It's not too far-fetched to assume that theMonster Hunterfranchise is at its most popular at the moment. Not only is there an upcoming film adaptation, but aMonster Hunter game has also become available on all three big gaming platforms for the first time in the form ofMonster Hunter World (MHW). As a result, the number of players has also increased but not all of them are veterans.
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Now, since you're here, you're probably on the other side of that spectrum, meaning a newbie. That or you could be a veteran player looking to spit on our choice of weapons for being too subjective—that's also alright; just spit respectfully. Anyway, if you're a newbie, worry not because there are weapons that can essentially act as the easy mode of the video game. Consequently, there are also those that add an extra layer of difficulty in an already challenging game. We'll be presenting each so you can decide which to avoid and which to pick.
Updated April 26th, 2021 by Sid Natividad:MHW weapon difficulty has remained more or less the same despite expansions like Iceborne shaking things up. Of course, there are weapons left we haven't included in this MHW hardest weapon and easiest weapon category. So in the spirit of inclusivity, here are all the weapons based on how easy or hard it is for casual players.
14 Hunting Horn (Hard)
The Hunting Horn is one of the best support weapons in the game that can also double as a damage dealer for others. It's also one of the most unpopular weapons in the game presumably because of how it doesn't have the same appeal as other more direct weapons. If the Longsword or Greatsword are the athletes, then the Hunting Horn is the one on the bleachers.
Not to mention the Hunting Horn is also a complicated machine or instrument. It has the dangers involved in using a Hammer (since it deals max damage when hitting the head) but even then, that weapon is the better option for blunt damage. The build options are also more varied since there are lots of other factors involved with each Hunting Horn compared to other weapons where only the damage is the metric.
13 Gunlance (Easy)
Gunlances are pretty simple when it comes to the core gameplay. It gives players two options: do they want to shell shock some monsters to death? Or do they want to poke them as they do with other melee weapons? Either option is viable and easy to perform in the game. Then again, the best way to deal damage with a Gunlance is relying on the former method or the shells.
That's because shells do consistent damage no matter which monster body part gets hit. Following that style of play makes the content a bit easier. It also compensates well for the Gunlance's weight and lack of mobility. Furthermore, maximizing the shelling gameplay is easy as it only requires the Artillery skill and a Feline bombardier.
12 Light Bowgun (Hard)
The Light Bowgun might look like a nice alternative to the Heavy Bowgun as it provides more mobility but it also suffers from the same beginner problem: the ammo economy. The whole thing is a resource hog where players need to put as much work into ensuring their ammo supply both in and out of hunts as much as they need to prepare for the monster hunting.
That aspect of resource management is best left to players who aren't on their first playthrough for the game as it can be easy to waste resources trying things out with the ammo. That's about the hardest aspect of the Light Bowgun. When it comes to gameplay, it's usually just point-and-shoot. That is until you run out of ammo and regret not preparing beforehand.
11 Switch Axe (Easy)
Think of the Switch Axe as an easier version of the most complex weapon in the game (Charged Blade). The playstyle it grants is pretty straightforward. Players only have to worry about attacking the monster. The weapon's move sets are also few and easy enough to memorize whether in sword or axe mode.
Hence, most players only have to attack and attack while also being careful with monsters trying to interrupt their attack. It strikes a nice balance between Sword and Shield and Charged Blade but the lack of a defensive melee option might be a bit fiddly at first. Once players have overcome that, the Switch Axe becomes a cool weapon.
10 Heavy Bowgun (Hard)
If you're new to the franchise, you might be surprised at the sight of firearms-- fully automatic firearms even! That'sMonster Hunterfor you. If you think they look out of place and are too advanced, then follow your gut and stay away from them. One of them, the Heavy Bowgun in particular, is something you probably shouldn't be touching right away.
Depending on the ammunition or playstyle you want, the Heavy Bowgun can either be amachine gun, a cannon, or a sniper rifle. What makes it tedious for new players is its reliance on many different types and tiers of ammunition. The Bowguns' ammo economy often gets in the way of pure novice fun. Not to mention the Heavy Bowgun will slay not only the monster but also your mobility and it can make the game feel slower than usual.
9 Sword And Shield(Easy)
Now we're moving on to one of the best novice weapons in the game. The Sword and Shield is pretty straightforward yet also allows for basic utility for all hunters. It's simple to use and has a training wheel in the form of the shield where you have more room for mistakes compared to other weapons. Even the game itself says the Sword and Shield is a beginner weapon.
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However, that doesn't diminish its efficiency when it comes to hunting bigger late monsters in the game. You can still use it for endgame and still win the most difficult fights. Often, the Sword and Shield's strength lies in its practicality. Unlike two-handed weapons, the Sword and Shield doesn't need to be sheathed whenever you want to use your other tools. That means faster-paced fights and more mobility for you which is always welcome in a game likeMonster Hunter World.
8 Hammer (Hard)
As its name implies, the Hammer is an uncomplicated and evenblunt (in many ways) weapon. So why should newbies avoid it? Simply because picking the Hammer as a weapon pretty much locks you in a specific class role, one that involves getting married to the monster's head—its most dangerous body part.Since the Hammer is a blunt weapon, it's inefficient against other body parts such as the tail or the wings (though you can still attack those but for lesser damage).
Instead, you'll have to confine yourself to bashing the monster's skull in order to do the most damage with the Hammer. You're essentially exposing yourself to more danger that way since you can't block with the hammer and it makes you slower. To compensate for the dangers you'll be facing, the Hammer has an increased chance of staggering or stunning the monster. Still, it's a high-risk, high-reward weapon type, one that's reserved for the toughest hunters.
7 Lance (Easy)
Think of the Lance as the Sword and Shield but less practical and more sturdy. It's suitable for players who love to turtle behind their shields and poke the monster into submission instead of relying on dodging to survive. In that regard, Lance users are the tanks ofMonster Hunter World since they can survive some of the toughest attack moves.
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The catch is that the lance can be quite cumbersome to use. The sheathing animation is a lot slower compared to other melee weapons since, well, it's a lance. Thankfully, you won't have to sheathe your lance too much in a fight because of the shield and the obscenely long melee range of this weapon.
6 Insect Glaive(Hard)
The Insect Glaive may look like a nice and flashy starter weapon but don't be fooled. Many newbies have made the mistake of picking and sticking with the Insect Glaive only to come out as a subpar damage-per-second (DPS) hunter who mostly just performs "helicopter" maneuvers in fights and doesn't really do any substantial damage.
That's because the strength of the Insect Glaive lies not in its aerial attacks or moves but in how you manage the Kinsect. It's the large beetle you send to different monster parts to extract its essences. Different body parts yield different essences which can provide different buffs. It's a lot of micromanagement for a melee weapon and plenty of things could go wrong in your Kinsect's mini-escapades which require a lot of practice. Just pick other melee weapons if you're new and want to have fun while being competitive.
5 Bow (Easy)
The Bow, in stark contrast to the Bowguns ofMonster Hunter World is one of the most stress-free weapons you can use in the game. Unlike its gunpower-based counterparts, the Bow's ammunition is functionally unlimited. You can still have plenty of ammo variety with the bow, however, thanks to coatings. Plus, you'll be more mobile than other ranged hunters.
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The downside is that there's no melee attack (not even a shove) for the Bow. That means you have to work on keeping your distance from the monster—easier said than done. Regardless, you can't go wrong with the bow. It's easy to learn yet hard to master, making it perfect for both beginners and advanced players alike. Rest assured, you can take it to late game with ease if you're the one-weapon hunter type.
4 Greatsword (Hard)
At first glance, the Greatsword appears to be a newbie-friendly weapon. Again, don't be fooled by its boastful size and powerful appearance; the Greatsword is as heavy and unwieldy as it looks, perhaps even more so. In fact, it's so ponderous, it might even give the Hammer a run for its money. Say goodbye to quick hit-and-run attacks and attrition damage when wielding the Greatsword. With this one, it's either go hard or go home.
As such, you need tons of patience when using the Greatsword. Your attacks take a long time to build up and hit, meaning plenty can go wrong especially when the monster decides to interrupt your dance. As a Greatsword player, you need to study the monster's moves and behavior carefully so you'll know the perfect window for an attack. When your blow connects, however, there's no weightier feeling of satisfaction from any other weapon. Nothing here but big damage, but you'll have to work hardfor it.
3 Dual Blades (Easy)
The Dual Blades are the polar opposite of the Greatsword. While that one favors sure significant strikes, the Dual Blades are all about attrition. It has the fastest attacks out of all weapons in the game but the lowest number of damage per attack. Don't be fooled though; once they all add up, you'll soon know why Dual Blades are perfect for DPS players.
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Like the Bow, however, you'll have to come to terms with the fact that the Dual Blades make you a glass cannon. They provide little to no defensive capabilities to you and you'll have to rely on strafe-dodging to survive. Despite that, the Dual Blades are still one of themost effortless weapons to use—there's only one viable strategy to this weapon: keep attacking!
2 Charge Blade (Hard)
Ask some of the most hardcoreMonster Hunter players which weapon gives the highest damage in the shortest amount of time and some will probably answer: Charge Blade. That doesn't mean you should be picking it up right away. The Charge Blade is the most complex melee weapon inMonster Hunter Worldand requires a confusing amount of micromanagement and memorization... during the heat of combat.
In the right hands, this transforming jack-of-all-trades melee weapon can be devastating to any critter. Making it work, however, takes as much effort as the Greatsword but at least you'll have the protectiveness of the Sword and Shield, the range of the Lance, and the damage of a Greatsword. Basically, the Charge Blade is the perfect melee weapon and has no downsides... apart from the fact that you'll need a whole semester of learningfor it to be useful in your hands.
1 Long Sword(Easy)
Remember when we mentioned that some weapons are basically the "easy mode" ofMonster Hunter World? We're talking about the Long Sword, a.k.a. the Weebstick (it's better if you don't dig into the name). Its attack combos are about as manageable as the Dual Blades' and only slightly slower yet it still has considerable damage and range-- enough for speedruns and one-minute solo Elder Dragon fights if your combos are right.
Still, that's not what makes the Long Sword an easy mode for the game. The weapon has a special defensive combo called Foresight Slash which, when done properly, can make any hunter invincible. The Foresight Slashstraight up makes you invulnerable for a few seconds after pulling it off correctly. This does take practice, but mastering it can be a breeze and you'll soon find yourself Foresight Slashing any monster attack, practically making their predator status a joke.
NEXT:Monster Hunter World: The Best Armor, Ranked
