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Monsties may be all the rage when it comes to Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Fury, but in the midst of combat, you still have a big role to play. And to optimize your damage output, weapons are a must. Weapons come in three different kinds: slash, blunt, and pierce. All monsters have vulnerabilities to different types of weapons. You can equip three in total, so a weapon of each type is advisable.
All weapons have different elemental attack types, with some holding special bonuses. Slashing weapons can range from common to super rare powerful that can be built and buffed with items earned from slaying rare monsters.
Slashing weapons comprise of two different types of weapons: swords and shields vs. greatswords. Each has different mechanics that can greatly affect the pace of battle, so consider that when choosing why a weapon suits you. Sword and shields tend to be more straightforward than greatswords, but here is a quick primer:
- Sword & Shield: To use skilled attacks, you have to fill up the kinship gauge. The added perk of these weapons is that they increase defense; something that the other slashing weapon (greatswords) does not offer. Their simple mechanics make for a great addition to someone who wants to get the job done without overcomplicating combat.
- Greatswords: This branch of weapons utilizes another gauge if you want to use skilled attacks alongside the kinship meter. Access more powerful attacks by using charge moves which have two levels of damage. After using them, you will be able to use the charged attacks in the next round.
10 Sword & Shield: Booming Barrage
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This sword and shield will fan the flames of battle with its fire-based attacks. What it lacks in raw damage, this sword and shield combo makes up for it with its bonus stat: Blastblight. The bonus gives you the chance of inflicting extra damage on enemies.
With good defense and a critical hit rate that stands up to some of the best swords in the game, the chance of an extra firey explosion makes the Booming Barrage a solid choice for Sword and Shields.
9 Greatsword: Massacre Slicer
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There is just no escaping the Bloodbath Diablos. But it must be said, its equipment and weapons rank amongst the best. Much like the sword and shield version, the Massacre Slicer inflicts massive damage, making it one of the most deadly weapons you can gain.
As the damage type is non-elemental, the Massacre Slicer is easy to use and build a great strategy around. For those who want nothing but damage, damage, damage - pick the Massacre Slicer.
8 Sword and Shield: Sandman Finsword
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In need of a weapon that dishes out potent water attacks - the Sandman Finsword is a perfect choice. This is another sword that lacks raw damage. But with all-around great stats including defense and critical hit rate.
What pushes this sword and shield over the edge is its bonus skill: sleep. When attacking monsters, this weapon has the chance of putting them to sleep. This sword is great for riders who prefer to center their strategy around inflicting as many status effects as possible.
7 Greatsword: Sieglinde Rose
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Although this may be a fire elemental greatsword, the Sieglinde Rose has a sinister edge. Firstly, the greatsword has a strong attack stat with a decent critical hit rate.
Nevertheless, what makes the Sieglinde Rose worthy of your weapons rack is its bonus skill - noxious poison. This will cause your enemy to lose damage gradually each turn until the status effect wears off.
6 Sword and Shield: Kirin Bolt Maximus
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Sparks fly with the Kirin Bolt Maximus, a sword and shield that is built from slaying the Elder Dragon Kirin. Despite the lower attack, this lightening based weapon has a higher defense that gives that extra bit of resilience against the many monsters that will attack you.
Charge up that kinship meter and unleash that Shock Slash.
5 Greatsword: Taroth Blaze
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A recent addition to Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of fury, the Taroth Blaze has become one of the best water-based greatswords in-game.
What must be considered if choosing this sword is that it has a low critical hit rate? But if that is not your focus, the damage that is greatsword can inflict outshines the need for a higher critical hit rate.
4 Sword and Shield: Elderfrost Opposer
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There is no need for a frosty reception for the Elderfrost Opposer, the sword and shield that specializes in ice-based attacks. Although its defense is not as high as the Kirin Bolt Maximus, it does have a higher critical hit rate.
The Frost slash attacks pack a punch with great attack stats. Created by the drops from Elderfrost Gammoth, this sword and shield are perfect if you want high attack and good critical hit rates.
3 Greatsword: Deified Grisblade
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Critical hits become potent when matched with a greatsword. When the weapon prioritizes damage above all else, that extra kick can really help in the heat of combat. The Deified Grisblade helps in that department.
Its non-elemental attack paired with its higher critical hit rate is a deadly combo. Pair this with a monstie that also can throw out critical hit after critical hit and you will fly through any battle you encounter.
2 Sword and Shield: Massacre Bludgeon
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Bloodbath Diablos strikes again. This time the terror takes the form of a Sword and Sheild. What makes this weapon excel, aside from its good defense and decent critical hit rate, is the type of damage it inflicts.
Much like the monstie, this weapon inflicts large-scale raw non-elemental damage. This makes the Massacre Bludgeon that much more easy to build around if you can't decide what tactics are best for you. As one of the most powerful weapons in-game, you have to be a fool to not give the sword and shield a go.
1 Greatsword: Elderfrost Basher
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The perk of the greatsword is its massive damage output. But this does mean sacrificing the defense you get with the sword and shield, Although no greatsword will match that defense, the Elderfrost Basher does have the added bonus of a small boost to your defense when it is equipped.
The ice-based greatsword also sports a high attack and a reasonable critical hit rate. So if you need a sword that compliments a tank build, the Elderfrost Basher is yours.