Monster Hunter World Best Weapons Tier List 2024

There are 14 types of weapons in Monster Hunter World, and every hunter out there has a personal favorite. Each weapon represents a unique playstyle. You have weapons that rely on positioning, while others offer charging mechanics. Some weapons are best for their ability to stun monsters, while others specialize in dealing pure damage (or elemental damage). Hunters who love to stand their ground absorbing damage from monsters will prefer weapons with massive shields. Some hunters prefer supporting their friends by using ranged weapons. In this Monster Hunter World weapon tier list, we’re going to be listing all 14 weapons and talking about their advantages and disadvantages. We’re not going to be rating different variations from the weapon trees, such as Rathslinger vs Dark Ripper III, as there are hundreds of weapon variations in the game. We’ll be comparing weapon types, of which there are 14.

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Explaining the MH:W Weapons Tier List

There is no easy way to determine the best weapons to use in Monster Hunter World. Each weapon type is is great at what it does. How can someone rate them from best to worst and be objective about it? It is true, there are no strictly best and worst weapons in the game. Even when some players dislike the ranged weapons believing them to be inferior to melee weapons, there is a lot of hunters who main this kind of weapons.

We’ve identified a few factors that can be used to evaluate all 14 weapons to find out what is the best weapon in Monster Hunter World, but that still makes it quite subjective. If we don’t take into account things like personal preferences, playstyles, or specific monsters that are being hunted, we can use some more general criteria such as:

1. Damage - how much pure damage a weapon can deal if used correctly. This includes both raw damage and elemental damage potential.
2. Speed - how fast a weapon is? The faster it is, the more damage it will do.
3. Versatility - how well does the weapon perform against different monsters? How well does it do both in solo hunts and co-op hunts?
4. Ease of Use - how easy is it to pick up the weapon, learn it and use effectively? Does it have a high skill ceiling for mastery?
5. Mobility - how freely can a hunter move around and position themselves while wielding a weapon?

With these criteria in mind, we can define the current Monster Hunter World meta weapons and explain each of them in detail.

S Tier

Monster Hunter World weapons meta in the S tier excel in all criteria mentioned. They boast exceptional damage potential, whether through raw damage output or elemental damage capabilities.

These weapons are also characterized by their high speed, allowing players to consistently deal damage at a rapid pace. S-tier weapons are super versatile; they are great against all types of monsters in solo and coop hunts. On top of that, they’re also relatively easy to learn. They have simple mechanics that are easy to understand and start using. Their combos provide both excellent damage output and great mobility options.

A Tier

This is the tier for good weapons in Monster Hunter World. They are highly proficient across most criteria but may lack the slight edge seen in S-tier weapons. They boast formidable damage potential, either through raw damage output or elemental damage capabilities, and maintain a good balance between speed and power.

These weapons exhibit solid versatility, performing well against most monsters in both solo and co-op hunts, although they may have minor weaknesses against certain foes. While A-tier weapons are generally easy to pick up and use effectively, they may require a bit more skill and practice to master compared to S-tier options. Additionally, they offer decent mobility, allowing hunters to move around and position themselves effectively during combat.

B Tier

Weapons in the B tier are still the best Monster Hunter World weapon and ssolid choices but may have noticeable drawbacks in one or more criteria compared to higher-tier weapons. They still boast respectable damage potential, though they may not match the sheer power of S or A-tier weapons. While B-tier weapons offer decent speed, they may lack the lightning-fast attacks seen in higher tiers. These weapons demonstrate reasonable versatility, performing adequately against most monsters in solo and co-op hunts, though they may struggle against certain foes or in specific situations. BLOG20

While B-tier weapons are generally accessible and easy to use, they may have a slightly higher skill ceiling for mastery compared to higher tiers. Additionally, they offer moderate mobility, allowing hunters to maneuver effectively during combat, but may not provide the same level of agility as higher-tier options.

C Tier

Weapons in the C tier are considered to be below average or less effective compared to higher-tier weapons. They may not be as great in all situations, have slower attacks and restrictive movement set.

Basically, these are top Monster Hunter World weapons that require greater skill to use properly. You’re more likely to have a hard time learning them. Again, in terms of mobility, these weapons can feel somewhat sluggish compared to higher-tier counterparts.

D Tier

Weapons in the D tier are generally regarded as the least effective or least desirable choices based on the provided criteria. These weapons are either too difficult to advertise to new players or require a certain type of mindset to like.

They are super situational and demanding in terms of resources and execution. As you’ll see in a moment, these weapons don’t deal a lot of damage and are used by the most experienced hunters.

Best Monster Hunter World Weapons

With the tiers described, we’re ready to get Monster Hunter World weapons ranked using our criteria. We’re not considering playstyles and how many players prefer to use what kind of weapon. We’re looking at the weapon’s core design, trying to rate them as fairly as possible:

This table could have caused some grievances to certain MHW players. Please do not assume that just because your weapon is in Tiers C or D, it means that they are objectively useless. On the contrary, all weapons in all tiers are super useful; there are endgame builds for all of them. Take this tier list with a grain of salt. With that disclaimer in mind, let us continue!

S Tier

Bow

Bow is a ranged weapon that gives you a lot of tools to work with. You have different types of arrows and a lot of different types of shots that you can use on a monster. You have your Rapid Shot, Spread Shot, Pierce Shot, and others. You can also move quite fast and easily reposition yourself to aim at monster’s weak points. Initially, it is easy to pick up and start using, as the only thing you really have to worry about is effective range.

Dual Blades

Dual Blades are characterized by three things - speed, damage, and simplicity. This is Monster Hunter World best DPS weapon and one of few weapons where button-mashing is actually part of the combo system.

Long Sword

The Long Sword's combination of speed and power makes it a versatile weapon capable of dealing significant damage while maintaining fluid movement. Its spirit gauge mechanics reward skilled play and allow for devastating combos when utilized correctly.

A Tier

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe offers a balance between speed and power, allowing hunters to switch between a fast, mobile axe mode and a slower but more powerful sword mode. Its versatility and respectable damage output make it a solid choice in many hunting scenarios.

 

Great Sword

The Great Sword is a powerhouse. This is the strongest weapon in Monster Hunter World, capable of using devastating (and insanely cool) charged attacks that deal massive damage to monsters. You can also block monster attacks if you time your block correctly. You won’t get much mobility out of this weapon, but if you land your attacks, you won’t need to move at all. You’ll just knock down the monster and start pounding it. Most experienced hunters use block and timed combo of charged attacks to kill monsters in minutes! BLOG20

Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive's aerial combat abilities and mobility make it a unique and versatile weapon. Its kinsect mechanics allow for buffs and debuffs, enhancing both offense and defense during hunts.

B Tier

Hammer

The Hammer specializes in dealing blunt damage and stunning monsters, making it an excellent choice for breaking parts and controlling the battlefield. While it lacks the range of other weapons, its high damage potential and stun capabilities make it a valuable addition to any hunting party.

Lance

The Lance excels in defense and precision, allowing hunters to block attacks and counter with precise thrusts. Its consistent damage output and ability to super-guard against monster attacks make it a reliable weapon in both solo and group hunts.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun can deal a lot of damage, but it has a very slow fire rate on most of its ammo types and slow reloads. It also makes you move really slow, with the only other mobility option being occasional rolls that you can do until your stamina goes down the drain.

Charge Blade

Charge Blade is a mechanically complex weapon that you will use to accumulate charges by attacking monsters and then storing them in your shield or in the sword. While this weapon offers a ton of utility, useful combos, great reach, and decent mobility, it’s quite difficult to master.

C Tier

Gunlance

The Gunlance combines the offensive capabilities of a lance with explosive shells, offering a unique playstyle focused on dealing burst damage. However, its slow movement speed and limited mobility can make it less effective in fast-paced hunts.

Sword and Shield

Sword and Shield is a very light and fast weapon, but it does not behave the way it looks - simple. You have to learn combos and how to mix them. But the worst thing of all is you have to work a lot to deal decent damage. We’re talking about crazy jumps and charged attacks that you need to land in order to stagger monsters.

D Tier

Light Bowgun

The Light Bowgun offers speed and mobility but may lack the firepower and versatility of other ranged weapons. Its reliance on ammo types and limited damage potential can make it less desirable compared to heavier weapons. Additionally, its lower damage output and lack of defensive options may pose challenges in challenging hunts. It is more of a support-type weapon.

Hunting Horn

The Hunting Horn provides valuable support to hunting parties with its buffs and melodies, but its slower attack speed and limited range may hinder its damage potential compared to other weapons. It is also almost useless in solo hunts.

Conclusion

To conclude, one of the biggest reasons why the Monster Hunter Series is known around the world is because of the unique weapon types and their playstyles. Discovering the weapon type that resonates with your personal approach to hunting monsters is one of the best feelings when playing this game. We attempted to rank all weapons based on a few criteria that seem fair enough to use in a ranking list such as ours, but to be honest, there is not much point in doing so. 

That said, our final piece of advice for you would be this - try all 14 weapons in the training area and try to learn how they work. That way, you’ll find your personal favorite weapon, and you’ll have your own tier list made up in your mind. Happy hunting!

F.A.Q.

What is the Best Weapon Class in Monster Hunter World?

A lot of people started with the Longsword and considered it the best weapon class in the game.

What is Max Weapon Level in Monster Hunter World?

The maximum weapon level in the game is 26.

What is the Strongest Weapon in Monster Hunter World?

The strongest weapon in the game is the Greatsword, with the Hammer being the second strongest.

What is the best AoE weapon in Monster Hunter World?

All ranged weapons are great at dealing AoE damage. The best melee weapon with AoE attacks is the Longsword.

What's the Best Ranged Weapon in Monster Hunter World?

The best ranged weapon in the game depends on what you’re trying to do with it. The easiest answer is the Bow, but both heavy and light Bowguns are not worse in their own right.