Monster Hunter: Dark Souls or Devil May Cry? Weapon Choice Matters

For newcomers, Monster Hunter Rise's sudden success might seem surprising. However, Capcom has meticulously refined its globally acclaimed Monster Hunter series for years, culminating in what appears to be one of the franchise's best-selling titles. Boasting over a million concurrent Steam players, Monster Hunter Rise is a phenomenon. But if you're feeling lost, overwhelmed by the options, there's a simple secret to maximizing your enjoyment: choosing the right weapon.

Monster Hunter Rise offers a vast arsenal of weapons, each with a distinct playstyle. From the heavy-hitting Great Sword to the nimble Dual Blades and ranged Bowguns, the choices are plentiful.

While the Great Sword and Switch Axe are iconic, their deliberate, precise swings might not be the easiest starting point. Consider the more agile Dual Blades instead. This unlocks a world of quick attacks and dodges, transforming the combat experience. While the Great Sword evokes the measured combat of *Dark Souls*, the Dual Blades offer the action-packed fluidity of *Devil May Cry*.

Rise modernizes the combat compared to previous entries, aligning it more with contemporary action games. While sheathing remains necessary for healing, combat feels intuitive for action RPG veterans. However, unlike other action RPGs that offer skill trees for customization, Monster Hunter Rise centers weapon choice as the primary means of defining your playstyle.

Your initial weapon selection significantly shapes your experience. If you prefer fast, combo-heavy action reminiscent of Dante, the Dual Blades are ideal, relying on rapid attacks, quick dodges, and a meter that unleashes powerful combos on downed monsters.

Which Monster Hunter Playstyle Do You Prefer? ---------------------------------------------

The bigger the weapon, the better.Give me speed. More speed.Ranged attacks are the best.I like mixing-and-matching different weapon styles.

AnswerSee ResultsAlternatively, for a balance of heavy damage, defense, and mobility, the Sword and Shield is an excellent starting choice. The Lance, while less popular due to its defensive focus, offers a unique parry and counter-attack style rewarding skillful play.

Ranged options like the Bowguns offer considerable power, but require careful ammo management and strategic selection based on the target monster.

With 14 weapons, each with unique traits, they broadly categorize into heavy (high damage, low speed), light (rapid attacks), and technical weapons. However, some blur these lines—the Gunlance incorporates range, the Charge Blade shifts between axe and blade forms, and the Insect Glaive and Hunting Horn provide unique buffs.

Don't be overwhelmed. Experiment with every weapon in the tutorial before committing. Whether you crave Dante-esque frenzy or Dark Souls-like strategic combat, the perfect weapon awaits.