Monster Hunter Weapons: A Historical Overview

Monster Hunter is renowned for its diverse array of weapon types and engaging gameplay, but did you know that even more weapons have been left out of newer games? Dive into this article to explore the rich history of Monster Hunter's weaponry and more.

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History of Weapon Types in Monster Hunter

Monster Hunter has been captivating players for over two decades, ever since its debut in 2004. One of its standout features is the wide variety of weapon types available, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, movesets, and mechanics that players must master. Monster Hunter Wilds will offer fourteen different weapon types, providing ample choices for hunters to find their preferred style.

The evolution of these weapons over time is remarkable. For example, the Great Sword has transformed significantly since its initial release, and there are even more weapons from the franchise's older games that never made it to the West. Let's delve into the history of Monster Hunter, focusing specifically on the evolution of these essential tools of the trade.

First Generation

The first generation of Monster Hunter introduced the foundational weapons that have since become iconic within the series. These original weapons have evolved through various iterations, with enhanced movesets, mechanics, and overall gameplay.

Great Sword

The Great Sword is perhaps the most iconic weapon in Monster Hunter, dating back to the series' inception in 2004. Known for its high damage output, it demands careful timing due to its slow attack and movement speed. The weapon's ability to be used as a shield, at the cost of stamina and sharpness, adds a strategic element to its use.

In the original game, the Great Sword emphasized hit-and-run tactics and precise spacing for effective swings. Its unique feature was that hitting a monster with the middle of the blade dealt more damage than hits closer to the tip or hilt. Monster Hunter 2 introduced the Charged Slash, a move that became central to the weapon's identity, allowing hunters to charge their attack up to three levels for a devastating blow.

Subsequent games expanded on this charging mechanic, adding more finishers and ways to access charged attacks. The shoulder tackle introduced in Monster Hunter World, for instance, allowed hunters to withstand attacks and quickly transition into charged attacks. The Great Sword remains a weapon with a low skill floor but a high skill ceiling, rewarding players who can maximize damage through True Charged Slashes.

Sword and Shield

The Sword and Shield stands out for its versatility, offering a balanced approach with quick combos, the ability to block, and good mobility. Initially perceived as a beginner's weapon, it has evolved significantly over the series with added mechanics and attacks.

In its first iteration, the Sword and Shield focused on quick slashes and mobility while drawn. Monster Hunter 2 introduced the ability to use items without sheathing the weapon, enhancing its utility. Later games added shield bash combos, backstep and jumping attacks, and the Perfect Rush combo, along with aerial finishers in Monster Hunter World and Rise.

Despite its short range and lower damage output, the Sword and Shield remains a jack-of-all-trades, offering an infinite combo, quick attacks, evasion options, and defensive capabilities. Its simplicity can be deceptive, as mastering it reveals its true depth.

Hammer

The Hammer, focusing on blunt damage, excels at breaking monster parts and stunning them, particularly through headshots. Since Monster Hunter 2, it has been known as the "king of KOs."

Similar to the Great Sword, the Hammer employs a hit-and-run style but offers higher mobility and a unique charge mechanic that allows movement while charging. Its moveset has remained relatively consistent, with significant changes introduced in Monster Hunter World and Rise, including the Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon attacks.

These newer games also introduced Strength and Courage modes, which alter charge attacks and effects, adding depth to the weapon. Mastering the Hammer involves targeting the head to knock out monsters quickly and effectively using charged attacks and combo finishers.

Lance

The Lance epitomizes the philosophy that "a good offense is a great defense." With its long reach and large shield, it excels at blocking attacks and dealing consistent damage. Its playstyle resembles an outboxer, focusing on safe, long-range pokes while maintaining a strong defensive stance.

The Lance's core mechanics include forward and upward thrusts that can be chained, a counter mechanic for added defense, and running charge attacks to close gaps. While often seen as less flashy, the Lance rewards players who stand their ground and master its defensive capabilities, turning them into formidable tanks on the battlefield.

Light Bowgun

The Light Bowgun, a staple ranged weapon since the first generation, offers mobility and quick reloads, making it easier to handle and theoretically safer than its heavier counterpart. However, it sacrifices firepower and ammunition variety.

Customizable with attachments like long barrels and silencers, the Light Bowgun can Rapid Fire certain ammo types, giving it an edge despite its limitations. Monster Hunter 4 introduced the Critical Distance mechanic, adding depth to ranged combat by optimizing damage based on distance and ammo type.

Monster Hunter World further enhanced its capabilities with the Wyvernblast mechanic, allowing hunters to plant bombs that detonate on impact, and a slide maneuver for increased mobility. The Light Bowgun remains a versatile choice for those preferring a run-and-gun approach.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun, introduced in the first generation, is the premier ranged weapon known for its high damage and versatile ammunition options. Its trade-off is reduced mobility, as it can only be walked with when drawn.

Customization options, including a shield for blocking, enhance its defensive capabilities. Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode, allowing continuous shelling without reloading. In Monster Hunter World, special ammo types like Wyvernheart and Wyvernsnipe added new dimensions to its gameplay.

The Heavy Bowgun requires careful preparation, as stronger ammunition must be crafted during hunts. Its core identity remains focused on delivering powerful, high-impact shots to swiftly defeat monsters.

Dual Blades

The Dual Blades, introduced in the Western release of the first game, are the fastest weapons in Monster Hunter, excelling in inflicting status ailments and elemental damage through multi-hitting attacks. Their gameplay revolves around fluid combos and speed, emphasizing a "death by a thousand cuts" strategy.

Demon Mode, a temporary state that increases damage and access to more aggressive attacks, has been a core feature since its introduction. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd and 3 Ultimate added the Demon Gauge and Archdemon Mode, allowing new attacks and evasion without stamina drain.

The Demon Dash movement tool and the Adept Hunter Style's perfect dodge further enhanced the weapon's offensive capabilities. The Dual Blades have evolved to maintain their high-speed, high-damage identity, with changes aimed at refining and enhancing their playstyle.

Second Generation

The second generation of Monster Hunter games introduced weapons that, while related to the originals, offered distinct movesets and mechanics.

Long Sword

The Long Sword, introduced in Monster Hunter 2, is known for its fluid combos, high damage, and the Spirit Gauge mechanic. Resembling katanas in design, it offers greater mobility than the Great Sword but lacks blocking capabilities.

The Spirit Gauge, filled by landing attacks, enables the Spirit Combo, which deals significant damage when completed. Monster Hunter 3 introduced new levels to the Spirit Gauge, culminating in the Spirit Roundslash finisher, which enhances the gauge's level.

Monster Hunter World added the Spirit Thrust Helm Breaker and the Foresight Slash, a parry attack that can be chained into combos to quickly increase the Spirit Gauge. Iceborne's Iai Stance further refined the weapon's counter-based playstyle, allowing faster gauge maxing and additional parry options.

The Long Sword has evolved from a combo-oriented weapon to one that emphasizes counters and fluid transitions, offering a dynamic and engaging playstyle.

Hunting Horn

The Hunting Horn, introduced in Monster Hunter 2, is the quintessential support weapon, offering buffs through its Recital mechanic. Each horn can play three colored notes, combining them to activate various beneficial effects, such as attack and defense boosts or healing.

Like the Hammer, the Hunting Horn deals impact damage and focuses on stunning monsters by targeting their heads. Its damage output is generally lower than the Hammer's due to its support capabilities.

Improvements to the Recital mechanic across the series made it more efficient and fluid. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate allowed note playing during attacks, Monster Hunter World introduced song queuing, and Iceborne added Echo Notes for additional buffs.

Monster Hunter Rise overhauled the weapon, simplifying the Recital process and halving the song list, which sparked debate among players about the loss of complexity versus the ease of use. Despite these changes, the Hunting Horn remains a powerful tool for team support and strategic play.

Gunlance

The Gunlance, introduced in the second generation, combines elements of the Lance and Bowgun, offering both slashing attacks and explosive shelling. Its unlimited ammunition, reloaded during combat, adds a unique layer to its gameplay.

The Gunlance's design emphasizes aggressive play, with Shelling Abilities varying based on the weapon. Monster Hunter 3 introduced quick reloads and the Full Burst attack, enhancing its offensive capabilities. Monster Hunter X added the Heat Gauge, which boosts physical attack damage but risks overheating.

Monster Hunter World introduced the Wyrmstake Shot finisher, further enhancing the weapon's versatility. The Gunlance requires careful management of shelling and physical attacks, offering a balanced and rewarding playstyle.

Bow

The Bow, introduced in Monster Hunter 2, is the most agile ranged weapon, focusing on close-to-mid-range combat and hit-and-run tactics. It functions similarly to a melee weapon, with chargeable attacks and combos, and uses Coatings to enhance damage or apply elemental and status effects.

The Bow's mobility and fluid combos are its strengths, with various Shot Types adding depth to its moveset. Monster Hunter World standardized its moveset, making it more combo-heavy and integrating Shot Types into its base mechanics. Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types tied to charge levels, further refining its aggressive ranged playstyle.

The Bow offers a unique blend of mobility and damage, distinguishing it from other ranged weapons and providing an engaging and dynamic play experience.

Third and Fourth Generation

The third and fourth generations introduced innovative weapons, including the morphable Switch Axe and Charge Blade, and the Insect Glaive with its unique Kinsect mechanic.

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe, introduced in Monster Hunter 3, offers two modes: Axe Mode for mobility and reach, and Sword Mode for higher damage and access to Phials. Initially, players had to unlock the weapon through a quest, but it became available from the start in subsequent games.

The weapon's design focuses on balancing offense between modes, with the Amped state introduced in Monster Hunter World enhancing Sword Mode's damage. Monster Hunter Rise extended this empowerment to both modes, encouraging frequent switching for maximum damage.

The Switch Axe's unique morphing mechanics and explosive combat flow have made it a distinctive addition to the series, broadening the range of available playstyles.

Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive, introduced in Monster Hunter 4, excels in aerial combat, paired with a Kinsect that collects essences to grant buffs. These essences—red, white, and orange—enhance attack, mobility, and defense, respectively, with combined effects becoming stronger and permanent when all three are collected.

While the weapon's basic moveset is straightforward, its true potential lies in quickly collecting and maintaining essences. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne added the Descending Thrust finisher, enhancing its air-to-ground capabilities.

Monster Hunter Rise simplified the Kinsect upgrade system and introduced various Kinsect types, making the weapon more accessible to new players. The Insect Glaive's focus on aerial supremacy and essence collection offers a unique and engaging playstyle.

Charge Blade

The Charge Blade, introduced in Monster Hunter 4, is known for its versatility and complex mechanics. It features Sword Mode for charging Phials and Axe Mode for using them in Amped Elemental Discharge. The weapon's difficulty stems from its Guard Points and mode transitions, which require precise timing and monster knowledge.

Mastering the Charge Blade involves using Guard Points to charge Phials while maintaining offensive pressure, making it a challenging yet rewarding weapon. Its balanced offense and deep mechanics make it a versatile choice for players willing to invest time in mastering it.

Will There Be More?

While Monster Hunter Wilds will feature the fourteen weapons listed earlier, the series has a history of introducing new weapons that may not always make it to Western releases. Given the longevity and popularity of the series, it's likely that future games will introduce new weapons or bring back older ones. As a fan, I look forward to seeing how the series continues to evolve and expand its arsenal, even if I remain loyal to the Sword and Shield.

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