The age-old question: Lance or Gunlance? While the Lance offers superior defensive options with its counterattack and charging mobility, the Gunlance brings the boom. It’s an offensive powerhouse boasting combos that can dish out insane damage and the blissful ability to ignore monster’s hardened parts. Forget weak spots; the Gunlance laughs in the face of armor.
Gunlance shelling combo example; ignoring monster’s hardened parts.
Unlike many games, Monster Hunter World (and subsequent titles) doesn’t have a dedicated “taunt” mechanic for prolonged aggro. So, neither Lance nor Gunlance should be played as a constant blocker. Instead, their defensive capabilities serve as a means to stick to the monster, relentlessly applying DPS. Think of it as controlled aggression.
The skill floor for both weapons is relatively equal, but their playstyles diverge significantly. The Lance is arguably less demanding in terms of gear skills, making it easier to maximize its potential early on. However, the Gunlance, while requiring more specialized builds, rewards dedicated hunters with unparalleled offensive pressure.
Let’s talk about ignoring those hardened parts. The Gunlance’s shelling attacks bypass a monster’s defenses, dealing consistent damage regardless of hitzone values. This is HUGE. No more bouncing off faces or desperately searching for that tiny, vulnerable spot. Just point, shoot, and watch the damage numbers climb. This is particularly effective against monsters with tough hides, like Bazelgeuse or Uragaan.
Gunlancing Bazelgeuse; blasting away the scales.
There are three shelling types: Normal, Wide, and Long. Each has a different playstyle. Normal benefits from Full Burst combos, unloading all your shells at once for massive damage. Wide focuses on charged shells, offering a balance of damage and mobility. Long excels at shelling range and boasts powerful Wyrmstake Cannon attacks.
However, let’s not forget that other weapons can block too! Heavy Bowguns with shields can be surprisingly effective tanks, and Charge Blades and Sword & Shields are also very capable defensive options. But if you want to unleash explosive fury and stand toe-to-toe with behemoths, the Gunlance is your weapon of choice.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to experiment. Head to the training area, grab a Lance and a Gunlance, and see which one clicks with your playstyle. But if you’re looking for a weapon that’s both satisfyingly destructive and surprisingly strategic, give the Gunlance a shot. You might just become addicted to the boom.
