How to Master all Weapons in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin uses a unique combat system comprised of monsties, abilities, and weapons. The weapons come in three different flavors: slashing, bludgeoning, and piercing. Riders will want to carry one of each due to the wide variety of monsties in the wild.

Additionally, weapons come in two styles: charging and switch. Weapons that require charging benefit from multiple attacks (or "combos") to build up and unleash more powerful attacks. If swapped to another weapon, they lose all charges. Conversely, switch weapons have no such drawback, but their damage potential is limited.

All Weapons in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Greatsword

The greatsword is a slashing and charge weapon. The greatsword is about pure damage and is arguably the most straightforward weapon in the game. The greatsword has its own charge gauge that can also be paired with Kinship points to use the stronger skills. A basic but powerful combo is Charge Tackle into Charge Slash into Charge Cut into True Wide Slash.

Related: Best Monsties in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Sword and Shield

The sword and shield is a slashing and switch weapon. The shield will mitigate the damage your Rider takes, but the overall damage won't compare to what the greatsword is capable of. That being said, the sword and shield gets a bevy of elemental options, which can do considerably more damage to susceptible foes without the need for charging.

Hammer

The hammer is a bludgeoning and charge weapon. Bonk, bonk again, and bonk some more. The hammer builds its charge by winning Head-to-Heads with enemies. After building three charge blocks, Riders can combo them with Kinship points to unleash truly crushing blows. Due to this, the hammer is uniquely equipped for breaking additional parts.

Hunting Horn

The hunting horn is a bludgeoning weapon. It is the most unique weapon in that it doesn't play like any of the others. Instead of attack power, it focuses on buffing and healing allies. Skills are tied to each different hunting horn, so there is ample reason to collect each. It's a difficult weapon to master due to its large skill pool, but once you do, it's easy to see the appeal.

Bow

The bow is a piercing and switch weapon. By utilizing a variety of coatings, the bow can quickly dish out damage or apply status effects. This makes it perfect for swapping to in a pinch for necessary piercing damage or reapplying a debuff to a monstie.

• Power Coating: Deals more damage than the regular attack
• Piercing Coating: Heavily impacts monster parts
• Rapid Shot: Hits multiple enemies simultaneously
• Poison Coating: Inflicts poison
• Sleep Coating: Inflicts sleep

Gunlance

The gunlance is a piercing and charge weapon. Much like the hammer, the gunlance builds charges by winning Head-to-Heads. Unlike the hammer, the gunlance has far more options once the charges are acquired. Ammo skills can also be used to increase the Kinship gauge, unlike any other weapon. Finally, like the sword and shield, the gunlance can utilize the Guard command. The gunlance is an odd hybrid of many of the weapon types and perhaps the most technical to learn because of that.

For more Monster Hunter goodies, check out Best Weapons in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin on Pro Game Guides.