Best weapons to use in Monster Hunter Rise

Monster Hunter Rise is now out on the Nintendo Switch and has quickly become one of our favorite games on Nintendo's hybrid machine. As hunters from all over the world gather online to take on many of the giant monsters available to hunt, but one question remains on every novice hunter's mind — what's the best weapon to use in Monster Hunter Rise?

With 14 weapons to choose from, choosing the right weapon might seem daunting, but we're here to help. Here are our picks for best weapons, as well as where all 14 weapons stand, according to the game's current meta. Keep in mind that this list might change as the game is updated.

Best weapons to use in Monster Hunter Rise

Thanks to the two demos Monster Hunter Rise enjoyed leading up to its release, we, along with everyone else on the internet, had ample time to use each one of the 14 weapons and figure out their pros and cons. Below are what we consider the best weapons in Monster Hunter Rise as of this writing, as well as a tier list that seems agreed upon by most of the internet.

I know, I was surprised when I realized this, too. It's not often that the bard is the strongest member in the party, but when they are, it's important to take notice. The hunting horn is at the top of our list because of the changes to the weapon in Monster Hunter Rise. For starters, notes are now automatically played when you're using the hunting horn. You no longer have to perfect your timing to play songs.

In addition to automatically playing songs, the Hunting Horn has many new combos that are simple to pull off. The coolest and most useful is the combo called the Magnificent Trio. Magnificent Trio is a new technique that plays three Hunting Horn notes at once. It's a multi-hit attack, but it also provides the effects of all stormed Hunting Horn notes, which makes it a hugely powerful move.

The Hunting Horn is an unorthodox way to hunt monsters, but nothing beats the feeling of swinging a giant sword into a giant beast, right? Well for newcomers and returning hunters alike, the Long Sword is an excellent weapon. It has simple, easy-to-understand combos with many counterattack opportunities. Don't write off the weapon because it's for beginners — it's one of the most versatile weapons in the game.

The best way to use the Long Sword is to make use of its counterattack moves. The Long Sword has three – Foresight, Special Sheath to Iai Slash, and Serene Pose. The Long Sword can also be combed very easily and it's one of the most user-friendly weapons. Those who are picking up Monster Hunter for the first time will appreciate this devastating weapon.

Monster Hunter Rise tier ranking

We've put together a weapon tier list of all 14 weapons in Monster Hunter Rise. As previously mentioned, this ranking will change as the game is updated and newer monsters are introduced and as the team at iMore digs deeper into the game.

These are the cream of the crop when it comes to weapons in Monster Hunter. Easy combos, perfect for beginners and experts, and just a lot of fun to use.

• Long Sword
• Hunting Horn

These weapons are safe choices for newcomers and experts, though they each have their pros and cons. With enough practice, you can master these weapons.

• Sword and Shield
• Dual Blades
• Great Sword
• Hammer
• Switch Axe
• Light Bowgun
• Heavy Bowgun

These weapons aren't bad by any means, they just aren't as easy to use as others. You'll need a bit more patience and skill to master these, but they can be very rewarding, especially the Gunlance's Blast Dash move that allows you to basically use your Gunlance to propel yourself like a rocket.

• Lance
• Gunlance
• Charge Blade

These weapons are not beginner-friendly and will take a lot of time to learn and master. However, they can also be very rewarding once you know the moveset.

• Insect Glaive
• Bow

Choosing the right weapon is key

These are the best weapons in Monster Hunter Rise. Remember that, despite our ranking, there's no weapon that's really useless. Every weapon has their place, and are useful for different situations. Experimenting with different weapons in different situations is key to finding the best weapon that suits your play style.

Monster Hunter may have just released, but Capcom is already planning a ton of DLC to keep hunters hunting for months to come and these updates will surely change the way we play and the weapons we use. We'll keep an eye on the game as it evolves and update the list where we see fit. Monster Hunter Rise is one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch, offering one of the deepest multiplayer experiences on the console.