Monster Hunter is renowned for its diverse weapon types and captivating gameplay. But did you know even more weapons existed in earlier games, never making it to newer releases in the West? Let's explore the rich history of Monster Hunter weapons.
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History of Weapon Types in Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter's legacy spans over two decades, beginning in 2004. A defining feature is 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 iteration is remarkable, showcasing significant gameplay refinements. Furthermore, several weapons from older games remain absent from Western releases. Let's delve into this fascinating history, focusing on the hunter's most crucial equipment: their weapons.
First Generation
These weapons debuted in the original Monster Hunter and its variations. Considered the series' foundational weapons, they've endured, evolving with enhanced movesets and mechanics.
Great Sword
Arguably the franchise's most iconic weapon, the Great Sword's history mirrors Monster Hunter's own. Known for its devastating power, its high damage output comes at the cost of slow attacks and movement, much like a lumbering Gravios charging a hunter. The heavy blade can also serve as a shield, albeit at the expense of stamina and sharpness.
Initially, gameplay revolved around hit-and-run tactics and precise spacing. While combos were possible, slow animations made extended chains inefficient. A unique feature was the damage variation based on hit location; the blade's center dealt maximum damage.
Monster Hunter 2 introduced the iconic Charged Slash. Charging the attack in three levels amplified its power, becoming a defining feature of the weapon. Subsequent games refined this mechanic, adding finishers and smoother combo transitions. Monster Hunter World's shoulder tackle allowed for quicker access to charged attacks.
The Great Sword offers a low skill floor but a high skill ceiling. While basic hit-and-run strategies are effective, mastering True Charged Slashes within limited openings maximizes damage output, distinguishing skilled players.
Sword and Shield
The Sword and Shield embodies versatility. While lacking single-hit power, it compensates with rapid combos, blocking capabilities, mobility, and utility. Initially considered a beginner weapon, its design has evolved significantly with added mechanics and attacks.
Early gameplay centered on quick slashes and high mobility. Monster Hunter 2 enabled item usage without sheathing. Later iterations enhanced the moveset with shield bashes (Monster Hunter 3), backsteps and jumps (Monster Hunter 4), and the Perfect Rush and aerial finishers (Monster Hunter World and Rise).
Despite its short range and moderate damage, the Sword and Shield remains a jack-of-all-trades. Infinite combos, rapid attacks, defensive backsteps, powerful finishers, and a reliable block make it a surprisingly deep weapon often underestimated due to its seemingly simple design.
Hammer
One of two blunt weapons (dealing impact, not slashing, damage), Hammers excel at breaking monster parts, particularly heads, leading to KOs (knockouts) after repeated head strikes (post-Monster Hunter 2).
Its gameplay mirrors the Great Sword's hit-and-run style but boasts surprisingly high mobility for its size and lacks a block. A unique feature is the ability to move while charging attacks.
While the core moveset remains largely consistent, Monster Hunter World and Rise introduced significant changes, adding the Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon attacks to complement its classic golf swing and Superpound. These games also introduced Strength and Courage modes, subtly altering charge attacks and effects, adding strategic depth to mode selection based on monster matchups.
The Hammer's objective is simple: target the head for KOs, opening opportunities for devastating charged attacks and combo finishers. However, this seemingly straightforward approach requires skill and timing to execute effectively.
Lance
The Lance epitomizes the adage "a good offense is a great defense." Its long reach for ranged attacks and substantial shield for blocking make it the master of defense, capable of deflecting most attacks, even unguardable ones with the right skills. Despite its limited mobility while drawn and attack options, its damage output is considerable.
Gameplay resembles an outboxer, poking at range from behind the shield. Core attacks involve forward and upward thrusts, chainable up to three times. A counter mechanic, introduced later, further enhances its defensive capabilities. Running charges and shield bashes aid in closing distances.
Often considered "boring" due to less flashy animations, the Lance uniquely rewards defensive positioning, transforming the hunter into a tank. While the Gunlance offers similar defensive options, the Lance surpasses it in pure defensive capabilities.
Light Bowgun
The Light Bowgun is a mobile ranged weapon, a staple since the first generation. Its smaller size allows for normal movement speed while drawn, faster reloads, and easier handling compared to its heavier counterpart. Customization options include barrels, silencers, and scopes.
Its mobility trades off with lower firepower and limited ammunition compared to the Heavy Bowgun. However, it compensates with the ability to Rapid Fire certain ammo types, surpassing other ranged weapons in ease of use and effectiveness.
Monster Hunter 4 introduced "Critical Distance," adding strategic depth to ranged combat by optimizing damage based on distance and ammunition type. Monster Hunter World's Wyvernblast (planting detonating bombs) and slide maneuver further enhanced its run-and-gun style.
The Light Bowgun has evolved beyond being a weaker Heavy Bowgun. Its design maintains ease of use while incorporating advanced mechanics, setting it apart from other ranged weapons.
Heavy Bowgun
The Heavy Bowgun is the premier ranged weapon of the first generation, delivering high damage and access to special ammunition. Its size and weight, however, restrict movement while drawn.
Mobility sacrifices flexibility in ammunition types. Customization options exist, and a shield can be equipped for defense. Its core design remained consistent, focused on providing long-range damage.
Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode, enabling continuous firing without reloading. Monster Hunter World added Wyvernheart (minigun-like) and Wyvernsnipe (powerful single-shot) special ammo, requiring strategic ammunition management due to their non-renewable nature.
Ammunition crafting adds a layer of complexity. Stronger ammunition requires crafting, emphasizing strategic preparation and resource management. Despite receiving updated dodge rolls and attachments, the Heavy Bowgun's core identity remains: high-powered weaponry for heavy damage.
Dual Blades
Known for their flashy attacks, the Dual Blades prioritize speed and excel at inflicting status ailments and elemental damage due to their multi-hit attacks. Interestingly, despite being a first-generation weapon, they were initially exclusive to the Western release of Monster Hunter.
Gameplay emphasizes speed and fluid combos, surpassing the Sword and Shield in pure offense. While individual attacks are weak, their rapid succession adds up significantly.
Demon Mode, a temporary damage boost with additional attacks, is a core mechanic, consuming stamina until depleted or cancelled. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd/3 Ultimate introduced the Demon Gauge, leading to Archdemon Mode, a powered-up state with stamina-free access to Demon Mode moves.
Further refinements include the Demon Dash (a unique movement tool), and in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, the Adept Hunter Style's perfect dodge, granting damage boosts and enhanced Demon Dash attacks. Archdemon Mode significantly altered gameplay, encouraging sustained high-damage output.
Second Generation
Introduced in the second generation, these weapons are cousins to their first-generation counterparts, sharing similar functions but boasting unique movesets and mechanics.
Long Sword
The Long Sword is celebrated for its fluid combos, high damage, and sophisticated mechanics. Cosmetically similar to certain Great Swords, it was officially introduced in Monster Hunter 2. While functionally similar to the Great Sword (high damage, slashing attacks), it offers superior mobility and smoother combos, lacking the ability to block.
The Spirit Gauge, a core mechanic, fills with successful attacks, activating the Spirit Combo, a powerful damage-dealing string of attacks. Monster Hunter 3 expanded the gauge, adding the Spirit Roundslash finisher, boosting the gauge to three levels (white, yellow, red) for progressively stronger attack buffs.
Monster Hunter World's enhancements include a new finisher (Spirit Thrust Helm Breaker) and the Foresight Slash, a parry attack seamlessly integrating into combos. Iceborne introduced the Iai Stance, featuring the Iai Slash (faster Spirit Gauge filling) and Iai Spirit Slash (another parry attack).
The Long Sword remains combo-focused but has evolved into a counter-based weapon, integrating parries and counters into its fluid attack flow. Mastering the Spirit Gauge and seamlessly integrating counters and dodges is key to maximizing its potential.
Hunting Horn
The Hunting Horn is a support weapon, dealing impact damage and focusing on head strikes for stuns. Introduced in Monster Hunter 2, its Recital mechanic allows for playing notes to create beneficial effects (attack/defense buffs, healing).
Its damage output is generally lower than the Hammer due to its support capabilities. Improvements to the Recital mechanic over the series focused on smoother integration into combat. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate allowed note playing during attacks.
Monster Hunter World introduced song queuing, allowing simultaneous activation of multiple buffs, enhancing combat flow. Echo Notes (in Iceborne) acted as finishers, providing buffs upon successful Recitals in designated areas.
Monster Hunter Rise significantly overhauled the weapon, simplifying Recital activation and reducing the song list, making it more accessible but sacrificing some complexity. This change proved divisive among players.
Gunlance
A hybrid of Lance and Bowgun, the Gunlance combines a shield and piercing lance with shelling capabilities. Unlike the Lance, its attacks are primarily slashing, and it features finishers like the Wyvern's Fire (a charged explosive attack).
Shelling types vary between Gunlances, influencing attack effectiveness. Monster Hunter 3 added a quick reload mechanic and the Full Burst attack, enabling infinite combos. The Heat Gauge (Monster Hunter X) added a layer of strategic risk/reward, balancing shelling with physical attacks.
Monster Hunter World introduced the Wyrmstake Shot, another powerful finisher. The Gunlance's unique reloading and shelling mechanics require careful balance between offensive output and resource management.
Bow
The Bow is the most agile ranged weapon, specializing in close-to-mid-range combat. It utilizes mobility and combos, functioning similarly to melee weapons. Chargeable attacks increase arrow count.
Gameplay involves hit-and-run tactics, focusing on weak point hits. Coatings enhance damage or inflict elemental/status effects. While earlier games had different Shot Types limiting attack options per bow, Monster Hunter World integrated these into the base moveset, creating universal combos.
Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types, tying them to charge levels. The World iteration's design embraced a more aggressive, combo-heavy style, differentiating it from the point-and-shoot gameplay of Bowguns.
Third and Fourth Generation
These weapons, introduced in Monster Hunter 3 and 4, feature morphing capabilities (except the Insect Glaive) and unique mechanics tied to their transformed states.
Switch Axe
The Switch Axe (Monster Hunter 3) has Axe and Sword modes. Axe Mode offers range and mobility with an infinite stamina-based combo. Sword Mode prioritizes damage, using phials and the Elemental Discharge finisher.
Balancing both modes is key. Monster Hunter World introduced the Amped state (enhanced Sword Mode attacks), and Rise expanded it to both modes, encouraging form switching for maximized damage. The Switch Axe's morphing mechanics and explosive combat flow make it a unique addition.
Insect Glaive
The Insect Glaive (Monster Hunter 4) focuses on aerial combat, using a Kinsect (controlled insect) to gather essences for buffs. It excels at mounting monsters.
Gameplay relies on collecting red, white, and orange essences for attack, mobility, and defense buffs. While core gameplay remains consistent, additions like the Descending Thrust (Iceborne) enhanced its aerial capabilities. Rise simplified Kinsect upgrades and types, making it more accessible.
The Insect Glaive's focus remains on efficient essence collection for optimal buff states, addressing previous inefficiencies in its upgrade system.
Charge Blade
The Charge Blade (Monster Hunter 4) is another transforming weapon with Sword and Axe modes. Sword Mode charges phials, and Axe Mode unleashes Amped Elemental Discharge. It's known for its complexity and versatility.
Mastering Guard Points for phial charging and understanding mode transitions are crucial. The weapon's balanced offense and mechanical depth make it rewarding to master, although challenging to learn.
Will There Be More?
While Monster Hunter Wilds features fourteen weapons, more exist in previous releases, absent from Western versions. Given the series' longevity, future installments may introduce new weapons or revive older ones. The potential for further weapon diversity promises to enrich the gameplay experience.
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