When diving into the solo adventures of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, choosing the right weapon can make all the difference. The best weapons for solo play are those that allow you to handle all aspects of a hunt without needing backup. Some excel at guarding, others at sheer power, and a few let you exploit monster weaknesses with ease. Here's our curated list of the top five weapons for solo players, complete with detailed explanations on why they stand out.

Best Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons for Solo Play

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe requires time, planning, and patience to master, but it's a versatile weapon capable of tackling formidable monsters solo. Unlike the Charge Blade, the Switch Axe offers more powerful combos in both its axe and sword forms. In axe form, you can unleash a wild swing, continuously dealing high damage. Switching to sword form unlocks intricate combos, including the traditional burst attack and heavy-hitting chain attacks that can send damage numbers soaring, even with low-level versions of the weapon.

Hammer

The Hammer is not only a great choice for beginners but also excels in solo play. It's one of the most powerful weapons in Wilds, offering exceptional damage output. You can invest in ailment branches like sleep or paralysis, controlling the monster's behavior while still delivering massive hits. The Hammer excels at breaking weak points and knocking monsters down, making it easier to create wounds by targeting weak areas. Its focused strike, which breaks wounds, hits particularly hard, leading to faster hunts and more crafting materials.

Great Sword

The Great Sword is a powerhouse that does a few things exceptionally well. Though it slows your movement, it can be used as a shield to guard against attacks. It features a regular slash and an overhead strike, but the charged attack is the real highlight. With three levels of charge, the most powerful requires precise timing to execute. Even the basic and first-level charged attacks deal significant damage, making the Great Sword a formidable choice for solo hunters.

Lance

The Lance in Monster Hunter Wilds has evolved significantly, offering more than just defense. It boasts the game's most powerful guard and thrust attacks, which lead into multi-hit combos and enhanced mobility. A new guarding skill uses stamina to block attacks more effectively, and a ramming attack adds to its offensive capabilities. While the Lance is primarily defensive, its improved version ensures you can hold your own in tough solo hunts, though damage output may be lower compared to weapons like the Great Sword.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun stands out in solo play due to its higher damage output and larger ammo capacity compared to the Light Bowgun. Its burst mode, despite a cooldown, delivers significant damage, making it a valuable asset. The Heavy Bowgun also offers versatility with various ammo types, including standard, piercing, and status ailment rounds. This flexibility, combined with the ability to attack from a distance, makes it an ideal choice for solo hunters looking to manage hunts effectively without close combat risks.