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Hunting monsters isn’t easy, and Monster Hunter World players would do well to put the co-op feature to good use. However, some of you stubbornly take the Diablos by the horns and prefer a solo challenge. If you’re one of these masochi — er, daring hunters, you’ll want the best weapons for solo hunters in Monster Hunter World. They’re a combination of high damage, versatility, and defense (for some of them), allowing you to fill in for the performance of three missing co-op players. However, being impressive for lone gameplay doesn’t mean all of our picks for the best weapons for solo hunters are accessible for beginners.
Long Sword
The Long Sword isn’t just one of the best weapons for solo hunters in Monster Hunter World; it’s also one of the best weapons for beginners. The oversized katana has a somewhat overpowered attack that also doubles as i-frames for dodging or powering through monster damage.
At the same time, the Long Sword is sometimes frowned upon in co-op gameplay for the tendency of their sideways slashes to trip and disrupt other players. That very well means it’s great for solo hunters as they can use it guilt-free. Of course, the aforementioned Foresight Slash here is what completes the Long Sword as a solo hunter weapon.
Bow
Maintaining a safe distance from those huge monsters is a preferable playstyle for many, especially newbies, and the Bow is the best weapon for that occasion. You also don’t have to worry about sharpening the weapons; instead, you only worry about ammunition, which isn’t as bad as the Bowgun options since the fire rate for the Bow isn’t that high.
Moreover, the Bow is a welcome weapon for beginners. It’s easy enough to use and quite the advantage for those who play the game using a mouse-and-keyboard setup. If anything, getting some headshots in is also a safer and simpler activity.
Lance
If you’re the type that loves to turtle behind your curtain of protection, then the Lance offers the most consistent protection. You just hide behind your shield and then poke the monster in front of you. It’s perfect for beginners as well, particularly those who are ready to graduate from the Sword and Shield.
Problems do arise when you’re fighting more than one enemy (like that notorious Teostra and Lunastra tag team. However, such moments and unfair boss fights in Monster Hunter World are typically rare or optional. You likely won’t produce some record hunt numbers with the Lance, but solo hunts with this weapon are bound to be the most relaxed, relatively relaxed.
Being able to turtle behind your shield means you can observe the monster’s moves. While you’re at it, you can also check out the Gunlance for flashier gameplay at the expense of some protection.
Heavy Bowgun
You’re going to be sacrificing a lot of mobility with the Heavy Bowgun; however, those who own this weapon will swear that it’s the highest-damage dealer in the game. And with that, you can dispatch a monster more quickly, minimizing the risks of becoming their chew toy. At one point in the game, the Spread Safi Heavy Bowgun build and setup reigned supreme (and it still does).
While the risk is still high since you are slower and can’t dodge as nimbly, the Heavy Bowgun can make up for it by dealing more consistent stuns, especially if you keep hitting the monster’s head. Besides, you’re practically bringing a machine gun to a fantasy boss fight with this weapon.
Charge Blade
Since you’re a solo hunter in Monster Hunter World and you’re missing three other weapons and players, here’s a solo-hunting weapon that counts as three weapons. Introducing the ever-complex Charge Blade. It’s by far the most intricate weapon in Monster Hunter World, and beginners (or even intermediate players) should by no means pick it up.
The Charge Blade can transform into a Sword and Shield and an Axe while also incorporating its rhythmic gameplay mechanic into the fray. You use whichever form you want, depending on your current situation. To that end, the Charge Blade is like the Swiss Army knife of solo hunters in Monster Hunter World, and every good hunter needs one eventually.
