Weapons - Monster Hunter Rise Guide - IGN (2024)

There are 14 weapons to choose from in Monster Hunter Rise. The weapons vary greatly between them, so use this page to learn more about each of them. The weapons guide is also a great place to learn how to choose a weapon and which weapon is best for beginners to Monster Hunter Rise.

This is a list of all 14 weapon types available in Monster Hunter Rise. Each weapon type has its upsides, downsides, and different strategies. Though there are "only" 14 weapon types, there are hundreds of weapons that can be crafted from different parts and materials. For example, there's a Magnamalo-themed weapon for each of the different weapon types that can be upgraded. On average, there are about 20 "final form" weapons per weapon type.

Watch the video below for a quick overview of every weapon!

Best Weapons in Monster Hunter Rise

Truly, the best weapon in Monster Hunter Rise is the one you enjoy playing with the most and build the most skill with. Besides that, each weapon can do better or worse depending on the Armor Set and Armor Skills it's paired with. However, if you're just starting Monster Hunter for the first time, we think some weapons are easier to get the hang of than others that will have you hunting like a pro in no time:

• Dual Blades - Though you can't guard with Dual Blades, you can hit and run fast and easily, and its combos are easy enough to learn. Activating its special Demon mode is as simple as hitting a button and being aware of your stamina. Overall, Dual Blades are a popular beginner's choice for those used to quick weapons.
• Light Bow Gun - The LBG is, as it sounds, like a gun that shoots. Inventory management will be the biggest hurdle to using the Light Bow Gun, as you need to bring your own ammo with you, of which there are many different types. But if you're familiar with shooters, you'll feel at home with this weapon. Switching the target camera to Focus Camera in the settings will make using this weapon easier.
• Sword and Shield - The Sword and Shield has long been the first weapon included in a hunter's inventory by default in the Monster Hunter series. It's quick enough to make dodging viable, but its shield enables you to guard in a pinch, too. It deals both slashing and blunt damage, and you can use items quickly without needing to sheathe it, which is required for all other weapons. The Sword and Shield is a versatile weapon that can be simple to get started with, but has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
• Long Sword - The Long Sword is a flashy Light Weapon with fluid combos and extended reach, though it can't guard and dodges need to be timed a bit carefully. We'd usually consider this more of an "intermediate" weapon because you must manage a gauge and pull off counters to maximize the Long Sword's damage output, but there's no denying that damage output is high and its combos aren't too complicated to get the hang of. The Long Sword is made even more usable thanks to its extended reach and some new Switch Skills.

Remember, you start Monster Hunter Rise with every weapon type already in your blue storage box! Take them to the Training Area (access via dingy from the Buddy Plaza) and experiment to find one you vibe with!

List of Monster Hunter Rise Weapons

Read more about the weapons in Monster Hunter Rise. Click to jump to the weapon's section on this page to learn more about them.

• Long Sword
• Great Sword
• Dual Blades
• Sword and Shield
• Switch Axe
• Charge Blade
• Hammer
• Hunting Horn
• Lance
• Gunlance
• Insect Glaive
• Bow
• Light Bowgun
• Heavy Bowgun

Light Weapons

Long Sword

Wide and quick strikes. Damagingmonsters adds to a "spirit gauge" used to land a final combo that gives a stacking attack buff. Allows for cool counters when timed correctly. The Long Sword is one of the best weapons for solo play. If you're playing with others, make sure they have at least one level of the Flinch Free armor skill, or you will interrupt them.

• Long Sword Tutorial and Controls
• Long Sword Tree

Sword and Shield

Quick, small sword. Good for combos. Shield can be used to block attacks and to bash, which can stun monsters. You can use items while wielding the Sword and Shield without putting it away. Block and press the item button, or use an item on your radial menu to use an item in an instant - like a Flash Bomb or Lifepowder. This makes the SnS a great support weapon!

• Sword and Shield Tutorial and Controls
• Sword and Shield Tree

Dual Blades

Quick attacks that allow for longer and more powerful combos. Demon and Archdemon modes make for more attack power, and more attack speed, respectively.The Dual Blades are easy to learn and get the hang of, but be careful when initiating certain combos - you can get stuck in pretty long animations.

• Dual Blades Tutorial and Controls
• Dual Blades Tree

Heavy Weapons

Great Sword

Large sword with slow attacks but great power. Charge attack deals massive amounts of damage, and its KO-damage causing shoulder bashes can cause stun. Can block at the cost of sharpness. The Great Sword is the classic, iconic Monster Hunter weapon that feels great to land huge hits with.

• Great Sword Tutorial and Controls
• Great Sword Tree

Hammer

Large and heavy, can deal vast amounts of damage in a single combo. High exhaust damage. Can stun monsters easily.Aim for the head with the Hammer to exhaust and stun monsters fast while breaking important parts like horns.

• Hammer Tutorial and Controls
• Hammer Tree

Lance

Weapon with precise range. Comes with a shield. Deals a good amount of damage and is safe, but is slow. Can be played differently dependent on Armor Skills. The introduction of Wire Bugs made the Lance a much more mobile weapon than usual.

• Lance Tutorial and Controls
• Lance Tree

Gunlance

Similar to the Lance, but can fire explosive rounds. Wyvern's Fire can shoot out a powerful explosive.

• Gunlance Tutorial and Controls
• Gunlance Tree

Technical Weapons

Insect Glaive

Quick and fluid attacks. Can send out Kinsect to retrieve essences that boost different powers. Power Up, Defense Up, Speed/Jump Up,and a WeakHeal. Requires Kinsectmanagement for efficiency. The Insect Glaive allows for even more mobility, you can accomplish really cool aerial attacks with it.

• Insect Glaive Tutorial and Controls
• Insect Glaive Tree

Switch Axe

Versatile heavy axethat can be changed to a somewhat faster swinging sword with an elemental phial for a short time. Can grip onto a monster and unload elemental damage while in sword mode.

• Switch Axe Tutorial and Controls
• Switch Axe Tree

Charge Blade

Similar to the Switch Axe in that it changes between two modes: Sword and shield and heavy axe. A phial allows for charged attacks and must be managed between shield and blade. Starts in Sword and Shield mode. The Charge Blade is of the most technical, difficult weapons to learn in Monster Hunter Rise, but it's very powerful in the right hands.

• Charge Blade Tutorial and Controls
• Charge Blade Tree

Hunting Horn

Kind of similar to the Hammer, but can play songs to buff the player and any allies. Each hammer has access to different buffs, some of which can even heal the party, so it's a great support weapon that can also deal a great amount of damage. The Hunting Horn was changed in Monster Hunter Rise to focus on dealing out combos, so it's much more intuitive to use.

• Hunting Horn Tutorial and Controls
• Hunting Horn Tree

Ranged Weapons

Bow

The most technical ranged weapon, but also the most mobile. Weaker than Bowguns, but can be stronger based on charge. Utilizes coatings that can add on-hit Status Ailments and effects, and requires stamina management.The Bow in Monster Hunter Rise really shines with the right Armor Skills - like Mighty Bow and Constitution.

• Bow Tutorial and Controls
• Bow Tree

Light Bowgun

Offers more mobility than the Heavy Bowgun and can use Rapid Fire, a technique that lets you unload multiple quick shots. Utilizes different types of ammunition with different effects. Lays explosive traps with its special ammo.Requires extra inventory management for ammo.

• Light Bowgun Tutorial and Controls
• Light Bowgun Tree

Heavy Bowgun

Stronger but slower than the Light Bowgun. Utilizes different types of ammunition with different effects. Allows for a Gatlinggun or sniper-type special ammo. Can be used as a shield with modification. Requires extra inventory management for ammo. The Heavy Bowgun can deal massive damage, and can take down monsters extremely fast when used correctly.

• Heavy Bowgun Tutorial and Controls
• Heavy Bowgun Tree