Monster Hunter Wilds Lance Guide: Beginner Playstyle & Predicted Skills
The immovable fortress, perfected here! The latest installment in the series, 'Monster Hunter Wilds,' eagerly awaited for its release on February 28, 2025. Why not challenge the hunts unfolding across vast, seamless fields with the Lance, a weapon that balances ironclad defense with sharp strikes? In this article, based on insights from previous series and the latest trailer information, we will thoroughly predict and explain the Lance's basic playstyle, powerful counter skills, and recommended skill builds for beginners. Prepare for release by reviewing the unyielding spear techniques!
This article is a prediction based on publicly available information prior to release, and the actual game content may differ. Currently, there is no official information regarding seasons or patches. This game is scheduled for release on February 28, 2025. The massive expansion content, 'Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance,' has been announced for release in 2027.
Lance Basics and Features (Prediction)
The Lance is a weapon type characterized by its massive shield and long spear. Its greatest feature is its top-class guard performance among all weapons. The basic strategy is to block or deflect any fierce attack from large monsters with its great shield, and without missing the opening, precisely strike back with a thrust. Although its walking speed is slow, it can cover long distances with 'Charging' and adjust its position with 'Guard Dash.' Once latched onto a large monster, it can remain in place, continuously dealing damage.
'In Monster Hunter Wilds,' with its more seamless fields and changing environments, attacks from unexpected directions and situations where hunters are surrounded by multiple large monsters are anticipated. In such scenarios, 'Power Guard,' which can defend against attacks from all directions, and the Lance's stability in reliably blocking attacks will play an even more crucial role than before. Master the offensive-defensive playstyle and aim to become a cornerstone of the hunt.
Lance Key Actions and Combos (Prediction)
The Lance's controls are simple yet profound, requiring the selection of actions appropriate for the situation. Here, we introduce the key actions and combos expected to be central in 'Monster Hunter Wilds,' based on previous titles.
Key Actions List
※Commands are predictions based on a PlayStation 5 controller. They may change in the final product.
| Action Name | Command (Prediction) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Thrust | △ | A quick basic attack forward. Has little recovery and serves as a combo starter. |
| Upper Thrust | ◯ | A thrust attack that aims high. Effective against flying large monsters or enemies with high weak points. |
| Sweeping Attack | △ + ◯ | A wide-range sweeping attack. Used to conclude combos and can hit surrounding small monsters. |
| Guard | R2 | Raises the shield to block large monster attacks. Fundamental to Lance's playstyle. |
| Counter Thrust | R2 + ◯ | A counter move that retaliates immediately if hit while guarding. One of the main damage sources. |
| Power Guard | R2 + × Hold | A special guard that consumes stamina to block attacks from all directions. Can transition into powerful counters. |
| Charging | R2 + △ + ◯ | Charges straight forward with the spear raised. Used for long-distance travel, approaching large monsters, or retreating. |
Basic Combos for Beginners
- Fixed-Position Attack Combo:
(Middle Thrust or Upper Thrust) △ or ◯ → (Middle Thrust or Upper Thrust) △ or ◯ → (Middle Thrust or Upper Thrust) △ or ◯ → (Step) ×
This is the Lance's most basic combo. After three thrusts, adjust your position with a step and quickly transition to the next attack or guard. Its strength lies in being able to insert it into even small openings of large monsters. - Guard-Initiated Combo:
(Guard) R2 → (Counter Thrust in response to large monster attack) ◯ → (Middle Thrust) △ → (Middle Thrust) △
First, secure safety with a guard, then counter the large monster's attack. Getting accustomed to this movement is the first step to becoming a Lance user.
Advanced Techniques for Experienced Hunters
- Just Guard and Cross Slash: A powerful action in previous title 'MHR:S'. It is expected to activate by guarding just before a large monster's attack lands, negating damage and allowing transition into a powerful 'Cross Slash'. If successful, it yields significant returns, making it a technique to actively aim for.
- Charged Counter from Power Guard: A high-power counter technique that can be performed after blocking a powerful attack with Power Guard. If activated in response to a large monster's major attack, it can significantly turn the tide of battle in your favor. Stamina management becomes crucial.
- Utilizing Guard Dash: 'Guard Dash,' which allows movement while maintaining a guard, is essential for staying attached to large monsters. By inserting it between attacks, you can safely close distances or escape attack ranges, greatly expanding your tactical options.
Recommended Playstyles for Beginners
While the Lance offers high stability, maximizing its potential requires understanding large monster movements. Here, we introduce two playstyles based on proficiency.
Stability-Focused Guard Playstyle
For hunters new to the Lance, the stability-focused guard playstyle is highly recommended. First, ensure you have sufficient 'Guard Performance' skill Lv (skill Lv (verify current patch)) and always aim to position yourself directly in front of the large monster with your shield raised. Don't force counters on large monster attacks; focus on reliably guarding them. Then, find safe timings, such as after an attack's recovery, to land one or two 'Middle Thrusts.' By repeating this 'reactive' strategy, you can safely learn large monster behavior patterns. As you get more comfortable, gradually increase the number of thrusts or incorporate Counter Thrusts.
Aggressive Counter-Focused Playstyle
Once you've learned large monster movements, it's time to try the counter style, turning defense into offense. Anticipate the wind-up of large monster attacks and aim for 'Counter Thrusts' or 'Just Guards.' The key to this playstyle is the 'Offensive Guard' skill. Successfully guarding or countering at the right time temporarily boosts your attack power, dramatically increasing your returns. The more successful your defense, the higher your damage output – truly the essence of the Lance. While it carries risks, it can significantly shorten hunt times.
Recommended Skill Builds (Prediction)
For Lance equipment in 'Monster Hunter Wilds,' guard-related skills will be essential. Here, we introduce predicted skill builds that will be useful from early to late game.
Essential Skills
- Guard Performance: The most crucial skill for reducing knockback and stamina consumption during guarding. Increasing skill Lv (skill Lv (verify current patch)) enhances stability. Based on past titles, it is expected that at Lv3, many attacks can be comfortably guarded, and at Lv5, almost all attacks. It is recommended to aim for Lv3 first, then raise it to Lv5 for more powerful large monsters.
- Guard Up: A skill that enables guarding against large monster breaths and special beam attacks that normally cannot be guarded. It becomes essential when fighting specific large monsters. The effect activates at skill Lv (skill Lv (verify current patch)) 1, and increasing the level is thought to boost damage reduction while guarding.
Recommended Skills
- Offensive Guard: A damage-boosting skill that increases attack power for a set duration when an attack is guarded with proper timing. It pairs extremely well with a counter-style playstyle and will likely be an essential skill for intermediate and advanced Lance users.
- Health Boost: A simple survival skill that increases maximum health. It prevents damage that penetrates guards and accidental knockouts. It's a top-priority skill to activate, especially when you're new to the game.
- Stun Resistance: Prevents becoming stunned after taking consecutive attacks. Although the Lance is guard-focused, there's always a risk of being stunned by multi-hit attacks. Since it can be completely negated at skill Lv (skill Lv (verify current patch)) 3, it allows for stress-free hunts.
Conclusion
The Lance in 'Monster Hunter Wilds' is expected to appear as a robust weapon type that adapts to the new environment while retaining the appeal of previous titles. Its impenetrable guard performance will provide a sense of security to beginners, while its offensive counters will offer deep tactical engagement and exhilaration to experienced users. The fastest path to improvement is to start with a stable guard playstyle to learn large monster movements, then gradually transition to an aggressive, counter-focused approach. Using the predicted skill builds as a reference, prepare for the upcoming hunting season and aim to become a great Lance user who protects comrades as an immovable fortress.
