Monster Hunter is renowned for its diverse weapon types and engaging gameplay, but did you know that even more weapons haven’t made it to the newer games? Dive into the history of the weapons in Monster Hunter and discover more.
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History of Weapon Types in Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter has been captivating players for over two decades since its debut in 2004. One of its most celebrated features is the array of weapon types available, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, movesets, and mechanics. Monster Hunter Wilds introduces fourteen distinct weapon types, each requiring players to master different skills and strategies.
The evolution of these weapons over time is remarkable. From the Great Sword's initial design to its latest iteration, the changes are significant. Moreover, some weapons from older games never made it to the West. Let's explore the history of Monster Hunter, focusing on the hunter's most crucial gear—the weapon.
First Generation
The first generation of Monster Hunter introduced weapons that have become iconic within the series. These original weapons have evolved over time, gaining new movesets, mechanics, and enhancements.
Great Sword
The Great Sword, arguably the most iconic weapon in the franchise, has been a staple since the first game in 2004. Known for its high damage output, it requires a strategic hit-and-run approach due to its slow movement and attack speed. In the original game, the Great Sword's unique feature was the increased damage from hitting with the middle of the blade.
Monster Hunter 2 introduced the Charged Slash, a move that has become a hallmark of the Great Sword. Subsequent games added more finishers and ways to access charged attacks, making the weapon's combos more fluid and efficient. The shoulder tackle in Monster Hunter World, for example, allows hunters to withstand attacks and quickly transition into a charged attack.
The Great Sword remains a weapon with a low skill floor but a high skill ceiling, rewarding players who can maximize their damage output with the True Charged Slash in tight openings.
Sword and Shield
The Sword and Shield offers versatility, balancing quick combos, mobility, and utility with relatively low single-strike damage. Initially seen as a beginner-friendly weapon, its complexity has grown over the series with added mechanics and attacks.
In its first version, the Sword and Shield focused on quick slashes and mobility. Monster Hunter 2 allowed item use without sheathing, enhancing its utility. Later generations introduced the shield bash combo, backstep and jumping attacks, and the Perfect Rush combo in Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise.
Despite its short range and lower damage, the Sword and Shield is a jack-of-all-trades weapon. It offers an infinite combo, quick attacks, evasive maneuvers, and a defensive block when needed. Its simplicity belies its depth, making it a rewarding weapon to master.
Hammer
The Hammer, one of two blunt damage weapons, excels at breaking parts and knocking out monsters by targeting their heads. After Monster Hunter 2, the Hammer became known as the king of KOs.
Its playstyle involves hit-and-run tactics, similar to the Great Sword, but with higher mobility. The Hammer's unique charge mechanic allows movement while charging, distinguishing it from other weapons. Its moveset has remained largely consistent, with significant changes in Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise, introducing the Big Bang and Spinning Bludgeon attacks.
The Hammer now features two modes, Strength and Courage, each affecting charge attacks differently. Effective use of the Hammer requires mastering mode switching and maintaining charge while moving, aiming to knock out monsters quickly to maximize damage.
Lance
The Lance embodies the principle that "a good offense is a great defense." With its long reach and large shield, it excels at blocking attacks and maintaining a defensive stance. Despite its limited mobility and attack variety, its damage output is considerable.
The Lance's playstyle resembles an outboxer, focusing on poking at a safe distance while guarding. It gained a Counter mechanic in later versions, enhancing its defensive capabilities. The Lance's unique design rewards players for standing their ground, turning them into a formidable tank in combat.
Light Bowgun
The Light Bowgun, a ranged weapon from the first generation, offers mobility and faster reload speeds due to its smaller size. While it sacrifices firepower for mobility, it can be customized with various attachments.
Monster Hunter 4 introduced the Critical Distance mechanic, adding depth to ranged gameplay by requiring optimal positioning for maximum damage. Monster Hunter World added the Wyvernblast, allowing hunters to plant bombs that detonate on impact, enhancing its offensive capabilities.
The Light Bowgun's design has evolved to be more robust while maintaining its ease of use, distinguishing it from its heavier counterpart.
Heavy Bowgun
The Heavy Bowgun, introduced in the first generation, is the premier ranged weapon with high damage and versatile ammunition options. Its size and weight limit mobility, but it can be customized with a Shield for added defense.
Monster Hunter 3 introduced Siege Mode, allowing continuous shell firing without reloading. Monster Hunter World added special ammo types like Wyvernheart and Wyvernsnipe, enhancing its offensive capabilities without using inventory ammo.
The Heavy Bowgun requires careful preparation, as stronger ammunition must be crafted during hunts. Its core identity remains a powerful artillery weapon, best used for its sheer firepower against monsters.
Dual Blades
The Dual Blades, known for their speed and ability to inflict status ailments and elemental damage, were introduced in the Western release of the first game. Their focus on fluid combos and multi-hitting attacks embodies the concept of "death by a thousand cuts."
The Dual Blades allow hunters to enter Demon Mode, increasing damage and providing access to more offensive maneuvers at the cost of stamina. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate introduced the Demon Gauge, leading to Archdemon Mode, which offers new attacks without stamina drain.
The weapon's core playstyle remains focused on speed and offense, with changes enhancing its fluidity and effectiveness in combat.
Second Generation
The second generation of Monster Hunter games introduced weapons that, while similar to their first-generation counterparts, feature distinct movesets and mechanics.
Long Sword
The Long Sword, known for its fluid combos and high damage, was introduced in Monster Hunter 2. It resembles the Great Sword but offers higher mobility and a more free-flowing combo structure without blocking capabilities.
The Long Sword's core mechanic is the Spirit Gauge, filled by landing attacks and allowing access to the Spirit Combo. Monster Hunter 3 added levels to the Spirit Gauge, culminating in the Spirit Roundslash finisher. Monster Hunter World introduced the Foresight Slash, a parry attack that enhances the weapon's fluidity and counter-based playstyle.
The Long Sword's evolution has shifted it from a purely combo-oriented weapon to one that emphasizes counters and seamless transitions into its combos.
Hunting Horn
The Hunting Horn, introduced in Monster Hunter 2, is the support weapon of the series. Its unique Recital mechanic allows hunters to play songs that provide various buffs, such as attack and defense boosts or healing.
Like the Hammer, the Hunting Horn deals impact damage, primarily targeting monster heads for KOs. Its changes have focused on improving the Recital mechanic, with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate allowing note playing during attacks and Monster Hunter World introducing song queuing and Echo Notes.
Monster Hunter Rise overhauled the Hunting Horn, simplifying its mechanics while maintaining its supportive role. This redesign was met with mixed reactions, with some praising its accessibility and others lamenting the loss of complexity.
Gunlance
The Gunlance, introduced in the second generation, combines the Lance's defensive capabilities with the explosive power of a Bowgun. Its unlimited ammunition is regained through reloading, and its Shelling Abilities vary by weapon.
Monster Hunter 3 introduced a quick reload mechanic and the Full Burst attack, enhancing its aggressive playstyle. Monster Hunter X added the Heat Gauge, balancing shell usage with physical damage. Monster Hunter World introduced the Wyrmstake Shot, a powerful finisher.
The Gunlance's unique mechanics and balance between offense and defense make it a versatile weapon that rewards strategic play.
Bow
The Bow, introduced in Monster Hunter 2, is the most agile ranged weapon in the series. It specializes in close-to-mid-range combat, using mobility to dart in and out of combat. The Bow functions like a melee weapon, focusing on combos and chargeable attacks.
The weapon uses Coatings to enhance damage or inflict elemental and status effects. Its mobility and fluid combos are its strengths, with Monster Hunter World simplifying its Shot Types and integrating them into its base moveset. Monster Hunter Rise reintroduced Shot Types, tying them to charge levels.
The Bow's design embraces an aggressive, combo-heavy playstyle, distinguishing it from other ranged weapons.
Third and Fourth Generation
The third and fourth generations introduced weapons with unique mechanics, including morphable weapons and a weapon paired with a special insect.
Switch Axe
The Switch Axe, introduced in Monster Hunter 3, features two modes—Axe Mode and Sword Mode. Initially requiring a quest to unlock, it has been available from the start in subsequent games.
The Axe Mode offers mobility and range, while the Sword Mode provides higher damage and access to Phials and Elemental Discharge. Monster Hunter World introduced the Amped state, empowering Sword Mode, and Monster Hunter Rise extended it to both modes.
The Switch Axe's form-swapping mechanics and explosive combat flow make it a unique addition to the series.
Insect Glaive
The Insect Glaive, introduced in Monster Hunter 4, excels in aerial combat. Paired with a Kinsect, it collects essences to grant buffs when recalled. The weapon specializes in mounting monsters, a mechanic introduced in Monster Hunter 4.
Collecting red, white, and orange essences enhances attack, mobility, and defense, respectively. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne added the Descending Thrust finisher, while Monster Hunter Rise simplified the Kinsect upgrade system.
The Insect Glaive's unique design and aerial capabilities set it apart, offering a rewarding experience for players who master its buff collection mechanics.
Charge Blade
The Charge Blade, introduced in Monster Hunter 4, is a versatile weapon with Sword and Axe Modes. It uses Sword Mode to charge Phials and Axe Mode to unleash the Amped Elemental Discharge.
Known for its complexity, the Charge Blade requires mastering Guard Points to charge Phials while maintaining offense. Its balanced offense and mechanical depth make it a rewarding weapon to master.
Will There Be More?
Monster Hunter Wilds will feature fourteen weapons, but the series has a history of introducing more weapons that haven't made it to the West. Given the series' longevity, future games may introduce new weapons or bring back older ones. As a fan, I look forward to seeing how the series continues to evolve and add depth to its already addictive gameplay.
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