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Monster Hunter Wilds brings the 14 weapons most hunters have become accustomed to, but since a few of them have new combos and mechanics, it is tier list time. Before we delve into the “why this weapon is better than the other,” remember to follow the golden rule: use what you want the most. Yes, a few perform better than others, and some have easier combos to learn. However, that doesn’t mean the weapon we place at the bottom of our tier list is the absolute worst. In the right hands, all weapons can be a force to be reckoned with.
[Note: This tier list is from the Monster Hunter Wilds Beta, but we’ll update it once the full game goes live and we have a chance to try all weapons against other monsters.]
S-Rank Weapons
We’ll begin with the cream of the crop of Monster Hunter Wilds, or in other words, the best weapons in the tier list. Our reasoning behind them is how easy they are to use and master and how smooth their combos and mechanics are. While some moves remain unchanged from the ones we’ve seen in the series, there are a few new ones that elevated some weapons, such as the ones in this rank.
Long Sword
To no one’s surprise, after being one of the best weapons in Monster Hunter World, the Long Sword also stands at the top of our Monster Hunter Wilds tier list. The Long Sword’s gameplay is so smooth that hardcore and new fans alike will find it highly engaging. You perform a few combos, fill up a gauge a few times, and then perform devastating combos. Wilds, however, brings new finisher moves called the Crimson combo, which is quite devastating and easy to pull off.
Sword and Shield
Many might feel that Sword and Shield are the weapons that are the “easy mode” of Monster Hunter Wilds, and yes, they are, in a way. For starters, they provide both slashing and blunt damage, which is huge. You can cut off parts with ease with your Sword and stun enemies with the Shield. In addition, you have pretty devastating combos that can even let you mount an enemy if timed right. But the absolute best thing about the Sword and Shield in Wilds is how responsive they feel now. In previous games, using this weapon felt like attacking blindly. Here, however, combos feel more responsive with better direction movement. Also, there’s a new move capable of delivering several attacks with ease, which is highly satisfying to pull off.
Bow
Of all ranged weapons, the Bow remains an S-Tier choice, and even more so now with the changes in Wilds. The new Tracer mechanic is fantastic for hunters with a terrible aim. Once you apply a tracer shot, all your following shots will home in on the area. This is excellent when trying to hit wounds or a weak body part. Furthermore, the new Focus attacks are amazing and have some devastating follow-up combos. Did I mention coatings aren’t an item anymore? That makes the coating management part of a bow much easier.
Dual Blades
This might be controversial for some people, especially since Dual Blades are usually the “status weapon.” Let me elaborate on it. Due to their fast attack speed, hunters use Dual Blades to apply status effects. For instance, fire, shock, poison, etc. And well, Dual Blades still work like that in Wilds. However, the new moveset in demon form is so good, and that “Attack on Titan” spinning move that was hard to pull off in previous games is now the Focus Strike, making it easy to perform. Overall, Dual Blades got a huge facelift, and many might want these blades as their main or even secondary weapon.
A-Rank Weapons
Moving on to the next rank of our tier list, we have the “A” weapons of Monster Hunter Wilds. These aren’t bad by any means and could be at an even higher spot in some situations. However, there are a few things that drag them down or make them feel a bit “niche” compared to the above tier. Still, these are also excellent to use, and mastering one is also ideal for all hunts.
Great Sword
The series’ flagship weapon is fantastic in many ways, but it is a bit more difficult to use compared to the previous one, hence the A-tier spot. Yet, that doesn’t mean it is bad. The Greatsword is probably the one weapon that makes use of the Focus Mode the most. You can aim your slashes better and even change their direction while you’re charging the attack. Furthermore, the new counter slash is one of the most devastating moves in the game. Again, this weapon could be higher up on the list, but mastering it takes a lot of time, and not all hunters can be “main Greatsword” players. It is certainly something to boast about.
Insect Glaive
The Insect Glaive is another fun weapon to use that has a high skill ceiling. No pun intended there. For the Dragoon lovers, this weapon offers that fantasy. You perform fast combos, fly up high, and land with some of the most powerful thrusts in the game. However, the Kinsect mechanic is never easy and might be confusing to a lot of hunters. You can use these Kinsects to gather extracts and buff your hunter. Just for that, this weapon is in this rank because, while not bad to use, it can be quite challenging to learn. Still, a good Glaive player is always welcome in any party.
Hammer
For the Oonga Boonga players out there, the Hammer is perfect. I dare say that in this Monster Hunter Wilds tier list, this weapon fits this rank perfectly. On the one hand, it is a highly destructive armament. One perfect “bonk” with this weapon will bring down almost any monster. On the other hand, pulling off those “perfect bonks” is the issue. At least most of the time. Another thing that prevents the Hammer from shining further is its heavy focus on timed attacks. Some players might be used to them, but it requires a lot of practice and being comfortable with the weapon’s slow attacks.
Heavy Bowgun
Previously, the Heavy Bowgun felt like a niche weapon. Not a lot of players liked to wield its devastating power. However, the changes in Wilds made it a bit more accessible. For instance, some ammo is now unlimited, like piercing and spread. Also, you can guard against attacks more easily. But the real kicker is the new counter mechanic, which is so satisfying to pull off. But beyond that, there’s nothing really mind-blowing that justifies using this weapon. If you dig it, by all means, but the Bow feels much better and more dynamic to use.
Light Bowgun
The Light Bowgun is in a weird place because some mechanics got simplified, but that doesn’t mean the weapon is now bad. Some ammo is easier to use, and swapping to other firing modes is also easy. However, that’s about it when it comes to new or notable mechanics. That’s not to say it is bad. It is a great option for those who want a highly mobile ranged weapon that also packs a punch. Still, the Bow reigns as the most fun ranged weapon to use, especially with the new improvements.
B-Tier Weapons
We’re almost done with this tier list, and the fact that these weapons are B-Rank doesn’t mean you should stay away from them, but compared to other armaments in Monster Hunter Wilds, these are not that great to use. Still, we’ve seen some players perform crazy moves with them, so again, it’s all dependent on a hunter’s skill.
Switch Axe
The Switch Axe combines a powerful but slow axe with a fast and huge sword. And yes, you can swap between them by performing combos. While there are new improvements that make pulling off these combos easier, using the Switch Axe is still quite a challenge, and not many are up to the task. Furthermore, swapping between the two modes is quite difficult, and mixing them on top of a monster’s moves can become chaotic. It is not a bad weapon per se, but it is not one we recommend for beginners.
Gunlance
The Gunlance has to be one of the most original weapons in gaming. As the name implies, you have a gun inside a gigantic lance. This should be reason enough to put it at the top of the list. However, the micromanagement part of all the gauges will become overwhelming for many players. Those who use this weapon deserve nothing but respect. Yet, those fledgling hunters trying it will need to practice a lot with the slow attacks, wyvern gauge, and many other things.
Charge Blade
Similar to the above weapon, the Change Blade does many things flawlessly, but it takes a lot, emphasis on a lot, of practice to be good with it. There aren’t a lot of gauges compared to the Gunlance, but swapping between its two modes is pretty difficult. In many fights against fast monsters that attack or move quickly, the Change Blade might not be the best option. Still, it has some of the coolest combos in the game.
C-Tier Weapons
We’ve reached the bottom of our weapon tier list, and as we said, the ones here aren’t the worst in Monster Hunter Wilds. However, we don’t recommend them because they are quite niche, don’t work for solo players, or are a bit boring to use. Then again, we’ve seen some fantastic hunters wielding these armaments. Ultimately, it all depends on what you like the most.
Lance
The Lance is in a weird spot because it certainly packs a punch during a fight. However, its reliance on counters makes its gameplay quite stale. With other weapons feeling more “hands-on” than this, picking the Lance will bore a few hunters. The damage output is great, though. There are new moves in Wilds that make the weapon feel a bit faster. Yet, there are others that perform better and, most importantly, feel more fun to use.
Hunting Horn
You all knew the Hunter Horn would be at the bottom, didn’t you? If we look at it, the Hunting Horn is the support weapon. Yes. You can smack the musical notes out of a monster, and it feels fantastic. However, Hunting Horn users perform better in co-op hunts and struggle a bit during solo fights. Yet, with the ability to have two weapons, having a Horn as a secondary can be a good idea to improve your fighting capabilities.
