Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List – Best Weapons Ranked for 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds boasts an expansive arsenal of 14 iconic weapons, each offering its own unique style and strategic depth. Whether you’re a veteran hunter or stepping into the Wilds for the first time, choosing the right weapon can drastically affect your success on the battlefield.

This guide ranks every weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds based on raw effectiveness during hunts—not based on how easy they are to learn or how beginner-friendly they might be. Some weapons are more complex but still land high on the list due to their immense versatility, while others fall short despite flashy features.

We’ve categorized them into three tiers: S-tier for top performers, A-tier for solid contenders with minor drawbacks, and B-tier for those with more situational uses. Let’s dive in.

S-Tier – Dominant, Versatile, Reliable

Long Sword

A classic favorite, the long sword offers balance, reach, and fluidity. Its spirit gauge mechanics enhance combos and power without requiring intricate setups. Whether you're slicing wings or dodging tail swipes with fade slashes, this weapon feels agile and responsive. Its sheath-strike mobility move gives it great reach and adds to its survivability.

Bow

The bow in Wilds is deadlier than ever. It introduces new mechanics like the trick shot gauge, allowing for tracing arrows that explode after locking onto monsters. The arc shot mechanic now leaves detonation points on impact, and the updated Focus Strike lets you trigger chain explosions. It also boasts a counter-like evade, letting skilled players punish enemy aggression.

Sword and Shield

Fast, defensive, and unexpectedly aggressive, the sword and shield has become a powerhouse. New charged attacks and perfect guard counters make it more tactical, and airborne mobility remains a strength. You can safely guard, quickly reposition, and dish out satisfying combos without giving up your defenses.

Hunting Horn

No longer just a support weapon, the hunting horn now enables aggressive solo play. Echo Bubbles and Echo Waves bring new layers of damage and buff customization. You can amplify melodies for more impactful effects, and the performance-based mini-rhythm mechanics give the horn a high skill ceiling and reward mastery.

A-Tier – Strong but Flawed

Switch Axe

This dynamic weapon offers both power and adaptability. The switch between axe and sword mode gives you tactical options mid-fight. New stagger-focused combos allow for crowd control, while the sword's upgraded discharge techniques deliver serious burst damage. The weapon excels with experienced hands but requires technical mastery.

Heavy Bowgun

Unparalleled raw firepower makes the heavy bowgun a top-tier choice for dealing damage. While its mobility suffers and evading large monsters is challenging, it’s balanced by strong alternate fire modes, elemental ammo, and even parry-style special rounds. It's the weapon of choice for those who can afford to stand their ground.

Hammer

The hammer remains the king of blunt-force trauma. New sidestep mechanics let you maintain your charge levels while evading. Although range is limited and it demands positioning precision, its ability to stagger and KO monsters makes it ideal for head-targeting playstyles. Just watch for long animations that can leave you vulnerable.

Dual Blades

Fast and furious, dual blades let you land dozens of hits quickly, and the newly enhanced Demon Mode boosts both damage and speed. While lacking in range, the relentless assault style compensates by rapidly building status effects and shredding weak points. Mastering stamina management is essential.

Insect Glaive

The insect glaive returns with better air attacks and refined kinsect handling. Gathering all essence types remains key to unlocking its full potential, but newer mechanics simplify this through offensive play. Vaulting attacks give it aerial superiority, and high evasion makes it a favorite for acrobatic hunters.

Gunlance

The gunlance’s raw offense is stronger than ever. Wyvernblast’s improved functionality and recharge mechanics give it a strategic edge. It maintains strong guarding abilities but remains difficult to aim effectively. Mobility is its weakest trait, making positioning the biggest hurdle.

Great Sword

The great sword is a high-risk, high-reward choice. Charge-based damage is massive, but it requires setup and impeccable timing. Two full charges lead into a devastating third, but animation commitment is punishing if mistimed. Perfect for slow, deliberate players who can read monster patterns.

B-Tier – Situational and Less Impactful

Lance

A defensive specialist, the lance is unmatched in guarding. Despite new combos, its slow offensive output and lack of versatility keep it in the lower tier. Even if it keeps you safe, fights take longer, and the lack of powerful burst potential can feel limiting.

Light Bowgun

Mobility is the light bowgun’s main advantage. Unfortunately, Wilds doesn’t give it enough payoff. Damage is underwhelming compared to the heavy bowgun, and recoil issues make it clunky. It’s not a bad weapon, but there’s little incentive to choose it over more powerful options.

Charge Blade

The charge blade is complex by design but lacks rewards to justify the complexity. Wilds restricts access to its best move—Savage Axe—to wound-based focus strikes, limiting versatility. The clunky setup and underwhelming combos hurt its viability, especially when simpler weapons do the same job with less effort.

Final Thoughts

Monster Hunter Wilds introduces meaningful updates across the entire weapon lineup, making nearly every choice viable depending on playstyle. However, some weapons clearly stand out for offering better flexibility, power, and survivability in the heat of combat.

Whether you’re a newcomer looking for a forgiving entry point or a veteran aiming to master the battlefield, the long sword, bow, sword and shield, and hunting horn stand at the top of the pack. Mid-tier picks like the hammer or heavy bowgun offer exciting options for specialized roles, while weapons like the charge blade and light bowgun may need buffs in future updates.

We'll be keeping this tier list updated as Monster Hunter Wilds continues to evolve. For more guides, weapon breakdowns, and loadout tips, stay tuned to GameSoles.

Check out our Monster Hunter Wilds and Monster Hunter Leveling Guide for more Monster Hunter goodness.