Monster Hunter Stories 3 (MHS3)

Best Weapons

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Last updated on: March 21, 2026 06:06 AM

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This is a list of the best weapons in Monster Hunter Stories 3 (MHS 3). Learn which weapons are the best among the 6 weapon types at all stages of the game.

Weapon Pages
All Weapons	Best Weapons

List of Contents

Best Early Game Weapons
Best Mid Game Weapons
Best End Game Weapons
Related Guides

Best Early Game Weapons

Early Game

Mid Game

End Game

Note that all weapons mentioned in this section must only have materials available up until the second region, Canalta Timberland

Best Early Game Greatswords

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Lagiacrus Blade - High Burst Damage

Decent wyvernfell, high attack, and has a charge burst that lets you regain stamina on Charge which you want to do anyway so it makes charging even better. Naturally comes with a deco slot as well for further modification.

It can be crafted by obtaining Lagiacrus materials. Its egg can be obtained by repelling Invasive Plesioth in the cave to the north connecting to the ocean in the Mirror Lake region.

Valykrie Blade - Consistent Damage and AoE Options

Has high damage and decent Wyvernfell damage. It has a much more consistent damage by relying on Charged Tackles while having AoE options for regular monsters.

Its unlocked after obtaining Rathian materials which will start appearing after Habitat Restoration in the Sunpetal Plains.

Best Early Game Long Swords

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Blood Cry - Highest Attack and Follow-Up Counter Damage

The Blood Cry has the highest attack among all Long Swords in the early game. It naturally comes with 1 decoration slot too which is perfect for slotting in Lunging Strike to give you two follow up options, either as a counter stance for multi enemy fights or to provide extra damage to ally hits. All of these follow ups gets amplified by Counter Boost to further.

Blood Cry is an equipment made from Nerscylla which can be found in the Sunpetal Plains of Azuria.

Best Early Game Hammers

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Venom Monster - Chaser Skills for Consistent DPS

Venom Monster is one of the best early game hammer thanks to its high Wyvernfell damage. Not only that, while the enemy is toppled, it leaves them for free damage which you can use to also apply status ailments and debuffs which Venom Monster can capitalize on further thanks to its Debuff Chaser skill and Omni Chaser.

Its a Gypceros weapon and they can be hunted in the Sunpetal Plains.

Ludroth Splashhammer - Best Topple-Focused Hammer

If you only want to focus on actually toppling the monster, Ludroth Splashhamer is an alternative hammer of choice. It loses the two chaser abilities but in exchange, it naturally has Windmill Bash to further damage the enemy's Wyvernsoul. This results in more topples in exchange of less upfront damage.

It requires a Ludroth's part and they can be found on the aquatic area in Sunpetal Plains.

Best Early Game Hunting Horns

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Magia Charm - Healing Horn

The Magia Charm hunting horn is the best hunting horn if you're looking for restorative effects. It can provide defense, evasion, status immunity, and regen all without relying on melodies. Its melody effect further emphasizes the weapon's healing capability as its 4 melody effect activates Pulsing Melody that restores a heart.

The Magia Charm can be obtained by returning to the Ashen Pass and is found in a treasure chest.

Poison Capri - General Purpose Hunting Horn

Poison Capri is a Hunting Horn that's perfect to bring if you want a support weapon that can provide most buffs you need in different situations. It can provide attack, defense, stamina regen, and status ailment affliction bonuses.

Its a Gypceros weapon and they are initially found in the Sunpetal Plain region in Azuria.

Best Early Game Bow

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Seahorse Harp - Highest DPS Bow

Seahorse Harp has the best charge curve thanks to its Deft Hands passive. This lets you reach charge level 5 in 3 actions and getting access to Aerial Aim with a Power Coating for high burst damage.

The Seahorse Harp can be found south east of Azura in a treasure chest.

Spongia Bow - Highest Wyvernfell Damage Bow

Spongia Bow has the highest wyvernfell damage while also possessing the ability to use Exhaust Coating which further boosts Wyvernsoul damage. This lets you topple monsters extremely fast and even start topple chains in favorable battles.

Its a Ludroth weapon which can be found on the swamp area east of the Sunpetal Plain area.

Best Early Game Gunlances

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Hard Hitter - Tank-Focused Gunlance

Natural access to taunt and Guard Reload gives you a huge amount of survivability and control over the enemy's RNG. Charged Shelling also has a lot of damage and its shelling consumption is easily managed by Guard Reload which completes a cycle of reloading ammo and firing it off. Only downside is its high stamina so attacking is needed.

Gypceros Materials are needed for the weapon and they are commonly found in the central and southern parts of Sunpetal Plains.

Lagia Burst - Head-to-Head Focused Gunlance

Another weapon that can control RNG. Single Combat lets you capitalize on fighting Head-to-Heads and mastering enemy patterns can give this weapon a huge edge over other weapons currently accessible in the game. While regenerating stamina, it can also hasten Wyvern's Fire's overheat via Hail Cutter that gives you a lot of control over the weapon's mechanics.

Lagiacrus must be released to the wild via Habitat Restoration and their egg can be obtained by fending off an Invasive Plesioth at the northern cavern in Mirror Lake.

Best Mid Game Weapons

Early Game

Mid Game

End Game

Note that all weapons mentioned in this section must only have materials available up until the third region, Tarkuan.

Best Mid Game Great Sword

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Scorching Blazer - Highest Attack

Scorching Blazer Stats
Scorching Blazer has a significant spike in attack, and also provides stamina upon using Charge. Its fire attribute is useful for the Almudron fight at the beginning of the Chapter 3 Main Story.

Additionally, it is relatively easy to obtain since it only requires materials from the Glavenus.

Best Mid Game Long Sword

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Wyvern Blade Verde - Accessible Powerful Counters

Wyvern Blade Verde Stats
Wyvern Blade Verde at Level 2 undergoes a high spike in its attack stat. It is also one of the easiest to obtain in the mid game since it only requires materials from the Rathian and Rakna-Kadaki, which can be found relatively early on.

Plesioth Splasher - Water Damage Alternative

Plesioth Splasher Stats
Plesioth Splasher is a solid water damage alternative since there are limited water based weapons, and its Lunge Stance provides high damage.

Additionally, it is easy to craft and level up since it only requires materials from the Plesioth in Mirror Lake of Azuria.

Best Mid Game Hammer

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Shell Hammer - Highest Wyvernfell

Shell Hammer Stats
Aside from having a good attack stat, Shell Hammer has the highest Wyvernfell stat in the mid game. It also has the Soulbreak buff, which can increase your damage on broken monster parts.

It only requires materials from Gravios, which can be found in Rococo Rocks, Tarkuan.

Rosenhammer - Fire Damage Alternative

Rosenhammer Stats
Rosenhammer is a good alternative for Shell Hammer as they both have the fire attribute, AoE damage, and high single-target damage.

It requires materials from the Espinas, which is a monstie you will likely want to get in Bountiful Dunes, Tarkuan.

Best Mid Game Hunting Horn

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Magia Charm - Consistent Healing Horn

Magia Charm Stats
The Magia Charm hunting horn is the still the best Hunting Horn in the mid game. Its effect that restores hearts can still comfortably carry you through the main story bosses.

Best Mid Game Bow

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Arko Nulo White - Accessible High DPS Bow

Arko Nulo White Stats
Arko Nulo White has high DPS at Level 3, and requires very simple materials to craft. Additionally, Paralysis Coating is especially useful to buy yourself more time to charge up bigger attacks.

Type 64 Multibow - Water Based Debuff Bow

Type 64 Multibow Stats
The Type 64 Multibow is a great alternative for when the monster you are fighting is weak to water. Additionally, it also has the Accuracy Down skill, which can help stall the fight when setting up a big attack.

Additionally, it only requires materials from the Nibelsnarf, which are quite common and easy to get in Bountiful Dunes, Tarkuan.

Best Mid Game Gunlance

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

White Gunlance - Guard-Focused Gunlance

White Gunlance Stats
The White Gunlance has a natural affinity for more defense-oriented skill for when you need more survivability. It grants can grant Guard, and can recover HP after guarding.

The materials needed to craft it comes from Gravios, found in Rococo Rocks, Tarkuan.

Best End Game Weapons

Early Game

Mid Game

End Game

Note that all weapons mentioned in this section must only have materials available up until the fourth region, Serathis

Best End Game Great Sword

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Veldian Gladius - Highest Dragon Damage

Veldian Gladius Stats
With many of the end game bosses being weak to dragon damage, Veldian Gladius has one of the highest dragon attack stats, and also comes with Attack Up and 5 Stamina when using Charge.

However, it can be tricky to acquire since its material comes from Arkveld.

Best End Game Long Sword

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Reaver Cruelty - Consistent Spirit Gauge

Reaver Cruelty Stats
Reaver Cruelty has a skill that provides a chance to avoid recuding your Spirit Gauge during Special Sheathe. Aside from that, it also has one of the highest dragon attack stat, and is also relatively accessible since it only requires materials from Deviljho.

Best End Game Hammer

Greatsword	Longsword	Hammer
Hunting	Bow	Gunlance

Veldian Malleus - High Wyvernsoul Damage

Veldian Malleus Stats
While also having a high attack stat, Veldian Malleus also has the Soulbreak skill, which greatly increases damage on broken parts. This synergizes well when paired with setups that improve monster part damage.

However, it can be tricky to acquire since its material comes from Arkveld.