Monster Hunter Wilds: Best Early Game Weapons for New Hunters
Monster Hunter Wilds has welcomed millions of new players to the franchise, and the sheer variety of weapon types can feel overwhelming at first. With fourteen distinct weapon classes, each with unique movesets, combos, and playstyles, picking your first main weapon is one of the most consequential decisions you will make. The good news is that Wilds introduces a revamped training area that lets you test every weapon against practice targets before committing. This guide focuses on the five most beginner-friendly options that will carry you comfortably through the early story missions.
The Sword and Shield remains the undisputed champion of accessibility. Its fast attack speed means you are rarely locked into long animations, and the shield provides a panic button when you misread a monster's attack pattern. In Wilds, the Sword and Shield received a new Perfect Rush combo that rewards aggressive play with massive damage, bridging the gap between beginner-friendly and endgame-viable. You can also use items without sheathing your weapon, which is a quality-of-life advantage that no other weapon class offers. Start here if you want versatility above all else.
The Longsword is the most popular weapon in the entire franchise for good reason. Its reach keeps you at a comfortable distance from monster attacks, and the Spirit Blade combo system provides a clear, satisfying progression loop: land hits, build gauge, unleash powerful finishers. Wilds added a new counter mechanic called Flux Slash that rewards precise timing with a devastating follow-up attack. While mastering the Longsword's full kit takes hundreds of hours, the basics are intuitive enough that new players can contribute meaningfully to hunts within their first few sessions.
For players who prefer ranged combat, the Light Bowgun offers the gentlest learning curve among the three ranged weapons. You maintain constant distance from the monster, which gives you more time to observe and learn attack patterns, a skill that becomes essential in later hunts. The Light Bowgun's new Wilds-exclusive Wyvernsnipe Barrage ability provides excellent burst damage during openings, and ammo crafting is straightforward once you understand the basic material loop. Pair it with the Windward Plains armor set for early game comfort, and you will breeze through the first three story chapters without breaking a sweat.