. They feature a Demon and Archdemon gauge that boosts your attack power and speed as you build them up. If you’re looking to be swift and aggressive, give these a try.

      **Hammer**

      The Hammer operates similarly to the Great Sword, but it deals blunt damage that can quickly exhaust or stun a monster if you target the right parts. While it’s not as slow as the Great Sword and allows dodging, it lacks a guard.

      **Hunting Horn**

      This weapon is best suited for veterans or players in a dedicated team. The horn plays various tunes that can buff yourself and other hunters in addition to its attacks, meaning you need to be aware of the entire battlefield and know which buffs to activate at the right moments.

      **Lance**

      If you see yourself as a tank, the Lance is for you. This weapon allows you to strike from relative safety behind your large shield at the cost of speed and damage. While it may not excel in raw damage, it compensates with targeted damage capabilities, allowing you to inflict wounds and exploit a monster’s limbs with precise thrusts.

      **Gunlance**

      The Gunlance is just as its name implies. It retains a heavy shield but focuses on firing explosive shells. It provides greater range and includes a dodge.

      **Switch Axe**

      This weapon feels like it's been drawn straight from Bloodborne. You can wield it as a heavy axe or transform it into a more agile sword. Each form has its own advantages, such as the ability to create explosions, though neither is the strongest in its category. For maximum versatility, choose this weapon.

      **Charge Blade**

      Another transforming weapon, the Charge Blade features both an axe mode and a sword and shield. It’s often considered the most challenging weapon to master in the series, as utilizing one mode enhances the other, with each having its own distinct combo list to remember.

      **Insect Glaive**

      Vertical mobility is better than ever in Monster Hunter Wilds. The Insect Glaive allows you to jump and spin around the environment, making it easy to mount monsters. You’ll need to collect parts from monsters using your Kinsect during battles to buff yourself; otherwise, your damage output will be minimal.

      **Light Bowgun**

      The first purely ranged weapon, the Light Bowgun keeps you agile and boasts a swift rate of fire for impressive DPS if you keep the monster in your line of sight. Hitting targets builds a gauge that can be spent on a Rapid Fire ability to unleash all your shots at once. Just ensure you come prepared with plenty of ammo.

      **Heavy Bowgun**

      It’s advisable to use the Heavy Bowgun for team hunts, as it performs best at long range while others attract aggro. It does feature an auto-guard, but the optimal way to utilize this weapon is by sniping from a distance with the appropriate ammo type to take down your target.

      **Bow**

      The Bow is distinct from the other two ranged options. It consumes your