Best Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Tier List And Combos

TL;DR

  • Great Sword offers the best learning curve for newcomers with solid damage and blocking capability
  • Hammer delivers devastating single-target damage but requires precise timing and positioning
  • Dual Blades excel at sustained DPS through lengthy combos and Demon Mode activation
  • Heavy Bowgun provides easy-to-use ranged damage with machine gun alternate fire mode
  • Always test weapons in training area and consider team composition for optimal hunting success


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Selecting your primary armament in Monster Hunter Wilds represents one of the most critical decisions affecting your hunting effectiveness. While personal preference significantly influences weapon mastery, understanding core combat mechanics and role specialization dramatically improves your success rate against formidable monsters.

The game features 14 distinct weapon categories, each possessing unique move sets, specialized Focus Strike mechanics for creating wounds, and inherent perks that fundamentally shape combat approaches. Available options encompass the Great Sword, Long Sword, Sword & Shield, Hammer, Hunting Horn, Lance, Gunlance, Switch Axe, Charge Blade, Insect Glaive, Light Bowgun, Heavy Bowgun, and Bow.

Utilizing the training area proves essential for mastering attack patterns and defensive maneuvers. This dedicated space allows comprehensive testing to identify which weapon aligns with your preferred aggression level and squad role responsibilities.

Best weapon for beginners: Great Sword

The Great Sword stands as the premier starting weapon for newcomers seeking to grasp Monster Hunter Wilds combat fundamentals. This massive blade delivers substantial damage per swing with wide arcing attacks that provide excellent reach. Mastering the Charged Slash mechanic—achieved by holding the attack button—significantly amplifies damage output while teaching timing discipline. Advanced techniques include chaining Charged Slash or Wide Slash into tackle maneuvers that create openings for follow-up attacks. Defensively, the Great Sword permits blocking, though this consumes sharpness rapidly.

Best weapon for high damage: Hammer

For hunters prioritizing raw destructive power, the Hammer delivers unparalleled impact damage despite its deliberate attack speed. The Spinning Bludgeon technique transforms you into a whirling vortex of destruction, striking targets multiple times during rotation. Meanwhile, the Big Bang combo sequence unleashes consecutive powerful strikes ideal for breaking monster parts. Success demands precise positioning since missed attacks incur lengthy recovery animations that leave you vulnerable.

Best weapon for fast attack speed: Dual Blades

Dual Blades cater to aggressive players favoring rapid, continuous assault over singular powerful strikes. Individual hits inflict modest damage compared to heavier weapons, but extended combo chains compensate through accumulated damage. The weapon truly excels when activating Demon Mode, enabling devastating sequences like Demon Fangs, Demon Flurry Rush, and the spectacular Blade Dance maneuver. Managing stamina depletion becomes crucial since Demon Mode continuously drains this resource while active.

Best ranged weapon: Heavy Bowgun

Ranged combat specialists should prioritize the Heavy Bowgun for its straightforward operation and substantial damage potential. Its primary firing mode discharges three rounds per shot, while the alternate fire transforms it into a temporary machine gun, devastating immobilized or stunned creatures. The primary trade-off involves limited mobility due to the weapon’s substantial weight, though it retains guarding capability.

Best ranged weapon (if you can master it): Bow
Best support weapon: Hunting Horn

Beyond basic weapon proficiency, successful hunters must master several advanced combat principles. For Great Sword users, learning monster attack patterns enables optimal charged attack placement. Hammer specialists should focus on head-targeting to maximize knockout potential and part-breaking efficiency. Dual Blades practitioners need to develop keen stamina awareness, activating Demon Mode during vulnerable monster states for maximum effect.

Heavy Bowgun operators excel when coordinating with teammates who can immobilize targets. The machine gun alternate fire delivers catastrophic damage to trapped, paralyzed, or downed monsters. Always maintain adequate distance since the weapon’s mobility limitations make close-quarters combat dangerous.

Resource management extends beyond combat mechanics—proper preparation significantly enhances performance. Consuming stat-boosting meals before hunts provides crucial advantages, particularly for stamina-intensive weapons like Dual Blades. Understanding elemental weaknesses and sharpness management further separates novice hunters from masters.

Team composition considerations should influence weapon selection. Balanced squads typically include at least one dedicated damage dealer (Hammer/Great Sword), one fast attacker for status effects (Dual Blades), and one ranged specialist for consistent damage during monster enrage phases.

Action Checklist

  • Test all 14 weapon types in training area for 5-10 minutes each
  • Master charged attack timing with Great Sword against stationary targets
  • Practice Hammer combos on monster heads to understand knockout mechanics
  • Learn stamina management with Dual Blades, activating Demon Mode during safe windows
  • Coordinate Heavy Bowgun machine gun bursts with teammate crowd control abilities

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