If you're diving into *Monster Hunter Wilds* solo, choosing the right weapon is crucial for tackling the game's challenges without a team. The best weapons for solo play in *Monster Hunter Wilds* are versatile, powerful, and capable of exploiting monster weaknesses effectively. Here’s a detailed look at our top five picks for solo players, each offering unique advantages that can make your hunts more successful.
Best Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons for Solo Play
-----------------------------------------------Switch Axe
----------The Switch Axe is a powerhouse that demands time, planning, and patience to master. Its versatility makes it stand out, offering more powerful combos than its quicker counterpart, the Charge Blade. In axe form, you can unleash the wild swing, continuously dealing high damage. Switching to sword mode unlocks intricate combos, including the traditional burst attack and heavy-hitting chain attacks that can skyrocket your damage numbers, even with low-level versions of the weapon. This adaptability makes the Switch Axe a top choice for solo players who want to handle strong monsters without support.
Hammer
------The Hammer, featured in our best beginner weapons list, also excels for solo players. It's one of the most powerful weapons in *Wilds*, boasting high damage output. You can enhance its effectiveness by investing in ailment branches like sleep or paralysis, controlling monster behavior while still delivering significant hits. The Hammer's ability to break weak points and knock monsters down with repeated attacks makes it easier to create wounds, leading to faster hunts and more crafting materials. Its focused strike is particularly potent, ideal for solo play where every hit counts.
Great Sword
-----------The Great Sword is a weapon that does a few things exceptionally well. Though it slows your movement, it doubles as a shield, allowing you to guard against incoming attacks. Beyond the regular slash and overhead strike, the charged attack is the star, with three levels of power. Mastering the timing to reach the third level requires planning, but even the basic and first-level charged attacks deal substantial damage. This makes the Great Sword a reliable choice for solo players who value strong, impactful hits.
Lance
-----The Lance in *Monster Hunter Wilds* has evolved significantly, offering more than just defense and occasional pokes. It boasts the game's most powerful standard guard and thrust attacks, which can lead into multi-hit combos and enhanced mobility options. A new guarding skill uses stamina to block attacks more effectively, complemented by a ramming attack. While the Lance remains a defensive weapon, its improved capabilities mean you can stay strong during tough hunts, though damage output might be lower than with weapons like the Great Sword.
Heavy Bowgun
------------The Heavy Bowgun edges out the Light Bowgun for solo play due to its higher damage output and larger ammo capacity. Its burst mode, despite a cooldown, is powerful enough to justify the wait. Like the Light Bowgun, it can use various ammo types, including unlimited standard ammo, piercing rounds, and status ailment-coated bullets, providing unmatched versatility. The ability to attack from a distance, combined with its damage potential, makes the Heavy Bowgun an excellent choice for solo players who prefer to keep their distance while still dealing significant damage.