In Monster Hunter Wilds, Weapons direct correlation to your gameplay experience. There are 14 different types of weapons and picking the first one as a beginner may likely lead to confusion as each weapon comes with its own mechanics unique to certain playstyles. 

• Greatsword
• Sword and Shield
• Hammer
• Lance
• Switch Axe
• Insect Glaive
• Heavy Bowgun
• Longsword
• Dual Blades
• Hunting Horn
• Gunlance
• Charge Blade
• Light Bowgun
• Bow
• Weapon Tier List

↖ Greatsword

The Greatsword weapon has been crafted for players who delight in back-breaking hits, as it deals massive damage yet provides low speed attacks with high reward. It is perfect for hit-and-run playstyles due to its slow yet powerful strikes. Greatsword also offers blocking skills which assists in guarding enemy attack pairing sculpting in a level of balance in both offense and defense.

Playstyle:

The playstyle includes methodical slow strikes while preserving timing having immense damage potential. Maximizing damage output while avoiding monster counterattacks and focusing on precise timing is key. Moreover, there is a guard mechanic which allows players block or parry attacks when timed perfectly.

Pros & Cons:

• + Charged attacks deal exceptional damage which yields astounding damage output.
  
• + Guard capabilities add versatility when it comes to adoption of defending.
  
• + Simple due to its default mechanics making it beginner friendly.
  
• + Precise aiming focus new mode augments which increases hit efficiency.
  
• - Precision and waiting for the right moment to attack is a must because of slow attack speed.
  
• - Posed vulnerability after recovering from big swings enduring while animations translate into being exposed.
  
• - Lack of movement speed paints sacrificing mobility to other weapons.
  

↖ Sword and Shield

The Sword and Shield merges types of weapons with balance, attacking them with a powerful punch boosting unreal simplicity and versatility. Unsure player has found the perfect weapon, sword and shield combines easily defend while attacking with rapid strikes. Its utility has been greatly enhanced with recent advancements, making it a dependable weapon for offense and defense.

Playstyle:

Guarding and counterattacks can be achieved utilizing, built in shield therefore precise and fast striking while focusing on aggressive mobility, enhance moderate damage output during quick combos.

Pros & Cons:

• + Easy for beginners to learn and master.
  
• + Multi-functional options for offense and defense.
  
• + Adaptable and fluid due to quick attack speed.
  
• + Powerful counter opportunities due to precise timing with the Perfect Guard mechanic.
  
• - Lower range when compared to larger weapons like the Greatsword.
  
• - Limited damage may be inadequate against tougher monsters.
  

↖ Hammer

Best for stunning monsters with charged attacks, the Hammer is a slow but highly powerful weapon. The Earthquake Focus attack delivers immense area damage when executed correctly.

Playstyle:

Primary focus is toward head monsters for inflicting stun damage through precise and well-timed charged attacks. Mastery of timing and enemy attack patterns is necessary.

Pros & Cons:

• + Damage output is exceptional.
  
• + Stunning monsters through repeated head strikes is efficiently effective.
  
• + Moveset is simple yet enjoyable for seasoned players.
  
• - Lack of any defensive maneuvers makes it harsher for beginners.
  
• - Knowledge alongside precise timing of monster attack patterns is crucial.
  
• - Attack speed is slower in comparison to other weapons.
  

↖ Lance

The Lance serves as a defensive weapon with the ability to soak damage while whittling enemies down. With robust defense and an even softer attack, it is best suited for slow-paced battle, and systematized fighting and supporting roles.

Playstyle:

Focus on the defense aspect while attacking consistently with a shield, Suitable for soaking up enemy attacks and helping allies to fight in multiplayer scenarios.

Pros & Cons:

• + Definite equilibrium between offense and defense.
  
• + Suited best for taking damage in multiplayer hunts.
  
• + Great for extended fights because of the block stamina system mechanics.
  
• - Extremely low mobility makes fighting at different angles difficult.
  
• - To be effective in dealing sufficient damage, patience and timing is essential. 
  
• - The thrill that comes from using swift and more dynamic weapons is missing.
  

↖ Switch Axe

The Switch Axe is a flexible weapon with two modes: The X-Axe for building power, and the sword mode for executing powerful melee attack sequences. Because of its graceful movements, it can be used for both precision and deceptive tactics.

Playstyle:

Axe Mode is where meter is built, he switches between it and sword mode for speedy strikes, Combines smooth transitions with dangerous combination for adaptable combat situations.

Pros & Cons:

• + Saavy switching makes both forms highly adaptable and impressive.
  
• + Can deliver astonishing damage in both forms.
  
• + Beautiful ways to attack and satisfying because of the effortless control.
  
• - Mounted State gives too much power resulting in loss of flexibility in sustained combat.
  
• - Instead of other options, has a smaller effective striking area.
  
• - Management of multiple gauges to achieve optimal output.
  

↖ Insect Glaive

The Insect Glaive is arguably the most active weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds. It allows players to remain airborne for long durations, perform acrobatic maneuvers, and utilize a Kinsect to siphon essences from monsters to provide powerful buffs. Frmote agility, it also makes mounting monsters more effective.

Playstyle:

Aims for high mobility with aerial attacks, Buffs and support provided by Kinsect, Gives many opportunities to mount monsters.

Pros & Cons:

• + Maximum versatility and agility.
  
• + Unique mechanics for fighting from the air.
  
• + Performance enhanced by Kinsect buffs.
  
• - Not beginner-friendly; steep learning curve.
  
• - Must master Kinsect management.
  
• - Raw damage is lower than other weapons.
  

↖ Heavy Bowgun

Heavy Bowgun is a ranged weapon meant for dealing consistent damage from a safe distance. Exploiting monster weak points is easy with multiple firing modes and ammo types. Moreover, the Perfect Guard adds another defensive layer while in combat.

Playstyle: 

Functioning as a long-range burst damage dealer, Adaptability during combat is possible owing to ammunition flexibility, Place emphasis on smashing monsters at their fragile points.

Pros & Cons:

• + Amazing effectiveness from a range.
  
• + Strategic Defensive options, like Perfect Guard, are a bonus.
  
• + A plethora of ammo suited for various scenarios.
  
• - Slow movement while aiming or firing results in poor mobility.   
  
• - Timing and positioning are key, making the tactical decisions one of the most important.
  
• - Resource limitations (relative availability of ammo is crucial).

↖ Longsword

A perfect mix of speed and power, The Longsword is a melee weapon that excels in versatility. While players are able to use Spirit Gauge, building it up will also grant the players access to brutal Spirit Blade attacks and precision counterattacks. Perfect for novices, it gives advanced players plenty to master.

Playstyle: 

Spirit charging for boosted versions of attacks, Stronger counters with the Foresight Slash.

Pros & Cons: 

• + Simple to learn, hard to master.
  
• + Amazing reach for a melee weapon. 
  
• + Very high damage from Spirit Blade combos. 
  
• - Spirit Gauge management has to be properly timed, otherwise it will impact more than just the Spirit Gauge.
  
• - spirit blade animations leave open timing vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
  

↖ Dual Blades

Designed for aggressive hunters, the dual blades bring forth a whole new level of melee speed through relentless advanced attacks. With the ability to enter Demon Mode, relentless high paced engaging warfare brings new challenge for experienced players. Sustained high level melee strands builds the Arch Demon Mode gauge for greater power. 

Playstyle: 

These are ideal for players who do not enjoy slower paced games, unlike the first two blades, Deals devastating damage at a fast pace but drains stamina, Greatly increases attack speed and power, Further increases damage output beyond even Demon mode.

Pros & Cons:

• + Excellent for evasion and repositioning.
• + Ideal for exploiting monster weak points.
• + Amplifies damage output significantly.
• - No blocking capabilities; requires constant movement to avoid damage.
• - Demon Mode drains stamina quickly.

↖ Hunting Horn

This is a mixed weapon that provides supporting measures and melee attacks at the same time. Its mechanics allow players to perform song buffs through a set of defined and repeated sequences of the sword combat, thus bestowing robust melange advantages to the whole party. Though it is a support weapon, it has a striking and bashing attribute, thus can deliver hammer-like strikes that would yield considerable damage.

Playstyle:

Grant a recovery to any negative effects for the entire party alongside the negation or diminishing of pending ailments, Stored melodies can be released in-applied ailments, Unique mechanics of melody storage alongside the execution of melodies, Mixed-type role that can perform support and Ali Bohot attack.

Pros & Cons:

• + Attack and health recovery with any negation of ailments.
  
• + Can be smacked to deal damage.
  
• + Added dimensions to gameplay through melody storage.
  
• - Need to memorize combinations to truly master melody.
  
• - When alone not much effective.
  

↖ Gunlance

The Gunlance is a mixed weapon that combines a shield set for defense with stunning explosive offense. It is known for its burst attack that enables it to take down an enemy quickly while withstanding the damage due to its perfect guarding mechanics.

Playstyle:

Utilizes a shield for protection while dealing powerful attacks, Deals massive burst damage through charged shell attacks, Attacking and defending are one fluid motion.

Pros & Cons:

• + Explosive shell attacks deal massive damage.
  
• + Can completely negate damage with a shield.
  
• + Perfect Guard
  
• - At times can be slower than some monsters.
  
• - Melee attacks have a shorter range than other weapons.

↖ Charge Blade

Offering unparalleled versatility, the Charge Blade switches between sword-and-shield mode for charging energy files and an axe mode for unleashing devastating attacks. Mastering its mechanics has a rewarding yet demanding balance of precision and timing.

Playstyle: 

Switch between Sword & Shield Mode for charging files to Axe mode for consuming them in powerful attacks, Interchange modes to deliver multiple powerful strikes, Requires precise execution of attacks.

Pros & Cons:

• + Exceptional reach and mobility.
  
• + High damage potential when mastered.
  
• + Ability to guard against incoming attacks.
  
• + Versatile playstyle with both defensive and offensive options. 
  
• - Steep learning curve; requires practice to execute combos effectively. 
  
• - Timing is critical for maximizing damage output.
  

↖ Light Bowgun

A ranged weapon that consumes stamina and focuses on a rapid-fire approach. It is incredibly versatile, as using the Light Bowgun lets you focus on specific weak spots on monsters or inflict status effects with relative ease.

Playstyle:

Fires in short bursts of multiple shots, dealing sustained damage. Able to apply poisons or paralysis depending on gunner's ammunition.

Pros & Cons:

• + High mobility in combat.
  
• + Effective for targeting specific body parts or weak spots.
  
• + Ideal for dealing with fast-moving or airborne monsters.
  
• + Easy to learn, making it beginner-friendly. 
  
• - Limited range compared to the Heavy Bowgun.
  
• - Lower raw damage potential than some other weapons.
  

↖ Bow

Highly agile ranged weapon that rewards accuracy and a keen understanding of the weapon's mechanics. It provides maximizing mobility and offers an additional Trick Arrow Gauge for special arrow types.

Playstyle: 

Built by attacking enemies, enabling special arrow types like Tracer Arrows that lock on to enemies, Requires perfect dodging to maintain offensive momentum.

Pros & Cons:

• + Increased Movement Agility makes evading enemy fire faster.
  
• + Does not depend on consumable coatings for special effect functions.
  
• + Functions as both primary and secondary weapon, making it versatile.
  
• + Great complexity for experts to enjoy mastering the mechanics.
  
• - More difficult to learn than ranged weapons like the Light Bowgun.
  
• - Needs precise timing and positioning for optimal effectiveness.
  

Summary

↖ Weapon Tier List

The wide array of 14 Weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds is unique in their own ways, each offering a distinct playstyle and capabilities. While all weapons can be utilized effectively with the right skills, some are superior in specific conditions.

This tier list places weapons into S Tier (best overall), A Tier (strong and versatile), and B Tier (situational but effective). Considerable damages and high mobility alongside defensive options and accessibility greatly impact positioning.

(Solo The Author's Opinion) 

Every weapon can be powerful when mastered, so feel free to select what best suits your style.