The Monster Hunter franchise is known for two renowned features of their games: gigantic monsters and weapons of equal size. There are dozens of unique monsters each of them providing hunters with special challenges they must face. To counteract the wide variety of monsters hunters are provided with an arsenal of 14 distinct weapons to choose from. Each weapon boasts a different method for slaying monsters, but every weapon is a viable choice.

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In the Monster Hunter community, a hierarchy exists, and weapons are constantly rearranged based on their effectiveness. This system places importance on higher-tier weapons while degrading others. In Monster Hunter Rise, the four highest-ranking weapons are the Longsword, the Light Bowgun, the Dual Blades, and the Hunting Horn. These weapons possess certain aspects that make them attractive to players old and new. While these weapons are without a doubt amazing other weapons do not receive the recognition they deserve.

10 The Sword & Shield

The Sword & Shield is the most basic weapon weapons in Monster Hunter Rise so players unfairly dismiss it often. This is a serious mistake. It is only deceptively underwhelming — those that learn how it works will realize it can be built to be extremely effective.

The Sword & Shield allows players to use items with their weapons out, an amazing mechanic that no other weapon has. Hunters can effortlessly heal and attack without risking an unblockable hit from monsters. The Sword & Shield provides players with amazing movement that they can use to dodge attacks or execute combos. The newly added silkbind attacks make the Sword & Shield a weapon capable of dealing tremendous DPS.

9 The Lance

The Lance is a seemingly simple weapon but it lacks its mobility, requiring hunters to time their attacks carefully. Still, with practice and determination, many players have found the Lance to be surprisingly effective in battle. It's is the best choice for players looking for a protective yet devastating weapon.

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The Lance is by far the most defensive weapon in the game only being matched by the explosive Gunlance. Its defensive capabilities allow hunters to endure numerous attacks without damage. The Lance's reach and consecutive attacks grant hunters the ability to exploit a monster's weak spots from a safe distance. The introduction of silkbind attacks has granted the Lance more versatility and movement making it better than it ever was.

8 The Bow

The Bow seems like a basic weapon, but it is one of the most complicated weapons to use. It drains stamina quickly requiring hunters to carefully manage their usage during battle.

The Bow can deal a variety of devastating blows using coatings. Coatings grant special buffs to arrows making them much more effective against monsters. The Bow can increase the amount of damage it does by raising tiers allowing hunters to inflict crippling blows onto monsters. The Bows silkbind attacks make it much more versatile in combat.

7 The Great Sword

The Great Sword makes combat very unforgiving and requires patience to use properly. Players that swing too late or too soon will be unable to react to a monster's follow-up attack. Those that have good timing and can wait for the perfect moment to strike will find this weapon to be intensely rewarding to use.

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The Great Sword can deal the highest damage per hit out of all the weapons. To make up for its lack of mobility the Great Sword can be used to block incoming attacks. Its silkbind attacks make it the highest damaging weapon in Monster Hunter Rise. Hunters that love dishing out insane amounts of damage should wield this monstrous weapon.

6 The Hammer

The Hammer is blunt, slow, and it is very draining. One wrong swing can completely change the battle in the monster's favor. Using the Hammer takes a lot of stamina so it requires hunters to play differently than they might be used to. Still, when used correctly, hunters will find the time they took to learn the Hammer was worth it.

The Hammer is a blunt weapon that is capable of stunning monsters with a direct hit to their heads. Stunning monsters provide hunters with an opportunity to deal damage free of danger. Despite its massive size, the Hammer does not hinder hunters and they are able to maneuver freely. The new silkbind attacks allow the Hammer to perform cataclysmic attacks on monsters.

5 The Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun is a heavy weapon that limits movement to being slow, sheathing to take a long time, and for any hunter using it to lose a lot of their mobility. Despite the sloth-like movement of using this weapon, hunters will find that its lack of speed is nothing to worry about when they see the damage that it can deal

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With its large ammo capacity and numerous special ammo types, the Heavy Bowgun can unleash insane attacks. To make up for its lack of mobility the Heavy Bowgun utilizes defensive mods and abilities. Its silkbind attacks protect against incoming damage and allow hunters to counter the attacking monster. The Heavy Bowgun can deal the highest damage per shot out of all the ranged weapons, making it a more than viable option for hunters.

4 The Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive is a complicated weapon that requires meticulous thought and focus to be utilized to its fullest potential. It's easy to end up vulnerable after making a mistake while maneuvering in the air resulting in a fall. Still, those that master its intricacies will find themselves almost untouchable.

The Kinsect when used properly can grant hunters boosts that can enhance attack or speed and prevent knockback. The Insect Glaives silkbind attacks grant more aerial maneuvers for hunters to utilize. This weapon can deal great amounts of damage and boost hunters without danger making it a great option for players.

3 Switch Axe

The Switch Axe is a complicated and demanding weapon that requires careful resource management. It has two modes for players to juggle while players will need to keep an eye on their stamina as using the weapon drains it rapidly. While it looks complex on the surface, those that master it will find it's devastating DPS weapon.

The axe mode and sword mode offer unique methods of attacking the monster and inflicting grievous wounds. Sword mode deals less damage than axe mode, but it allows hunters to strike quickly. Axe mode deals tremendous damage and provides more mobility than sword mode. The Switch Axe silkbind attacks allow hunters to inflict great amounts of damage to monsters while filling up the Switch Gauge.

2 Charge Blade

The Charge Blade suffers from the same issues as the Switch Axe except it is much more complicated. Hunters must juggle two different modes and mechanics while fighting monsters. To effectively use each mode hunters must set up and plan their attacks carefully. If the Charge Blade is switched at the wrong time hunters may face dangerous situations that cost them a life. It is a very complex weapon but the headaches the Charge Blade causes are entirely worth it.

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The Charge Blade is one of the most versatile weapons providing hunters with insane defense and attack. Sword and shield mode allows hunters to deal damage and protect against hits. The Axe mode deals incredible damage to monsters at the cost of defense. The silkbind attacks utilize the Charge Blade's devastating variety of attacks. It takes a lot of practice and experience to use this weapon to its full potential, but the Charge Blade's various abilities make it an excellent choice for hunters.

1 Gunlance

The Gunlance is challenging to use but in the hands of an experienced hunter, it can be one of the most powerful weapons of Monster Hunter Rise. It shares some of the same issues the Lance has but requires a bit more maintenance as hunters need to worry about ammo and cooling alongside sharpness.

Despite the careful upkeep needed, its explosive attacks make up for it in spades. The Gunlance has the best defense and its reach and variable shells to be used make it perfect for exploiting any other monster's weak spots.

NEXT: Monster Hunter Rise: Every Weapon Element & What They Do