Table of Contents

Mastering Monster Hunter: World – The Easiest Weapon for Beginners and Beyond

So, you’re diving into the vibrant, dangerous world of Monster Hunter: World? Excellent choice! But with 14 wildly different weapon types, picking your first one can feel like staring down a raging Rathalos. Fear not, aspiring hunter! While “easiest” is subjective, depending on your playstyle, the Sword and Shield (SnS) consistently emerges as the most beginner-friendly option in MHW.

The Sword and Shield is praised for its versatility, speed, and defensive capabilities. It’s not about dealing the biggest single-hit damage; it’s about weaving in and out of combat, applying status effects, and supporting your team. Think of it as the well-rounded jack-of-all-trades, perfect for learning the monster’s attack patterns and the game’s core mechanics.

Why Sword and Shield?

Several factors contribute to the SnS’s accessibility:

Mobility: The SnS allows you to move quickly both while attacking and sheathed. This mobility is crucial for dodging monster attacks and repositioning yourself for optimal damage output. It’s exceptionally forgiving for new players who might misjudge timings.
Blocking: The small shield provides a safety net. While it’s not a Greatsword-level of defense, it’s enough to block smaller attacks and give you breathing room to heal or reposition. It’s a valuable tool for learning monster attack patterns without constantly getting knocked around.
Fast Attacks: The SnS boasts a high attack speed, allowing you to apply status effects like poison, paralysis, or sleep quickly. This can be a significant advantage, especially when fighting larger monsters.
Item Use: The SnS is the only weapon that allows you to use items without sheathing. This means you can heal, sharpen your weapon, or throw flash bombs without interrupting the flow of combat. It’s an incredibly convenient feature, especially in tense situations.
Simplified Combos: While the SnS does have its share of advanced techniques, the basic combos are easy to learn and execute. You can deal consistent damage with just a few simple button presses.
Mounting Capabilities: The SnS has several jumping attacks, making it relatively easy to mount monsters and knock them down, creating openings for your team.
Perfect Rush: Introduced in Iceborne, Perfect Rush significantly boosts the SnS damage. It requires precise timing, but learning it can be incredibly rewarding and takes the SnS to a higher level.

Beyond Beginner: The SnS’s Depth

Don’t let the “beginner-friendly” label fool you. The Sword and Shield has plenty of depth for experienced players to explore.

Elemental Builds: The SnS is incredibly effective with elemental builds. Its fast attack speed allows you to quickly apply elemental damage, making it a great choice for exploiting monster weaknesses.
Status Builds: Similar to elemental builds, the SnS can quickly apply status effects, crippling monsters and creating opportunities for your team.
Support Role: The SnS can be a valuable support weapon, using items like Wide-Range to heal and buff allies.
Advanced Combos: Mastering advanced combos like the perfect rush and utilizing the SnS’s back hop can significantly increase your damage output and survivability.

Gearing Up: Early Game SnS

In the early game, focus on crafting Bone or Ore weapons as they are easy to upgrade. As you progress, look for SnS with decent raw damage and element/status that complements the monster you are fighting. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you!

SnS: The Underestimated Powerhouse

While the Greatsword might be known for its massive damage, the SnS is a reliable and versatile weapon that can carry you through Monster Hunter: World, and even into the challenges of Iceborne. It’s a fantastic starting point for new hunters, but also a rewarding weapon for experienced players looking for a fast-paced and engaging playstyle. With its forgiving nature, the Sword and Shield is the ideal choice to learn the game’s core mechanics and discover the wonders of Monster Hunter: World.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Sword and Shield and weapon choices in Monster Hunter: World:

1. Is the Sword and Shield weak compared to other weapons?

No, the Sword and Shield is not weak. While it might not have the highest raw damage output of some weapons like the Greatsword, its high attack speed, elemental/status capabilities, and access to quick item use make it a powerful and versatile option. Its damage potential is even further enhanced by the Perfect Rush move.

2. What are the best skills for Sword and Shield builds?

Some of the best skills for Sword and Shield builds include: Weakness Exploit, Critical Eye, Critical Boost, Agitator, Attack Boost, and Element Attack Up. Depending on your build, you might also want to consider skills like Poison Attack, Paralysis Attack, or Sleep Attack.

3. Is the Longsword a good weapon for beginners?

While the Longsword is a popular weapon, it’s not as forgiving as the Sword and Shield. The Longsword relies on building up its Spirit Gauge to deal significant damage, which can be challenging for new players. It also requires good positioning and timing to effectively use its Foresight Slash. This leads to increased difficulty compared to SnS.

4. What other weapons are relatively easy to learn?

Besides the Sword and Shield, the Hammer and Lance are also considered relatively easy weapons to learn. The Hammer is known for its simple but effective attacks and ability to stun monsters, while the Lance is a defensive powerhouse with excellent blocking capabilities.

5. What weapon is the hardest to master in Monster Hunter: World?

Many players consider the Charge Blade to be the hardest weapon to master in Monster Hunter: World. It requires managing two separate meters, learning complex combos, and understanding how to effectively use its Guard Points and Super Amped Elemental Discharge.

6. Is it better to use raw damage or elemental damage on the Sword and Shield?

It depends on the monster you’re fighting. For monsters with high elemental weaknesses, an elemental Sword and Shield will be more effective. For monsters with high physical defense, a raw damage Sword and Shield might be a better choice.

7. Can you cut tails with the Sword and Shield?

Yes, you can cut tails with the Sword and Shield. Although blunt weapons such as hammers are more commonly used to break parts, sharp weapons are more effective for cutting tails. The Sword and Shield’s fast attacks make it a viable option for severing tails.

8. Is Monster Hunter: World beginner-friendly?

Monster Hunter: World was designed to be more accessible to new players than previous entries in the series. It features a more streamlined interface, a more engaging story, and a helpful scoutfly system. While the game can still be challenging, it’s a great starting point for newcomers.

9. What is the best weapon for solo play in Monster Hunter: World?

There is no single “best” weapon for solo play, as it depends on your playstyle and the monster you’re fighting. However, many players recommend the Charge Blade, Dual Blades, or Insect Glaive for solo hunts.

10. What is the Hunting Horn?

The Hunting Horn is a unique weapon that combines blunt damage with the ability to play songs that buff your party. While it can be a powerful support weapon, it also requires learning complex song combinations, which makes it one of the least popular weapons in the game.

11. What is the best way to learn a new weapon?

The best way to learn a new weapon is to practice with it in the training area, watch tutorial videos, and experiment with different combos. Don’t be afraid to try out new things and find what works best for you.

12. How important is armor in Monster Hunter: World?

Armor is extremely important in Monster Hunter: World. It provides defense against monster attacks and also grants access to various skills that can enhance your damage output, survivability, and utility. Choosing the right armor set is crucial for success.

13. What is Iceborne and when should I start playing it?

Iceborne is a massive expansion to Monster Hunter: World that adds a new story, new monsters, new locations, and new gameplay mechanics. You should start playing Iceborne after completing the main story of Monster Hunter: World and reaching Hunter Rank 16.

14. What are the Bone and Ore weapons?

The Bone and Ore weapons are basic weapons that can be crafted early in the game using materials gathered from monsters and mining nodes. They are easy to upgrade and provide a solid foundation for your weapon progression.

15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?

You can learn more about the intersection of gaming and education at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, or GamesLearningSociety.org, which provides resources and research on the use of games in learning and development.

So there you have it! The Sword and Shield – your trusty companion on your Monster Hunter: World adventure. Now go forth, hunter, and conquer those beasts!

What is the easiest weapon in MHW?