Start by testing weapons in the Training Area, then choose Village or Hub quests based on whether you want a solo-only track or multiplayer access. Wirebugs serve both as movement tools and weapon-specific combat actions; their controls and gauge behavior vary, so learn the prompts for your weapon in-game. Before each hunt, read the quest card and target’s Hunter’s Notes, then adjust your gear to the challenge.
Which weapon should you start with in Monster Hunter Rise?
There are 14 weapon types, each with distinct traits and play styles. No one weapon is the universal beginner choice. Start with the kind of fighting that sounds appealing, try it in the Training Area, and change weapons if its reach, pace, or combos do not suit you. You can change equipment at the village Item Box.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Monster Hunter Rise - Nintendo Switch Standard Edition | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Monster Hunter Rise Deluxe Edition - Nintendo Switch Deluxe Edition | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Monster Hunter Rise - Nintendo Switch (Renewed) | $29.77 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Weapon | What it offers | Consider if you like |
|---|---|---|
| Long Sword | Speed and reach, with technical dodges, counters, a Spirit Gauge, and Spirit Blade attacks. | Reading enemy attacks and responding with counters. |
| Hammer | Heavy blunt attacks and charge attacks, with mobility; some attacks can stun. | Big, weighty hits and opportunities to interrupt a monster. |
| Hunting Horn | Blunt damage paired with melodies that provide party buffs. | Supporting a group while still attacking. |
| Dual Blades | Fast repeated cuts and Demon Mode, which makes stamina management relevant. | Staying close and landing frequent attacks. |
These are examples to try, not a ranking. Weapon speed, reach, and combo flow differ substantially. Use the Training Area to test attacks and get used to Wirebugs before taking an unfamiliar weapon into a difficult hunt. Nintendo’s beginner guide also notes that you can train with a hunting party there: Nintendo’s Monster Hunter Rise beginner guide.
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How do Wirebugs work?
The Wirebug Gauge is an on-screen resource. What a Wirebug does depends on whether your weapon is sheathed or drawn:
#1 Best Overall
- The debut of the new “wirebug” mechanic allows for wire-based grappling actions that can be used to scale cliffs and other hard-to-reach areas, providing new traversal and aerial attack options.
- The game will introduce magnamalo, a menacing new flagship monster, as well as other new monsters like the shape-shifting aknosom, the amphibious tetranadon, and more.
- New hunting partners called palamutes can be personalized and used to ride across the terrain, providing players with all-new traveling and attack options.
- In addition to the plethora of solo and multiplayer quests, the immersive story mode will task aspiring hunters with discovering the secrets behind the puzzling “rampage” events that threaten kamura village.
- Play solo, or join up to three other hunters in local or online co-op play. The Nintendo Switch system also allows for hunting anywhere, anytime and with anyone!
- Weapon sheathed: Wirebug actions perform a Wiredash, letting you move through the environment while consuming gauge.
- Weapon drawn: Wirebug input activates a weapon-specific Silkbind combat function.
Gauge regeneration, gauge consumption, and Silkbind actions vary by weapon. There is no single timing or button combination that applies to every weapon and platform. Follow the game’s button prompts and the weapon-specific control notes in Hunter’s Notes or the official manual. Practice both mobility and your weapon’s Silkbind action in the Training Area; learn what your weapon can do without treating any one move as mandatory.
What should you do first, and should you choose Village or Hub quests?
Monster Hunter Rise has separate Village and Gathering Hub quest tracks. Hinoa’s Village Quests Counter offers single-player quests. Minoto’s Hub Quests Counter offers quests for solo or multiplayer play; Village quests cannot be played with other people. Choose Village for the single-player track, or Hub when you want the multiplayer option.
Rank #2
- The debut of the new “wirebug” mechanic allows for wire-based grappling actions that can be used to scale cliffs and other hard-to-reach areas, providing new traversal and aerial attack options.
- The game will introduce magnamalo, a menacing new flagship monster, as well as other new monsters like the shape-shifting aknosom, the amphibious tetranadon, and more.
- New hunting partners called palamutes can be personalized and used to ride across the terrain, providing players with all-new traveling and attack options.
- In addition to the plethora of solo and multiplayer quests, the immersive story mode will task aspiring hunters with discovering the secrets behind the puzzling “rampage” events that threaten kamura village
- Play solo, or join up to three other hunters in local or online co-op play. The Nintendo Switch system also allows for hunting anywhere, anytime and with anyone!
If you are unsure how to advance, check the on-screen Progress Guide, which tracks progress in both Village and Gathering Hub quests. Pay attention to NPC speech bubbles as well: they can flag useful information, and red bubbles are especially important for progression. Quest cards list the objective and failure conditions, so read the card before departing rather than assuming every quest is a monster hunt.
How to prepare for a hunt
- Read the quest card. Confirm the objective and the conditions that can cause failure.
- Look up the target. Hunter’s Notes can include a monster’s locations, rewards, weaknesses, and habits. Use that information to plan your approach and equipment.
- Pack useful items. Potions and Well-done Steak are reliable essentials. Check the camp Supply Box for temporary supplies, too.
- Practice or adjust. Test your weapon and Wirebug actions in the Training Area. If the setup does not feel right, change weapons or armor at the Item Box.
You can gather resources to craft consumables or buy them from certain villagers using in-game currency. Preparing does not require a perfect build: it means knowing the objective, having useful supplies, and choosing equipment that makes sense for the target.
Rank #3
- The debut of the new “wirebug” mechanic allows for wire-based grappling actions that can be used to scale cliffs and other hard-to-reach areas, providing new traversal and aerial attack options.
- The game will introduce magnamalo, a menacing new flagship monster, as well as other new monsters like the shape-shifting aknosom, the amphibious tetranadon, and more.
- New hunting partners called palamutes can be personalized and used to ride across the terrain, providing players with all-new traveling and attack options.
- In addition to the plethora of solo and multiplayer quests, the immersive story mode will task aspiring hunters with discovering the secrets behind the puzzling “rampage” events that threaten kamura village.
- Play solo, or join up to three other hunters in local or online co-op play. The Nintendo Switch system also allows for hunting anywhere, anytime and with anyone!
How to choose and upgrade early equipment
Armor consists of five pieces and provides defense, elemental resistance, and other stats. Choose with the hunt and your play style in mind. For example, fire resistance can be useful against a fire-breathing monster. Hunter’s Notes help you identify relevant target information; use it to decide whether a particular defense or resistance is worth prioritizing.
Hunt rewards provide materials for creating and upgrading weapons and armor, as well as selecting skills. At the Smithy, weapons and armor can be forged or upgraded using money and specified materials. Armor can also be improved with Armor Spheres and money; this increases its protection without changing its appearance. These systems let you respond to what is giving you trouble, but there is no established universal early-game set or upgrade schedule. Try a weapon, learn what the target threatens, and improve the gear that addresses your needs.
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