Gunlance Weapon Guide: Weapons

Explore the Gunlance in Monster Hunter Wilds. Learn its unique mechanics, gauge system, shelling types, and master powerful combos for devastating offense and defense.

The Gunlance in Monster Hunter Wilds is a unique weapon that combines the offensive capabilities of a lance with explosive shelling damage. Unlike most weapons, the Gunlance offers two distinct damage types: physical damage from its lance attacks and true damage from its shells, which bypass monster resistances. While it shares similarities with the Lance, such as a shield and lance, the Gunlance has significantly less maneuverability. However, Monster Hunter Wilds introduces new ways to close distance quickly using Shelling and Moving Widesweep, and allows for sidesteps while the shield is raised. It supports a defensive counterattack playstyle but leans more towards offense.

Weapon Gauge Explained

The Gunlance's gauge, located in the top-left corner of the screen, consists of three main parts:

• Wyvern’s Fire Gauge: Represented by two orange bullet icons, this gauge allows for powerful attacks. Once used, these must recharge.
• Wyrmstake Shot: Used for the Wyrmstake Cannon, these are recharged after a reload.
• Shells: Each icon represents a bullet for shelling attacks. The number of shells available depends on the weapon's type.

Wyvern Fire Gauge

Wyvern Fire is one of the Gunlance's strongest attacks, but it requires a lengthy charge time during which the hunter is stationary and vulnerable. This attack is best used when a monster is downed, asleep, or trapped. It can also be used during brief openings, such as when a monster is exhausted or performing a long animation. After use, Wyvern Fire slowly recharges, a process that can be sped up by attacking with shells.

Wyrmstake Shot

Wyrmstake Shot is a combo finisher that deals significant damage, though less than Wyvern Fire. A key advantage is that it can be used frequently as long as there's an opening, and its uses are replenished after a reload, eliminating the need to wait for a recharge.

Shells

Individual shells do not deal high damage, but their damage accumulates when used in rapid succession or between lance strikes. Charged Shelling allows for the firing of all shells at once after a short charge, making it effective during monster downtimes when there are no opportunities for charging during combat.

Basic Actions

Here are the basic actions and their corresponding controls:

Combos

Here are some of the Gunlance's combos: