Monster Hunter: Wilds Weapon Tier List – Best Builds Ranked

Monster Hunter: Wilds pushes the series’ formula to new heights, with more monsters, deeper combat, and sprawling biomes that demand adaptability. In this ever-evolving ecosystem, the right weapon isn't just preference, it’s survival.

Whether you're hunting alone or in a squad, knowing which weapon to wield and how to build around it makes all the difference.

Below, we break down the best weapons in Monster Hunter: Wilds, ranked from top-tier powerhouses to situational picks. Each ranking is based on early meta trends, versatility, raw power, elemental synergy, and build optimization.

We'll also explore optimal gear combinations to unleash each weapon’s full potential.

S-Tier Weapons – The Absolute Best

Great Sword – Peak Damage and Precision

The Great Sword returns as a master of high-risk, high-reward gameplay. With new charged combos and guard-counter options, this weapon hits harder than ever.

In Monster Hunter: Wilds, Great Sword users can now chain directional dodges into charges more fluidly, making it more mobile without sacrificing power.

Why it’s top tier:

• Unmatched burst damage.
• Perfect for part-breaking and staggering large monsters.
• Synergizes well with stamina and critical-hit-focused armor.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Focus, Critical Draw, Weakness Exploit, Quick Sheath.
• Talisman: +2 to Critical Boost or Attack Boost.
• Playstyle Tip: Time your charges between a monster's actions. Don’t rush—commit.

Long Sword – Counter Mastery Evolved

The Long Sword continues to dominate in Wilds due to its fluidity and counter mechanics. The addition of new Spirit Slash variations and dodge cancels allows skilled players to stay on the offensive while avoiding damage.

Why it’s S-tier:

• High uptime on damage.
• Spirit Gauge mechanics reward aggression.
• Flexible builds that work with crit or elemental playstyles.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Critical Eye, Evade Window, Wirebug Whisperer, Spirit Gauge Extension.
• Talisman: Boosts to Focus or Counterstrike.
• Playstyle Tip: Always push toward the red gauge. Learn your monster’s rhythm to counter effectively.

A-Tier Weapons – Powerful and Reliable

Switch Axe – Versatility Meets Power

In Wilds, the Switch Axe gains smoother transformations and a new Overdrive mode that briefly amps up mobility and status effects. It remains a favorite for players who enjoy flashy, combo-heavy combat with explosive payoffs.

Strengths:

• Two distinct modes for adaptability.
• High elemental/status application.
• Synergizes with power phial builds and affinity stacking.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Power Prolonger, Artillery, Element Exploit, Handicraft.
• Talisman: Affinity or Phial-based bonuses.
• Playstyle Tip: Maintain uptime in Sword Mode and learn optimal switch timings to chain damage.

Dual Blades – Elemental Annihilation

Speed, agility, and elemental dominance make Dual Blades a serious threat in Wilds. With fast-hit combos and enhanced Demon Mode, these weapons excel in biome-based hunts where elemental damage matters.

Why it excels:

• Ideal for elemental builds.
• Massive sustained DPS.
• Easily targets weak zones with fast movement.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Element Attack Up, Stamina Surge, Marathon Runner, Evade Extender.
• Talisman: Elemental-specific boosts or Constitution.
• Playstyle Tip: Don’t stay grounded—use terrain for aerial assaults and reposition constantly.

B-Tier Weapons – Skill Dependent, But Potent

Charge Blade – Technical Mastery Pays Off

The Charge Blade rewards meticulous timing and positioning. While slightly slower to start than other weapons, its ability to unleash Guard Points and SAEDs (Super Amped Elemental Discharge) makes it a tactical powerhouse.

Pros:

• Strong defenses and burst combos.
• Powerful shield boosts and guard mechanics.
• Effective against high-pressure monsters.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Guard, Focus, Artillery, Offensive Guard.
• Talisman: Recharge speed or guard strength.
• Playstyle Tip: Don’t rush into SAEDs. Build phials safely, then unleash with precision.

Insect Glaive – Mobility Masterclass

With some improvements to Kinsect AI and airborne damage in Wilds, the Insect Glaive offers unique advantages for vertical fights and environmental traversal. However, it remains a high-skill weapon with a steep learning curve.

Why it’s lower tier:

• Harder to optimize for raw damage.
• Dependent on maintaining triple buffs.
• Situational compared to other melee options.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Airborne, Evade Window, Stamina Surge, Speed Eating.
• Talisman: Boost to Kinsect Attack or Sharpness.
• Playstyle Tip: Focus early on buff collection, then alternate ground and air combos.

C-Tier Weapons – Niche but Fun

Lance – Unstoppable Wall of Steel

The Lance remains the most defensive weapon in Monster Hunter, with Wilds giving it minor buffs to dash attacks and counter timing. It can lock down aggressive monsters, but lacks offensive burst compared to other melee weapons.

Strengths:

• Great for multiplayer tanking.
• Consistent chip damage and knockback resistance.
• Excellent for soloing large, aggressive monsters.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Guard, Offensive Guard, Constitution, Speed Sharpening.
• Talisman: Boost to knockback resistance or guard efficiency.
• Playstyle Tip: Use poke-counter combos to stay safe while gradually wearing monsters down.

Gunlance – Explosive Style, But Slow

Gunlance delivers devastating shelling attacks, but suffers from low mobility and slow animations. While it's fun and flashy, it falls behind other options unless carefully mastered.

Pros:

• Huge burst with Full Burst or Wyvern’s Fire.
• High stagger potential.
• Great for breaking parts.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Artillery, Guard, Load Shells, Handicraft.
• Talisman: Reload Speed or Shelling Level bonus.
• Playstyle Tip: Use terrain and positioning to compensate for its lack of movement.

Ranged Weapon Tiers – Sharp, but Situational

Bow – Elemental Sharpshooter (A-Tier)

The Bow remains one of the best elemental weapons in Monster Hunter: Wilds. It’s fast, precise, and incredibly effective when paired with the right coatings.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Element Attack Up, Constitution, Spread Shot, Stamina Surge.
• Talisman: Charged Shot or Focus boost.

Light Bowgun – Flexible and Fast (B-Tier)

Excellent for status application and support, but less lethal solo unless built perfectly.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Recoil Down, Reload Speed, Ammo Up, Evade Extender.

Heavy Bowgun – Raw Damage with Risk (C-Tier)

Incredibly powerful, but clunky in fast-paced Wilds hunts.

Recommended Build:

• Armor Perks: Guard, Special Ammo Boost, Artillery, Load Up.

Best Builds and Meta Shifts

Meta will shift rapidly post-launch as players experiment and new monsters are added. Right now, the Great Sword, Long Sword, and Switch Axe dominate due to their power and adaptability. But remember, Monster Hunter is about style as much as strength.

Choose a weapon you enjoy and refine your technique.

The best build isn’t always the one with the highest numbers—it’s the one you can master.

Stay sharp, study your targets, and always carve your rewards.