Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Tier List: Best Weapons for Title Update 4 (March 2026)

With the release of Arch-Tempered Arkveld and the new Arkveld γ armor set in Title Update 4, the Monster Hunter Wilds weapon tier list has shifted once again. While every weapon is viable for clearing all content (yes, even AT Arkveld), some weapons unequivocally deal more damage, provide better Focus Mode synergy, or offer unparalleled safety.

This tier list ranks all 14 weapons based on their solo speedrun potential, general DPS uptime in multiplayer, and how well they utilize the new Wound and Focus systems.

Our rankings are based on three core pillars:

These weapons currently dominate the MH Wilds speedrun leaderboards and offer the best combinations of damage and safety.

1. Long Sword (LS)

The undisputed king of Monster Hunter Wilds. Long Sword received significant buffs to its Spirit Gauge generation during Focus Mode. The ability to chain Foresight Slash into Focus Attacks makes it virtually untouchable in the hands of a skilled player.

2. Bow

Bow continues its reign as the premier ranged weapon. The Wound system synergizes perfectly with spread and pierce arrows, allowing Bow users to trigger Wound Exploit consistently from a safe distance.

3. Great Sword (GS)

Monster Hunter Wilds is a game of positioning, and Great Sword rewards perfect positioning with the highest single-hit damage numbers in the franchise. The new ability to aim True Charged Slash (TCS) during Focus Mode removed the weapon's biggest weakness.

Incredibly strong weapons that fall just slightly short of S-Tier due to minor matchup dependencies or gauge management requirements.

4. Dual Blades (DB)

Dual Blades offer the highest elemental DPS in the game. Demon Mode plus Focus Mode turns the hunter into a blender, creating Wounds faster than any other weapon.

5. Charge Blade (CB)

The Charge Blade is a complex beast, but mastering Savage Axe mode combined with precise Focus Attacks yields devastating results. Guard Points provide excellent defense against AT Arkveld.

6. Light Bowgun (LBG)

LBG provides high mobility and consistent damage. Rapid Fire Pierce ammos absolutely destroy larger monsters.

7. Switch Axe (SA)

Switch Axe saw major mobility buffs in MH Wilds. The Zero Sum Discharge (ZSD) spam playstyle is extremely effective for applying Wounds and breaking parts.

These weapons are perfectly viable but require more effort to achieve the same clear times as higher-tier weapons.

8. Sword and Shield (SnS)

The ultimate utility weapon. SnS can use items while drawn and features the incredible Perfect Rush combo.

9. Hammer

Hammer remains the king of KO damage, but it competes heavily with Great Sword for the "heavy hitter" slot, and GS currently has better Focus Mode synergy.

10. Insect Glaive (IG)

Aerial combat is fun, but ground combos still deal more damage. The kinsect mechanics are robust, providing free extracts and dust explosions.

11. Heavy Bowgun (HBG)

HBG hits like a truck, especially with Spread Ammo 3 builds. However, the sluggish mobility makes surviving AT Arkveld's energy drains extremely difficult without a shield mod.

These weapons require highly specific builds or shine best in multiplayer environments.

12. Gunlance (GL)

Gunlance ignores hitzones with shell damage, which is fantastic for heavily armored monsters. However, shell damage scales poorly in the endgame compared to raw/elemental scaling on other weapons.

13. Lance

Lance offers the best defense in the game, but MH Wilds' endgame heavily penalizes prolonged blocking with massive chip damage and stamina drain from Arch-Tempered monsters.

14. Hunting Horn (HH)

Hunting Horn remains the undisputed champion of multiplayer, providing massive team-wide buffs (like the new Lord Soul synergy). In solo play, however, its DPS lags behind the rest of the roster.

Ultimately, the best weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds is the one you enjoy playing most. A master Hunting Horn player will always out-damage a novice Long Sword player finding themselves constantly carting.

With Title Update 4, the gap between weapons is smaller than ever, so pick your favorite, optimize your build with our Build Planner, and happy hunting!