Embark on a journey into the heart of Monster Hunter World (MHW), an expansive realm where colossal beasts roam wild landscapes, and only the most adept hunters can survive. Your arsenal in this epic saga is vast, and mastering it is key to claiming victory over the fearsome creatures that await. This guide is your compendium to understanding, selecting, and mastering the weaponry of MHW, tailored for both greenhorns breaking into their first hunt and veteran trackers looking to refine their approach.

Weapon Types#

In the diverse world of MHW, the tools of the hunt are as varied as the monsters themselves, offering a spectrum of combat experiences. Each weapon type brings its distinct flavor to the battle, perfectly suited to different playstyles:

• Great Sword: The epitome of brute force, the Great Sword delivers devastating blows that can cleave a path to victory. Although it demands precise timing and positioning due to its slow swings.
• Long Sword: Favored for its fluid combat style, the Long Sword excels in reach and mobility, enabling elegant slash combos and counterattacks.
• Sword and Shield: A versatile choice, offering a balance between defense and agility, making it ideal for hunters preferring adaptability.
• Dual Blades: Unleash a whirlwind of fury with these fast-attacking weapons, perfect for adrenaline-fueled hunters who thrive in the heat of relentless assault.
• Hammer: Crush your quarry with overwhelming power. The Hammer specializes in stunning monsters, opening windows for lethal follow-ups.
• Hunting Horn: A boon to any squad, this support weapon buffs teammates with valuable effects while still capable of holding its own in a brawl.
• Lance: The fortress of the frontline, Lances offer unmatched defense while allowing for methodical, precise strikes.
• Gunlance: A unique blend of firepower and pierce, delivering explosive shots and lunges to dismantle any foe from close range.
• Switch Axe: A hybrid weapon that transforms between a hefty axe and a swift sword, catering to those who value adaptability under pressure.
• Charge Blade: Complex but deadly, alternating between a sword and shield combo and a potent axe, capable of unleashing deadly burst attacks.
• Insect Glaive: For hunters who prefer an aerial vantage, offering mobility unlike any other weapon, complemented by a Kinsect companion that provides buffs.
• Bow: Precision from a distance, the Bow allows hunters to rain down a variety of elemental and status-inflicting arrows on foes.
• Light Bowgun: A quick-moving ranged option, enabling rapid-fire and elemental shots, ideal for hit-and-run tactics.
• Heavy Bowgun: The artillery of MHW, unleashing devastating barrages, but requires careful positioning due to its reduced mobility.

Weapon Stats#

Understanding the DNA of your weapon is crucial to mastering it. Here are key stats to consider:

• Attack Power: Indicates the raw damage potential of your weapon.
• Elemental Damage: Some weapons feature additional fire, water, thunder, ice, or dragon damage, crucial for exploiting monster weaknesses.
• Affinity: Essentially your critical hit rate, a higher affinity increases your chance for enhanced damage.
• Sharpness: Affects both your damage output and the likelihood of your attacks being deflected. Maintaining optimal sharpness is key.
• Defense: Some weapons also offer a bonus to your defense, providing an extra layer of durability in the heat of battle.
• Elderseal: A unique property that can suppress the abilities of elder dragons, making it a game-changer in high-level hunts.

Best Weapons#

While “best” is subjective in the rich ecosystem of MHW, certain weapons have gained fame for their efficacy:

• Nergigante’s Hunger (Great Sword): A fine balance of attack power and elderseal.
• Divine Slasher (Long Sword): Famed for its high attack and versatility.
• Bazel Hawk (Sword and Shield): A top-tier choice for explosive results.
• Diablos Clubs II (Dual Blades): Renowned for devastating raw damage output.
• Obliteration’s Footfall (Hammer): An excellent all-rounder with high elderseal.
• Desolation’s Overture (Hunting Horn): Not just for support, but a solid weapon in its own right.
• Fiendish Tower (Lance): Offers both high attack and elderseal.
• Royal Burst (Gunlance): The king of shelling with exceptional burst damage.
• Axe of Demons (Switch Axe): For those who value raw power above all.
• Diablos Tyrannis II (Charge Blade): A powerhouse capable of cataclysmic damage.
• Catastrophe’s Light (Insect Glaive): Balances mobility with high damage.
• Cera Coilbender (Bow): For those who excel in precision and control.
• Karma (Light Bowgun): Offers mobility and rapid fire, ideal for applying status effects.
• Magda Gemitus II (Heavy Bowgun): The pinnacle of firepower, excelling in laying down heavy barrages and status ailments.

Weapon Strategies#

Each weapon demands a unique approach to harness its full potential:

1. Great Sword: Learn to anticipate monster movements, charging your attacks for maximum impact.
2. Long Sword: Master the Foresight Slash to counter and unleash the Spirit Helm Breaker for devastating effect.
3. Sword and Shield: Balance offense and defense, utilizing the shield bash for stuns and openings for elemental combos.
4. Dual Blades: Stay in Demon Mode as much as possible, exploiting every opening to unleash blade dances.
5. Hammer: Aim for the head to maximize your chances of stunning monsters, utilizing charged swings and spins.
6. Hunting Horn: Memorize your song combos, staying close to the fray to buff your team while landing concussive strikes.
7. Lance: Adopt an unbreakable defense with counter-thrusts, exploiting openings with precision jabs.
8. Gunlance: Combine shelling with traditional lance attacks for explosive results, using Wyvern’s Fire wisely.
9. Switch Axe: Juggle between axe and sword mode, utilizing the Phial system for amplified damage.
10. Charge Blade: Charge your phials in sword mode, unleashing them in devastating Axe attacks, particularly the SAED (Super Amped Element Discharge).
11. Insect Glaive: Utilize your aerial mobility to evade and position, coordinating with your Kinsect for buffs and added assault.
12. Bow: Maintain optimal range to maximize damage, utilizing coatings and charged shots for different situations.
13. Light Bowgun: Stay mobile, focusing on applying status effects while exploiting rapid-fire volleys.
14. Heavy Bowgun: Positioning is key; lay down heavy fire while utilizing your arsenal’s variety, from spread shots to piercing rounds.

Advanced Weapon Tactics#

Elevating your mastery involves understanding not just your weapon but how it interacts with the behemoths you face:

• Terrain Utilization: Use the environment to your advantage. Ledges, walls, and slopes can be used for powerful mounting attacks or to evade incoming assaults.
• Monster Weaknesses: Adapt your weapon choice and strategy based on your target’s vulnerabilities, both in terms of elements and physical weak spots.
• Combination Attacks: Beyond basic combos, learn how to chain attacks seamlessly, particularly in exploiting openings or knockdowns for devastating follow-ups.
• Utility Skills: Integrate skills from your armor and charms that complement your weaponry. Focus on skills that enhance affinity, attack power, or specific weapon capabilities.
• Team Synergy: In multiplayer hunts, understand how your weapon fits within the team. Roles can be fluid, but communicating and adapting can turn the tide of battle.
• Situational Awareness: Every hunt is dynamic. Master hunters adapt to changing conditions, whether it means shifting focus, retreating to sharpen, or setting traps.
• Crafting and Upgrading: Your weapons are only as good as you make them. Invest time in gathering materials for crafting and upgrades, prioritizing enhancements that align with your playstyle.

Monster Hunter World is a vast, unforgiving wilderness, but with the right weapon in hand and the knowledge to wield it, you’ll carve your path to glory. Master your arsenal, adapt to the hunt, and you’ll stand tall as a legend among hunters. Happy hunting!