Are you struggling to choose the perfect weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds? You’re not alone. With 14 distinct weapon types available from the start, each offering unique playstyles and mechanics, deciding which one to master can feel overwhelming. As a seasoned hunter who has spent countless hours testing every weapon type across multiple updates, I’ve created this comprehensive weapons tier list to help you make an informed decision.
This tier list synthesizes data from the most authoritative sources including Icy Veins, Game8, Rock Paper Shotgun, and Plarium, while incorporating the latest balance changes from Title Update 2. Whether you’re a newcomer looking for an easy-to-learn weapon or a veteran hunter seeking to optimize your clear times, this guide will help you find your perfect match.
Before diving into specific rankings, let me explain how this tier list works. Weapons are ranked based on several key factors:
| Tier | Description | Weapons |
|---|---|---|
| SS-Tier | Exceptional damage, easy to learn, dominant in current meta | Long Sword, Bow, Sword & Shield, Great Sword |
| S-Tier | Strong performance, good balance of power and skill requirement | Gunlance, Heavy Bowgun, Insect Glaive, Charge Blade |
| A-Tier | Solid choices, competitive with proper mastery | Dual Blades, Hammer, Hunting Horn |
| B-Tier | Situational effectiveness, requires specific playstyle | Lance, Switch Axe, Light Bowgun |
| C-Tier | High skill ceiling, limited effectiveness without mastery | None currently (all weapons viable with enough practice) |
These weapons represent the pinnacle of Monster Hunter Wilds’ current meta. They offer exceptional damage output while remaining accessible to players of all skill levels.
The Long Sword stands as arguably the best weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds right now, and for good reason. This katana-esque weapon combines impressive reach with lightning-fast combos and devastating counterattacks.
Why it’s SS-Tier:
The Long Sword’s recent buffs in Title Update 2 have only strengthened its position. The new Spirit Charge mechanic makes it easier to level up your Spirit Gauge, while the Crimson Slash (available at max Spirit Gauge) provides even more burst damage potential. Whether you’re solo hunting or in a group, the Long Sword’s combination of offense, defense, and mobility makes it the top choice for most hunters.
As the premier ranged weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds, the Bow offers an incredible blend of damage output and mobility that few other weapons can match.
Why it’s SS-Tier:
Title Update 1 brought significant changes to the Bow, decreasing Dragon Piercer damage but increasing Thousand Dragons and Power Volley effectiveness. These changes have actually made the Bow more balanced and, in many ways, more powerful than before. The Trick Arrow Gauge management adds depth without being overly complex, making the Bow accessible yet rewarding to master.
Never before has the Sword & Shield been this powerful in a Monster Hunter game. This versatile weapon combines the best of both worlds: solid defense with impressive offensive capabilities.
Why it’s SS-Tier:
The Sword & Shield’s rise to SS-Tier status is well-deserved. Its unique ability to use items while keeping your weapon drawn provides unmatched utility, while recent balance changes have significantly boosted its damage output. Whether you’re supporting your team with status effects or going solo with elemental builds, the Sword & Shield offers unparalleled versatility.
The iconic Great Sword makes a triumphant return to the top tier in Monster Hunter Wilds, thanks to significant quality-of-life improvements that make this powerhouse more accessible than ever.
Why it’s SS-Tier:
Title Update 2’s buffs have pushed the Great Sword into SS-Tier territory. The ability to perform multiple True Charged Slashes as long as you have Wounds to destroy, combined with the improved Focus Mode that lets you redirect your charged attacks, makes this weapon more viable than ever. While still slower than other options, the sheer damage potential makes it worth the investment.
These weapons offer excellent performance and can compete with SS-Tier weapons in the right hands, though they may require more specific playstyles or have slight limitations.
The Gunlance combines the defensive prowess of the Lance with explosive firepower, creating a unique hybrid weapon that excels at controlled aggression.
Why it’s S-Tier:
Recent updates have made the Gunlance more fluid and mobile, addressing one of its biggest weaknesses. The ability to counter attacks simply by guarding, combined with the devastating Wyrmstake Full Burst, makes this weapon a top-tier choice for hunters who enjoy a more deliberate, defensive playstyle.
As the hardest-hitting ranged weapon in the game, the Heavy Bowgun offers unparalleled firepower at the cost of mobility.
Why it’s S-Tier:
While Title Update 2 saw the Heavy Bowgun drop from SS to S-Tier due to increased complexity with elemental management, it remains an excellent choice for hunters who prefer ranged combat. The ability to dish out huge damage from a safe distance, combined with solid defensive options, makes it a reliable choice for both solo and group play.
The Insect Glaive offers a unique playstyle centered around aerial combat and Kinsect management, providing excellent mobility and damage potential.
Why it’s S-Tier:
Recent improvements have made the Kinsect mechanic more intuitive, lowering the entry barrier while maintaining high skill ceiling potential. The Insect Glaive excels at targeting hard-to-reach monster parts and provides excellent utility for team play with its various buff combinations.
Perhaps the most complex weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds, the Charge Blade rewards mastery with incredible burst damage and versatility.
Why it’s S-Tier:
While the Charge Blade has a steep learning curve, recent balance changes have made it more accessible to new players while maintaining its high skill ceiling. The ability to switch between defensive sword mode and offensive axe mode provides unmatched versatility, making it a top-tier choice for hunters who enjoy complex, technical weapons.
These weapons are perfectly viable and can compete effectively in most situations, though they may have specific limitations or require more specialized playstyles.
The Dual Blades offer the fastest attack speed in Monster Hunter Wilds, making them excellent at applying status effects and elemental damage.
Why it’s A-Tier:
While the Dual Blades can deal incredible damage, they lack defensive options and require constant stamina management. The aggressive playstyle can leave you vulnerable if you’re not careful, but in the right hands, they can be devastating against monsters weak to specific elements or status effects.
The Hammer has received significant improvements in Title Update 2, making it a much more competitive choice for hunters who enjoy stunning monsters and dealing impact damage.
Why it’s A-Tier:
Recent buffs have significantly improved the Hammer’s viability, with expanded hitboxes making it easier to land hits and new combo options providing more damage potential. While still requiring precise timing and positioning, the Hammer’s ability to consistently stun monsters makes it a valuable team asset.
The Hunting Horn is the ultimate support weapon, capable of buffing your entire team while still dealing respectable damage.
Why it’s A-Tier:
While the Hunting Horn’s damage output is lower than other weapons, its support capabilities make it invaluable in group play. Recent quality-of-life improvements have made melody performance more intuitive, and the ability to provide consistent buffs to your team can significantly improve clear times in coordinated groups.
These weapons have specific niches or require particular playstyles to be effective, but can still perform well in the right circumstances.
The Lance is the ultimate defensive weapon, offering unparalleled guarding capabilities at the cost of mobility and damage output.
Why it’s B-Tier:
While the Lance dropped from A to B-Tier in Title Update 2 due to lack of growth compared to other weapons, it remains a solid choice for hunters who prefer a defensive playstyle. The ability to block almost any attack provides incredible survivability, though the limited mobility can make it frustrating against faster monsters.
The Switch Axe offers a unique hybrid playstyle, switching between agile axe mode and powerful sword mode.
Why it’s B-Tier:
The Switch Axe’s main limitation is its stamina management and the complexity of managing the Switch Gauge. While it can deal impressive damage, the weapon requires significant practice to master and can feel clunky compared to more straightforward options.
The Light Bowgun offers mobility and rapid-fire capabilities at the cost of raw damage output.
Why it’s B-Tier:
While the Light Bowgun can be effective, it generally has lower damage output compared to other ranged weapons and requires careful ammo management. It excels at applying status effects and providing support, but struggles with raw damage output against tougher monsters.
Title Update 2 brought significant changes to the weapon meta, with several weapons moving up or down in the rankings:
These changes reflect Capcom’s ongoing efforts to balance the game and ensure all weapons remain viable. The meta continues to evolve, and we may see further adjustments in future updates.
While this tier list provides a general ranking of weapon effectiveness, the best weapon is ultimately the one that you enjoy playing the most. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your main weapon:
The Long Sword and Bow are generally considered the best choices for solo play due to their excellent balance of offense, defense, and mobility. Both weapons allow you to safely deal damage while having tools to avoid or mitigate monster attacks.
Capcom has been releasing title updates every few months, typically bringing balance changes that can shift the meta. Major updates like Title Update 2 can significantly impact weapon rankings, so it’s important to stay current with the latest patches.
Yes, all 14 weapons are viable in endgame content with enough practice and skill. While this tier list ranks weapons based on general effectiveness and ease of use, a skilled player can make any weapon work effectively in any situation.
Currently, the Long Sword and Bow generally offer the highest consistent DPS across most situations. However, the Heavy Bowgun can achieve higher burst damage in specific scenarios, and the Great Sword has the highest single-hit damage potential.
I recommend focusing on one weapon initially to master its mechanics, then learning a second weapon for variety. Having two mastered weapons gives you flexibility for different monster types and team compositions.
This comprehensive weapons tier list for Monster Hunter Wilds should help you make an informed decision about which weapon to pursue. Remember that while tier lists provide valuable guidance, the best weapon is ultimately the one that you enjoy playing the most.
The current meta favors versatile weapons with good defensive options and high damage potential, which is why the Long Sword, Bow, Sword & Shield, and Great Sword dominate the SS-Tier. However, all weapons have their strengths and can be effective in the right hands.
Keep this guide bookmarked as I’ll be updating it regularly with each new title update and balance change. The Monster Hunter Wilds meta is constantly evolving, and staying informed will help you maintain your competitive edge.
Happy hunting, and may your chosen weapon serve you well in the Forbidden Lands!
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