Monster Hunter World received its first DLC on March 22, bringing a new monster to the game with the Dämonjho. The update also included a major balance adjustment for nearly all weapons in the game. This led to shifts in the tier list for both single and multiplayer.
The first free DLC for Monster Hunter World adjusted almost all of the 14 weapon classes. It was a major balance update that provided a buff to most weapons.
Shortly after the update, the Japanese site gamy.jp created a new weapon ranking for both single player and multiplayer. The utility of weapons can vary significantly in a group versus alone.
The ranking is based on weapon mechanics and player opinions. The ranking reflects the status as of March 23, the day after the balance update was released.
Tier List for Weapons in Single Player
Below you will find an illustration of the tier list for single player. The great sword, hammer, and sword & shield have benefited from the recent changes.
Weapon Ranking in Solo Play
- SS – Bow / Hammer / Great Sword / Energy Blade
- S – Long Sword / Sword & Shield / Dual Blades / Light Bowgun
- A – Heavy Bowgun / Lance / Gunlance
- B – Switch Axe / Hunting Horn / Insect Glaive
This is how the ranking in single player is explained:
- Since the update, it is noticeable that sword & shield now excels with quick attacks, thanks to the circular slash combo.
- The chance of paralysis has increased for the hammer, making monsters immobilized faster.
- The great sword deals significantly more damage. The damage buff from Charged Slash II and III combined with a simple tackle is a relief in solo play.
- The ranking of switch axe and heavy bowgun has drastically decreased. The switch axe requires a lot of macro-management, causing many players to turn their backs on it.
- The heavy bowgun has several disadvantages in its mechanics, including low mobility and long reload times.
Tier List for Weapons in Multiplayer
In multiplayer, the ranking is somewhat different from single player, since a different dynamic and situation for the weapons arises in group play. The hammer is also among the top here. It is also noticeable that the great sword is top-tier in single player, while it ranks at the bottom in multiplayer.
Weapon Ranking in Multiplayer
- SS – Sword & Shield / Dual Blades / Hammer / Energy Blade
- S – Hunting Horn / Long Sword / Bow / Light Bowgun
- A – Insect Glaive / Switch Axe / Gunlance / Lance
- B – Great Sword / Heavy Bowgun
This is how the ranking in multiplayer is explained:
- The heavy bowgun ranks here at the bottom tier, as it tends to interrupt other hunters’ actions with its attacks.
- In multiplayer, the hammer shines in the SS tier, as it also benefits from its increased paralysis chance.
- The great sword drops significantly here, landing in the B tier, as the strong True Charged Slash can be difficult to hit in group play.
- Sword & Shield are also top-tier in multiplayer. The weapon deals decent damage. Players are also able to support the group by using items while wielding their weapon.
- The hunting horn has risen from a low rank to a high S rank in group play due to the recent adjustments. This weapon is designed for support and has received improvements to its buff capabilities.
- Energy Blade, Dual Blades, Bow, Light Bowgun, and Long Sword are in the top tier, as their macro management is easy to handle.
- Lance and Gunlance are solid in defense and still land in the A tier.
What do you think of this tier list? Do you agree or would you arrange the weapons differently?
- Here you will find an overview of all 14 weapon classes in Monster Hunter World
- Here you can check again which balance changes all weapons received in detail.
