Monster Hunter Wilds features a wide range of weapons. This tier list ranks the top weapons in the game according to overall performance, versatility, and simplicity. From the destructive blows of the Great Sword to the precise accuracy of the Bow, we dissect which weapons rule the field of battle and which need a little more finesse. Regardless of how you hunt, this guide will assist you in determining the ideal weapon to tackle the most feared monsters Wilds has to offer.
Weapon Tier List
While the best weapon ultimately comes down to personal preference, it’s worth noting that you can now bring two weapons into the field. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to carry one you’re comfortable with and another you’re eager to master.
S Rank (Top Tier) – Best overall performance, high damage, and versatility.
- Great Sword
- Long Sword
- Bow
- Sword and Shield
Great Sword
The Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds hits harder than any other weapon with a single strike—if you take the time to charge it up. It’s the series’ most iconic weapon, and in Wilds, it’s a bit more user-friendly thanks to Focus Mode, which helps you line up those massive swings more precisely. Still, it’s not considered top-tier because of how slow and clunky it can be, especially compared to weapons like the Hammer or Long Sword. Missing a swing feels brutal.
Long Sword
The Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds gives you the reach of a Great Sword without all the clunkiness. It’s surprisingly fast for its size, making it great for dealing elemental damage especially when you max out your Spirit Gauge. What really makes the Long Sword shine is its versatility you can easily target any part of a monster while staying mobile, dishing out serious damage on the go. The highlight, though, is the Foresight Slash, a slick counterattack that lets you completely avoid damage if you time it right. With enough practice, the Long Sword can make you feel almost untouchable, making it a fantastic choice whether you’re hunting solo or running with a party.
Bow
In Monster Hunter Wilds, the Bow stands out as the best weapon in the game right now, even among the S-Tier options. It offers incredible, pinpoint damage with Tracers and Focus Strikes, all while keeping you light on your feet. With the Charging Sidestep, you can dodge incoming attacks with perfect timing, making it easy to stay safe. It’s a straightforward weapon—great for dealing damage, applying status effects, and giving you plenty of ways to control the flow of a fight. Simple, powerful, and effective—the Bow has it all.
Sword and Shield
The Sword and Shield has never been better than it is in Monster Hunter Wilds. It’s the most versatile weapon in the game. With the Sword and Shield, you’re incredibly mobile, especially with the Sliding Swipe, which adds a ton of fluidity to your attacks. And if things get dicey, that small shield isn’t just for show you can block or even pull off a full-on Power Clash against a large monster. Combine that with its steady DPS and reliable status effect procs, and it’s clear why the SNS earns its spot in S-Tier.
A Rank (Strong Choices) – Powerful weapons with great utility but may require skill to master.
- Hunting Horn
- Switch Axe
- Charge Blade
- Heavy Bowgun
- Dual Blades
- Gunlance
Hunting Horn
Hunting Horn players are thriving in Monster Hunter Wilds. This blunt damage, buff-focused weapon has always been a strong choice especially in multiplayer but now it’s better than ever. With the addition of Echo Bubbles, some amazing endgame options with powerful song lists, and the ability to pull off Offset Melodies and other impactful 4-step combos, the Hunting Horn has never felt this good.
Switch Axe
The Switch Axe in Monster Hunter Wilds certainly has flair—it’s a looker and a feeler, particularly in its gigantic axe mode. But although it’s less complex than the Charge Blade, it can still be a challenging weapon to master. There’s a lot to master when it comes to executing its most powerful combos, and the pure damage reward doesn’t always seem worth the trouble. It’s a difficult weapon for newcomers to master, and even in its more nimble sword form, it can be clumsy and merciless.
Charge Blade
The Charge Blade’s greatest weakness in Monster Hunter Wilds is how complex it is. It can deliver great burst damage after the sword is charged, but actually mastering the weapon is time-consuming and frustrating. In all honesty, it’s only really worth it if you really like playing it. If not, there are plenty of other weapons that can achieve the same thing without the added steps and mental acrobatics.
Heavy Bowgun
The Heavy Bowgun in Monster Hunter Wilds is a powerhouse, much like the Gunlance, capable of dealing massive damage from a distance, once you get the hang of it. It’s hard to justify picking the Light Bowgun when its heavier counterpart offers such impressive firepower and a wide variety of ammo types for different situations. But, like many weapons on the heavier end of the spectrum, it’s held back by its clunkiness and complexity. To balance things out, it’s a good idea to pair it with a faster melee weapon to cover its weaknesses.
Dual Blades
The Dual Blades in Monster Hunter Wilds are all about doing one thing: raw aggression. Being the fastest-attacking weapons in the game, they’re ideal for piling on elemental damage and status effects, making them a good pick against monsters with obvious weaknesses. While Demon Mode can be tricky to master especially with the stamina management it requires there’s no denying the raw attack power. When you’re darting between a monster’s legs, dodging strikes, and unleashing relentless, seconds-long combos, the Dual Blades feel as fierce as they are fast.
Gunlance
The Gunlance in Monster Hunter Wilds hits like a truck and can end fights faster than most weapons, which says a lot about how closely matched all these weapons really are in terms of power. With its high attack and solid defense, it’s a force to be reckoned with. The only reason it sits in the lower half of A-Tier is its lack of mobility, getting caught in a bad spot can be rough unless you’re really comfortable with how the weapon moves and flows.
B Rank (Balanced Options) – Solid weapons with specific strengths but not as dominant.
- Hammer
- Lance
- Insect Glaive
- Light Bowgun
Hammer
The Hammer in Monster Hunter Wilds is as simple as it comes, pure, unadulterated bonking at its best. The reason it’s so great is its amazing stun value: hit a monster on the head, and with the right skills, you’ll be bludgeoning them senseless in no time, and battles will be a breeze. It also has powerful charge attacks that let you stay mobile while building up damage, which makes it surprisingly flexible. Simple, effective, and forgiving, the Hammer is one of the best weapons for beginners and there’s a good reason it’s a go-to choice for new hunters.
Lance
The Lance in Monster Hunter Wilds is a slow and steady defensive powerhouse—built for charged pokes and holding your ground behind a massive shield. In the right hands, it can dish out solid damage and is definitely strong enough for endgame hunts, just like every other weapon. But if you’re looking to break speed records, the Lance won’t be your go-to. It’s great for consistent, safe raw damage, but it struggles to keep up with the mobility and sheer power of some of its flashier rivals.
Insect Glaive
If we were ranking weapons by pure fun and satisfaction, the Insect Glaive would probably be at the top, those aerial attacks are just that good. Managing your Kinsect is a key part of using this weapon, and while the micromanagement can sometimes work against you, it also adds a layer of versatility and power. The Insect Glaive feels incredibly freeing and mobile, almost on par with the Sword and Shield, which makes it a blast to use for hunters who love speed and style.
Light Bowgun
The Light Bowgun isn’t a bad weapon by any means, but honestly, sacrificing damage for mobility doesn’t always feel worth it in Monster Hunter Wilds. It does a lot of what the Heavy Bowgun can do, and there are moments when the extra maneuverability comes in handy. But more often than not, you might catch yourself wishing for the heavier firepower just to finish fights faster.
