Lance

Learn to wield the defensive and versatile Lance in Monster Hunter Generations! Discover its pros, cons, controls, and the best styles like Guild, Striker, Aerial, and Adept.

Alright, let's talk about the Lance in Monster Hunter Generations! This weapon is like the ultimate defensive powerhouse, but don't let that fool you – it's got some serious offensive potential too. You've got the lance itself, which is super precise and has great reach, and then there's that massive shield. Seriously, this shield can block hits that would send other weapons flying. You can use that shield to punish monsters right after they attack, or use your unique backhop to weave around them like a dancer. It's all about poking and prodding, but with a ton of safety!

Here's a quick rundown of what makes the Lance tick:

Pros	Cons
One of the heaviest shields in the game	When unsheathed, you walk very slowly
Deals damage that the monster is weakest to (e.g. if a monster part is weakest to impact, the Lance inflicts the amount of damage an impact weapon would, as cutting damage)	You lose the forward evasive roll in favor of a backwards hop
Impressive vertical reach and quick, easy combos	The weapon is very precise and so it is surprisingly easy to miss your target

Let's break down the controls for the Guild Style, which is a good starting point:

Controls	Attack (Guild Style)
X	Middle-range poke, can be chained three times
A	High-range poke, can be chained three times
X+A	Sweeps horizontally across the area in front of you
R	Use your shield to guard
R+A	Successfully block an attack and then counterpoke the monster
R+X	Use while moving to lunge forward
R+X+A	Forward charge. End with B, or B+X for a jump attack, or X for a finishing blow
B	Evasive backhop

Guild Style is all about the 'rule of three.' Your X and A attacks can be chained up to three times. After that, you can backhop or sidehop and keep poking. This leads to some surprisingly fast combos for such a heavy weapon. You can go for a 'guard lancing' style, using your shield to block and then counter, or 'evasive lancing,' focusing on quick sidesteps and their invincibility frames. You can equip two Hunting Arts, so pick what fits your vibe!

Striker Style is a bit of a trade-off. You lose the side sweep and the ability to change direction or jump during a charge. The last hit of a three-hit combo is also different. But here's the big win: you can equip THREE Hunting Arts! This opens up a ton of powerful damaging arts. Plus, if you charge and finish with the regular X finisher, it hits way harder than in Guild Style. It's a solid choice if you want to go all-in on Hunting Arts.

Aerial Style is for the aggressive players. Instead of a backhop, you get an evasive somersault. You can vault onto monsters after a ground combo for another 3-hit combo! You get your jumping dash attack back, and generally, you're much more versatile in the air. Just be careful – pokes from the air have a really narrow range, so aim is key. You only get one Hunting Art here, so choose wisely.

Adept Style is for the precise players. You lose the counterpoke attack, but gain the 'Perfect Guard.' If you guard at the exact right moment while standing still, you can unleash a powerful 2-hit counterattack that's almost as strong as a full 3-hit combo! This can immediately chain into your normal 3-hit combo. This style is amazing for 'guard lancers' because you can chain these Perfect Guards, and you won't get knocked back. It requires a good understanding of monster attack patterns, though!

When it comes to skills, here's what I'd recommend:

• For Guard lancers, definitely grab Guard +1/+2 to make that shield even tougher.
• Evasive lancers should look for Evasion +1/+2 to help with dodging.
• If you're going for Aerial Style, Airborne is a must-have.
• Honestly, just having Guard or Evasion skills will make a huge difference no matter your playstyle.
• Quick Sheathe is a nice bonus since the Lance can feel a bit slow to put away.

And don't forget the general Blademaster skills! Things like Sharpness +1/+2, Mind's Eye, and Razor Sharp are always great for keeping your damage up and preventing your attacks from bouncing off tough monster parts. Any skills that boost your Attack power are also super helpful if you can fit them in.