Monster Hunter Wilds Guide: Top 14 Beginner Weapons & First Steps

Date correction — September 10, 2026: The base game Monster Hunter Wilds was released on February 28, 2025. The previous claim that it was unreleased is corrected here. This article still contains predictions from footage and earlier games; it should not be treated as a tested retail-version guide. Ascendance is a separate expansion scheduled for 2027. See Capcom’s product announcement for the distinction.

On February 28, 2025, the highly anticipated latest installment in the series, "Monster Hunter Wilds," will open its doors to a vast hunting world. Continuously changing fields, a new companion "Secreto," and new actions added to all 14 weapon types. Both veteran and novice hunters can look forward to an exhilarating adventure. However, a common hurdle many beginners face is, "Which weapon should I choose?" This article thoroughly explains the characteristics of all 14 weapon types and recommends weapons for beginners based on past game trends, to strongly support your first steps into hunter life!

Monster Hunter Wilds: First Steps! What to Do First (Predictions)

What should you do once the game begins? Based on past game trends, we've listed tasks you should prioritize in the early stages. Please use this as your initial guide to navigate the vast world without getting lost.

Priority Tasks After Starting the Game

1. Progress the Main Story (Assignment Quests): First, focus on advancing the assignment quests, which are the main axis of the narrative. This will not only unlock new fields and large monsters but also make important game systems and facilities available.
2. Official Unlock of the Riding Companion "Secreto": Secreto, a highlight of this game, is an indispensable companion for exploring the vast fields. It's expected to be unlocked in the early stages of the story, so aim for that first.
3. Explore Each Field and Unlock Base Functions: Wilds' fields are even more expansive than previous titles, and the environment changes rapidly. By exploring, setting up camps, and completing requests from local researchers, elements that will benefit your hunts will be unlocked.
4. Produce and Enhance Weapons and Armor: This is fundamental to hunting. Use materials from defeated large monsters to equip more powerful gear. In the early stages, prioritizing defense to increase your survival rate is recommended.
5. Practice the basic controls: Check the in-game weapon guide and Training Area. The previous claim about a base-game Boost Bracer tutorial was not substantiated and is withdrawn.

Key New and Returning Systems to Know

Wilds incorporates many new elements while inheriting the series' traditions. We've summarized points that beginners might find confusing and what experienced players should know.

• Base game versus expansion: Focus Mode is a base-game system. Boost Bracer is equipment announced for Ascendance, scheduled for 2027; it is not presented here as an action currently available in the base game. See Capcom’s explanation.
• 【For All Hunters】Seamless Fields and Weather Changes: Quests and exploration are integrated, allowing you to adventure through a vast world without loading screens. Intense weather changes like sandstorms and thunderstorms are crucial elements that also affect large monster behavior.
• 【For World Veterans】Changes to the Wounding System: The "wounding by Clutch Claw" in Iceborne was criticized for its dependence on specific weapon types and pacing issues. Wilds' "Focus Mode" may be designed as a new weak point attack system that is more intuitive and easier to target with any weapon.
• Moving from earlier games: Practice Seikret movement and weapon controls separately rather than assuming Rise inputs apply. Do not include announced expansion equipment in the base game’s movement options.

Weapon Selection Basics | Find the Right Weapon for You

It can be challenging to find the right weapon for you among 14 different types. However, by understanding a few key points, you can narrow down your options.

• Choose by Attack Type (Melee or Ranged): If you prefer fighting up close to large monsters, "melee weapons" are recommended. If you want to attack from a safe distance, "ranged weapons (Bowguns, Bow)" are a good choice.
• Choose by Defense Method (Guard or Evade): If you want to firmly block large monster attacks with a shield, "Lance," "Gunlance," or "Charge Blade" are suitable. If you prefer elegant frame evasion, "Long Sword" or "Dual Blades" might be for you.
• Choose by Mobility: If you want to move lightly and quickly, "Sword & Shield" or "Dual Blades" are good. If you prioritize heavy single strikes and want to stand firm, "Great Sword" or "Hammer" would be better.

Ultimately, choosing a weapon because you "like its appearance" or "find it fun to use" is the best approach. Try various weapons and find your perfect companion!

Characteristics of All 14 Weapon Types and Beginner Recommendation Level (Provisional)

Here, we introduce the characteristics of all 14 weapon types, along with their "Beginner Recommendation Level (Provisional)" based on past game trends. While new actions in Wilds may significantly change these evaluations, please use this as a reference for your weapon selection.

Recommended for Beginners! Weapons to Try First

• Sword & Shield
  Recommendation Level: ★★★★★
  Allows item use while unsheathed and guarding with a shield. While its attack range is short, it boasts high attack frequency and quick movements. With a good balance of offense and defense, it's an ideal weapon for learning the fundamentals of hunting.
• Great Sword
  Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
  Features top-tier attack power per hit among all weapons. Delivering powerful "Charged Slashes" requires reading large monster movements, but each successful hit brings immense satisfaction. It's also suitable for learning basic combat positioning.
• Lance
  Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
  A weapon boasting impregnable guard performance. It can block all large monster attacks and counter precisely in their openings. While not flashy, it's recommended for players who prefer stable combat.
• Light Bowgun
  Recommendation Level: ★★★★☆
  A ranged weapon that allows safe attacks from a distance. It can use various types of ammunition and aim for status ailments. Maintaining distance from the large monster is fundamental to its playstyle, making it ideal for those who prefer to avoid close combat.

Powerful When Mastered! Intermediate to Advanced Weapons

• Long Sword
  Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
  Appeals with its long reach and elegant combos. Counter moves like "Foresight Slash," which parries large monster attacks and counters, are powerful but require precise timing and practice.
• Dual Blades
  Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
  A weapon that racks up elemental damage with overwhelming attack frequency. While managing stamina through "Demon Mode" is crucial, the exhilaration of clinging to a large monster and carving it up is unparalleled.
• Hammer
  Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
  A blunt weapon that targets a large monster's head to aim for KOs (stuns). It also possesses high mobility through charged attacks, but its short reach demands skill in precisely targeting the head.
• Hunting Horn
  Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
  A unique support weapon that can enhance itself and allies through melodies. It requires balancing attacks and performances, leading to a distinctive playstyle, but is highly dependable in multiplayer.
• Gunlance
  Recommendation Level: ★★★☆☆
  Combines the guard performance of a Lance with powerful shelling capabilities. Shelling, which doesn't consume sharpness, is potent, but major attacks like "Wyvern's Fire" have significant openings, requiring careful timing.
• Switch Axe
  Recommendation Level: ★★☆☆☆
  A transforming weapon that switches between axe and sword modes to fight. "Amped Element Discharge" in amplified state is extremely powerful. Gauge management and transformation timing are crucial, making its controls somewhat complex.
• Heavy Bowgun
  Recommendation Level: ★★☆☆☆
  A ranged weapon that handles higher-powered ammunition than the Light Bowgun. Its burst damage from special ammo is immense, but its slow movement speed makes positioning relative to the large monster extremely important.
• Bow
  Recommendation Level: ★★☆☆☆
  A ranged weapon that battles by loading coatings and applying various effects to arrows. Stamina management is critical, and precise controls are required to continuously maintain optimal distance and strike weak points.

Unique Controls! Expert-Favored Weapons

• Charge Blade
  Recommendation Level: ★☆☆☆☆
  A hyper-complex weapon that transforms between sword and axe, unleashing stored energy. The sequence of accumulating energy with the sword and then releasing "Super Amped Element Discharge" in axe mode is incredibly powerful, but it requires mastering many controls and gauges.
• Insect Glaive
  Recommendation Level: ★☆☆☆☆
  A weapon that fights by sending out its Kinsect to extract essences from large monsters to strengthen itself. It features dynamic aerial actions, but balancing essence management with both ground and aerial combat is highly challenging.

Summary

This weapon overview retains predictions based on earlier games. Try the weapons in the base game’s Training Area to judge their handling. Announced expansion equipment is not used here as evidence for current weapon rankings.

While using this article to shortlist a few weapons, we strongly recommend trying out all weapon types in the final product. Even weapons considered difficult to use can become your best companion if they feel right in your hands. Whether it's the cool appearance, the satisfying attack animations, or the depth you want to master—the weapon that truly makes you feel "fun!" is the ultimate choice. Now, pick up your unique weapon and prepare for the grand hunting life beginning on February 28, 2025!