MH Outlanders Best Weapon for Beginners

Quick picks by playstyle

There is no single right answer, because the best weapon depends on how you like to fight. These three cover most new players, and each one solves a different problem. The table below shows where each starter stands in the two launch rankings we compared. Rankings measure power, so read them alongside how easy a weapon is to use.

• Best all-round starter: Long Sword, for mobility, damage and an easy parry.
• Best for staying safe at range: Heavy Bowgun, for simple, consistent damage.
• Best for pure defense: Lance, for blocking and counterattacks.

Weapon	Destructoid	OSLink	Beginner notes
Long Sword	S	A	Easy to master, with a relaxed parry window
Heavy Bowgun	A	S	Simple execution from range
Great Sword	S	A	Learning curve, but very high damage
Bow	A	S	Needs positioning and stamina control
Dual Blades	A	A	Fast and aggressive, needs stamina control
Hammer	A	Not ranked	The only weapon that can apply stun
Lance	B	B	Safest choice, with the lowest damage potential
Charge Blade	S	Not ranked	Fated Adventurer only, strong against bosses

Both lists rank weapons for your Fated Adventurer, so they apply to the character you create. The two sources disagree on the very top, so treat any exact placing as an opinion. Their shared view is that the Lance sits last on damage. The Hammer and Charge Blade only appear in one list, so their position against the others is to be confirmed.

Why the Long Sword is the best starter

Destructoid calls the Long Sword one of the easiest weapons to master, and it pairs that with strong mobility and damage. Foresight Slash gives you a relaxed parry window, which suits players who are still learning monster attacks. That makes it a rare weapon that is both beginner-friendly and top-ranked on one of the two lists. You also get a weapon that can grow with you, since counters add depth later.

The weapon is built around the Spirit Gauge. Landing attacks and successful counters fill it, and that opens up your stronger moves. Helm Breaker is a key damage move, launching you into the air before delayed hits land. A follow-up attack after it has parry frames, and timing it well can restore a spent Spirit Gauge level.

The main weakness shows up in multiplayer. The Long Sword needs chances to counter, and those are harder to get when a monster is focused on another player. Without steady counters, your damage becomes less consistent. OSLink ranks it A for that reason, even though its potential is excellent.

Why the Heavy Bowgun suits cautious players

Choose the Heavy Bowgun if you want to learn monsters from a safe distance. OSLink ranks it as its best overall pick because it offers high damage with simple attack execution. You do not need precise counters, long combos or constant close-range positioning. That makes it the most straightforward way to keep dealing damage while you learn.

Different Heavy Bowguns support different ammo types, including Normal, Spread, Pierce, Slicing, Sticky and Cluster. Destructoid points to Normal and Slicing Ammo for different purposes, so your choice matters before the hunt. Dealing damage with regular ammo also recharges Wyvern Heart, which fires a continuous stream of powerful shots.

It has two drawbacks to know about. Picking the right ammo takes some learning, and the weapon has fewer ways to respond to sudden changes in a fight. Destructoid also notes that beta nerfs weakened it, which helps explain why it places it at A rather than S.

Why the Lance is the safest choice

Choose the Lance if you find dodging stressful. Its shield gives you reliable protection, and Power Guard lets you defend while setting up a counterattack. Counter Cross Slash then turns a successful defense into damage. Its straightforward thrust combos make it easy to learn, and OSLink calls it a beginner-friendly option.

Leaping Thrust helps you close distance and keep up pressure, so it moves better than you might expect. That means you can stay near a monster without relying entirely on dodging. For a new player, that extra safety can be worth more than raw damage.

The cost is damage. Both rankings place the Lance in their lowest tier, because its attacks cannot match the Heavy Bowgun, Dual Blades or Great Sword. Destructoid says its limited attacking potential makes it a challenge in most situations. It is a safe way to start, but expect slower hunts.

Other weapons to consider

The Great Sword is a strong second step, though it has a learning curve. Shoulder Tackle lets you withstand attacks without losing your charge level, and True Charge Slash has super armor. Its slow attacks make it harder to keep damage consistent, and a missed charge costs you a lot. It suits players who enjoy heavy finishers more than constant movement.

Dual Blades suit aggressive players who like fast combos. Demon Mode raises speed and damage while building the Demon Gauge, and Archdemon Mode unlocks stronger attacks without constant stamina drain. You need to manage stamina, and you lose attacking time whenever a monster moves away. The upside is strong performance against elemental weaknesses.

The Bow has very high damage potential, and side-steps let you dodge without losing your charge level. It rewards good play more than the Heavy Bowgun does. Its strongest shots need you to stay fairly close, and poor stamina use can break your attack cycle. Treat it as a ranged option with a higher skill floor.

Weapons to leave for later

The Charge Blade is strong, and Destructoid ranks it S for its damage and clear potential against bosses. Only your Fated Adventurer can use it right now. No source we used recommends it for new players, so its beginner value is to be confirmed. Learn the basics on a simpler weapon first if you are unsure.

The Hammer is valuable because it is the only weapon that can apply stun, which matters against certain enemies. Destructoid ranks it A, while OSLink leaves it out, so we have less to compare. Its ease of use for beginners is also to be confirmed. Try it if the idea of stunning monsters appeals to you.

How to choose your first weapon

Start by asking what stresses you most in a hunt. If getting hit is the problem, pick the Heavy Bowgun or Lance. If you want a weapon that keeps rewarding practice, pick the Long Sword. If you only care about big hits, try the Great Sword.

Ranking should come second to comfort. Destructoid's lowest tier still has a clear use, and OSLink notes that the best weapon depends on your playstyle. A weapon you enjoy and can use well will serve you better than a higher-ranked one you struggle with. Test your top two on your Fated Adventurer, then commit to the one that feels best.

Final recommendation

Start with the Long Sword unless you already know you dislike close combat. Move to the Heavy Bowgun if you want simple damage from a distance, and to the Lance if survival comes first. All three are sensible choices for a first week. Launch rankings can change as players test the game, so check back as new data arrives.