In *Monster Hunter Wilds*, choosing the right weapon for solo play is crucial to effectively tackle the challenges without relying on other players. Our top picks for the best *Monster Hunter Wilds* weapons for solo play include the Switch Axe, Hammer, Great Sword, Lance, and Heavy Bowgun. Each of these weapons offers unique advantages that can help you succeed on your own.

Best Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons for Solo Play

Switch Axe

The Switch Axe is a versatile weapon that requires time, planning, and patience to master, but it's well worth the effort for solo players. It can handle strong monsters without support, offering more powerful combos than the Charge Blade. In Axe form, you can unleash the wild swing, continuously striking the monster for high damage. Switching to Sword form provides more intricate combos, including the traditional burst attack and heavy-hitting chain attacks that can significantly boost your damage output, even with low-level versions of the weapon.

Hammer

The Hammer is an excellent choice for beginners and solo players alike. It's one of the most powerful weapons in *Wilds*, excelling in raw damage output. You can enhance its effectiveness by investing in ailment branches like sleep or paralysis, allowing you to control the monster's behavior while dealing significant hits. Hammers are great for breaking weak points and knocking monsters down, increasing the chances of creating wounds. The focused strike, which specifically breaks wounds, hits exceptionally hard, enabling you to end hunts faster and gather more crafting materials.

Great Sword

The Great Sword is a powerhouse that performs a few actions exceptionally well. Though it slows down your movement, it can be used as a shield to guard against attacks. It features a regular slash and an overhead strike, but its charged attack is the real highlight. This attack has three levels, with the highest requiring careful 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 defensive capabilities. It boasts the game's most powerful guard and standard thrust attacks, which can lead into powerful multi-hit combos. A new guarding skill uses stamina to block attacks more effectively, and a ramming attack adds to its offensive capabilities. While the Lance excels in defense, its damage output is lower compared to weapons like the Great Sword, which may extend hunt durations.

Heavy Bowgun

The Heavy Bowgun is a top choice for solo play due to its higher damage output compared to the Light Bowgun. It can fire more ammo before reloading and features a powerful burst mode, albeit with a cooldown. The Heavy Bowgun's versatility is further enhanced by its ability to equip various ammo types, including standard, piercing, and status ailment rounds. Its capacity to attack from a distance makes it an ideal weapon for solo players who prefer to keep their distance from the monster's immediate threat.