Monster Hunter's renowned for its diverse weapon arsenal and captivating gameplay. But did you know even more weapons exist, absent from recent titles? This exploration delves into the history of Monster Hunter weaponry.
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A Look Back at Monster Hunter Weaponry
Monster Hunter boasts a rich history, spanning over two decades since its 2004 debut. A key element is its varied weapon selection. Monster Hunter Wilds offers fourteen distinct weapon types, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, move sets, and mechanics to master.
Significant evolution is evident, comparing the original Great Sword to its modern counterpart. Furthermore, older weapons, unreleased in the West, add to the series' legacy. Let's examine Monster Hunter's weapon evolution.
First Generation Weapons
These weapons debuted in the original Monster Hunter and its variations. Series veterans, they've evolved with refined movesets and mechanics.
Great Sword
Arguably the franchise icon, the Great Sword's presence dates back to 2004. Its high damage comes at the cost of slow attacks and movement. The massive blade can also function as a shield, consuming stamina and sharpness.
Early iterations emphasized hit-and-run tactics and precise spacing. While combos were possible, slow animations made extended chains inefficient. A unique element was the damage variation based on impact location—the blade's center dealt maximum damage.
Monster Hunter 2 introduced the iconic Charged Slash, a three-level charge attack culminating in a devastating swing. This remains a defining feature.
Subsequent games built upon the charge mechanic, adding finishers and improved combo flow, despite maintaining its deliberate pace. Monster Hunter World's shoulder tackle provided an earlier entry point into charged attacks.
The Great Sword offers a low skill floor, high skill ceiling. Mastering its timing and maximizing True Charged Slash usage separates skilled users from the rest.
Sword and Shield
The Sword and Shield embodies versatility. While individual strikes deal moderate damage, it compensates with rapid combos, blocking, mobility, and utility. Initially considered a beginner weapon, its complexity has grown over time.
Early gameplay revolved around quick slashes and high mobility. Monster Hunter 2 allowed item usage while the weapon remained drawn.
Later iterations expanded the moveset, including the shield bash combo (Monster Hunter 3), backstep and jumps (Monster Hunter 4), and Perfect Rush/aerial finishers (Monster Hunter World/Rise).
Despite its short range and moderate damage, the Sword and Shield remains a jack-of-all-trades. Its infinite combo, quick attacks, backstep evasion, powerful finishers, and defensive block make it a deceptively deep weapon.
Hammer
One of two blunt weapons (incapable of tail cuts), the Hammer excels at breaking parts, particularly heads, leading to KOs (Monster Hunter 2 onwards).
Its playstyle, initially similar to the Great Sword (hit-and-run), stands out due to surprisingly high mobility and the unique ability to charge while moving.
Move sets have remained largely consistent, with significant changes in Monster Hunter World and Rise. The Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon attacks added devastating offensive options.
Two modes, Strength and Courage, were introduced, each altering charge attacks and effects. Effective Hammer use requires mastering mode switching based on the monster and maintaining charge while moving.
The Hammer's objective is straightforward: target the head and KO the monster. This requires skill, rewarding players with powerful charged attacks and combo finishers.
Lance
The Lance embodies the principle "a good offense is a great defense." Its long reach for attacks and large shield for blocking make it the ultimate defensive weapon. The shield blocks most attacks, and with proper skill setup, even many otherwise unavoidable ones. Despite its limited mobility and attacks, it boasts considerable damage output.
Its playstyle resembles an outboxer—poking from a distance while shielded. Core attacks include forward and upward thrusts (chainable up to three times). A counter mechanic was added, further emphasizing its defensive nature. Running charge and shield bash attacks aided in closing distance.
Often overlooked due to its less flashy animations, the Lance rewards players for standing their ground. It transforms the hunter into a tank, exceeding even the Gunlance in defensive capabilities.
Light Bowgun
The Light Bowgun is a highly mobile ranged weapon, present in every game. Its smaller size allows for faster reload speeds, sheathing, and dodging.
Its mobility comes at the cost of limited ammunition variety and lower firepower compared to the Heavy Bowgun. Customization options include barrels, silencers, and scopes.
The Light Bowgun's rapid-fire capability for specific ammo types allows it to outperform other ranged weapons despite its limitations.
Monster Hunter 4 introduced "Critical Distance," adding depth to ranged combat. Optimal damage depended on both distance and ammunition type.
Monster Hunter World added Wyvernblast (ground bombs) and a slide maneuver after shooting, enhancing its run-and-gun style.
The Light Bowgun evolved beyond a "weaker" Heavy Bowgun counterpart, becoming a robust and user-friendly option without sacrificing mechanics or specialty.
Heavy Bowgun
The Heavy Bowgun is the premier ranged weapon of the first generation, delivering high damage and access to specialized ammunition. Its size and weight, however, restrict mobility.
While the Light Bowgun prioritizes mobility, the Heavy Bowgun offers flexibility through its diverse ammunition selection. Its slow movement is offset by the ability to equip a shield for defense.
Its design remained consistent, serving as a powerful artillery or support weapon. Low mobility, however, can lead to increased downtime if the monster focuses its attacks.
Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode for continuous firing without reloading. Monster Hunter World added Wyvernheart (minigun) and Wyvernsnipe (high-damage single shot) special ammo, not consuming regular ammunition.
The Heavy Bowgun's strength lies in powerful ammunition like Cluster and Crag, enabling efficient monster takedowns. While minor changes (dodge roll, attachments) occurred, its core identity—powerful ammunition for significant damage—remains unchanged.
Dual Blades
The flashy Dual Blades prioritize speed, excelling at inflicting status ailments and elemental damage due to their multi-hit attacks. Interestingly, despite being a first-generation weapon, they were only introduced in the Western release of the original Monster Hunter.
Speed and fluid combos define the Dual Blades' offensive capabilities. Individual attacks are weak, but their rapid succession adds up to significant damage.
Demon Mode, a temporary state boosting damage and access to more attacks, consumes stamina. This mechanic has persisted, with refinements over the series.
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate introduced the Demon Gauge, filling with each attack in Demon Mode. A full gauge activates Archdemon Mode, providing powered-up attacks and evasive maneuvers without stamina drain.
The Demon Dash, a unique movement tool, allows for rapid repositioning. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate's Adept Hunter Style linked a perfect dodge to the Demon Dash, granting damage and dash enhancements.
While core gameplay remains consistent, refinements and additions enhance the offensive playstyle. Archdemon Mode significantly altered gameplay, incentivizing sustained powered-up states.
Second Generation Weapons
Introduced in the second generation, these weapons are akin to their first-generation counterparts, offering distinct movesets and mechanics.
Long Sword
The Long Sword is known for fluid combos, high damage, and refined mechanics. Cosmetically resembling katanas, it was officially introduced in Monster Hunter 2. While functionally similar to the Great Sword (slashing, high damage), it boasts superior mobility and combo flow, sacrificing the ability to block.
The Spirit Gauge, filled by landing attacks, activates the Spirit Combo—a high-damage attack string.
Monster Hunter 3 added Spirit Roundslash, a finisher increasing the Spirit Gauge to three levels (white, yellow, red), each granting stronger attack buffs.
Monster Hunter World introduced Spirit Thrust Helm Breaker and Foresight Slash (a parry attack), enhancing combo flow and adding a parry option.
Iceborne's Iai Stance, with Iai Slash and Iai Spirit Slash (another parry), further refined the counter-based playstyle.
The Long Sword's combo-oriented nature evolved into a counter-based style with parries, maximizing Spirit Gauge usage and combo fluidity.
Hunting Horn
The Hunting Horn is a support weapon (Monster Hunter 2), utilizing Recital—a mechanic where different note combinations produce various beneficial effects (attack/defense buffs, healing). Like the Hammer, it deals impact damage, primarily targeting the head for stuns. It's generally weaker offensively due to its support capabilities.
Changes focused on Recital efficiency. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate allowed note playing during attacks, improving fluidity. Subsequent games aimed to seamlessly integrate Recital and attacks.
Monster Hunter World introduced song queuing, activating multiple effects simultaneously. Echo Notes (Iceborne) added area-based buffs, further enhancing the weapon's offensive capabilities.
Monster Hunter Rise overhauled the weapon, simplifying Recital activation (double-tapping a button) and automating buffs, making it more accessible but less complex.
Gunlance
The Gunlance (Monster Hunter 2) blends Lance and Bowgun mechanics. It functions like a Lance (large shield, piercing attacks), but adds explosive shelling. Shelling ammunition is unlimited, replenished upon reloading.
Visually similar to the Lance, it differs in attack type (slashing/cutting) and finishers. Wyvern's Fire is a charged explosive attack. Shelling types vary based on the specific Gunlance, affecting attack power.
Monster Hunter 3 added a quick reload for infinite combos, Full Burst (downward slam), and the ability to charge additional shells for a single attack.
Monster Hunter X introduced the Heat Gauge, influencing physical attack damage and leading to temporary overheating.
Monster Hunter World added Wyrmstake Shot, an impaling explosive finisher.
The Gunlance's unique reload/shelling mechanics and balance between shelling and physical attacks define its distinct gameplay.
Bow
The Bow (Monster Hunter 2) is the most agile ranged weapon, specializing in close-to-mid-range combat. Its mobility allows for darting in and out of attacks, functioning similarly to a melee weapon with combo-based damage. Like the Great Sword, it has chargeable attacks.
It emphasizes hit-and-run tactics, targeting weak points and utilizing multi-hit attacks for elemental damage. Coatings enhance damage or inflict elemental/status effects.
Early games featured Shot Types, impacting available attacks. Monster Hunter World removed Shot Types, making the moveset universal and more combo-heavy. Close-Range Coating became universal and infinite.
Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types, tied to charge levels.
The Bow's agile, combo-heavy ranged combat differentiates it from the point-and-shoot Bowgun style.
Third and Fourth Generation Weapons
These weapons (Monster Hunter 3 and 4) feature morphing capabilities or unique buff mechanics.
Switch Axe
The Switch Axe (Monster Hunter 3) has Axe and Sword modes. Initially a quest reward, it became readily available in later versions.
Gameplay revolves around balancing both modes. Axe Mode offers range and mobility, with an infinite stamina-based combo. Sword Mode delivers higher damage, phial attacks, and the Elemental Discharge finisher.
While core design remains consistent, morphing capabilities improved. Monster Hunter World introduced Amped state (empowered Sword Mode attacks), and Rise extended Amped to both modes, encouraging mode switching.
Insect Glaive
The Insect Glaive (Monster Hunter 4) is an aerial weapon, paired with a Kinsect (insect companion) for collecting essences granting buffs. It excels at mounting monsters.
The core gameplay involves collecting red, white, and orange essences for attack, mobility, and defense buffs. Collecting all three provides stronger, non-resetting buffs.
Significant changes focused on Kinsect upgrades and essence collection. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne added Descending Thrust, an air-to-ground finisher.
Monster Hunter Rise simplified Kinsect upgrades and introduced Kinsect types (Normal, Assist, Powder, Speed).
Charge Blade
The Charge Blade (Monster Hunter 4) is a transforming weapon with Sword and Axe modes. Sword Mode charges phials, and Axe Mode unleashes Amped Elemental Discharge. It's considered one of the most challenging weapons.
It utilizes guard points to charge phials efficiently, with varied phial types affecting attacks. Mastering guard points, mode transitions, and monster behavior is crucial for optimal performance.
Future Weapons?
While Monster Hunter Wilds features fourteen weapons, more exist from previous releases, unreleased in the West. Future iterations may introduce new weapons or revive older ones, further enriching the gameplay experience.
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