Monster Hunter: World marks a return to PlayStation for Capcom's addictive franchise, after releasing almost exclusively on Nintendo platforms for a near decade. Boy, has it made its presence known.
Not only does it use the full grunt of the PS4 (and Pro) to create the most visually impressive Monster Hunter to date, it also introduces an open world for the first time ever. That's right – once you've left the city you also leave loading screens behind.
There are new ways to traverse that world, more hunting options at your disposal, and oodles of epic monsters to slay. What isn't new though, are the weapon options. All 14 of them return from Monster Hunter Generations.
Ahead of next week's release, we're going to go through each and every one of them to help you prepare for your adventure. Happy hunting!
Great Sword
The Great Sword deals insane damage but attacks slowly, and you'll move slower while it's drawn.You can block, though, and your evading speed isn't affected. This is a great weapon for those that time their attacks wisely, using hit and run tactics to deal heavy damage.
Controls
| Triangle | Overhead Slash |
| Triangle (Hold) | Charged Slash |
| Circle | Wide Slash |
| Triangle + Circle | Rising Slash |
| While Charging Triangle, Circle | Tackle |
| R2 | Guard |
Combos
| True Charged Slash Combo | Triangle (Hold) | Left Analogue + Triangle (Hold) | Left Analogue + Triangle (Hold) |
| Lunging Combo | Circle | Circle | Circle |
| Stationary Combo | Circle | Triangle + Circle | Circle |
Long Sword
The Long Sword acts like the Great Sword, but trades some of that damage for increased mobility. You can attack while moving, dodge while attacking, and increase your damage using Spirit Blade. This is one for those that never want to let up the attack, incorporating dodging into your attack pattern.
Controls
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle | Thrust |
| Triangle + Circle | Attack + Evade |
| R2 | Spirit Blade |
| Mid-Combo R2 + Circle | Foresight Slash |
| R2 + Triangle | Spirit Thrust |
Combos
| Basic Combo | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle |
| Spirit Blade | R2 | R2 | R2 | R2 |
| Fade Slash Combo | Triangle + Circle | R2 | R2 | R2+ Triangle |
Sword & Shield
The Sword & Shield is the quintessential beginner's weapon in Monster Hunter – though don't mistake that as ineffective. It's got everything: great mobility, charging attacks, guarding, and even the ability to use your slinger and items while drawn. Use this if you're new to Monster Hunter.
Controls
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle | Special Attack |
| Triangle + Circle | Advancing Slash |
| Mid-Combo Left Analogue Down + Circle (Hold) | Charged Slash |
| R2 + Triangle | Rising Slash |
| L2 Or R2 + Square | Use Items |
| R2 | Guard |
| L2 | Ready Slinger |
| L2 + R2 | Fire Slinger |
Combos
| Basic Combo | Triangle + Circle | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle |
| Powerful Combo | Circle | Circle | Circle | Circle(Hold) |
| Stun Combo | Left Analogue + Circle | Circle | Circle | Circle (Hold) |
| Charged SlashCombo | Triangle + Circle | Left Analogue Down + Circle (Hold) | Triangle | Or Circle |
Dual Blades
The Dual Blades unleash attacks very rapidly, though each deals about as much damage as a bee sting. Each hit you land charges up your Demon Gauge though, which allows you to enter Demon Mode. This provides new attacks and buffs your damage, movement, and evasion, but drains your stamina bar while active. Completely fill your Demon Gauge to enter Archdemon Mode, which enhances your actions and increases your attack further. This weapon's for those that think the best defence is a good offence.
Controls
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle | Lunging Strike |
| Triangle + Circle | Blade Dance |
| R2 | Demon Mode |
Combos
| Basic Combo | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle | |
| Demon Mode Combo | Triangle (While In Demon Mode) | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle + Circle |
| Moving Combo | Circle | Circle | Triangle | Circle |
Hammer
The Hammer hits the hardest with each individual attack of any weapon in Monster Hunter: World. Much like the Great Sword, it's slow and decreases your mobility. You can't guard with this weapon either. However, it does make up for it with its Charge ability, which has three stages and boosts your attack power, ability to stun, and makes you immune to flinching. Stunning is the Hammer's trump card, as it allows you to get your best attacks in while the monster is unable to retaliate. This is for those that like to kill monsters before they have a chance to retaliate.
Controls
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle | Big Bang I |
| R2 (Hold) | Charge |
| While Charging, Release R2 | Charged Attack |
| While Charging, Circle | Power Charge |
Combos
| Basic Combo | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle | ||
| Charge Combo 1 | While Charging, Release R2 (Tier 1 Charge) | Triangle | Triangle | ||
| Charge Combo 2 | While Charging, Release R2 (Tier 2Charge) | Triangle | Triangle | ||
| Charge Combo 3 | R2 (Hold Until Tier 3 Charge) | Left Analogue + Release R2 | Triangle (On First Spin) | Triangle (On Second Or Third Spin) | Triangle (On Fourth Or Fifth Spin) |
Hunting Horn
The Hunting Horn is an incredibly unique weapon that's best used in parties. Rather than attack, you'll perform melodies to apply buffs to yourself and nearby allies. It kind of turns Monster Hunter into a rhythm action game, and It's the closest thing it has to having a healer class, so pick it if that's how you like to roll.
Controls
| Triangle | Note 1 |
| Circle | Note 2 |
| Triangle + Circle | Note 3 |
| R2 | Perform Melody |
Combos
| Stationary Combo | Circle | Triangle | Circle | Left Analogue Right Or Left + X |
| Vulnerable Combo | Circle | Left Analogue Up + Triangle + Circle | Triangle + Circle | Left Analogue Up + Triangle |
| Self Improvement Combo | Left Analogue Up + Triangle | Triangle | R2 | R2 |
Melodies
| Attack Up | Triangle | Circle | Circle | R2 | R2 (Extended Version) |
| Health Boost | Circle | Triangle + Circle | Triangle | R2 | R2 (Extended Version) |
| Wind Pressure Negated | Triangle + Circle | Triangle + Circle | Circle | R2 | R2 (Extended Version) |
| Defense Up | Triangle | Triangle + Circle | Triangle + Circle | R2 | R2 (Extended Version) |
| Deflected Attack Prevention | Triangle | Triangle | R2 | R2 (Extended Version) |
Lance
The Lance is the most defensive weapon in Monster Hunter: World, providing a shield and solid reach, keeping you at a safe distance from your opponent. You can use counter-thrust to immediately block an attack and counter or switch right to PowerGuard, which enormously reduces your stun time when attacked. This drains your stamina though, so timing is key, but it's perfect for blocking a powerful enemy's attacks. Use the lance if you want to go full defence and counterattack.
Controls
| Triangle | Mid Thrust |
| Circle | High Thrust |
| Triangle + Circle | Wide Sweep |
| R2 + Circle | Counter-Thrust |
| R2 + Left Analogue + Triangle | Guard Dash |
| R2 + Triangle + Circle | Dash Attack |
| R2 | Guard |
| R2 + X | Power Guard |
Combos
| Basic Combo | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle | Left Analogue (Left Or Right) + X |
| Guarding Combo | R2 + Left Analogue + Triangle | Circle | Triangle Or Circle | |
| Endless Combo | R2 + Circle | Triangle Or Circle | R2 + Circle | Triangle Or Circle |
Gunlance
The Gunlance is one of the most interesting weapons available in Monster Hunter: World. It acts similar to the Lance, but provides less defensive options in favour of increased range and firepower. We really mean firepower too, as the Gunlance can fire shells like an enormous revolver. You can fire shells individually, over a long range, and all at once in a wide shotgun style attack. Like to have a little bit of everything?The Gunlance is for you.
Controls
| Triangle | Forward Attack |
| Circle | Shelling |
| Triangle + Circle | Strong Attack |
| R2 + Triangle | Upward Attack |
| R2 + Circle | Reload |
| R2 + Triangle + Circle | Wyvern's Fire |
| R2 | Guard |
Combos
| Basic Combo | Left Analogue +Triangle | Triangle | Triangle | Circle |
| Burst Fire Combo | Triangle + Circle | Triangle | Circle | |
| Strong Combo | Triangle + Circle | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle Or Circle |
Switch Axe
The Switch Axe is the best example of risk versus reward in Monster Hunter: World. It's an incredibly powerful weapon, capable of switching seamlessly between anAxe and a Sword and doling out just an insane amount of damage. Not only that, but your damage increases the longer you keep up a combo, thanks to the sword's ability to generate heat. You do have to be careful though, as attacks will burn through your stamina if you let them. You might have to use a Whetstone a little more often as well, thanks to the sheer number of attacks. This is for those that love to build up insane combos.
Controls (Axe)
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle (Repeatedly) | Wild Swing |
| Triangle + Circle | Rising Slash |
| Left Analogue + Circle | Advancing Attack |
| R2 | Morph To Sword |
Controls (Sword)
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle | Strong Attack |
| Triangle + Circle | Element Discharge |
| R2 | Morph To Axe |
Combos (Axe)
| Basic Combo | Left Analogue + Triangle | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle |
| Sword Mode Combo | Circle(Repeatedly) | R2 |
Combos(Sword)
| Element Discharge Combo | Triangle | Triangle | Triangle | Circle | Circle | Triangle + Circle | (Triangle Repeatedly) |
Charge Blade
The Charge Blade is the antithesis of the Switch Axe. It focuses more on defence but still offers a bunch more offensive options than the traditional Sword & Shield. The idea here is that you attack in sword mode to build up energy that you store in phials. You can then unleash this energy as elemental attacks when you swap to Axe mode. This is a good weapon for those that fancy something a little bit different.
Controls (Sword)
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle (Hold) | Charged Double Slash |
| Triangle + Circle | Forward Slash |
| Left Analogue + Circle (Mid Combo) | Sliding Slash |
| R2 + Triangle | Morph Slash |
| R2 + Circle | Charge Phials |
| R2 | Guard |
Controls (Axe)
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle | Element Discharge |
| Triangle + Circle | Amped Element Discharge |
| R2 | Morph Slash |
Combos (Sword)
| Basic Combo | Triangle + Circle | Triangle | Triangle | |
| Element Boost Spinning Slash Combo | Circle (Hold) | Triangle + Circle | Triangle + Circle | R2 |
| Boost SwordMode Combo | Circle (Hold) | R2 + Circle | Triangle (Hold) |
Combos (Axe)
| Amped Element Discharge Combo | Left Analogue + Triangle | Circle | Circle | |
| Element Discharge Combo | Triangle | Circle | Triangle | Circle |
Insect Glaive
The Insect Glaive is another incredibly interesting weapon. It acts a lot like a staff in its attacks, and you can vault off it to gain air and devastate monsters from above. You can also summon a Kinsect to harvest extracts from monsters that give you a temporary buff. This is a great weapon for those that like to fight alongside a pet.
Controls
| Triangle | Standard Attack |
| Circle | Strong Attack |
| L2+ Triangle | Harvest Extract |
| L2+ Circle | Recall |
| L2 + R2 | Mark Target |
| R2 | Mark |
| R2 + X | Vault |
| Triangle (Midair) | Aerial Attack |
| Circle (Midair) | Jumping Advancing Slash |
| X (Midair) | Midair Evade |
Combos
| Quick Combo | Left Analogue + Triangle | Triangle | Triangle |
| Red Extract Combo | Left Analogue + Circle | Triangle | Circle |
| Midair Combo | R2 + X | X | Circle |
Light Bowgun
The Light Bowgun is a lighter version of the Heavy Bowgun that allows for faster movement and reload, but doesn't hold as much ammo and suffers from heavier recoil. The Wyvernblast ability lets you place bombs on the ground that explode when attacked. This is the best out of the two for those that like to fight from range, use traps, and have all those ammo types at their disposal. Choose the Light Bowgun if you want to turn Monster Hunter: World into a third person shooter.
Controls
| L2 | Crosshairs |
| R2 | Fire |
| Circle | Wyvernblast |
| Triangle | Reload |
| L1 + X or Triangle | Select Ammo |
| Triangle +Circle | Melee Attack |
Heavy Bowgun
The Heavy Bowgun packs a serious punch, though at the expense of decreased mobility. Whip it out and you can merely walk, and it even effects your ability to evade. Load your special ability, though, and you will literally tear through any monster in your path. This basically serves as a machine gun, dealing insane damage. You've also got the various different ammo types, so it's a very diverse weapon. It might be best suited to parties due to the limited ability, slow reload and attack speed, and slow recharge for your Special Ammo. Choose this if you just want to sit back and cut through foes with a beast of a machine gun.
| L2 | Crosshairs |
| R2 | Fire |
| Circle | Load |
| Triangle | Reload |
| L1 + X + Triangle | Select Ammo |
| Triangle + Circle | Melee Attack |
Bow
Last but not least we have the bow. The advantage to this weapon is its great mobility, range, and damage. Seriously, unleash a Dragon Piercer on a pack of enemies and watch them fall. You can charge a single damaging shot or fire off barrages of increasingly powerful attacks, fire an arc of arrows into the air, or spread your shots if an enemy gets in close. You can also apply coatings to arrows to improve damage, or place various effects on your opponent. The Bow is an excellent weapon for those that like to go it alone.
Controls
| L2 | Crosshairs |
| R2 | Shoot |
| Circle | Special Shot |
| Triangle + Circle | Dragon Piercer |
| L1+ X or Triangle | Select Coating |
| Triangle | Load / Unload Coating |
Combos
| Arc Shot Combo | R2 (Hold) | R2 (Hold) + Circle | |
| Power Shot Combo | R2 (Hold) | R2 (Release) | Circle |