While there are plenty of different weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds, the dominant defensive options are the Lance and the Gunlance. Weapons like the Great Sword and the Hammer are brilliant for knocking enemies around and parrying them, but players that want to be able to go toe-to-toe with a monster without ever backing down should look to the Lance instead.
The Lance is a great weapon for beginners as it is easy to get the hang of between its guards and its strikes. A lot of these strikes will come in the form of counterattacks after guarding. Even better is that some of the Lance’s combos actually transition into a Charge Counter that can align with monsters' attacks.
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How to Use the Lance in Monster Hunter Wilds
Players that want to go in with the lance are going to find themselves able to practically solo the game. Players will have survivability that goes through the roof while returning damage to whatever is unlucky enough to be in their face. The lance moves incredibly slowly, but players can launch a diving attack should their target get more than 2 steps away and a full-blown knightly charge should it move out of stabbing range.
If ever a player finds themselves in need of a refresher for their weapons. They can open up their map, and then navigate to the World Map. This will let them fast travel back to the game’s Training Area.
|
Control Name |
PS5 |
Xbox |
PC |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mid Thrust I |
Triangle |
Y |
LMB |
|
High Thrust I |
O |
B |
RMB |
|
Guard |
R2 |
RT |
R |
|
Charge Counter |
R2 + O |
RT+ B |
R + RMB |
|
Shield Attack |
While Guarding: Triangle |
While Guarding: Y |
While Guarding: LMB |
|
Guard Dash |
While Guarding: R2 + forward + Triangle |
While Guarding: RT + forward + Y |
While Guarding: R + forward + LMB |
|
Leaping Thrust |
Triangle + O |
Y + B |
LMB + RMB |
|
Dash Attack |
R2 + Triangle + O |
RT + Y + B |
R + LMB + RMB |
|
Focus Strike: Victory Thrust |
L2 + R1 |
LT + RB |
LMB + Shift |
Players also have plenty of counterattacks that will be prompted after being hit. Players can set their training dummy to Smash Mode to test returning attacks.
Lance Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds
A lot of the starting controls for the lance will branch out into combos. Players will see that the controls in the top right of the screen will change based on other inputs they make. This opens the window for all the different combos the Lance is capable of. There are many great tips for Monster Hunter Wilds that players should keep in the back of their minds at all times, and familiarizing themselves with combos is one of them.
|
Combo |
Description |
PS5 |
Xbox |
PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Basic Triple Thrust Combo |
This combo will start with Mid Thrust I. This will set up for follow-up attacks in the form of Mid Thrust II and Mid Thrust III. The final prompt in this combo will cause the player to perform 3 quick thrusts in front of them. This is the combo players will use to relentlessly poke away at their target when there is little chance for it to strike them. |
Triangle + Triangle + Triangle + Triangle |
Y, Y, Y, Y |
LMB, LMB, LMB, LMB |
|
Basic Charge Counter Combo |
The charge combo counter is similar to the Triple Thrust Combo. Players will press an alternative button 4 times. This will result in a High Thrust I, High Thrust II, High Thrust III, and finish with the Charged Counter. Players can hold down this charged counter until the monster attacks them. |
O, O, O, O |
B, B, B, B |
RMB, RMB, RMB, RMB |
The last combo listed in the Training Area for the lance isn’t really a combo. The Lance offers players 2 options of counter attacks, and whenever a monster strikes at their guard, they can use either button that starts the combos above to strike back at the monster.
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Tips & Tricks for Using the Lance in Monster Hunter Wilds
New Lance players might feel it is far too slow, but this is not the case once players get the hang of Dash Attack. The Dash Attack will then break into a sprint that charges at its target, as well as charges up an attack in the process. Players will have a list of controls displayed while dashing, including options to stop, turn around to run the other way, or even leap into the air and come crashing down into their target. This gives the Lance a lot more mobility than a weapon such as the Great Sword.
Master Your Mobility
The Lance has abysmal movement speed; in fact, most of the basic movement options available will be completely negligible in an actual fight. Players will want to alternate between damage and defense while in a monster's face.
Should it move out of melee rage, launching a dive attack can keep the damage flowing. If the monster gets some distance, it is time to charge into battle and re-engage with a Dash Attack, or spin around after passing the monster to start stabbing it in the back. Master your dives and Dash Attack rather than basic movement options.
No Pressure for Guarding
To perform at optimal levels, players will want to master all the different ways to guard with the Lance. Players can use their normal Guard control, press it just the right time for a Perfect Guiard, or use their Charge Counter to follow up with numerous alternative attack options. Starting off as a new player, players can stick to just using their Guard and Power Guard to block all incoming damage and still make it out of fights alive.
As players gain a better understanding of the game, they can elevate their skills and damage output by getting their timing right and performing more consistent Perfect Guards.
Trying to always get Perfect Guards while new can mean lots of damage getting through your defenses.
Always Be on the Defense
Plenty of the Lance’s combos transition into a Charge Counter. This lets players focus on their attacks, then hold their ground for when their foe retaliates. Always have a Guard ready for anything your opponent throws at you. You cannot lose if your opponent cannot get clean hits against you.
Players can hold the button that sets up for a guard until their opponent strikes and follow it up with a counterattack. There is never any need to risk going on the offensive if it means taking damage you don’t need. Players can keep circling back into Charge Counter through their combos.
Tactical Retreating
Should you take a couple hits and want to use a potion, you can use Focus Mode along with dashing. Tilt to the side of a monster to run cleanly past them into an open area. You can now apply a potion with this distance and then charge back at the monster and perform a dashing attack to re-engage them.
Speaking of Focus Mode, it will highlight any wounds on your targets. Use Focus Strike: Victory Thrust on these wounds for maximum damage output.
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
