Monster Hunter Stories: Best Weapons Guide

Hey there, fellow Riders! If you're diving into the vibrant world of Monster Hunter Stories, you'll quickly realize that choosing the right weapon is crucial for dominating battles and forging strong bonds with your Monsties. This guide will walk you through the various weapon types available, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and which ones you should prioritize to become the ultimate Rider. So, grab your Kinship Stone, and let’s get started!

Understanding Weapon Types in Monster Hunter Stories

In Monster Hunter Stories, your weapon isn't just a tool; it's an extension of your strategy. Each weapon type brings a unique flavor to combat, influencing your attack patterns, skills, and overall effectiveness against different monsters. Understanding these nuances is key to mastering the game. There are six primary weapon types, each falling under one of three attack types: Power, Technical, and Speed.

Sword and Shield: The Versatile Option

The Sword and Shield is your jack-of-all-trades weapon. It offers a balanced approach, making it perfect for Riders who like to be adaptable. This weapon allows for a good mix of offense and defense, letting you block incoming attacks while still dealing respectable damage. One of the key advantages of the Sword and Shield is its versatility in combat situations. You can use it to target specific body parts of monsters, break monster parts, and even inflict status ailments. Additionally, many Sword and Shield weapons come with skills that boost your defense or provide healing, making you a more resilient Rider.

Great Sword: The Heavy Hitter

If you're all about dishing out massive damage, the Great Sword is your go-to. This weapon is slow but packs a serious punch. Each swing feels impactful, and when you land a critical hit, you'll see a significant chunk of the monster's health disappear. Mastering the Great Sword requires patience and timing. You need to anticipate the monster's movements and position yourself strategically to land your attacks. While it may not be the most agile weapon, the sheer power of the Great Sword can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Learning to charge your attacks for maximum damage is essential for any aspiring Great Sword wielder.

Hammer: The Impactful Choice

The Hammer is another powerhouse weapon, focusing on blunt force trauma. It's excellent for stunning monsters and dealing significant damage to their heads. Stunning a monster can give you a crucial opening to unleash a flurry of attacks or heal your Monstie. The Hammer's charge attacks are particularly devastating, allowing you to deal massive damage and potentially knock the monster down. While the Hammer may lack the range of some other weapons, its ability to disrupt and control the flow of battle makes it a valuable asset in any Rider's arsenal. Mastering the timing of your charge attacks and learning to predict monster movements are key to maximizing the Hammer's effectiveness.

Hunting Horn: The Support Specialist

For Riders who prefer a more supportive role, the Hunting Horn is the perfect choice. This weapon not only deals decent damage but also provides buffs to your party. Playing different melodies can boost attack, defense, or even heal your team. The Hunting Horn is all about strategic play and teamwork. Knowing which melodies to play and when to play them can significantly enhance your party's survivability and damage output. While it may not be the best weapon for solo play, the Hunting Horn shines in multiplayer battles, where its buffs can make a huge difference. Coordinating with your teammates to maximize the benefits of your melodies is essential for any Hunting Horn user.

Lance: The Defensive Wall

The Lance is all about defense. With its strong guarding capabilities, you can withstand even the most devastating attacks. The Lance allows you to counter-attack with precision. This weapon is perfect for Riders who like to play defensively and wait for the right opportunity to strike. The Lance's charge attack is also a valuable tool, allowing you to close the distance quickly and deal significant damage. While it may not be the fastest weapon, the Lance's ability to withstand attacks and counter with precision makes it a formidable choice in any battle. Mastering the timing of your blocks and learning to anticipate monster attacks are key to maximizing the Lance's effectiveness.

Gunlance: The Explosive Option

Combining the defensive capabilities of the Lance with explosive firepower, the Gunlance is a unique and versatile weapon. The Gunlance can fire shells to deal additional damage, making it effective against monsters with tough armor. This weapon is perfect for Riders who like to mix defense with offense and want a bit more firepower than the standard Lance. The Gunlance's shells can be used to interrupt monster attacks, break monster parts, and even inflict status ailments. While managing your shell count and heat levels can be challenging, the Gunlance's versatility and explosive power make it a rewarding weapon to master. Learning to time your shells and manage your heat levels are essential for any aspiring Gunlance wielder.

Best Weapons for Early Game

In the early stages of Monster Hunter Stories, accessibility and ease of use are key. You'll want weapons that are relatively easy to obtain and don't require a lot of grinding. Here are some top picks for the early game:

• Sword and Shield: The Bone Sword and Shield is a reliable early-game option, providing a good balance of offense and defense. It's easy to craft and upgrade, making it a great choice for new Riders.
• Great Sword: The Iron Great Sword is another solid choice for the early game. It deals respectable damage and is relatively easy to obtain. Focus on charging your attacks to maximize its effectiveness.
• Hammer: The Bone Hammer is a simple yet effective weapon for stunning monsters. It's easy to craft and upgrade, making it a great choice for disrupting monster attacks.

Mid-Game Weapon Recommendations

As you progress through the game, you'll encounter tougher monsters that require more specialized weapons. Here are some recommendations for the mid-game:

• Sword and Shield: The Ludroth Sword and Shield offers good water elemental damage, making it effective against fire-based monsters.
• Great Sword: The Jaggi Great Sword provides a decent attack boost and is relatively easy to craft. It's a good all-around weapon for tackling various monsters.
• Hammer: The Tetsucabra Hammer deals significant damage and has a chance to inflict paralysis, making it a valuable asset in battles.
• Hunting Horn: The Velocidrome Horn provides useful buffs and decent damage, making it a good choice for team-based battles.
• Lance: The Steel Lance offers solid defense and allows for precise counter-attacks, making it a reliable choice against tough monsters.
• Gunlance: The Bone Gunlance combines defense with explosive firepower, making it effective against armored monsters.

Late-Game Powerhouses

In the late game, you'll want the most powerful weapons available to take on the toughest challenges. Here are some of the best late-game weapons:

• Sword and Shield: The Rathalos Sword and Shield offers high fire elemental damage and a chance to inflict burn, making it devastating against vulnerable monsters.
• Great Sword: The Tigrex Great Sword deals massive damage and has a high critical hit rate, making it a top-tier choice for raw damage output.
• Hammer: The Diablos Hammer deals incredible damage and can stun monsters with ease, making it a must-have for any Hammer user.
• Hunting Horn: The Teostra Horn provides powerful buffs and deals fire elemental damage, making it a valuable asset in any late-game party.
• Lance: The Uragaan Lance offers exceptional defense and can withstand even the most devastating attacks, making it a reliable choice against the toughest monsters.
• Gunlance: The Brachydios Gunlance combines defense with explosive slime damage, making it incredibly effective against a wide range of monsters.

Tips for Choosing the Right Weapon

Choosing the right weapon in Monster Hunter Stories depends on several factors, including your play style, the monsters you're facing, and your party composition. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice:

• Consider Your Play Style: Do you prefer a balanced approach, dealing consistent damage while maintaining good defense? Or do you prefer to go all-in on offense, sacrificing defense for maximum damage output? Choose a weapon that aligns with your preferred play style.
• Match the Weapon to the Monster: Different monsters have different weaknesses. Some are vulnerable to fire, while others are weak to water or thunder. Choose a weapon that exploits the monster's weaknesses to maximize your damage output.
• Think About Your Party Composition: If you're playing with friends, consider how your weapon complements their choices. A Hunting Horn user can provide valuable buffs, while a Lance user can act as a defensive wall.

Mastering Your Weapon

Once you've chosen a weapon, it's important to master its moveset and skills. Practice using different attacks and combos, and learn how to time your blocks and dodges. Experiment with different skills and equipment to find the combination that works best for you. With enough practice, you'll become a master of your chosen weapon and a formidable Rider.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right weapon in Monster Hunter Stories can make a significant difference in your success as a Rider. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon type and considering your play style and the monsters you're facing, you can make an informed decision and choose the weapon that's right for you. So, grab your weapon, partner up with your Monstie, and embark on an unforgettable adventure!