The History of Monster Hunter Weapons

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

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History of Weapon Types in Monster Hunter

Monster Hunter, celebrating over two decades since its 2004 debut, is celebrated for 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 showcases the series' dedication to refinement and innovation. Beyond these familiar favorites, several weapons from older games remain exclusive to certain regions. Let's delve into the history of these iconic hunting tools.

First Generation

These weapons debuted in the original Monster Hunter and its various iterations. These foundational weapons have endured, evolving with enhanced movesets and mechanics.

Great Sword

The franchise icon, the Great Sword, arrived in 2004. Its immense single-hit damage comes at the cost of slow attacks and movement, making it a deliberate, hit-and-run weapon. Early iterations emphasized strategic spacing and timing. While infinite combos were possible, slow animations made this impractical. A unique feature was the damage variation based on hit location—center strikes dealt maximum damage.

Monster Hunter 2 introduced the iconic Charged Slash, a multi-level charge attack culminating in a devastating swing. This remains a core element of the weapon's design. Subsequent games built upon this, refining combos and adding finishers like the shoulder tackle in Monster Hunter World, allowing for quicker access to charged attacks.

The Great Sword offers a low skill floor, yet a high skill ceiling. Mastering its timing and maximizing damage output with True Charged Slashes distinguishes expert users.

Sword and Shield

Versatility defines the Sword and Shield. Its balanced design features moderate damage, rapid combos, blocking capabilities, high mobility, and utility. Initially considered a beginner weapon, its complexity has grown with added mechanics and attacks.

The original design emphasized speed and mobility. Monster Hunter 2 added the ability to use items while the weapon remained drawn. Later installments expanded the moveset with shield bashes (MH3), backsteps and jumps (MH4), and the Perfect Rush and aerial finishers (MH World and Rise).

Despite its shorter range and lower damage, the Sword and Shield is a true jack-of-all-trades. Its infinite combo potential, speed, evasiveness, powerful finishers, and defensive blocking make it a surprisingly deep and rewarding weapon.

Hammer

One of two blunt weapons (dealing impact, not cutting damage), the Hammer excels at breaking parts, particularly monster heads, leading to KOs (knockouts). Its hit-and-run playstyle, surprisingly high mobility, and unique charging mechanic (allowing movement during charge) distinguish it from the Great Sword. While its moveset remained largely consistent, Monster Hunter World and Rise significantly enhanced it with attacks like Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon.

The introduction of Strength and Courage modes in later games added strategic depth, altering charge attacks and effects. Mastering mode switching based on monster matchups and maintaining charge while moving is key to maximizing damage. The Hammer's core objective—headshots for KOs—remains, but requires skill and timing to unleash its full potential.

Lance

The Lance embodies the adage "a good offense is a great defense." Its long reach allows for ranged attacks, while its large shield blocks most attacks, even many considered unguardable with proper skill builds. Its limited attacks and slower movement are offset by its considerable damage output.

The Lance's playstyle resembles an outboxer—poking at range from behind its shield. Its core attacks—forward and upward thrusts—were expanded with counters, running charges, and shield bashes. Despite seemingly simple animations, the Lance rewards players who master its defensive capabilities and strategic positioning, transforming the hunter into a formidable tank.

Light Bowgun

The Light Bowgun, a mobile ranged weapon, offers faster reload speeds, sheathing, and dodging compared to its heavier counterpart. While its ammunition selection is limited, its mobility and rapid-fire capabilities allow it to excel. Customizable attachments further enhance its versatility.

Monster Hunter 4's Critical Distance mechanic added depth, rewarding precision aiming for maximum damage based on ammunition type. Monster Hunter World introduced Wyvernblast (planting detonating bombs) and a slide maneuver, enhancing its run-and-gun style. While retaining its core simplicity, the Light Bowgun has evolved into a powerful and agile ranged option.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun is the ultimate artillery weapon of the first generation. Its high damage and diverse ammunition options make it a devastating ranged weapon, though its size and weight severely limit mobility. Customizable attachments and the option to equip a shield add versatility.

Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode, allowing for continuous firing without reloading. Monster Hunter World added Wyvernheart (a minigun-like attack) and Wyvernsnipe (a powerful single-shot attack). Ammunition management, including crafting during hunts, remains crucial for maximizing its potential. The Heavy Bowgun’s core identity—high-powered, slow-moving firepower—remains unchanged.

Dual Blades

The flashy Dual Blades prioritize speed and fluid combos, excelling at inflicting status ailments and elemental damage. Initially a Western addition, its design emphasizes rapid attacks. While individual strikes are weak, the high attack speed accumulates substantial damage.

The signature Demon Mode increases damage and unlocks more attacks, though it consumes stamina. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd introduced the Demon Gauge, enabling Archdemon Mode for sustained power without stamina drain. The Demon Dash, an exclusive movement tool, was further enhanced with perfect dodges in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. The Dual Blades' core design remains focused on speed and devastating combos.

Second Generation

Introduced in the second generation, these weapons are cousins to the first generation, sharing similarities while possessing unique movesets and mechanics.

Long Sword

The Long Sword, known for its fluid combos, high damage, and intricate mechanics, initially resembled katanas among the Great Swords. Its Spirit Gauge, filled by landing attacks, allows access to the powerful Spirit Combo.

Monster Hunter 3 added Spirit Roundslash, a finisher that boosts the Spirit Gauge to three levels (white, yellow, red), each providing stronger attack buffs. Monster Hunter World introduced Spirit Thrust Helm Breaker and Foresight Slash (a parry), further enhancing its combo potential. Iceborne's Iai Stance, with Iai Slash and Iai Spirit Slash, added more parry options. The Long Sword evolved from a combo-focused weapon into a more dynamic, counter-based weapon.

Hunting Horn

The Hunting Horn, a support weapon, uses Recitals (combining notes to create beneficial effects) while dealing impact damage. It's generally weaker than the Hammer in raw damage, but offers crucial buffs like attack, defense, and healing.

Improvements to the Recital mechanic, allowing note playing during attacks (Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate), song queuing (Monster Hunter World), and Echo Notes (Iceborne), enhanced its fluidity. Monster Hunter Rise's overhaul simplified Recitals, making them easier to use during combat, but sparking debate among players.

Gunlance

A hybrid of Lance and Bowgun, the Gunlance combines piercing lance attacks with shelling capabilities. Its moveset blends cutting and slashing attacks with explosive rounds. Different shelling types affect attacks, adding strategic depth.

Monster Hunter 3 introduced quick reload and Full Burst, enhancing its aggressive potential. Monster Hunter X's Heat Gauge added a risk-reward element, boosting damage but risking overheating. Monster Hunter World added Wyrmstake Shot. The Gunlance's core gameplay remains focused on managing shelling and maximizing its explosive potential.

Bow

The agile Bow excels in close-to-mid-range combat, utilizing mobility and combo-based attacks. Coatings add elemental and status effects. While Shot Types were initially weapon-specific, Monster Hunter World unified the moveset, integrating them into the charge system. Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types tied to charge levels. The Bow's aggressive, combo-heavy style remains distinct from Bowguns.

Third and Fourth Generation

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

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe features Axe and Sword modes. Axe Mode offers range and mobility, while Sword Mode delivers higher damage and the Elemental Discharge finisher. The Amped state (Monster Hunter World) empowers both modes, encouraging switching for maximum damage (Monster Hunter Rise). Its form-swapping design remains unique and engaging.

Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive, focused on aerial combat, uses a Kinsect to collect essences for buffs. Collecting red, white, and orange essences grants attack, mobility, and defense buffs. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne added Descending Thrust. Monster Hunter Rise streamlined Kinsect upgrades, making the weapon more accessible.

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 is crucial for efficient charging and defense. Its versatility and complexity make it both challenging and rewarding.

Will There Be More?

While Monster Hunter Wilds features fourteen weapons, the series' history suggests more may be on the horizon. The addition of new weapons or reintroduction of previously region-locked weapons remains a possibility. The enduring appeal of Monster Hunter lies in its consistently evolving gameplay and weapon diversity.

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