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Monster Hunter Wilds: Best Weapons for Beginners

Author : Zoe Mar 15,2025

Choosing the best starting weapon in *Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak* can feel overwhelming. While the game offers a suggestion, it might not be ideal for every new hunter. This guide simplifies the process, highlighting five user-friendly weapons perfect for beginners, along with explanations to help you understand their mechanics.

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Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Weapons for Beginners

Hammer

A hunter in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, using a stun hammer to attack a Lala Barina

The hammer is a fantastic choice for newcomers. Its high damage output requires minimal complex combos. Master a few key moves—an overhead smash, a whirling hit, a charged attack, and the powerful Big Bang—and you'll be dealing significant damage. Even weaker hammer variants, which might inflict status ailments, still pack a punch without demanding intricate button sequences. Simplicity and raw power make it an excellent starting point.

Dual Blades

A hunter in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak using the dual blades against a sand leviathan

Dual blades offer a slightly steeper learning curve than the hammer, but remain relatively straightforward. Their agility surpasses other weapons, making dodging and striking easier. Basic combo chains form the foundation, but the real excitement comes from Demon Mode. This mode unleashes powerful blade dance skills, but consumes stamina, requiring careful timing. Remember to consume stamina-boosting meals before embarking on hunts with dual blades.

Sword and Shield

A hunter in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak performing a downward thrust attack with the sword and shield

The sword and shield boasts a high skill ceiling, but its fundamentals are easy to grasp. The shield allows blocking incoming attacks without significant movement penalties, seamlessly integrating defense into your combat flow. While complex maneuvers exist, mastering basic combos is enough to succeed. The true advantage, however, lies in its ability to use items without sheathing your weapon—a seemingly small feature with significant impact on gameplay.

Light Bowgun

A hunter in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak using normal ammo with the light bowgun against a Lala Barina

For a more strategic approach, the Light Bowgun provides a safe distance to observe monster behavior while chipping away at their health. It offers unlimited basic ammo and the option to utilize special ammo types, such as elemental infusions. Its superior versatility compared to the bow, and smoother handling than the heavy bowgun, make it a strong contender. While hunts may take longer, the increased safety and learning opportunities make it a valuable tool. Consider keeping it upgraded as a secondary weapon even after mastering other options, as it easily applies status ailments and exploits weaknesses.

Long Sword

A hunter in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak using a long sword

The long sword is the most complex weapon on this list. Its optimal combos require precise timing and positioning. Basic attacks, including a strike-and-retreat move and a quick sheathe skill, are essential. However, true power unlocks through spirit slash attacks and their enhanced versions, once the spirit meter is sufficiently charged. These range from simple slashes to intricate maneuvers that demand careful positioning. The challenging three-part ability—a slash, aerial maneuver, and powerful downward thrust—requires practice, but offers high rewards for mastered execution. Consider this option once you're ready for a more involved weapon.