Monster Hunter Outlanders Best Weapons: Tier List for Every Playstyle
Monster Hunter Outlanders launched with eight weapon types, and the one you pick shapes your whole experience, from how safe your hunts feel to how fast you farm materials. This tier list ranks every weapon available at launch and explains which playstyle each one suits best.
Keep in mind that every weapon can clear the game. The tiers show how strong and forgiving each weapon is right now, not whether it is bad. If a weapon clicks with you, that matters more than its letter. New to the game? Start with our Monster Hunter Outlanders beginner’s guide.
Key facts
- Weapons at launch: Great Sword, Long Sword, Dual Blades, Hammer, Lance, Heavy Bowgun, Bow and Charge Blade
- Who uses what: your Fated Adventurer can use every weapon, while recruited adventurers have one fixed weapon
- Charge Blade: currently exclusive to the Fated Adventurer
- More on the way: the developers are working on new weapon types
- List version: launch build, November 2026
In this guide
Monster Hunter Outlanders weapon tier list at a glance
| Tier | Weapon | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Long Sword | Melee | Beginners and solo hunters |
| S | Charge Blade | Melee | Experienced players chasing boss damage |
| A | Great Sword | Melee | Huge burst damage |
| A | Heavy Bowgun | Ranged | Safe, heavy damage from a distance |
| A | Bow | Ranged | Mobile ranged players |
| A | Dual Blades | Melee | Aggressive, combo-focused play |
| B | Hammer | Melee | Stunning monsters in co-op |
| B | Lance | Melee | Defensive, tank-style play |
How we ranked the weapons
We looked at four things: damage, how safe the weapon feels when a monster turns on you, how easy it is to learn, and what it brings to a co-op squad. We also compared the early tier lists and impressions shared by players and guide writers in launch week. They agree on most placements, and where they don’t, we explain it below.
S tier
Long Sword
The best pick for most players. The Long Sword is fast, mobile and hits hard, and its Spirit Gauge powers up your attacks as you keep landing hits. It can’t block, but Foresight Slash gives you a generous counter window, which makes it far more forgiving than it looks. It shines brightest in solo hunts, where the monster focuses on you and your counters land reliably. Adventurer: Midori.
Charge Blade
The Charge Blade has one of the highest damage ceilings in the game, especially once you master its Axe Mode, and it punishes knocked-down monsters hard. The catch is a steep learning curve, and right now only the Fated Adventurer can use it. If you enjoy technical weapons, it is the best long-term investment for boss hunts.
A tier
Great Sword
Slow, heavy and devastating. Damage scales with how long you charge, and the Unwavering ability lets you absorb hits without being knocked out of an attack. Some players rank it in S tier for raw damage. It lands in A here only because you need to learn charge timing and the shoulder tackle before it truly pays off. Adventurer: Pyro.
Heavy Bowgun
The safest way to deal big damage. The Heavy Bowgun has the strongest firepower of any weapon, special ammo that is limited but refills over time, and a Wyvernheart mode that fires a barrage of bullets. It was toned down after the beta, but Normal Ammo still carries its damage and Slicing Ammo adds options. Some lists put it in S tier. Match your element to the monster’s weakness to get the most out of it. Adventurer: Pepper.
Bow
A fast, mobile ranged weapon. You switch coatings to exploit weak spots and elemental weaknesses, and dodging fills the Charge Gauge. At the right range its damage can rival the Heavy Bowgun, but it asks for good positioning and careful stamina management. Adventurers: Luka and Madelyn.
Dual Blades
Constant pressure. The Dual Blades attack very quickly with lots of small hits, which makes them excellent at applying elemental damage and status effects. Demon Mode and Archdemon Mode boost your attacks, but you can’t block, so you need to keep your combos flowing and dodge well. Adventurers: Keres and Raya, the pre-registration reward.
B tier
Hammer
The Hammer is the stun specialist. Hitting a monster’s head with it can knock the monster out, which is essential against some enemies and gives your whole team free damage windows. It charges while you move, but it has no guard, loses its charge when you get hit, and its jumping attack doesn’t have super armor. It is strong in an organized squad and harder to play solo. No recruited adventurer was revealed with a Hammer before launch, so you will play it on your Fated Adventurer.
Lance
The tank of the armory. A huge shield lets you attack and block at the same time, and you get counters and a quick lunge to close gaps. It is the safest melee weapon in the game, but its damage is among the lowest and it is slow to reposition. Pick it if you love standing your ground. Adventurers: Ouyang Varen and Arkaya.
Best weapon for your playstyle
| If you want… | Pick |
|---|---|
| An easy start in your first Monster Hunter game | Long Sword |
| To stay out of danger | Heavy Bowgun |
| Big, slow, satisfying hits | Great Sword |
| Fast combos and elemental damage | Dual Blades |
| Ranged play that never stands still | Bow |
| To support your team with stuns | Hammer |
| To tank and never back down | Lance |
| Maximum endgame damage | Charge Blade |
Which adventurers use each weapon
Recruited adventurers are locked to a single weapon, so your favorite weapon also decides which characters you will want to recruit. This is the roster revealed before launch:
| Weapon | Adventurers |
|---|---|
| Great Sword | Pyro |
| Long Sword | Midori |
| Dual Blades | Keres (Disruptor), Raya (Disruptor) |
| Hammer | Fated Adventurer only, for now |
| Lance | Ouyang Varen (Assault), Arkaya (Support) |
| Heavy Bowgun | Pepper |
| Bow | Luka (Assault), Madelyn (Support) |
| Charge Blade | Fated Adventurer only |
The roster will keep growing, so check the recruitment banners for new names.
➜ Get Monster Hunter Outlanders on Google Play
Tips to get more from any weapon
- Test before you spend. Try weapons on your Fated Adventurer before using recruitment items on an adventurer who wields them.
- Upgrade one main weapon first. Rare materials are limited early on, so don’t spread them thin.
- Match elements to weaknesses. This matters even more against Radiant monsters.
- Use the lock-on. Every weapon gains from hitting weak points, and the radial menu lets you pick the exact part.
- Build a balanced party. Pair a damage dealer with a Disruptor and a Support, and use a Buddy to cover the gap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best weapon in Monster Hunter Outlanders?
For most players, the Long Sword. If you main the Fated Adventurer and enjoy technical weapons, the Charge Blade has the highest ceiling.
How many weapons are in Monster Hunter Outlanders?
Eight at launch, and the developers have said more weapon types are in the works.
Can recruited adventurers switch weapons?
No. Each recruited adventurer has a fixed weapon. Only the Fated Adventurer can switch.
Is the Lance a bad weapon?
No. It is the safest weapon in the game. It simply deals less damage than the others.
Will this tier list change?
Yes. Balance patches, new armor skills and new monsters can move weapons up or down, and we will update this list when that happens.
Final thoughts
The Long Sword is the easiest recommendation in Monster Hunter Outlanders, while the Charge Blade rewards players who put in the practice. Ranged fans can’t go wrong with the Heavy Bowgun or the Bow. In the end, the best weapon is the one you enjoy enough to master, so try a few on your Fated Adventurer and go hunting.
