Discover the Evolution of Monster Hunter's Arsenal

Monster Hunter's renowned for its diverse weapon arsenal and captivating gameplay. But did you know even more weapons exist, absent from recent titles? Discover the rich history of Monster Hunter weaponry.

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A Chronicle of Monster Hunter Weapons

Monster Hunter boasts a lengthy history, spanning over two decades since its 2004 debut. A key element is its diverse weapon selection. Monster Hunter Wilds offers fourteen distinct weapon types, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, move sets, and mechanics.

Significant evolutions distinguish the original Great Sword from its modern counterpart. Furthermore, older weapons, previously unreleased in the West, add to the franchise's legacy. Let's delve into Monster Hunter's weapon history.

First Generation

These weapons debuted in the original Monster Hunter and its iterations. These foundational weapons have endured, evolving with enhanced move sets and mechanics.

Great Sword

Arguably the franchise's most iconic weapon, the Great Sword's debut was in 2004. Known for its immense power, its high damage comes at the cost of slow attacks and movement. It delivers devastating single hits but sacrifices agility. The blade can also function as a shield, consuming stamina and sharpness.

Early iterations emphasized hit-and-run tactics and precise spacing. While combos were possible, slow animations made extended chains inefficient. A unique feature was increased damage when striking with the blade's center.

Monster Hunter 2 introduced the iconic Charged Slash, a three-level charge attack culminating in a powerful swing. This remains a defining feature.

Subsequent games refined the charge mechanic, adding finishers and improving combo fluidity, despite retaining its deliberate pace. Monster Hunter World introduced a shoulder tackle, enabling quicker access to charged attacks.

The Great Sword offers a low skill floor but a high skill ceiling. Mastering damage maximization through precise True Charged Slashes distinguishes skilled users.

Sword and Shield

Embodying versatility, the Sword and Shield offers a balanced approach. Lower single-hit damage is compensated by rapid combos, blocking capabilities, high mobility, and utility. Initially considered a beginner weapon, its complexity grew with added mechanics and attacks.

Early gameplay centered on quick slashes, combos, and superior mobility. Monster Hunter 2 added the ability to use items while the weapon remained drawn.

Later iterations expanded the moveset, including shield bash combos (Monster Hunter 3), backstep and jumping attacks (Monster Hunter 4), and Perfect Rush and aerial finishers (Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise).

Despite its short range and moderate damage, the Sword and Shield is a jack-of-all-trades. Infinite combos, quick attacks, built-in evasion, powerful finishers, and a reliable block make it a deceptively deep weapon.

Hammer

One of two blunt weapons (dealing impact, not slashing damage), Hammers excel at breaking monster parts, particularly heads. After Monster Hunter 2, they became renowned for their KO potential.

Its playstyle resembled the Great Sword's hit-and-run approach, but with surprisingly high mobility for its appearance and the inability to block. Its unique charge mechanic allowed movement during charging.

The moveset remained largely consistent until Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise, which introduced the Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon attacks, significantly enhancing its offensive capabilities.

Two modes, Strength and Courage, were added, altering charge attacks and effects. Effective Hammer use requires mastering mode switching and maintaining charge while moving.

The Hammer's objective is straightforward: target the head and induce KOs. This seemingly simple goal requires skill and rewards players with devastating charged attacks and combo finishers.

Lance

The Lance embodies the principle "a good offense is a great defense." Its long reach allows for ranged attacks, and its large shield blocks most attacks. With proper skills, even normally unblockable attacks can be defended. Despite limited movement while drawn and a restricted attack set, its damage output is substantial.

Its playstyle resembles an outboxer, utilizing pokes from a safe distance. Core attacks were forward and upward thrusts, chainable up to three times. A counter mechanic was added, further enhancing its defensive capabilities. Running charge and shield bash attacks closed the distance.

Often underestimated due to its unflashy animations, the Lance rewards players for standing their ground. It transforms the hunter into a formidable tank, surpassing even the Gunlance in defensive capabilities.

Light Bowgun

The Light Bowgun is a ranged weapon present since the first generation. Its smaller size allows for high mobility while drawn.

Its speed in reloading, sheathing, and dodging makes it easier to handle than its heavier counterpart, albeit with limited ammunition. Customizable attachments, such as barrels, silencers, and scopes, allow for personalization.

While lacking the firepower of the Heavy Bowgun, the Light Bowgun's rapid-fire capability for certain ammo types allows it to outperform other ranged weapons due to its ease of use.

Monster Hunter 4 introduced "Critical Distance," adding depth to ranged combat. Optimal damage depended on both distance and ammunition type.

Monster Hunter World introduced Wyvernblast (deploying bombs that detonate on impact) and a slide maneuver after shooting, enhancing its run-and-gun style.

The Light Bowgun has evolved beyond a weaker Heavy Bowgun variant. Its streamlined design remains user-friendly yet incorporates advanced mechanics and specialized capabilities.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun is the premier ranged weapon of the first generation. High damage and access to specialized ammunition make it ideal for long-range bombardment. However, its size and weight severely restrict mobility while drawn.

While the Light Bowgun prioritizes mobility, the Heavy Bowgun offers flexibility through its diverse ammunition selection. Its slow movement is offset by the ability to equip a shield for defense.

Its core design remained consistent, serving as a powerful artillery or support weapon. Low mobility, however, can lead to vulnerability if the monster focuses its attacks.

Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode, allowing continuous firing without reloading. Monster Hunter World introduced Wyvernheart (a minigun-like special ammo) and Wyvernsnipe (a high-damage single shot).

Ammunition management is crucial, as stronger shells require crafting. This necessitates carrying crafting materials for sustained combat. The Heavy Bowgun's identity remains unchanged: powerful ammunition for devastating attacks.

Dual Blades

Known for their flashy attacks, Dual Blades prioritize speed and are exceptionally effective at inflicting status ailments and elemental damage due to their multi-hit attacks. Interestingly, despite being a first-generation weapon, they were only introduced in Western releases.

Speed and fluid combos define the Dual Blades' offensive prowess. Individual attacks are weak, but their rapid succession delivers significant damage.

Demon Mode, a temporary state boosting damage and access to additional attacks, drains stamina. This mechanic, along with its subsequent refinements, has remained a core element.

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate introduced the Demon Gauge, filling with each attack in Demon Mode. A full gauge activates Archdemon Mode, a more powerful state with stamina-free access to enhanced attacks.

The Demon Dash, a unique movement tool, allows for rapid repositioning. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate's Adept Hunter Style linked perfect dodges to the Demon Dash, granting damage buffs.

While core gameplay remains consistent, refinements have enhanced its offensive capabilities. Archdemon Mode significantly altered the weapon's strategic use, shifting the focus from cycling in and out of Demon Mode to maintaining Archdemon Mode.

Second Generation

Introduced in the second generation, these weapons are considered variations of their first-generation counterparts, featuring distinct movesets and mechanics.

Long Sword

The Long Sword is known for its fluid combos, high damage, and intricate mechanics. Cosmetically similar to certain Great Swords, it gained its unique moveset in Monster Hunter 2. While sharing the Great Sword's slashing focus and high damage, it boasts superior mobility and more fluid combos. However, it lacks a block.

The Spirit Gauge, filled by landing attacks, activates the Spirit Combo, a powerful damage-dealing sequence.

Monster Hunter 3 expanded the Spirit Gauge, adding the Spirit Roundslash finisher, which increases the gauge level (white, yellow, red), granting progressively stronger attack buffs.

Monster Hunter World added the Spirit Thrust Helm Breaker finisher and the Foresight Slash parry, enhancing combo fluidity and adding invulnerability.

Iceborne introduced the Iai Stance, featuring the Iai Slash (for quick gauge filling) and Iai Spirit Slash (another parry).

The Long Sword's combo-oriented gameplay evolved into a counter-based style, utilizing parries and counters to efficiently maximize damage and Spirit Gauge levels.

Hunting Horn

The Hunting Horn is a support weapon, introduced in Monster Hunter 2. Its unique Recital mechanic allows it to play notes, creating various beneficial effects (attack/defense buffs, healing).

Like the Hammer, it deals impact damage, primarily targeting the head to stun monsters. However, its damage is lower due to its support capabilities.

Improvements focused on the Recital mechanic, enhancing its efficiency. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate allowed note playing during attacks, improving fluidity.

Monster Hunter World enabled song queuing, allowing simultaneous activation of multiple buffs. Echo Notes were introduced, adding area-based buffs activated by specific recitals.

Monster Hunter Rise significantly overhauled the weapon, simplifying song activation (double-tapping a button) and automating buff application. This simplification proved controversial, with some criticizing the loss of complexity.

Gunlance

Introduced in the second generation, the Gunlance combines Lance and Bowgun elements. It functions like a Lance, with a large shield and piercing attacks, but adds explosive shelling. Shells are unlimited, replenished upon reloading.

Visually similar to the Lance, its gameplay differs. Attacks are mainly slashing, and it features finishers like the Wyvern's Fire (a charged explosive attack). Shelling types vary, affecting attack power.

Monster Hunter 3 enhanced its aggressive style with a quick reload mechanic enabling infinite combos, the Full Burst downward slam, and the ability to charge additional shells for single attacks.

Monster Hunter X introduced the Heat Gauge, increasing damage with shelling but risking overheating.

Monster Hunter World added the Wyrmstake Shot finisher, impaling the target with an exploding stake.

The Gunlance's unique reloading and shelling mechanics differentiate it from other melee weapons. Balancing shell usage and physical attacks is crucial for optimal damage output.

Bow

The most agile ranged weapon, the Bow excels in close-to-mid-range combat, utilizing mobility and combo-based attacks. Like the Great Sword, it features chargeable attacks.

Its hit-and-run style prioritizes weak point targeting and multi-hit attacks for elemental damage. Coatings enhance damage or inflict status effects.

While earlier games featured Shot Types (affecting attacks), Monster Hunter World simplified the moveset, integrating Shot Types into the base attacks. Close-Range Coating became universal and infinite.

Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types, tied to charge levels.

The Monster Hunter World overhaul created a more aggressive, combo-heavy ranged playstyle, distinct from the Bowgun's point-and-shoot approach.

Third and Fourth Generation

These weapons, introduced in Monster Hunter 3 and Monster Hunter 4, are notable for their morphing capabilities and unique mechanics.

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe (Monster Hunter 3) has two modes: Axe Mode (mobile, long-range, infinite stamina-based combos) and Sword Mode (higher damage, phial-based attacks, Elemental Discharge finisher).

Balancing offense between modes is key. Axe Mode offers reach and mobility, while Sword Mode delivers higher damage.

Monster Hunter World introduced the Amped state, empowering Sword Mode attacks. New attacks improved mode transitions.

Monster Hunter Rise extended the Amped state to both modes, encouraging frequent form switching.

The Switch Axe's form-swapping mechanics and explosive combat style make it a unique and dynamic weapon.

Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive (Monster Hunter 4) is an aerial weapon paired with a Kinsect (insect companion) that collects essences for buffs. It excels at mounting monsters.

Its base moveset is unremarkable, but collecting red, white, and orange essences grants attack, mobility, and defense buffs. Collecting all three provides stronger, non-resetting buffs.

Subsequent games added attacks and finishers, but core gameplay remained consistent. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne introduced the Descending Thrust finisher.

Monster Hunter Rise simplified Kinsect upgrades, tying them to weapon level and introducing different Kinsect types (Normal, Assist, Powder, Speed).

Efficient essence collection remains crucial for maximizing the weapon's potential.

Charge Blade

The Charge Blade (Monster Hunter 4) is another transforming weapon with Sword and Axe modes. Sword Mode charges phials, while Axe Mode unleashes Amped Elemental Discharge. It's considered one of the most challenging weapons.

Mastering Guard Points for efficient phial charging is crucial. Understanding mode transitions and monster behavior is essential for maximizing effectiveness.

The Charge Blade's versatility and powerful finishers make it a rewarding, albeit challenging, weapon to master.

Future Weapons?

While Monster Hunter Wilds features fourteen weapons, more exist in the franchise's history, unreleased in the West. Future installments may introduce new weapons or revive older ones. The potential for further weapon additions promises continued depth and engaging gameplay.

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