Monster Hunter Wilds Tier List 2026: Best Weapons Ranked
Welcome to the ultimate Monster Hunter Wilds tier list for 2026! If you are wondering which weapon will give you the edge against Arkveld or help you carve through the Windward Plains faster, you have come to the right place. With the introduction of Focus Mode and new wound-breaking mechanics, the meta has shifted significantly compared to previous titles.
What is the best weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds? Currently, the Hunting Horn, Bow, and Dual Blades sit at the top of the meta (S-Tier) due to their high damage output, superior mobility, and synergy with the new wound-breaking mechanics.
In this article, I will break down every single weapon in the game, ranking them from S-Tier to C-Tier. I have analyzed top-tier play from the community, crunched the numbers on motion values, and tested every weapon extensively in the beta and launch environments to bring you this definitive ranking.
Ranking Factors: How I Ranked These Weapons?
Before we dive into the full table, let’s talk about the criteria I used. In Monster Hunter Wilds, raw damage isn’t the only thing that matters. The new Focus Mode changes how we approach combat, emphasizing precision and wound destruction.
- Damage Output (DPS): How fast can this weapon kill a monster? This includes burst damage and sustained DPS.
- Mobility & Evasion: Can you dodge attacks while your weapon is drawn? Weapons like the Bow and Dual Blades excel here.
- Utility & Support: Does the weapon offer team buffs (like Hunting Horn) or shield protection (like Lance)?
- Skill Floor & Ceiling: Is the weapon easy to pick up, or does it require 100 hours to master? High-skill weapons often rank higher if the payout is worth it.
- Wound Interaction: How effectively can the weapon target and destroy wounds using Focus Mode? This is a game-changer in Wilds.
Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List (March 2026)
Here is the complete ranking of all 14 weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. I have separated them by tier to help you quickly identify the best options.
S-Tier Weapons (Overpowered)
| Weapon Name | Tier | Playstyle | Difficulty | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting Horn | S | Support/DPS | Medium | High damage + massive team buffs |
| Bow | S | Ranged/Evade | High | Incredible DPS + perfect mobility |
| Dual Blades | S | Agile/Melee | Low | Fastest attacks + Demon Mode dominance |
| Long Sword | S | Counter/Agile | Medium | Best counter mechanics + range |
A-Tier Weapons (Strong)
| Weapon Name | Tier | Playstyle | Difficulty | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Sword | A | Burst/Melee | High | Highest single-hit damage |
| Charge Blade | A | Technical/Melee | High | Guard Points + massive SAED damage |
| Light Bowgun | A | Ranged/Status | Medium | Safe play + Sticky ammo spam |
| Sword & Shield | A | Versatile/Melee | Low | Perfect Rush damage + item usage |
B-Tier Weapons (Good)
| Weapon Name | Tier | Playstyle | Difficulty | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammer | B | Blunt/KO | Medium | High K.O. potential + mobility |
| Insect Glaive | B | Aerial/Mount | Medium | Air mobility + easy wounds |
| Switch Axe | B | Aggressive/Melee | Medium | High DPS in Power Axe mode |
| Lance | B | Tank/Melee | Low | Immovable defense + pokes |
C-Tier Weapons (Underwhelming)
| Weapon Name | Tier | Playstyle | Difficulty | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunlance | C | Shell/Guard | Medium | Wyvern Fire burst, but clunky |
| Heavy Bowgun | C | Heavy/Ranged | Medium | High damage, but low mobility |
Detailed Weapon Analysis
Below, I provide a deep dive into every weapon featured in the tables above. I’ll explain exactly why I placed them where I did and how they perform in the current meta.
S-Tier Weapons Detailed Analysis
Hunting Horn
The Hunting Horn has evolved from a support tool into a damage powerhouse in Wilds. The removal of the “recital” requirement for maintaining songs (now they play automatically) allows you to keep your buffs up 100% of the time while focusing entirely on smashing the monster’s head. It has incredible synergy with the new Focus Mode, allowing you to target wounds for frequent staggers. If you are looking for the best weapon to carry a team, this is it.
Bow
The Bow is arguably the highest skill ceiling weapon in the game, but the reward is massive. In Wilds, the Bow relies heavily on managing your “Charge” levels while using Dragon Piercer and Tracer Arrows. Its mobility is unmatched; you can dodge while aiming, making you nearly untouchable. The ability to apply status effects rapidly while dishing out constant physical damage places it firmly in the S-Tier.
Dual Blades
For players who love speed, Dual Blades are the kings of DPS. They benefit immensely from the “Demon Mode” mechanics, and the new Focus Strike allows them to chain together long combos that shred monster parts. While they lack range, their ability to stick to the monster and dodge through attacks makes them a top pick for both beginners and speedrunners.
Long Sword
The Long Sword remains the most popular weapon for a reason. It has the perfect balance of range, speed, and defensive capability through its Foresight Slash and Iai Spirit Slash. In Wilds, the new Spirit Release Slash makes it easier than ever to maintain your gauge. It is the quintessential “easy to learn, hard to master” weapon that performs exceptionally well in almost any matchup.
A-Tier Weapons Detailed Analysis
Great Sword
The Great Sword is the definition of “high risk, high reward.” While it lacks the mobility of S-Tier weapons, landing a fully charged True Charged Slash (TCS) feels better than anything else in the game. The new “Offset Attack” mechanic gives Great Sword users a way to trade blows with monsters, mitigating some of its sluggishness. It is A-Tier because one mistake can leave you vulnerable, but a perfect run is unstoppable.
Charge Blade
The Charge Blade is a technical powerhouse. It offers the best of both worlds: a sturdy shield for defense and the massive Super Amped Element Discharge (SAED) for offense. However, it requires intense resource management (Phials and Shields). In Wilds, Savage Axe mode is stronger than ever, allowing for sustained damage that rivals the best weapons, but it demands perfect play to maintain efficiency.
Light Bowgun
If you prefer to play safe, the Light Bowgun is your best friend. It excels at rapid-fire elemental shots and status application. The “Slicing” and “Sticky” ammo types provide high damage without worrying about hitzones. While it lacks the raw burst of the Bow, its ability to carpet bomb monsters from a distance makes it a top-tier choice for handling difficult fights.
Sword & Shield
Often underestimated, the Sword & Shield is a jack-of-all-trades. The “Perfect Rush” combo deals surprisingly high damage, and the ability to use items without sheathing your weapon is a unique utility. The new “Metsu Shoryugeki” adds a powerful counter-move to its arsenal. It ranks in A-Tier because it has no major weaknesses, though it lacks the sheer range or burst power of the top tier.
B-Tier Weapons Detailed Analysis
Hammer
The Hammer is pure, blunt-force trauma. It is excellent at knocking monsters out, creating easy openings for the team. However, in Wilds, monsters are faster, and the Hammer’s reach can feel lacking compared to the Long Sword or Hunting Horn. While it has great mobility for a heavy weapon, it struggles to reach flying or highly mobile targets, keeping it out of the top tiers.
Insect Glaive
The Insect Glaive is the master of the sky. It offers unparalleled verticality, making it the best weapon for cutting tails or fighting flying monsters. The Kinsect mechanics have been streamlined, making essence gathering easier. However, aerial attacks often do less damage than grounded combos, and you spend a lot of time in the air where you can’t heal easily, placing it solidly in B-Tier.
Switch Axe
The Switch Axe is all about committing to the fight. It has zero defensive options, forcing you to rely on evasion. The “Power Axe” mode in Wilds is devastating, capable of shredding through monster health bars. However, the lack of a guard and the long animation commits make it punishing for newer players. It’s a strong weapon, but unforgiving compared to the versatile options in A-Tier.
Lance
The Lance is the immovable object. It has the best guard in the game, allowing you to tank hits that would one-shot other hunters. The new “Triple Thrust” combos improve its DPS, but it still suffers from poor mobility compared to weapons like Dual Blades. It is a fantastic choice for learning monster patterns, but speedrunners often avoid it due to its slower clear times.
C-Tier Weapons Detailed Analysis
Gunlance
The Gunlance is a fan favorite for its explosive style, but mechanically it struggles in Wilds. While “Wyvern’s Fire” provides satisfying bursts, the weapon is heavy, slow, and offers limited mobility. Shelling damage does not scale with hitzones, which is good for hard monsters, but the overall DPS usually falls behind other options. It needs a few buffs to compete with the Lance or Switch Axe.
Heavy Bowgun
The Heavy Bowgun brings the firepower, but at the cost of your knees. It is the slowest weapon in the game. While the damage per second is high, especially with “Special Ammo” like the Machine Gun or Wyvernheart, evading attacks is a nightmare. In a game where monsters are as aggressive as they are in Wilds, being locked in place to reload or fire is a massive disadvantage.
Other Useful Monster Hunter Wilds Guides
If you are just starting your journey, check out our Monster Hunter Wilds Beginner’s Guide to get your bearings. Managing your resources is key, so don’t forget to redeem the latest Monster Hunter Wilds Codes for free items and cosmetics.
For those struggling with performance, our guide on the Best Settings for FPS ensures your hunt remains smooth. Also, if you are trying to complete your captive quests, our How to Capture Monsters guide walks you through the process step-by-step.
FAQs
What is the best starting weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds?
The Sword & Shield or Dual Blades are the best starting weapons. They are intuitive, fast, and allow you to learn monster patterns without being punished for slow animation recovery.
Is the Hunting Horn good for solo play?
Yes, absolutely. In Monster Hunter Wilds, the Hunting Horn deals significant damage on its own. The attack up buffs you give yourself make your solo clear times very competitive with other weapons.
Did the Long Sword get nerfed in Wilds?
No, the Long Sword remains top-tier. While some counter animations were adjusted slightly, the addition of new spirit management tools keeps it firmly in the S-Tier for its versatility and damage.
Which weapon has the highest damage in Monster Hunter Wilds?
Technically, the Great Sword has the highest potential damage per hit, and the Bow has the highest sustained DPS. However, “highest damage” depends on the player’s skill; a perfectly played Charge Blade can out-damage a poorly played Bow.
Is the Heavy Bowgun viable in 2026?
It is viable for experienced players who know monster movesets perfectly, but it is generally considered low-tier due to the aggressive nature of monsters in Wilds. The lack of mobility is a severe drawback.
Conclusion
And there you have it—my complete Monster Hunter Wilds tier list for 2026. While the Hunting Horn and Bow currently dominate the meta with their insane damage and utility, the beauty of Monster Hunter has always been its commitment to weapon balance. Even the Gunlance and Heavy Bowgun can shine in the right hands, especially when you master the new Focus Mode mechanics.
Ultimately, the best weapon is the one that feels right in your hands. I recommend picking two or three weapons from the A and S-tier lists to try out in the training area before committing your hard-earned materials.