Monster Hunter is renowned for its diverse weapon roster and captivating gameplay. But did you know even more weapons existed in earlier games, never making it to newer releases? Let's delve into the rich history of Monster Hunter weaponry.

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A History of Monster Hunter Weapon Types

Monster Hunter, celebrating over two decades since its 2004 debut, is defined by its diverse weapon selection. Monster Hunter Wilds boasts fourteen distinct weapon types, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, movesets, and mechanics to master. The evolution from the original Great Sword to its modern counterpart is striking, showcasing significant gameplay refinements. Furthermore, several weapons from older games remain absent from Western releases. Let's explore this fascinating history.

First Generation Weapons

These weapons, introduced in the original Monster Hunter and its iterations, are the series' foundational arsenal. They've endured, evolving with enhanced movesets and mechanics.

Great Sword

The franchise icon, the Great Sword, debuted in 2004. Its high damage potential comes at the cost of slow attacks and movement. The weapon can even function as a shield, though at the expense of stamina and sharpness. Early gameplay centered on hit-and-run tactics and precise spacing. While infinite combos were possible, slow animations made them less practical. A unique feature: the blade's center dealt more damage than its tip or hilt.

Monster Hunter 2 introduced the iconic Charged Slash, a multi-level charge attack culminating in a devastating swing. Subsequent games refined charging mechanics, adding finishers and improving combo flow. Monster Hunter World's shoulder tackle allowed quicker access to charged attacks. The Great Sword offers a low skill floor but a high skill ceiling; mastering its damage potential requires precise timing and execution of the True Charged Slash.

Sword and Shield

The Sword and Shield embodies versatility. Its moderate damage is balanced by quick combos, blocking capabilities, high mobility, and utility. Initially considered a beginner weapon, its complexity grew with added mechanics and attacks. Early gameplay focused on rapid slashes and mobility. Monster Hunter 2 allowed item usage while the weapon remained drawn. Later additions included shield bash combos (Monster Hunter 3), backsteps and jumps (Monster Hunter 4), and Perfect Rush/aerial finishers (Monster Hunter World and Rise). Despite its shorter range and lower damage, the Sword and Shield is a jack-of-all-trades, offering infinite combos, evasiveness, and a reliable block.

Hammer

One of two blunt weapons (incapable of severing tails), Hammers excel at breaking parts, particularly heads, leading to KOs (starting in Monster Hunter 2). Gameplay initially mirrored the Great Sword's hit-and-run style, but with surprisingly high mobility for its size and no blocking capability. Its unique charge mechanic allowed movement during charging.

Monster Hunter World and Rise significantly revamped the Hammer, adding Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon attacks. Two modes, Strength and Courage, altered charge attacks and effects, adding strategic depth. Mastering mode switching and maintaining charge while moving is key to maximizing damage.

Lance

The Lance epitomizes the adage "a good offense is a great defense." Its long reach and large shield provide excellent defense, capable of blocking most attacks (even some normally unguardable ones with proper skills). Despite its limited mobility and attack options, its damage output is considerable.

Gameplay resembles boxing, using pokes at range while maintaining a guard. Main attacks involve forward and upward thrusts, chainable up to three times. Counter mechanics were added later, along with running charge and shield bash attacks to close distances. While often overlooked due to its less flashy animations, the Lance rewards players who stand their ground, offering a tank-like playstyle.

Light Bowgun

A highly mobile ranged weapon, the Light Bowgun maintains normal movement speed while drawn. Its smaller size allows for faster reloading, sheathing, and dodging compared to the Heavy Bowgun. However, its ammunition selection is more limited. Customizable attachments, like long barrels and scopes, allow for personalization.

Monster Hunter 4's Critical Distance mechanic added depth to ranged combat, making damage dependent on shot distance and ammo type. Monster Hunter World introduced Wyvernblast (planted bombs) and a slide maneuver, enhancing its run-and-gun style. Despite its simpler design, the Light Bowgun's ease of use and rapid-fire capabilities make it a formidable weapon.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun is the premier ranged artillery weapon. Its high damage and diverse ammunition selection come at the cost of significantly reduced mobility; the hunter can only walk while it's drawn. Customizable attachments and a shield option provide some flexibility.

Its design has remained largely consistent, focused on high-damage output. Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode for continuous firing. Monster Hunter World added Wyvernheart (minigun) and Wyvernsnipe (high-damage single shot) special ammo types, requiring strategic ammunition management.

Dual Blades

Known for their flashy combos and speed, Dual Blades excel at inflicting status ailments and elemental damage. Initially absent from the Japanese release of the first game, they emphasize speed and fluid combos. Individual attacks are weak, but their rapid succession delivers significant damage.

Demon Mode increases damage and access to more attacks, but drains stamina. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd and 3 Ultimate introduced the Demon Gauge, allowing access to Archdemon Mode for enhanced attacks without stamina drain. The Demon Dash provides mobility, and in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, Adept Style linked it to perfect dodges for damage buffs. Archdemon Mode fundamentally changed the weapon's gameplay loop.

Second Generation Weapons

Introduced in the second generation, these weapons are variations on existing types, offering distinct movesets and mechanics.

Long Sword

The Long Sword is known for its fluid combos, high damage, and unique mechanics. While functionally similar to the Great Sword, it offers greater mobility and smoother combos, sacrificing the ability to block. The Spirit Gauge, filled by landing attacks, activates the Spirit Combo, a powerful damage string.

Monster Hunter 3 added Spirit Roundslash, a finisher that increased Spirit Gauge levels, granting progressively stronger attack buffs. Monster Hunter World introduced Spirit Thrust Helm Breaker and Foresight Slash (a parry), enhancing combo fluidity. Iceborne's Iai Stance further refined the weapon, offering additional parry attacks and faster Spirit Gauge filling. The Long Sword's evolution has shifted it towards a counter-based style, seamlessly integrating parries and counters into its combos.

Hunting Horn

The Hunting Horn is a support weapon utilizing Recital, a mechanic where different note combinations produce beneficial effects (attack buffs, healing, etc.). It deals blunt damage, focusing on head hits for stuns. Its overall damage is lower than the Hammer due to its support capabilities.

Improvements focused on Recital's fluidity. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate allowed note playing during attacks. Monster Hunter World introduced song queuing, allowing simultaneous activation of multiple effects. Iceborne added Echo Notes, providing additional buffs. Monster Hunter Rise significantly overhauled the weapon, simplifying Recital activation and reducing the song list, causing a mixed community response.

Gunlance

A hybrid of Lance and Bowgun, the Gunlance combines a shield and lance with shelling capabilities. Its attacks are primarily slashing, with finishers like Wyvern's Fire (a charged shelling attack). Different shelling types affect attacks. The Gunlance is more aggressive than defensive.

Monster Hunter 3 added quick reload for infinite combos and Full Burst. Monster Hunter X introduced the Heat Gauge, impacting attack damage and adding risk/reward to shelling. Monster Hunter World's Wyrmstake Shot added another powerful finisher. The Gunlance's unique reloading mechanics and strategic shelling management set it apart.

Bow

The Bow is the most agile ranged weapon, excelling in close-to-mid-range combat. It emphasizes mobility and combo-based attacks, similar to melee weapons. Chargeable attacks increase arrow count. Coatings modify damage and inflict elemental/status effects.

Earlier games featured Shot Types, affecting available attacks. Monster Hunter World simplified this, making the moveset universal and more combo-focused. Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types tied to charge levels. The Bow’s evolution has emphasized its aggressive, combo-heavy style.

Third and Fourth Generation Weapons

These weapons, introduced in Monster Hunter 3 and 4, feature transforming mechanics and unique gameplay elements.

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe has two modes: Axe Mode (more mobile and long-range) and Sword Mode (higher damage, quicker swings, and Elemental Discharge finisher). Gameplay involves balancing both modes. Monster Hunter World's Amped state empowers Sword Mode attacks. Monster Hunter Rise extended Amped to both modes, encouraging form switching.

Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive focuses on aerial combat, using a Kinsect to collect essences for buffs. Collecting red, white, and orange essences grants attack, mobility, and defense buffs. Its core gameplay remains consistent, with additions like the Descending Thrust finisher (Monster Hunter World: Iceborne). Monster Hunter Rise simplified Kinsect upgrades and introduced new Kinsect types.

Charge Blade

The Charge Blade, another transforming weapon, uses Sword Mode to charge phials and Axe Mode to unleash Amped Elemental Discharge. Mastering guard points for efficient phial charging is crucial. Its versatility and complex mechanics make it a challenging but rewarding weapon.

The Future of Monster Hunter Weapons

While Monster Hunter Wilds features fourteen weapons, many others have appeared in past games, particularly in Japanese-only releases. The series' longevity suggests the possibility of new weapons or the return of older ones in future installments.