Before you start, find the best weapon for you!
Are you looking to start playing Monster Hunter? Do you want to get your friends into the series? Well say no more and continue reading, because this guide is made especially for you.
The Monster Hunter franchise has consistently released great games ever since its inception. Among all the Monster Hunter games, Rise is by far the easiest, which makes it the perfect introductory game for players starting.
The very first barrier beginners face is choosing a weapon. Monster Hunter has fourteen total weapons, each of them bringing unique mechanics and each of them available from the very start of the game.
Some weapons are fairly simplistic, while some need a maths degree to even begin to comprehend… Or so the Charge Blade players would like you to believe.
It isn’t always easy to find the perfect weapon for you, but it’s about to get easier.
10. Insect Glaive
The insect glaive is, by no means, an easy weapon. With that being said, it is still one of the most unique weapons in Monster Hunter and if you want to start with this weapon, then know that it is possible.
One thing that makes this weapon so unique is its ability to stay in the air as though the floor were lava. It is also why it’s so difficult to master. But there is a saving grace.
Grounded combat is something people don’t speak much of when discussing the insect glaive, but it definitely should be.
The insect glaive is fast and possesses a long reach, this is true even when you are on the ground.
If you choose to use this as your starting weapon, slow down— and though you might be tempted— don’t focus so much on staying in the air; those skills will come eventually as you get better.
What makes the Insect Glaive best for beginners:
- Long-range for a melee weapon.
- Fast attacks.
- Excellent mobility.
9. Switch Axe
The Switch Axe
Again, this weapon isn’t the easiest per se, but a hunter can choose to start with the switch axe if they wish to.
The concept of a weapon that switches between two modes might sound too complicated, but in truth switching between axe and sword can all be accomplished with a single press of a button.
Another reason why you should start with the switch axe is its animations. Everything about this weapon is fast, and beginners can even get away with mashing buttons. Fast animations mean dodging monster attacks is easier.
An important thing to remember is the axe is fast, whilst the sword is slower.
What makes the Switch Axe great:
- Powerful attacks
- Long-range for a melee weapon.
- Fast animations.
8. Hunting Horn
The hunting horn is an interesting mix between instrument and weapon. It is both used to smack monsters and play tunes.
In previous versions of Monster Hunter, the hunting horn had a reputation of difficulty associated with its name. But ever since Rise, the hunting horn has become much more accessible to new players.
Music played by the hunting horn can either heal or buff the stats of the user and their teammates. Because of this, the hunting horn fills a ‘support’ type of role in Monster Hunter, but that is not to say that it doesn’t deal damage.
Being a blunt-type weapon, those who play the hunting horn will find themselves often facing monsters head-on where they are capable of inflicting stuns.
What makes the Hunting Horn great:
- Capability to buff and heal.
- Good damage.
- Stunning capability.
7. Bow
The Bow
The bow is a long-ranged weapon that uses stamina to deal heavy damage and hit fast.
Bows in Monster Hunter come in three types: Pierce bows, Spread bows, and Rapid bows.
Among these three, the pierce type bow is most exceptional for beginners. This is because pierce-type bows allow bow users to attack from the farthest range possible, and the farther you are from the monster the safer you are.
Even if you choose to go with spread or rapid type bows, a beginner can still take advantage of the bow’s excellent mobility.
What makes the Bow best for beginners:
- Farthest range in the game.
- High mobility.
- Fast animations.
6. Longsword
The Long Sword
Many naysayers love to put down the long sword and say it’s the easiest weapon to play, but that’s only because it’s an exceptional weapon with little to no downside.
How easy is it though? Fairly easy. Some mechanics make this weapon stand out and hard to master, but the very basics of the long sword are pretty simple to comprehend.
Hitting a monster with the long sword will grant you charges to what is called the ‘spirit gauge.’ You can use spirit gauge charges to perform a combo that will increase your ‘spirit level.’ There are three spirit levels and each level increases the overall damage you do.
The long sword possesses excellent reach and the ability to reposition itself in a bind. More advanced users of this weapon also can counter monster attacks and instantly gain a spirit level.
What makes the Long Sword best for beginners:
- Long reach.
- Good mobility.
5. Hammer
The Hammer
The Hammer is a simple weapon with big upsides and the capacity to dish out even bigger damage numbers.
While other weapons in Monster Hunter are rich with numerous mechanics, the hammer is easy to understand with only a few combos to learn. With that being said, this weapon is capable of dealing some of the highest damage in all of Monster Hunter.
The Hammer is also only one of two weapons in Monster Hunter that purely deal blunt damage. Blunt damage allows a weapon to stun monsters, so long as the monster is hit on the head.
As a Hammer player, you won’t be hitting the monster as often. Though you aren’t as fast as other weapons, you will only need to land fewer attacks to inflict the same amount of damage.
What makes the Hammer best for beginners:
- Blunt damage.
- Simple combos.
- Huge damage output.
4. Lance
The Lance is for those that don’t like to dodge. Playing this weapon means digging yourself into the ground, planting roots, and becoming unmovable.
The Lance’s move set is one of the smallest in the game and nearly all of their attacks consist of performing pokes and stabs at the monster.
What makes this weapon nuanced is its ability to block instead of dodge. The big shield that comes with the lance isn’t just for show.
In exchange for stamina, you can block most monster attacks. This makes the Lance perfect for those who aren’t the most comfortable in their ability to make quick reactions.
What makes the Lance best for beginners:
- Simple move set.
- Ability to block.
3. Light Bowgun
The Light Bowgun
The light bowgun is still the perfect weapon to start with if you are looking to play a ranged weapon.
The play style of the light bow gun is to be on the constant move while peppering the monster with shots. To spice things up you can plant mines on the ground and set up traps. You can use mine just before you have to reload to make sure the pesky monsters don’t get too close.
You can also use a variety of ammo types which provide a good amount of utility to this weapon.
What makes the Light Bowgun great:
- High mobility.
- Ammo type variation.
- Easy to use.
2. Dual Blades
The Dual Blades
Dishing out quick cuts is the name of the game for dual blades.
Out of all the weapons in Monster Hunter, the dual blades push the fastest pace of action. With this weapon you will constantly be right in the monster's face, giving them a load of pain.
When using the dual blades, beginners can usually get away with mashing buttons and still achieve crazy amounts of damage numbers.
The dual blades also have access to archdemon mode with the press of a button. Archdemon mode allows dual-blade users to attack faster and deal more damage in exchange for steady stamina depletion.
What makes the Dual Blades best for beginners:
- Fast attack speed.
- Good mobility.
- High DPS.
1. Sword and Shield
The Sword and Shield
While not as extravagant as Monster Hunter’s other gigantic weapons, the sword and shield is a reliable weapon that has gotten even better with Rise.
Often the sword and shield is recommended to those starting for its ability to do quick and effective attacks. It is also the only weapon that allows for the hunter to use items while their weapon is drawn.
The sword and shield also provide great utility, being that it is capable of doing both slashing and blunt damage. This means you can both cut monster parts with your sword and stun them with shield bashes.
Of course, having a shield means you can block incoming attacks. In Monster Hunter Rise, the sword and shield has gained the ability to use guard points.
If you find other weapons too sluggish and you want the ability to cut and stun, give this weapon a try.
What makes the Sword and Shield great:
- Beginner friendly.
- Mix of cutting and blunt damage.
- Quick attacks.
