Monster Hunter Wildshas been announced as the next entry in Capcom’s best-selling hunting game franchise, and it is expected to enhance the series' strengths with current-generation hardware. Judging by its reveal trailer, that means a bigger world with more monsters, complete with the same satisfying gameplay. ManyMonster Hunterfans are looking forward toMonster Hunter Wilds, and hopes for it will only increase as more details are announced.
With that said, players already have a fairly good idea of what will be returning inMonster Hunter Wilds, as its franchise is known for carrying assets and mechanics between entries. Many past monsters are expected to return, likely withMonster Hunterseries flagship Rathalosleading the charge, and fans also anticipate the roster of weapon types to remain, possibly joined by the first new weapon in years. However, a generationalMonster Huntertransition means some changes are inevitable, and a number of weapons are overdue for them.
Gunlance
Both Lance classes tend to scorelow inMonster Huntertier listsand popularity polls, but for different reasons. Lance compliments blocking and dodging playstyles like it’s meant to, but it could just use slightly more complex offense and higher unbuffed damage to attract more players. Comparatively, Gunlance struggles to stand out at all. In the name of being the more fantastical combination of the defensive Lance and the versatile Bowgun, Gunlance’s own versatility needs to be emphasized more. Shelling is largely an inconvenience despite being Gunlance’s main draw and needs some serious changes inMH Wildsto fulfill its potential.
Light and Heavy Bowguns
The Light and Heavy Bowguns don’t need balance changes, but there is a way to streamline them that Monster Hunter tried once before abandoning them. Back inMonster Hunter Trifor the Nintendo Wii, the Medium Bowgun served as the zenith of the Bowgun’s customizable playstyle. Bringing it back inMonster Hunter Wildswould involve Light and Heavy Bowguns becoming builds for the Medium Bowgun, accessible either through certain upgrade paths or combinations built in the weapon’s unique part assembly system. If balanced properly, Bowgun users would have much finer control over their build’s specialization in each hunt.
Hunting Horn
After being overlooked inMonster Hunter World, Hunting Horns spentMonster Hunter World: Iceborne,Rise, andSunbreakreceiving buffs and streamlined features, essentially becoming a whole new weapon. Many Hunting Horn veterans now citeIceborneas the weapon’s modern sweet spot, with the most choice in how songs can play out, and the ability to Encore them for better effects. It would be best forMonster Hunter Wildsto bring Hunting Horns’ active support role back into focus, instead of their current status as a worse Hammer that also happens to generate buffs.
Insect Glaive
The Insect Glaive is one ofMonster Hunter’s flashiest weapons, but, unfortunately, the aerial play it’s capable of is rarely optimal. Its Kinsect system has also garnered complaints from both non-users and Glaive mains for being a confusing chore that needs work to maintain the power levels some simpler weapons always have. WithMonster Hunter Riseessentially allowing any weapon class to fly, andWildsadding a permanent flying mount, it’s long overdue for the Insect Glaive to live up to the vertical mobility weaponMonster Hunter 4meant for it to be.
Long Sword
Long Swords may beamongMonster Hunter Rise’s best weapons, but their jack-of-all-trades approach speaks to an underlying problem. With Spirit Gauge-fueled burst damage only beaten by Bowguns and enough i-frames and counter states to pass as a Lance, the greatest threat to a Long Sword master is their angry teammates after they’ve tripped the entire squad. Replacing the Long Sword’s newer defensive tools with its old focus on aggressive positioning should still enhance the weapon’s focus on breaking monster parts while bringing its balance more in line withMonster Hunter Wilds' other weapons.
