Choosing the ideal Monster Hunter Wilds weapons for newcomers can feel daunting. The game assigns one based on a short quiz, but it may not suit novice players. Despite Wilds’ enhanced onboarding, it doesn’t rush to clarify how its weapons function.

Our Monster Hunter Wilds beginner weapons guide simplifies the process, highlighting five accessible and effective weapons to start with, along with a concise overview of their mechanics.

Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons for Beginners

Hammer

The hammer is a top pick for newcomers or players needing a refresher, delivering massive damage without requiring intricate combos. It features a few simple moves—an overhead smash, a spinning strike, a charged attack, and the Big Bang, which can culminate in a powerful charged hit capable of toppling even large monsters.

That’s all it needs. Hammers boast higher attack power than other weapons, so even a weaker option with status effects still deals significant damage without demanding complex button combinations.

Dual Blades

Dual blades offer an easier learning curve with a small set of combos, yet they provide more versatility than the hammer. Their superior mobility makes dodging attacks and landing precise strikes significantly easier.

The blades’ standard form includes basic combo chains, but their true strength lies in Demon Mode, enabling chained blade dance attacks for high damage. However, Demon Mode drains stamina, so timing is critical to maximize its impact. Be sure to eat stamina-boosting meals before hunting with dual blades.

Sword and Shield

The sword and shield combo offers versatility and a high skill ceiling for players to master over time. The shield’s ability to block incoming attacks is its greatest asset, and unlike the lance, it allows seamless integration of blocking into your routine without sacrificing mobility.

Sword and shield moves range from upward slashes and spinning strikes to advanced techniques requiring careful planning, though basic attacks can still secure a hunt. The standout feature is the ability to use items without sheathing, a small but critical advantage that can mean the difference between triumph and defeat.

Light Bowgun

The Light Bowgun is ideal for players who prefer to keep their distance, observing monster patterns while steadily reducing their health. It offers unlimited basic ammo, with options for special types like elemental rounds, and is more versatile than the bow while being easier to handle than the heavy bowgun.

Hunts with the Light Bowgun may take longer and require more preparation compared to the hammer, but it’s a safer choice for learning fight dynamics. It’s also worth upgrading as a secondary weapon, as it easily applies status effects or exploits weaknesses without fully committing to that role.

Long Sword

The Long Sword is the most intricate of our Monster Hunter Wilds beginner weapons, demanding precise timing and positioning for its best combos. It offers basic attacks like a strike-and-retreat move and a sheathe skill for quick movement, with most of its power derived from spirit slash attacks and their enhanced versions, unlocked by filling the spirit meter.

These include simple slashes and feints, as well as complex moves that fail without proper positioning. The most potent is a three-part technique starting with a slash, launching you airborne, and concluding with a powerful downward thrust. Missing the initial slash or a moving target can leave you striking air, but with practice, the Long Sword becomes a rewarding choice for those ready for a challenge.