As an avid Monster Hunter player with 500+ hours clocked in World alone, I‘ve slain countless beasts using every weapon type in solo play. Finding the correct weapon can be an overwhelming task. This comprehensive 2000 word guide will assist you in choosing Monster Hunter World‘s Best Solo Weapon to truly master on your solo hunting journey.
Choosing Weapons Based on Solo Hunt Needs
Playing solo introduces unique challenges not found when in co-op groups. Monsters gain boosted speed, damage and health pools without additional targets splitting their focus. Having weapons tailored for solo play is crucial. So what attributes make certain weapons excel?
High Damage – With solo health scaling, battles become wars of attrition. Weapons that reliably deal high DPS quicken long solo hunts.
Mobility/Evasion – Cannot rely on teammates to draw aggro so avoiding attacks via rolls, blocks or range helps survivability.
Utility – Abilities that impair/debuff monsters like stuns, roars or elemental effects create useful solo openings.
Defense – Strong blocking or innate evasion tools prevent carting to beasts‘ heavy solo strikes. Can‘t rez allies here!
Versatility – Weapons with varied situational abilities adapting to match evolving battles fare better than one-dimensional options.
These factors determine ideal solo playstyle weapons…
Overview of Recommended Solo Weapons
After countless hours of trial and error battles with Rathalos, Diablos, Odogaron and Elder Dragons, these emerged as my top solo weapons:
Sword and Shield – Extremely versatile classic beginner‘s weapon with fantastic mobility, cutting/blunt attacks and a shield for defense.
Long Sword – Elegant, high-risk weapon balancing extreme damage from Spirit Combos with mobility and reach. No guard though.
Lance – The impenetrable fortress. Boasts the mightiest shield allowing tight defense and retaliation.
Bow – King of ranged solo damage. Empowered evasion arsenal to artfully dodge while exploiting weaknesses.
Let‘s break down key strengths granting them prime solo potential.
Sword & Shield – Jack of All Trades
Don‘t underestimate this versatile pairing‘s solo capabilities despite its starter weapon reputation. Sword delivers rapid slashing damage while the shield provides cover from monster attacks – ideal for balancing offense and defense.
Key Solo Strengths
- Mobility – Sheath/unsheath sword and shield instantly to reposition or chase prey.
- Speed – Fast flowing combos with great innate evasion keep you stick to monsters.
- Guarding – While not strongest, the shield protects against attacks well in a pinch.
- Versatile – Slashes, shield bashes, charged thrusts inflicting ailments – adaptable options.
- Easy Use – Simple combos and mechanics welcoming for beginners.
Fighting tempered Lunastra? Shield negates its flame bursts for counter windows. Need Anjanath plate carves? Use Sword & Shield‘s mobility to constantly hit the tall Brute Wyvern‘s head and torso. It‘s match-up versatility proves invaluable during lengthy solo hunts.
While mastering advanced combos and maximize Sword & Shield offensive potential takes time, it never leaves newcomers overwhelmed. This jack-of-all-trades is a prime introductory solo weapon I recommend all Monster Hunter World players try first.
Long Sword – High Risk, Higher Reward
This weapon lives by its name – delivering exceptional range and damage by mastering the unique Spirit Blade mechanics. Activate Spirit Mode to unlock Spirit Combos that scale monster damage exponentially while enhancing evasion and reach.
Key Solo Strengths
- Huge Damage – Spirit Roundslashes and Helm Breakers dish some of the highest cutting weapon dps.
- Reach – Longsword‘s extended blades strike beyond other melee weapons’ range keeping you safer.
- Mobility – Despite its size, retains mobility to stick close evading attacks. Combos can be rolled out of.
- Counters – Unique Foresight and Spirit counters turn a monster’s attack into potent Spirit Blade combos as punishment.
I carted repeatedly early on against speedy Odogaron and Ebony Odogaron attempting to master the Spirit Blade. But this weapon clicks once its counters and combos flow naturally. Activating the Spirit Gauge then landing full Spirit Combos to reset and enhance the gauge makes you an unstoppable solo force. This weapon truly epitomizes high risk, higher reward.
Just beware – no defensive options mean expert timing and execution of Foresight Slash/Spirit Helm Breaker counters and evasion is essential. Miss and carting follows…
Lance – The Immovable Object
Prefer an impenetrable fortress over dodging? Meet the Lance – Monster Hunter World‘s heaviest shield and defense makes you an immovable object. Allowing you to counterattack aggressively when solo hunting.
Key Solo Strengths
- Defense – The Lance’s giant shield can guard against the mightiest attacks without breaking guard.
- Counters – Block then counterattack with Power Guard and Counter Thrust. Inflict damage while keeping offense high and managing monster aggro.
- Reach – Deceptively long reach to hit distant or airborne targets like Rathalos.
- Impact – Impale monsters or use downward/charging strikes dealing crushing damage.
Lance may lack mobility but promotes calculated aggression. Anchor your battle position then press attacks via its extended guard, risky counters and far reaching strikes. Master this and no solo monster or Elder Dragon stands a chance.
Be warned – the Lance playstyle revolves around its hulking shield. Botch guard timing or angle against Nergigante‘s dive bomb or Teostra‘s Supernova and carting follows. It has a steep learning curve but lance mains soon feel unstoppable.
Bow – Untouchable Ranged Damage
Prefer keeping your distance taking down monsters? Meet the Bow – Monster Hunter‘s highest damage ranged weapon when mastered. Bow grants a unique evasion and mobility arsenal allowing you to artfully inflict piercing arrow damage safely from mid range while avoiding trades.
Key Solo Strengths
- Range – Bow‘s mid range ‘sweet spot‘ keeps you clear of attack zones while accurately sniping weak zones.
- Damage – Fully charged Power Shots concentrate severe damage on specific hitzones.
- Coatings – Status effect arrows provide paralysis, sleep, Blastblight inflictions etc. Great for creating solo openings.
- Mobility – Lightweight for high maneuverability. Dash dance around the battlefield dodging while charging and shooting arrows.
Fleet footed hunters dance artfully around the battlefield scaling terrain exploiting openings safely using Dragon Piercers, coatings and charged arrow shots – all while evading using the Bow’s specialized evasion toolkit. Mastering the Bow takes time but pays solo hunting dividends.
The Bow‘s complex ammo and coating management may overwhelm early. But archery masters challenge any monster unsafely with relentless status effects, part breaks and precise destructive arrow damage. Are you up for the solo Bow hunt?
Best Solo Weapon Stats Comparison
Let‘s directly compare some key offensive stats between the top recommended solo weapons when fully upgraded:
| Weapon | Attack | Affinity | Defense | Element/Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sword & Shield | 340 | 0% | 0 | 110 |
| Long Sword | 290 | 0% | 0 | 120 |
| Lance | 300 | 0% | 90 | 50 |
| Bow | 264 | 0% | 0 | 240 |
Key takeaways:
- Sword & Shield has high attack for rapid damage combos
- Long Sword lacks defense but has good attack and elemental damage for combos
- Lance exchanges attack for the highest defense to enable its tank playstyle
- Bow has great elemental/status enabling coatings for affliction damage
Understanding these strengths and weaknesses allows properly countering any solo challenge quest. Now let‘s cover additional solo weapons worth considering.
Viable Secondary Solo Weapon Options
While I believe Sword & Shield, Long Sword, Lance and Bow best tackle solo hunts, these alternatives also work:
Hammer – Smash mon mons
Switch Axe – Transforms like a Transformer! So cool.
Insect Glaive – Unique air combos
Charge Blade – Complex but SO satisfying
They generally require much more mastery due to either simplicity or complex mechanics. But worth investigating if my main recommendations don‘t fit your preferences.
Final Solo Weapon Thoughts
Playing Monster Hunter World solo introduces major challenges requiring preparation not found when with a full hunting team. Selecting a weapon proficient at damage, defense and providing utility gives the best chance at success.
Based on my extensive experience, Sword & Shield, Long Sword, Lance and Bow stand above other weapons when hunting solo. But alternative options still hold viability for capable masters.
At the end of the day, choose whatever weapon excites your inner monster hunter most then commit learning its mechanics inside out. Soon you‘ll be slaying the mightiest Elder Dragons with ease flying solo!
Let fellow hunters know your favorite solo weapon and why down below! Happy hunting!
