Top Weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds: Tier List

Let's start by saying this: there is no best weapon type in Monster Hunter Wilds. If you're looking for a definitive answer on which weapon type will get you the fastest hunt times every time because it's just that good and overpowered, there isn't one. The truth is that you should choose what feels good to play with for you. If you're not carting, are consistently hitting the monster, and having fun while doing it, that's what matters the most.

Crafting a successful build for any given weapon involves a lot, including armor, decorations, and selecting a particular Artian weapon tailored to the monster you're up against. These elements are crucial, but if you're looking for weapon types that might help you reduce hunt times, here are some great options to consider. This tier list of the best weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds was created by combining IGN's community tier list, online sentiment, my own opinion based on difficulty to master, and some current speedrun time averages.

Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Tier List

Monster Hunter Wilds Best Weapons Tier List

The "best" weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds include Sword and Shield, Great Sword, Long Sword, Gunlance, and Bow, in no particular order. While the rest of the weapons are absolutely viable, these stand out above the rest for various reasons, which we'll explore below.

S-tier: These are the best of the best for both damage output and relative ease of use. The Gunlance is the most technical weapon here, but its benefits are well worth it, according to the community.

• Sword and Shield
• Great Sword
• Long Sword
• Gunlance
• Bow

A-tier: A-tier weapons have the potential to be as good as S-tier weapons in the right hands. They tend to be a bit more technical and less forgiving, or they fall just a tiny bit short. The Hunting Horn, though potentially not the best solo weapon, excels in co-op.

• Insect Glaive
• Charge Blade
• Dual Blades
• Hunting Horn
• Heavy Bowgun
• Switch Axe

B-tier: These may fall a bit short compared to S- and A-rank weapons even in the most experienced hands, but that doesn't mean they're "bad." They just might require a bit more effort and fine-tuned builds to achieve the same results as others.

• Lance
• Hammer
• Light Bowgun

Why only three tiers?: As mentioned in the introduction, there is no real best weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds, and every weapon is viable. Your tier list could vary depending on the monster you're hunting. Don't let tier lists discourage you from playing your favorite weapon. B-tier is still great on the IGN scale!

Best Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Explained

Sword and Shield

The Sword and Shield is amazing in Monster Hunter Wilds. Long underrated as solely the "beginner" weapon, it's easy to pick up yet one of the most versatile and consistent weapons in the game that can deal a ton of damage once you master its combos and movements. Its incredible mobility allows you to stick to monsters like mud on a Jyuratodos, and it can guard and deal punishing damage. It can even perfect guard incredibly easily, enabling quick, powerful counter slashes and proc an Offensive Guard buff with the right Equipment Skill. For support hunters, it can use items without sheathing, allowing you to administer life-saving Lifepowders and buffing items for your party in a flash. Whether you prefer to evade or block, deal slashing or blunt damage, or even attack from above, the Sword and Shield has it all—even a Power Clash. The only thing it's missing is an Offset attack.

See all Sword and Shields in MH Wilds.

Great Sword

The Monster Hunter developers have said the first weapon they tool in new games is the Great Sword, and it shows. It can take advantage of Wilds' new Power Clashes and incredibly satisfying Offset attacks, and its kit embodies quintessential Monster Hunter satisfaction. It requires more time to get used to than the Sword and Shield due to its slower pace, where mishits can be punishing, but the introduction of Focus Mode makes aiming easier than ever. If you're looking for the highest damage output in a single strike, the Great Sword is a great pick, and those True Charged Slash hits are incredibly satisfying.

See all Great Swords in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Long Sword

The Long Sword is consistently Monster Hunter's most popular weapon for good reason. It's fast and relatively easy to pick up, with a fun, flashy, and satisfying playstyle that relies on its powerful perfect-evading counterattack, the Foresight Slash, to quickly build up the Spirit Gauge for maximum damage. It also has amazing reach for its size, making slicing off tails a breeze. Maintaining a maxed Spirit Gauge requires some management, but the incredible damage output when you're in a flow with it makes it well worth the effort.

See all Long Swords in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Gunlance

To be honest, I know little about the Gunlance, but IGN's community tier list contributors, speedrunners, and online enthusiasts seem to love it in Monster Hunter Wilds. It's much more difficult to pick up than the other S-tier weapons, but mastering it offers amazing defense with its huge shield capable of Perfect Guards and explosive power, albeit at the cost of some mobility. In Wilds, the Gunlance can now fire two Wyvern's Fire shots with longer range. Its new attack, Wyrmstake Full Blast, is also incredibly powerful!

See all Gunlances in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Bow

Though the Bow isn't doing too hot in Tempered Arkveld speedruns, many agree it's an amazing pick in Monster Hunter Wilds, often voted as the strongest weapon in community polls. It certainly feels powerful, despite its minor Focus Strike nerf since the Open Beta Test. So, what makes it S-tier? The Bow has a new move in Wilds that guarantees your shots will hit their intended target and crit: Tracer Ammo. Wilds also ensures the Bow never runs out of its damage-boosting or ailment-inflicting coatings, further increasing its damage potential. Finally, if you perfect your dodge timing, the Bow's Discerning Dodge replenishes your stamina, so you almost never need to stop attacking! The Bow is mobile, strong, and its Focus Strike looks rad—what more could you ask for?

See all Bows in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Remember, this is all just for reference, and we recommend sticking with your preferred weapon. For example, if you're skilled with the Light Bow Gun, knowing exactly where to aim with what ammo and dodging every monster attack, you're going to get better times than with the Great Sword if you keep whiffing your True Charged Slashes and can't time your Offset attacks consistently. Any weapon takes time to get good at!

What weapon do you think is the best in Monster Hunter Wilds? Contribute to our Community Tier List at the top of this article. Maybe we'll update this article with new ratings! And for more, don't miss the growing, extremely comprehensive Monster Hunter Wilds guide.