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Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List: Best PvE & Meta Loadouts (2025)
Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List: Best PvE & Meta Loadouts (2025)
The launch of Monster Hunter Wilds has reshaped the franchise's combat meta with new mechanics, monster behaviors, and the revolutionary Chain Spear. Based on hands-on previews, beta gameplay, and Title Update 2 adjustments (July 2025), this analysis breaks down the early weapon tier list and optimal loadouts for solo and co-op hunters.
The New Contender: Chain Spear Mechanics
The Chain Spear (officially categorized as a "Hybrid" weapon) merges reach, fluidity, and precision:
- Extendable Blade: Uses a retractable chain for mid-range thrusts and sweeping attacks, enabling hit-and-run tactics against agile monsters .
- Kinetic Energy System: Landing consecutive attacks builds "Resonance," empowering finishers with part-breaking potential .
- Early Verdict: Initial speedruns place it in A Tier—excellent reach offsets its reliance on combo upkeep. Compared to Long Sword, it trades counters for superior mobility .
Wilds Weapon Tier List: Post-Title Update 2 Meta
Criteria: Damage output, defense options, entry barrier, and mastery ceiling .
S Tier: Meta-Defining Powerhouses
- Long Sword: Retains dominance with Spirit Gauge-powered counters (Foresight Slash) and the new Crimson Slash finisher. Ideal for breaking high-altitude weak points .
- Bow: Trick Arrow Gauge management rewards precision; Thousand Dragons buffs make it lethal for elemental builds .
- Great Sword: Focus Mode targeting and Offset Attacks enable consistent True Charged Slash hits. Highest raw DPS in skilled hands .
- Gunlance: "Move while shelling" mechanic boosts fluidity. Wyvernstake Full Blast ignores monster armor, excelling in part-breaking .
A Tier: Strong with Nuanced Playstyles
| Weapon | Key Strength | Title Update 2 Change |
|---|---|---|
| Hammer | Stun chains + aerial charges | ↑B to A (offset damage buff) |
| Heavy Bowgun | Ignition Mode burst DPS | ↓SS to S (elemental complexity) |
| Dual Blades | Archdemon Mode status spam | – |
| Chain Spear | Mid-range wounding | New addition |
B Tier: Niche or High-Skill Tools
- Lance: Reliable guarding but lacks damage growth. Outpaced by Gunlance's versatility .
- Switch Axe: Viable in solo with Zero Sum Discharge play, but clunky against storm monsters .
- Hunting Horn: Buffs excel in co-op; low solo clear speed .
Optimized Loadouts for Early/Mid-Game
1. Chain Spear (Thunder Build)
- Weapon: Fulminous Chain (High thunder + Resonance boost)
- Armor: Lagiacrus Set (Thunder Attack 5, Evade Extender 3)
- Skill Priority: Chain Acceleration > Weakness Exploit > Resentment .
2. Dual Blades (Elemental DPS)
- Weapon: Khezu Daggers (Paralysis + high affinity)
- Armor: Gore Magala Chest/Coil (Frenzy Resistance + Critical Element)
- Playstyle: Demon Mode to apply status, then focus wounds .
3. Great Sword (Raw Damage)
- Weapon: Skyscraper (Artian) or Blazing Sital (Zoh Shia)
- Armor: Zoh Shia 4-Piece (Agitator 5, Super Recovery)
- Core Skill: Focus 3 → Faster charge combos .
4. Lance (Tank/Sustain)
- Weapon: Skyscraper (Paralysis)
- Armor: Zoh Shia/Gore Magala Mix (Offensive Guard 3 + Antivirus)
- Mantle: Corrupted Mantle (Damage boost during chip damage) .
FAQ: Addressing Key Hunter Concerns
Q: Is Switch Axe viable for solo storm hunts?
A: Yes, but build for Evade Window 3+ and abuse Morph Attacks to dodge wind pressures. Avoid slow discharges .
Q: How to counter sandstorms/thunderstorms?
- Sandstorms: Windproof 3 + Mirewalker decorations.
- Thunderstorms: Thunder Res 20+ + Stun Immunity .
Q: Best co-op support weapon?
A: Hunting Horn (Attack Up/Health Recovery songs) or Light Bowgun (status ammo) .
The Verdict
Monster Hunter Wilds' early meta favors aggressive, adaptive weapons like Long Sword and Bow, while the Chain Spear offers a high-skill alternative for hunters valuing positioning. As Capcom rolls out Title Update 3 (confirmed for Q3 2025), expect Hammer and Heavy Bowgun to climb tiers. For now, leverage elemental builds against storm-driven monsters and prioritize Agitator/Offensive Guard skills for endgame scaling .
Meta Description (158 chars):
Wilds weapon tier list & builds: Chain Spear physics, S-tier picks (Long Sword/Bow), and storm-hunting gear. Early meta analysis for PvE!
