The Best Weapons In Monster Hunter: World

To succeed in Monster Hunter: World, players need to carefully choose their equipment based on the monster they’re hunting. For example, it’s better to use ranged weapons against flying monsters than melee weapons. Also, picking weapons with an elemental advantage is crucial. A powerful fire sword won’t be very effective if the monster is resistant to fire, even if it normally does more damage than an ice weapon.

Because of this, most players don’t rely on just one or two weapons throughout the game. Instead, skilled hunters focus on mastering a specific weapon type and collect different weapons within that category to handle any challenge. *Monster Hunter: World* offers a huge range of weapon choices, and you can still enjoy the game immensely without perfectly optimizing your gear for every fight.

Hunting Horn

Stuns Monsters With Repeated Hits

Damage Type: Blunt
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: Support

The Hunting Horn is a unique weapon that’s surprisingly effective. Skilled players can use it to fully support their team, providing buffs and hindering enemies. It doesn’t just offer support, though-it can also deal significant damage. A strong hit from a Hunting Horn can stun monsters, creating openings for teammates to finish them off with more powerful attacks.

It’s a good idea to learn melodies that fit the hunt and the monster you’re facing. While the Hunting Horn can be tough to use alone, it’s incredibly valuable in a team, providing helpful buffs and support to other players. We recommend this weapon for players who are already familiar with the game’s mechanics. New players might find it complicated to learn, especially mastering the different “songs” needed to use it effectively, as it requires a good understanding of *Monster Hunter: World*’s combat.

Notable Hunting Horns

Denden Doomsounder: Has the highest damage of any Hunting Horn.
Lightbreak Timbre: Deals blast damage.
The Rasping Ballad: Paralysis effect can be a boon against tough and/or aggressive monsters.
Ogrebite: A tough weapon with hidden sleep damage.
Ruinous Desolation: An excellent Hunting Horn with a high-level Elderseal.

Hammer

Designed To Smash And Flatten Enemies

Damage Type: Blunt
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: Tank & DPS

You might think a large hammer would be slow and difficult to use in a fight, but the Hammer weapon in *Monster Hunter: World* is surprisingly quick. It can rapidly stun monsters with repeated blows, and players can charge up their attacks to deal massive damage when a monster is off balance. There’s a real sense of accomplishment from hitting a challenging monster squarely on the head and knocking it down.

In *Monster Hunter: World*, players often prefer faster, easier-to-use weapons, particularly when they’re still learning to avoid monster attacks. But with dedication and practice, the Hammer can become incredibly rewarding, allowing players to powerfully defeat monsters.

Notable Hammers

Juicy Well-Done Hammer: This hilariously named Hammer deals additional fire damage.
Safi’s Venomcrusher: True to its name, this powerful Hammer dishes out some serious poison damage.
Safi’s Shattercrusher: The blast damage of this Hammer is a force to be reckoned with.
Mane Malice Rajang: A tough Hammer with high thunder damage.
Lightbreak Hammer: An explosive Hammer that can stop any enemy in its tracks.

Lance

Perfect For Counter-Attacks After Using The Shield For Defense

Damage Type: Cut
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: Tank & DPS

The Lance is a great weapon for beginners in *Monster Hunter: World* because it combines powerful attacks with good range and a strong shield. This allows players to hit monsters from a safe distance while minimizing the damage they take. If you want a weapon that lets you make accurate strikes and stay protected, the Lance is an excellent choice to learn early on.

The Lance can be challenging to learn at first, but it’s incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it. The playstyle – carefully attacking monsters from just outside their reach – is surprisingly fun. Once you master the Lance, you’ll quickly become skilled and be able to take on even the most difficult hunts.

Notable Lances

Great Demon Lance: The hardest-hitting Lance in the game.
Lightbreak Lance: A powerful Lance that deals blast damage.
Demonlord Rajang: The thunder damage inflicted by this Lance can shock even the toughest monsters.
Backbite: A cool-looking Lance that inflicts sleep damage.
Ruinous Perdition: An upgrade on Perdition’s Hand that is more than worth the cost.

Sword & Shield

A Swift Weapon With Great Recovery

Damage Type: Cut & Blunt
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: DPS

The Sword & Shield might not seem like the most exciting weapon at first. It’s often considered the standard choice, and new players might think it’s the safest option. However, that’s a misconception. Skilled players can actually deal massive damage with the Sword & Shield very quickly.

The Sword & Shield is a really adaptable weapon, making it a great choice for beginners who might find some of the other weapons in *Monster Hunter: World* a little tricky. It can handle a bit of everything, but players aiming to specialize in certain combat techniques might want to explore other weapon options instead.

Notable Swords & Shields

Banned Rajang Club: The best “Sword” in the game in terms of sheer damage.
Lightbreak Sword: A powerful Sword & Shield that deals immense blast damage.
Demonlord Mace: A thunderous mace (in the place of a sword) that is effective against enemies weak to this element.
Rajang Club: A mighty club instead of a sword that hits for high thunder damage.
Stonebite: A unique-looking Sword & Shield that deals decent sleep damage.

Gunlance

Medium-Range Weapon That Fires Shells For Extra Damage

Damage Type: Cut & Special
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: Tank

The Gunlance is a versatile weapon that combines the features of a gun and a lance. It excels at both dealing high damage and providing strong defense. You can use its lance mode to keep enemies at a distance while blocking attacks, and its gun mode delivers a powerful, close-range blast. Players can focus on either the melee or ranged capabilities, or seamlessly switch between the two, making the Gunlance effective in any playstyle.

This weapon ranks lower because it significantly slows the player down, forcing them to depend on strong armor and defensive play. It also works best at close range, which can be risky, though skilled Gunlance users can learn to time their attacks to avoid damage.

Notable Gunlances

Safi’s Shatterbuster: A great normal shell Gunlance.
Xeno Hemta +: An excellent long-shell Gunlance.
Lightbreak Gunlance: A brilliant wide shell Gunlance.
Flamebite: Despite the name, this Gunlance actually deals valuable sleep damage.
Queen’s Panoply: A poisonous Gunlance that looks pretty great to boot.

Insect Glaive

Unique Combination Allows For An Unorthodox Moveset

Damage Type: Slash
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: DPS & Support

The Insect Glaive is a unique weapon that focuses on quick, flowing movement. It allows players to move around the battlefield with ease, and even launch into the air. Once airborne, they can use a dash to reposition themselves, often dodging monster attacks completely.

Experienced hunters can master the Insect Glaive to avoid attacks and jump onto monsters for powerful mounted strikes. They can also send out Kinsects, which gather energy from monsters during battle. This energy provides temporary boosts to defense, attack power, healing, or movement speed, depending on where the Kinsect collects it. A key benefit is the attack boost, which unlocks advanced moves like a long, spinning air dash that can hit a monster multiple times. While it takes skill and consistent attacks to defeat a monster, the Insect Glaive offers exciting and visually impressive gameplay.

Notable Insect Glaives

Safi’s Shatterspear: A tried-and-tested Insect Glaive beloved by the fanbase.
Lightbreak Press: An excellent Insect Glaive that truly shines with the right build.
Datura Storm II: A highly poisonous Insect Glaive that’s perfect for support characters.
Metalmangler: A powerful Insect Glaive with both Blunt Boost and thunder damage.
Demonlord Cudgel: High thunder damage and great affinity make this Insect Glaive a blast to use.

Switch Axe

Switch Between An Axe And A Sword To Suit Any Situation

Damage Type: Cut
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: DPS

Switch Axes are unique weapons that can instantly change between an axe and a sword. The axe form offers strong, long-range attacks, while the sword is quicker and allows for powerful finishing moves called Elemental Discharges. Many players like using Switch Axes because they don’t have to constantly switch weapons during hunts.

Switch Axe users generally start by attacking with the axe to fill up a meter, then switch to sword mode to deal significant damage or elemental attacks. However, the meter drains while in sword mode, eventually forcing players back to the axe. The weapon isn’t ranked higher because it’s complex, and players often forget to switch between modes during intense combat.

Notable Switch Axes

Safi’s Shatteraxe: A Switch Axe that is favored by many.
Lightbreak Axe: A powerful Switch Axe that’s highly accessible.
Taroth Axe “Paralysis”: A downright broken Switch Axe, with its massive 550 Paralysis.
Undying Light: A fun Switch Axe with high thunder damage.
Demonlord Edge: High thunder damage and affinity make this a great Switch Axe to use.

Heavy Bowgun

Makes Up For Its Lack Of Mobility With High Firepower

Damage Type: Shot (Ammo)
Weapon Type: Ranged
Suited Build: DPS

Heavy Bowguns are incredibly powerful weapons in combat, known for their high damage and ability to attack from a distance. They excel at disrupting monsters – you can use them to knock enemies off balance, break off parts of their bodies, or weaken their armor. Plus, you can customize them to fit your playstyle, like speeding up how quickly you reload.

While these powerful weapons are incredibly strong, they also make the player more vulnerable. They slow movement and leave you exposed when enemies attack or get close. They’re best used when playing with others, but can be risky on your own, unless you build your character with extra defense later in the game.

Notable Heavy Bowguns

Safi Burstcannon: The best Heavy Bowgun for Spread Ammo.
Safi Snipecannon: The best Heavy Bowgun for Pierce Ammo.
Demonlord Beastbuster: The best Heavy Bowgun for both Normal and Sticky Ammo.
Rajang Destroyer: A great Heavy Bowgun that uses Wyvernheart Special Ammo.
Albadash: An excellent Heavy Bowgun that pairs really well with Pierce Ammo.

Great Sword

Punishing Attacks Come At The Cost Of Slow Movement

Damage Type: Cut & Blunt
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: DPS

Great Swords are powerful weapons in *Monster Hunter: World*, known for dealing massive damage when used effectively. Their reach and strength make them ideal for taking down both large and small monsters, and they’re a good choice for players who prefer impactful, deliberate attacks.

Great Swords are powerful, but they’re very heavy, making it harder to move quickly. They don’t block very well either, so players need to focus on dodging attacks, absorbing some damage, and landing well-timed strikes to succeed in challenging hunts.

Notable Great Swords

Black Fatalis Blade: A Great Sword that hits like a truck, albeit at the cost of an affinity penalty.
Lightbreak Blade: A powerful Great Sword with immense blast damage.
Safi’s Splitter: A great all-rounder and arguably the third-best Great Sword in the game.
Great Demon Rod: A Great Sword with incredibly high damage that will serve many players well.
Ultra Wyvern Jawblade: A Great Sword that will blast enemies to pieces.

Charge Blade

Morphs Between A Sword & Shield And An Axe

Damage Type: Cut
Weapon Type: Melee
Suited Build: Tank

Charge Blades, similar to Switch Axes, can change between a sword and shield form and an axe form. The sword and shield provides more movement and defense, while the axe form is powerful and has a wide attack range.

Charge Blades are stronger than Switch Axes because they store energy from sword and shield attacks into special containers, similar to how Switch Axes work. When you switch to axe mode, that stored energy is released in a powerful explosion. Mastering the combos and rhythm of combat with a Charge Blade can make you incredibly effective. However, it’s also the most complex weapon in *Monster Hunter: World*. It takes a lot of practice to balance charging the weapon with sword attacks and knowing exactly when to switch to axe mode for maximum impact. Plus, you can even channel that stored energy into the shield, adding elemental damage to every block and completely changing how the weapon plays.

Notable Charge Blades

Kjarr Strongarm “King”/”Water”/”Spark”/”Ice”/”Decay”: A host of Kjarr Charge Blades that were heavily buffed in Iceborne.
Lightbreak Charge Blade: A powerful Charge Blade with immense blast damage.
Safi’s Shattershield: Another powerful Safi’Jiva weapon that absolutely decimates monsters.
Rajang Beastblade Ikazuchi: The Impact Elemental Phial makes this a must-have Charge Blade.
Luna Eostre: A combination of poison damage and Impact Phial works out pretty well for this Charge Blade.

2025-09-23 04:37