Monster Hunter Wilds Best Weapons Tier List

The choice of a weapon defines a hunter, and in Monster Hunter Wilds, finding the best weapon can make all the difference in your hunts. This Monster Hunter Wilds weapon tier list evaluates all 14 weapon types based on how efficiently they can clear apex monster hunts and how enjoyable they are to play. These rankings are subjective, but especially helpful for new players wondering what to pick as their first or even second weapon.

If your goal is to craft the best weapon and gear available, you'll need to raise your Hunter Rank. With the Hunter Rank Boost from Gamer Choice, you can quickly level up, gain access to harder hunts, and farm the rare materials required to build top-tier weapons and armor.

The Truth About Ranking Weapons in Monster Hunter Games

Ranking weapons in Monster Hunter is a mix of objective metrics and personal experience. While speedrun clear times and damage output help define what might be the best weapon, personal preference, comfort, and playstyle play equally important roles.

This tier list is based on gameplay from the open beta and one primary monster hunt—Ray Dau. Though the full game hasn’t released yet, the data compiled here gives a strong starting point.

Weapons are evaluated based on the following:

• Performance in Speedruns: Clear times for Ray Dau by top players.
• Accessibility: How easy a weapon is to pick up and master.
• Update Impact: How much each weapon has changed in Wilds.
• Fun Factor: Satisfaction, animations, and engagement level.
• Multiplayer Utility: Contributions to team play.

Remember, there’s no universal best weapon. Monster Hunter Wilds encourages freedom of choice, and the real victory lies in mastering what you enjoy most.

Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Tier List

This ranking combines beta speedrun data with gameplay impressions, offering an overall view of how each weapon stands in Monster Hunter Wilds. Whether you're a meta chaser or a style-first hunter, this list has something for you.

S Tier

The S Tier weapons are strong contenders for the best weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds. These weapons offer outstanding performance and immersive mechanics, excelling in speedruns and enjoyment alike.

• Bow: Leading with a speedrun time of 3 minutes and 40 seconds, Bow shines with its Tracer Arrows and Trick Shot gauge system. Its precision, flexibility, and fluid gameplay make it a top-tier contender for the best weapon.
• Longsword: A stylish and powerful choice, Longsword hits hard with a 4:34 clear time. The Crimson Slash combo, enhanced Foresight Slash, and Focus Mode offer elegance and effectiveness in one weapon.
• Charge Blade: With a 4:06 speedrun time, Charge Blade blends accessibility and power. Smooth transitions into Power Axe Mode and satisfying saw-blade mechanics help earn it a spot among the top picks.
• Gunlance: Explosive in both literal and gameplay terms, Gunlance clears in 4 minutes and 35 seconds. It benefits from major updates like double Worm Stake attacks and enhanced mobility, making it one of the most fun and devastating weapons.

A Tier

A Tier weapons are all solid contenders for the best weapon, offering strong performance, updated mechanics, and satisfying gameplay. They might not dominate speedruns, but they come close while offering flexibility and fun.

• Greatsword: At 4 minutes and 48 seconds, Greatsword dominates DPS charts with its innovative offset mechanics. It's simple yet deep, making it a classic favorite and strong candidate for the best weapon.
• Hammer: With a 4:54 speedrun time, Hammer brings high KO potential and strategic plays. The Mighty Charge ability and offset upswing add depth without complexity.
• Hunting Horn: A strong pick at 5:02, Hunting Horn is aggressive and support-friendly. With Echo Bubbles and melody storage, it delivers unique team synergy and solo potential.
• Dual Blades: Fast-paced and relentless, Dual Blades boast a 5:24 clear time and high mobility. With blade dance combos and demon flurry, they offer high damage output and enjoyment.
• Switch Axe: Though speedrun time is B Tier, the layered mechanics and mode-specific counters place it in A Tier. It rewards mastery and offers dynamic gameplay.
• Heavy Bowgun: Clearing in 6:30, Heavy Bowgun earns its place through utility and tactics. Sleep Ammo, Demon Ammo, and clash mechanics make it strategic and fun.
• Insect Glaive: At 4:57, Insect Glaive offers streamlined gameplay that splits opinions. Its changes remove aerial spam but introduce a fresh, fluid style that many enjoy.

B Tier

These weapons blend power and ease of use. They’re fun and effective, even if they don’t lead the pack. For many players, a B Tier weapon could still be their personal best weapon.

• Lance: With a speedrun time of 6:50, Lance is more of a methodical choice. Its KO mechanics are intriguing, but the weapon’s simplicity and slow pace prevent it from rising higher.
• Sword and Shield: At 5:51, SnS is versatile and intuitive. Despite useful updates like Perfect Guard and power chops, it remains overshadowed by more dynamic options.
• Light Bowgun: Solid at 5:32, LBG is effective but less engaging. While the gauge system is new, it lacks the punch or innovation of its heavy counterpart.

C Tier

These weapons are still viable but less effective for quick clears or exciting gameplay. They may lack the strength or innovation to compete for the title of best weapon, but still have unique appeal.

• None: All other weapons have moved up in Monster Hunter Wilds based on beta testing. Though C Tier is reserved for weaker picks, even they offer viable gameplay in the hands of skilled players.

F.A.Q.

What is the Best Weapon Class in Monster Hunter Wilds?

The Longsword is a great entry point for new players. It’s user-friendly while still offering high damage potential when mastered, making it both accessible and powerful.

What is Max Weapon Rarity in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Weapon rarity currently caps at level 10, just like in Monster Hunter World, allowing for significant upgrades as you progress through tougher hunts.

What is the Strongest Weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds?

The Greatsword leads in raw damage output, making it the go-to choice for players aiming to deliver massive blows with every swing.

What is the best AoE weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds?

If you're looking to deal damage across multiple targets, ranged weapons like the Bow, Light Bowgun, and Heavy Bowgun provide the best area-of-effect capabilities.

What's the Best Ranged Weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds?

The Bow stands out as the top ranged weapon thanks to its updated mechanics, including Tracer Arrows and homing shots that take advantage of wounded monster zones.

Conclusion

Each of the 14 weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds has potential to become your best weapon. What makes this installment particularly exciting is the ability to bring two weapons on each hunt, thanks to Seikret. This dual-wield system means you're no longer limited to just one choice per outing.

The freedom to swap weapons while mounted adds strategic variety and depth. Combined with the expansive new open-world structure, it marks a major evolution for the series. Hopefully, this tier list helps you identify which weapons you want to experiment with first and, eventually, find your own best weapon for the hunt.