Predicting Monter Hunter Wilds' Meta Weapons

Summary

The Great Sword remains a top-tier weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds with the new Focus Mode and defensive abilities.
The Bow in Monster Hunter Wilds is expected to dominate due to its versatility, Tracer system, and mobility.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Long Sword offers unmatched reach, mobility, and new mechanics for fluid combos and damage.

While Monster Hunter has always encouraged players to play each game with whichever weapon suits them, there is no denying that every installment has its own meta weapons. Some of these, like the Great Sword, have remained fairly consistent in their prominence throughout the Monster Hunter franchise, whereas others have only recently come out on top in entries like Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise. That tradition continues in Monster Hunter Wilds, with several weapons that already look poised to dominate the meta, based on their reception during Monster Hunter Wilds' open beta test and the introduction of new mechanics.

Weapons like the Great Sword are usually expected to be top-tier in a Monster Hunter game, and that remains true in Monster Hunter Wilds. However, other weapons, like the Bow, Heavy Bowgun, and Dual Blades, may also be primed and ready to come out on top in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Which Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Are Poised to Dominate the Meta

The Great Sword Has Long Remained at the Top in Monster Hunter

Historically, the Great Sword has been one of Monster Hunter's best weapons on account of its damage potential and its methodical, high-risk, high-reward playstyle. That is more than likely going to remain true with Monster Hunter Wilds' Great Sword, especially with the game's new Focus Mode, which should allow players to better adjust the direction of their charged Overhead Slashes. Furthermore, the Upwards Counter Slash of Monster Hunter Wilds' Great Sword allows players to deflect incoming attacks and deliver counterattacks in return, thereby offering a more responsive Great Sword experience than recent Monster Hunter titles.

The Bow's New Tracer System in Monster Hunter Wilds Should Serve It Well

More than likely, Monster Hunter Wilds' Bow is going to be one of the game's meta weapons, thanks to the versatility and mobility it offers. Since the Bow can be used both from range and in close-quarters combat, players with it equipped can adapt to a variety of combat scenarios, unlike other weapons that restrict players to either ranged or melee combat. Monster Hunter Wilds is also introducing the Tracer system for its Bow, which gives arrows homing properties and makes it easier to exploit a monster's weak points. Monster Hunter Wilds' Bow also allows players to perform evasive maneuvers like Charging Sidestep that increase their survivability.

Monster Hunter Wilds' Long Sword Has Unmatched Reach and Mobility

Monster Hunter Wilds' Long Sword retains the weapon's traditional strengths of fluid combos and the Spirit Gauge system but builds upon them with new mechanics, making it a prime candidate for the game's meta. With the new Long Sword, players can perform a Spirit Charge, which allows them to increase their Spirit Gauge levels more quickly and therefore the fluidity of their combos. Additionally, Monster Hunter Wilds' Long Sword incorporates the Spirit Release Slash as a follow-up to the Spirit Helm Breaker for even greater damage output. All of this, combined with the Long Sword's unmatched reach and mobility, are likely to make the weapon one of Monster Hunter Wilds' best.

The Dual Blades Are a Classic Monster Hunter Meta Weapon

Throughout Monster Hunter's history, never has there been a weapon more agile or chaotic than the Dual Blades, and that is likely to stay true in Monster Hunter Wilds. The Dual Blades in Monster Hunter Wilds feature a revamped Demon Mode where the weapon's attack speed and power are increased, with new mechanics like Demon Dodge, which rewards precise timing with increased damage. Since the Dual Blades have long fallen victim to their short reach and lack of defensive options, abilities like Demon Dodge and the weapon's traditional speed and power should help the weapon rise to meta status in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Monster Hunter Wilds' Heavy Bowgun Offers Survivability and Substantial Damage

Last but not least among Monster Hunter Wilds' potential meta weapons is the Heavy Bowgun, which is best known for its domination of the meta with the release of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. The Heavy Bowgun in Monster Hunter Wilds not only packs a stronger punch but also comes with enhanced defensive capabilities. For example, with the Heavy Bowgun's new Ignition Mode, players can unleash a continuous barrage of attacks for significantly increased damage. The Heavy Bowgun's Auto-Guard feature also allows players to block frontal attacks for increased survivability.

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 95%

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Released: February 28, 2025
ESRB: T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
Developer(s): Capcom
Publisher(s): Capcom

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The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.

Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.

The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.