Monster Hunter: World marks a return to PlayStation for Capcom's addictive franchise, after releasing almost exclusively on Nintendo platforms for a near decade. Boy, has it made its presence known.

Not only does it use the full grunt of the PS4 (and Pro) to create the most visually impressive Monster Hunter to date, it also introduces an open world for the first time ever. That's right – once you've left the city you also leave loading screens behind.

There are new ways to traverse that world, more hunting options at your disposal, and oodles of epic monsters to slay. What isn't new though, are the weapon options. All 14 of them return from Monster Hunter Generations.

Ahead of next week's release, we're going to go through each and every one of them to help you prepare for your adventure. Happy hunting!

Great Sword

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The Great Sword deals insane damage but attacks slowly, and you'll move slower while it's drawn. You can block, though, and your evading speed isn't affected. This is a great weapon for those that time their attacks wisely, using hit and run tactics to deal heavy damage.

Controls

Triangle Overhead Slash Triangle (Hold) Charged Slash Circle Wide Slash Triangle + Circle Rising Slash While Charging Triangle, Circle Tackle R2 Guard

Combos

True Charged Slash Combo Triangle (Hold) Left Analogue + Triangle (Hold) Left Analogue + Triangle (Hold) Lunging Combo Circle Circle Circle Stationary Combo Circle Triangle + Circle Circle

Long Sword

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The Long Sword acts like the Great Sword, but trades some of that damage for increased mobility. You can attack while moving, dodge while attacking, and increase your damage using Spirit Blade. This is one for those that never want to let up the attack, incorporating dodging into your attack pattern.

Controls

Triangle Standard Attack Circle Thrust Triangle + Circle Attack + Evade R2 Spirit Blade Mid-Combo R2 + Circle Foresight Slash R2 + Triangle Spirit Thrust

Combos

Basic Combo Triangle Triangle Triangle Triangle Spirit Blade R2 R2 R2 R2 Fade Slash Combo Triangle + Circle R2 R2 R2 + Triangle

Sword & Shield

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The Sword & Shield is the quintessential beginner's weapon in Monster Hunter – though don't mistake that as ineffective. It's got everything: great mobility, charging attacks, guarding, and even the ability to use your slinger and items while drawn. Use this if you're new to Monster Hunter.

Controls

Triangle Standard Attack Circle Special Attack Triangle + Circle Advancing Slash Mid-Combo Left Analogue Down + Circle (Hold) Charged Slash R2 + Triangle Rising Slash L2 Or R2 + Square Use Items R2 Guard L2 Ready Slinger L2 + R2 Fire Slinger

Combos

Basic Combo Triangle + Circle Triangle Triangle Triangle Powerful Combo Circle Circle Circle Circle (Hold) Stun Combo Left Analogue + Circle Circle Circle Circle (Hold) Charged Slash Combo Triangle + Circle Left Analogue Down + Circle (Hold) Triangle Or Circle

Dual Blades

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The Dual Blades unleash attacks very rapidly, though each deals about as much damage as a bee sting. Each hit you land charges up your Demon Gauge though, which allows you to enter Demon Mode. This provides new attacks and buffs your damage, movement, and evasion, but drains your stamina bar while active. Completely fill your Demon Gauge to enter Archdemon Mode, which enhances your actions and increases your attack further. This weapon's for those that think the best defence is a good offence.

Controls

Triangle Standard Attack Circle Lunging Strike Triangle + Circle Blade Dance R2 Demon Mode



Combos

Basic Combo Triangle Triangle Triangle Demon Mode Combo Triangle (While In Demon Mode) Triangle Triangle Triangle + Circle Moving Combo Circle Circle Triangle Circle

Hammer

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The Hammer hits the hardest with each individual attack of any weapon in Monster Hunter: World. Much like the Great Sword, it's slow and decreases your mobility. You can't guard with this weapon either. However, it does make up for it with its Charge ability, which has three stages and boosts your attack power, ability to stun, and makes you immune to flinching. Stunning is the Hammer's trump card, as it allows you to get your best attacks in while the monster is unable to retaliate. This is for those that like to kill monsters before they have a chance to retaliate.

Controls

Triangle Standard Attack Circle Big Bang I R2 (Hold) Charge While Charging, Release R2 Charged Attack While Charging, Circle Power Charge

Combos

Basic Combo Triangle Triangle Triangle Charge Combo 1 While Charging, Release R2 (Tier 1 Charge) Triangle Triangle Charge Combo 2 While Charging, Release R2 (Tier 2 Charge) Triangle Triangle Charge Combo 3 R2 (Hold Until Tier 3 Charge) Left Analogue + Release R2 Triangle (On First Spin) Triangle (On Second Or Third Spin) Triangle (On Fourth Or Fifth Spin)

Hunting Horn

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The Hunting Horn is an incredibly unique weapon that's best used in parties. Rather than attack, you'll perform melodies to apply buffs to yourself and nearby allies. It kind of turns Monster Hunter into a rhythm action game, and It's the closest thing it has to having a healer class, so pick it if that's how you like to roll.

Controls

Triangle Note 1 Circle Note 2 Triangle + Circle Note 3 R2 Perform Melody

Combos

Stationary Combo Circle Triangle Circle Left Analogue Right Or Left + X Vulnerable Combo Circle Left Analogue Up + Triangle + Circle Triangle + Circle Left Analogue Up + Triangle Self Improvement Combo Left Analogue Up + Triangle Triangle R2 R2

Melodies

Attack Up Triangle Circle Circle R2 R2 (Extended Version) Health Boost Circle Triangle + Circle Triangle R2 R2 (Extended Version) Wind Pressure Negated Triangle + Circle Triangle + Circle Circle R2 R2 (Extended Version) Defense Up Triangle Triangle + Circle Triangle + Circle R2 R2 (Extended Version) Deflected Attack Prevention Triangle Triangle R2 R2 (Extended Version)

Lance

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The Lance is the most defensive weapon in Monster Hunter: World, providing a shield and solid reach, keeping you at a safe distance from your opponent. You can use counter-thrust to immediately block an attack and counter or switch right to Power Guard, which enormously reduces your stun time when attacked. This drains your stamina though, so timing is key, but it's perfect for blocking a powerful enemy's attacks. Use the lance if you want to go full defence and counterattack.

Controls

Triangle Mid Thrust Circle High Thrust Triangle + Circle Wide Sweep R2 + Circle Counter-Thrust R2 + Left Analogue + Triangle Guard Dash R2 + Triangle + Circle Dash Attack R2 Guard R2 + X Power Guard

Combos

Basic Combo Triangle Triangle Triangle Left Analogue (Left Or Right) + X Guarding Combo R2 + Left Analogue + Triangle Circle Triangle Or Circle Endless Combo R2 + Circle Triangle Or Circle R2 + Circle Triangle Or Circle

Gunlance

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The Gunlance is one of the most interesting weapons available in Monster Hunter: World. It acts similar to the Lance, but provides less defensive options in favour of increased range and firepower. We really mean firepower too, as the Gunlance can fire shells like an enormous revolver. You can fire shells individually, over a long range, and all at once in a wide shotgun style attack. Like to have a little bit of everything? The Gunlance is for you.

Controls

Triangle Forward Attack Circle Shelling Triangle + Circle Strong Attack R2 + Triangle Upward Attack R2 + Circle Reload R2 + Triangle + Circle Wyvern's Fire R2 Guard

Combos

Basic Combo Left Analogue + Triangle Triangle Triangle Circle Burst Fire Combo Triangle + Circle Triangle Circle Strong Combo Triangle + Circle Triangle Triangle Triangle Or Circle

Switch Axe

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The Switch Axe is the best example of risk versus reward in Monster Hunter: World. It's an incredibly powerful weapon, capable of switching seamlessly between an Axe and a Sword and doling out just an insane amount of damage. Not only that, but your damage increases the longer you keep up a combo, thanks to the sword's ability to generate heat. You do have to be careful though, as attacks will burn through your stamina if you let them. You might have to use a Whetstone a little more often as well, thanks to the sheer number of attacks. This is for those that love to build up insane combos.

Controls (Axe)

Triangle Standard Attack Circle (Repeatedly) Wild Swing Triangle + Circle Rising Slash Left Analogue + Circle Advancing Attack R2 Morph To Sword

Controls (Sword)

Triangle Standard Attack Circle Strong Attack Triangle + Circle Element Discharge R2 Morph To Axe

Combos (Axe)

Basic Combo Left Analogue + Triangle Triangle Triangle Triangle Sword Mode Combo Circle (Repeatedly) R2

Combos (Sword)

Element Discharge Combo Triangle Triangle Triangle Circle Circle Triangle + Circle (Triangle Repeatedly)

Charge Blade

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The Charge Blade is the antithesis of the Switch Axe. It focuses more on defence but still offers a bunch more offensive options than the traditional Sword & Shield. The idea here is that you attack in sword mode to build up energy that you store in phials. You can then unleash this energy as elemental attacks when you swap to Axe mode. This is a good weapon for those that fancy something a little bit different.

Controls (Sword)

Triangle Standard Attack Circle (Hold) Charged Double Slash Triangle + Circle Forward Slash Left Analogue + Circle (Mid Combo) Sliding Slash R2 + Triangle Morph Slash R2 + Circle Charge Phials R2 Guard

Controls (Axe)

Triangle Standard Attack Circle Element Discharge Triangle + Circle Amped Element Discharge R2 Morph Slash

Combos (Sword)

Basic Combo Triangle + Circle Triangle Triangle Element Boost Spinning Slash Combo Circle (Hold) Triangle + Circle Triangle + Circle R2 Boost Sword Mode Combo Circle (Hold) R2 + Circle Triangle (Hold)

Combos (Axe)

Amped Element Discharge Combo Left Analogue + Triangle Circle Circle Element Discharge Combo Triangle Circle Triangle Circle

Insect Glaive

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The Insect Glaive is another incredibly interesting weapon. It acts a lot like a staff in its attacks, and you can vault off it to gain air and devastate monsters from above. You can also summon a Kinsect to harvest extracts from monsters that give you a temporary buff. This is a great weapon for those that like to fight alongside a pet.

Controls

Triangle Standard Attack Circle Strong Attack L2 + Triangle Harvest Extract L2 + Circle Recall L2 + R2 Mark Target R2 Mark R2 + X Vault Triangle (Midair) Aerial Attack Circle (Midair) Jumping Advancing Slash X (Midair) Midair Evade

Combos

Quick Combo Left Analogue + Triangle Triangle Triangle Red Extract Combo Left Analogue + Circle Triangle Circle Midair Combo R2 + X X Circle

Light Bowgun

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The Light Bowgun is a lighter version of the Heavy Bowgun that allows for faster movement and reload, but doesn't hold as much ammo and suffers from heavier recoil. The Wyvernblast ability lets you place bombs on the ground that explode when attacked. This is the best out of the two for those that like to fight from range, use traps, and have all those ammo types at their disposal. Choose the Light Bowgun if you want to turn Monster Hunter: World into a third person shooter.

Controls

L2 Crosshairs R2 Fire Circle Wyvernblast Triangle Reload L1 + X or Triangle Select Ammo Triangle + Circle Melee Attack

Heavy Bowgun

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The Heavy Bowgun packs a serious punch, though at the expense of decreased mobility. Whip it out and you can merely walk, and it even effects your ability to evade. Load your special ability, though, and you will literally tear through any monster in your path. This basically serves as a machine gun, dealing insane damage. You've also got the various different ammo types, so it's a very diverse weapon. It might be best suited to parties due to the limited ability, slow reload and attack speed, and slow recharge for your Special Ammo. Choose this if you just want to sit back and cut through foes with a beast of a machine gun.

L2 Crosshairs R2 Fire Circle Load Triangle Reload L1 + X + Triangle Select Ammo

Triangle + Circle Melee Attack

Bow

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Last but not least we have the bow. The advantage to this weapon is its great mobility, range, and damage. Seriously, unleash a Dragon Piercer on a pack of enemies and watch them fall. You can charge a single damaging shot or fire off barrages of increasingly powerful attacks, fire an arc of arrows into the air, or spread your shots if an enemy gets in close. You can also apply coatings to arrows to improve damage, or place various effects on your opponent. The Bow is an excellent weapon for those that like to go it alone.

Controls

L2 Crosshairs R2 Shoot Circle Special Shot Triangle + Circle Dragon Piercer L1 + X or Triangle Select Coating Triangle Load / Unload Coating

Combos