The History of Monster Hunter Weapons

Monster Hunter's renowned for its diverse weapon roster and captivating gameplay. But did you know even more weapons exist, absent from recent titles? This exploration delves into the history of Monster Hunter weaponry.

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A Look Back at Monster Hunter Weaponry

Monster Hunter boasts a rich history, spanning over two decades since its 2004 debut. A key element of its appeal is the varied weapon selection. Monster Hunter Wilds offers fourteen distinct weapon types, each possessing unique strengths, weaknesses, move sets, and mechanics.

The evolution from the original Great Sword to its modern counterpart is dramatic, reflecting the game's advancements in mechanics. Moreover, several weapons from earlier titles remain unreleased in Western markets. Let's delve into the history of Monster Hunter weapons.

First Generation

These weapons debuted in the original Monster Hunter and its iterations. These foundational weapons have endured, evolving with refined move sets and mechanics.

Great Sword

Arguably the franchise's most iconic weapon, the Great Sword's presence dates back to 2004. Its high damage output comes at the cost of slow attack speed and movement. The massive blade can also serve as a shield, albeit at the expense of stamina and sharpness.

Initially, gameplay revolved around hit-and-run tactics and precise spacing. While combos were possible, slow animations hindered their practicality. A unique feature involved dealing increased damage by striking with the blade's center.

Monster Hunter 2 introduced the iconic Charged Slash. Charging the attack in three levels delivered increasingly powerful strikes, a defining element of the weapon. Subsequent games built upon this, adding finishers and refining combo flow, despite retaining its deliberate pace. Monster Hunter World's shoulder tackle allowed for quicker access to charged attacks.

The Great Sword presents a low skill floor, high skill ceiling. Mastering damage maximization through precise True Charged Slashes distinguishes expert users.

Sword and Shield

Embodying versatility, the Sword and Shield offers a balanced approach. Lower single-hit damage is compensated by quick combos, blocking capabilities, mobility, and utility. Initially considered a beginner weapon, its complexity has increased with added mechanics and attacks.

Early gameplay focused on rapid slashes and combos, leveraging its mobility. Monster Hunter 2 enabled item usage while the weapon remained drawn.

Later iterations expanded the move set, including shield bash combos (Monster Hunter 3), backsteps and jumps (Monster Hunter 4), and Perfect Rush/aerial finishers (Monster Hunter World and Rise).

Despite its short range and moderate damage, the Sword and Shield remains a jack-of-all-trades. Infinite combos, quick attacks, backstep evasiveness, powerful finishers, and a blocking option make it surprisingly deep.

Hammer

One of two blunt weapons (no tail cutting!), Hammers excel at breaking monster parts, particularly heads, leading to KOs (after Monster Hunter 2).

Gameplay resembled the Great Sword's hit-and-run style, but with surprisingly high mobility and no blocking. Its unique charge mechanic allowed movement during charging.

Move sets remained largely consistent until Monster Hunter World and Rise, introducing Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon attacks. Two modes—Strength and Courage—were added, altering charge attacks and effects, adding strategic depth.

The Hammer's objective is simple: target the head for KOs, enabling devastating charged attacks and combo finishers.

Lance

The Lance embodies the adage "a good offense is a great defense." Its long reach and large shield provide exceptional defense, capable of blocking most attacks (even unguardable ones with proper skills). Despite limited mobility and attacks, damage output is substantial.

Gameplay resembles an outboxer, utilizing pokes at range while maintaining a guard. Core attacks involved forward and upward thrusts, chainable up to three times. A counter mechanic was added, along with running charge and shield bash attacks for closing distance.

Often perceived as "boring," the Lance rewards players for standing their ground, unlike more evasive weapons. It transforms the hunter into a tank, exceeding the Gunlance in defensive capabilities.

Light Bowgun

A ranged weapon since the first generation, the Light Bowgun offers mobility and faster reload speeds than its heavier counterpart. This translates to easier handling and increased safety.

The trade-off is reduced firepower and limited ammunition. Customization options include barrels, silencers, and scopes. Rapid Fire capabilities for certain ammo types compensate for weaker damage, making it surprisingly effective.

Monster Hunter 4 introduced "Critical Distance," adding depth to ranged combat. Monster Hunter World added Wyvernblast (planted bombs) and a slide maneuver, enhancing its run-and-gun style.

The Light Bowgun evolved beyond being a weaker variant, offering a balanced blend of simplicity and advanced mechanics.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun, the premier ranged weapon of the first generation, delivers high damage and access to specialized ammunition. Its size and weight, however, significantly reduce mobility.

While the Light Bowgun prioritized mobility, the Heavy Bowgun offered ammunition flexibility. Its slow movement (walking only while drawn) is offset by the ability to equip a shield.

Its design remained consistent initially, serving as artillery or support. Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode for continuous firing without reloading. Monster Hunter World introduced Wyvernheart (minigun) and Wyvernsnipe (powerful single shot) special ammo.

Ammunition management is key, requiring crafting stronger shells during hunts. The core identity remains: powerful ammunition for significant damage.

Dual Blades

Known for its flashy attacks, the Dual Blades prioritize speed, excelling at inflicting status ailments and elemental damage. Introduced in the Western release of the first game, it was absent from the original Japanese version.

High-speed, fluid combos surpass the Sword and Shield in pure offense. Demon Mode boosts damage and access to more attacks, but drains stamina.

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd/3 Ultimate introduced the Demon Gauge, filling with attacks in Demon Mode and activating Archdemon Mode for enhanced attacks and evasion without stamina drain.

Demon Dash, a unique movement tool, was enhanced in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate with Adept Hunter Style's perfect dodge, granting damage buffs and improved dashes.

While the core concept remains consistent, refinements to powered-up states and Demon Dash significantly enhanced the weapon's offensive capabilities.

Second Generation

Introduced in the second generation, these weapons are considered cousins to their first-generation counterparts, offering distinct move sets and mechanics.

Long Sword

The Long Sword is recognized for its fluid combos, high damage, and mechanics. Cosmetically similar to katanas among first-generation Great Swords, it gained its own moveset in Monster Hunter 2. While functionally similar to the Great Sword, it offers greater mobility and smoother combos.

The Spirit Gauge, filled by landing attacks, activates the Spirit Combo, culminating in significant damage. Monster Hunter 3 added Spirit Roundslash, increasing the Spirit Gauge to three levels (white, yellow, red) for progressively stronger buffs.

Monster Hunter World's Spirit Thrust Helm Breaker and Foresight Slash (a parry) further refined combo flow. Iceborne's Iai Stance introduced Iai Slash and Iai Spirit Slash, providing faster Spirit Gauge filling and another parry.

The Long Sword's combo-oriented design evolved into a counter-based style, leveraging parries to reach peak performance more quickly.

Hunting Horn

The support weapon, the Hunting Horn, utilizes Recital, a mechanic involving three colored notes that trigger various beneficial effects (attack/defense buffs, healing). It deals impact damage, targeting the head for stuns.

Changes primarily focused on Recital, culminating in a major overhaul in Monster Hunter Rise. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate allowed note playing during attacks, improving fluidity. Monster Hunter World enabled song queuing, streamlining buff activation. Iceborne introduced Echo Notes, providing area-based buffs.

Monster Hunter Rise simplified Recital activation and reduced the song list, making it more accessible while potentially sacrificing complexity.

Gunlance

A hybrid of Lance and Bowgun, the Gunlance combines a large shield and lance with explosive shelling. Attacks are primarily slashing, featuring finishers like Wyvern's Fire (a charged explosive attack). Shelling types affect attack power.

Monster Hunter 3 added quick reload for infinite combos and Full Burst. Monster Hunter X introduced the Heat Gauge, impacting damage and potentially overheating the weapon. Monster Hunter World added Wyrmstake Shot.

The Gunlance's unique reload/shelling mechanics and balance between shelling and physical attacks define its gameplay.

Bow

The most agile ranged weapon, the Bow excels in close-to-mid-range combat, utilizing mobility and combos. Ammunition and Coatings modify damage and effects.

Early iterations featured Shot Types, later simplified in Monster Hunter World, integrating them into the base moveset. Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types, tying them to charge levels.

The Bow's aggressive, combo-heavy style distinguishes it from Bowguns.

Third and Fourth Generation

These weapons (Monster Hunter 3 and 4) feature morphing capabilities or unique buff mechanics.

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe (Monster Hunter 3) has Axe and Sword modes. Axe Mode offers mobility and range, while Sword Mode prioritizes damage and the Elemental Discharge finisher. The Amped state (Monster Hunter World) empowers attacks, further enhanced in Monster Hunter Rise to include both modes.

The Switch Axe's form-swapping and explosive combat define its unique gameplay.

Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive (Monster Hunter 4) focuses on aerial combat, utilizing a Kinsect to collect essences for buffs. Collecting red, white, and orange essences grants attack, mobility, and defense buffs.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne added Descending Thrust. Monster Hunter Rise simplified Kinsect upgrades, tying them to weapon level.

The Insect Glaive's essence collection and aerial mobility are central to its gameplay.

Charge Blade

Another transforming weapon (Monster Hunter 4), the Charge Blade uses Sword Mode to charge phials and Axe Mode to unleash Amped Elemental Discharge. Mastering Guard Points for efficient charging is crucial.

The Charge Blade's versatility and powerful finishers are balanced by its high skill ceiling.

Future Possibilities?

While Monster Hunter Wilds features fourteen weapons, more exist in previous releases, potentially available in future titles. The series' longevity suggests continued weapon additions, enriching gameplay.

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