The Gunlance and its regular variant are unique weapons in the Monster Hunter Wilds arsenal which are more suited to tanking and defence than just about anything else.
Behind its stout tower shield, the Gunlance can repel some of or even fully negate the damage of even the most devastating monster attacks. But its real quirk is that it can do so while simultaneously returning the favour with deceptively powerful poke and prodding combos which transition into ferocious slams and explosive finishers.
To stop it from being wildly overpowered, the Gunlance is balanced by being extremely slow and more than a little bit clunky to wield. But, if you can negate that drawback somewhat with Skills and practice, it’s definitely one of the best weapons on offer in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Monster Hunter Wilds Gunlance Guide
Gunlance Combos
Despite its defensive mettle, the Gunlance can dish out some serious damage when used correctly.
Basically, your favourite move will be to hold R2 and hit Triangle to poke a monster with a Guard Thrust Combo. This lets you deal a not insignificant amount of damage from the relative safety of behind your shield.
Because of the Gunlance’s limited mobility, you will need to use the Lunging Upthrust to cover distance, which I like to combo into an Overhead Slam by pressing Triangle and Circle at the same time after the Thrust.
With these regular combos, you should find that monsters get knocked down and rendered vulnerable relatively often. When this happens, you have the chance to line up a Wyvern’s Fire attack by holding R2, Triangle and Circle at the same time. This deals a massive amount of damage and regularly breaks parts on its own.
Remember to check regularly for wounds to break as well, which will help you to knock down monsters more consistently.
You can see how many charges of Wyvern’s Fire you have left in the top left-hand corner of your screen, and these will recharge over time.
The flow of combat goes something like this:
- Close distance with a Lunging Upthrust (Forward + Triangle)
- Combo into an Overhead Smash (Triangle + Circle at the same time), then a Wide Sweep (Triangle)
- If not in danger: go into either the Wyrmstake Cannon Combo (Triangle four times), or the Wyrmstake Full Blase Combo which starts with a Shelling (Circle), then a Lunging Uptrust (Forward + Triangle), then a modified Wyrmstake Full Blast (Triangle + Circle at the same time) and a Multi Full Blast (Triangle or Circle after first Full Blast)
- Remember to Reload (R2 + Circle) after you’ve hit
- If you’re in danger of getting hit by the monster: Hold R2 and mash Triangle to do a Guard Thrust Combo
- When a monster is knocked down: Press R2 + Triangle + Circle at the same time to unleash a Wyvern’s Fire finisher
- Check for wounds regularly by holding L2 and hit R1 to break them
Monster Hunter Wilds Gunlance Builds
While the main story of Monster Hunter Wilds is essentially an extended tutorial, it’s never too early to think about how the different Skills fit together and make the most out of set bonuses.
With the Gunlance specifically, incorporating at least some of the parts from these early game builds can also really help you get to grips with what is a really tough weapon to master – evening out some of its drawbacks so you can learn the combos more easily.
Early Game
Right at the start of the game, the Gunlance’s limited movement will probably lead to you taking hits more often that you’d like as you learn optimum distances and the limitations of your shield.
Therefore, the Quick Sheathe Skill is brilliant because it lets you stow your hulking weapon faster and use items with less hesitation. This will also let you sprint to reposition quicker, leading to a faster playstyle overall.
The Alloy helmet and legs (which are almost immediately available) have this Skill, as do the middle three parts of the Balahara set, but you can use pretty much anything else until you get to that point.
- Weapon: Quematrice Culebrina/Lala Barina Paretic Gunlance
- Helm: Alloy
- Cuirass: Balahara
- Gauntlets: Balahara
- Waist: Balahara
- Greaves: Alloy
- Talisman: Defence Talisman
Mid-game
As you get deeper into the main story, you gain access to more advanced abilities, but my favourite to use with heavier weapons is the Latent Power Skill. This, after you’ve taken a bit of damage during a hunt, buffs your attacking power via an Affinity (crit damage) boost and reduces the amount of stamina used to dodge.
By wearing 4 pieces of the Rey Dau set (which you can get from the story mission and optional request) you’re granted a set bonus which massively extends the duration of the Latent Power buff, so you’re getting the most out of your weapon for longer.
I’ve added the Hirabami waist here to reduce the ice weakness, but this is more of a free slot you can use how you wish.
- Weapon: Guardian Rathalos Albirath Rook
- Helm: Rey Dau
- Cuirass: Rey Dau
- Gauntlets: Rey Dau
- Waist: Hirabami
- Greaves: Rey Dau
- Talisman: Defence/element of monster being hunted