A core component of the Monster Hunter games is the wonderful array of weaponry players can choose from. The variety of game-play means that nearly anyone can find their niche. Some folks are drawn to the dazzling and rapid combat of things like the Dual Blades or Bow. Others prefer the stalwart defense of the Lance. Much like how fighting games have a wide variety of characters and play styles, Monster Hunter offers great variety for players to choose from. There are 14 weapon types in the current era of the franchise, and some have a slight advantage over others. In my opinion, here are the top four weapon types at the moment:

Honorable Mentions

Both the Sword and Shield as well as the Hammer have received solid buffs in the latest update. The hammer now has more versatility with its Offset attacks and a general buff to its attack speed and mobility. The Sword and Shield gained similar updates, and with the right mix of armor you can essentially have infinite up-time on skills like Burst and Maximum Might. That means increasing your critical hit rates, and damage, nigh indefinitely if you simply never stop attacking your target.

4. Bow

The bow offers incredibly versatile and rapid DPS. With the new mechanic: the Trick Arrow Gauge. Players can spend their gauge to fire their arrows with a variety of coatings while actively rebuilding the gauge with damage output. The Trick Arrow Gauge also offers the new feature of Tracer Arrows which allow for your regular shots to have homing effects, which helps keep up the pressure on monsters. With solid stamina management and access to perfect dodging hunters can stay in the fight with solid placement and dodge timing.

3. Longsword

The Longsword is one of the Monster Hunter franchises’ darling weapons. Building up your Spirit Gauge grants you a damage boost as long as you’re on top of gauge management. The full Spirit Gauge also grants access to a new move-set, which has some of the best DPS in the game. If you play smart you can keep your gauge maxed out and spend it strategically to optimize your damage output to godly levels. Not to mention that thanks to Monster Hunter World Iceborne the Longsword has two incredibly useful counter attacks.

2. Greatsword

The Greatsword has always been a devastating behemoth of a weapon. Sometimes it’s able to take advantage of elemental typing and critical hits. The biggest change that’s helped to keep this bulky weapon in the forefront of meta-sets is Monster Hunter Wilds’ Focus Mode. It’s no secret that Focus Mode practically magnetizes players to their quarry, but Greatsword gained some of the best benefits. Focus Mode gives hunters the ability to change the direction of the Greatsword’s most powerful move: the True Charged Slash. Not to mention that the True Charged Slash is much easier to pull off as an immediate follow-up to a focus attack on a wounded part. The core game-play loop for this hulking weapon has been efficiently streamlined, and allows for more massive hits in rapid succession.

1. Gunlance

The top of the charts goes to the Gunlance, an awe-striking revelation. The Gunlance hasn’t had much time in the spotlight, but when it’s there it shines brilliantly. The most crucial draw is the Gunlance’s raw damage output. The higher the damage of the weapon you wield, the stronger its explosive payloads are. That means you can stop worrying about critical hits and weak points. Just explode anything and everything with as much force as possible! The Gunlance’s shells ignore weak points and armor. The Gunlance has also received some movement and attack speed updates that make it much better at positioning, defending and combos, increasing its attacks flow for optimal devastation.

Let us know what you think! Do you have a favorite weapon type that didn’t make the cut? You can let us know its best qualities, or why you think it should be on this list. Join the conversation in Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter .

Featured Image: Capcom

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