Weapon variety is essential to the hunting experience of the Monster Hunter series, and a new weapon type could offer something the other 14 types can't. Although Monster Hunter Rise doesn’t add any new weapon types to the series, there is potential for a new one through the rumored but anticipated Iceborne-sized DLC expansion, presumably titled Monster Hunter Rise G. With combat more fluid than ever before, Rise could be the perfect time to introduce a new weapon. Luckily, the series has several weapons from spin-off games and concept art to chose from.
Capcom has not officially said an expansion is in the works for Monster Hunter Rise, but the leak the company suffered in November 2020 has a listing for Monster Hunter Rise G. Monster Hunter has also had an expansion for every mainline game in the series since the original. These expansions typically add new monsters, locations and mechanics, as seen in Iceborne. However, the expansions have not added new weapon types before, but that could change.
Monster Hunter originally started with six weapon types: Great Sword, Sword and Shield, Hammer, Lance, Heavy Bowgun and Light Bowgun. Dual Blades were added in the Western release of Monster Hunter and later normalized with the introduction of the Bow, Gunlance, Long Sword and Hunting Horn in Monster Hunter Dos. Monster Hunter Tri introduced the Switch Axe, the first morphing weapon in the series, and the discontinued Medium Bowgun. Another morphing weapon, the Charge Blade, and the Insect Glaive debuted in Monster Hunter 4. Since MH4, though, no new weapon types have been introduced to the main series.
Monster Hunter Weapon Types Explained
Three weapons have not made their official debut in a mainline title, existing only in the spin-offs. Those weapons are the Tonfas, the Accel Axe, and the Magnet Spike. Tonfas and Magnet Spike come from the Monster Hunter Frontier series, which never made an official release in the West. The Accel Axe was introduced in the mobile game Monster Hunter Explore. There are also concepts for two weapons that could have been in Monster Hunter Generations. However, only one had its features implemented in future titles. Some fans have wanted at least one of the weapons to make it to the main games or a new weapon type in general.
Possible Monster Hunter Rise DLC Weapon - Tonfas
Before the Insect Glaive and Kinsect took to the skies, Tonfas were the first aerial capable weapon introduced to the series in Monster Hunter Frontier G Genuine. Tonfas, similar to dual blades, are two-handed weapons held in each hand that deal impact damage. Lacking in force, Tonfas make up in speed with built-in propulsion systems similar to Insect Glaives. The weapon uses propulsion for dodging and propelling monster hunters into the air for airborne attacks. Additionally, Tonfas have two modes, normal and short.
Normal mode deals standard impact damage and comes with special attacks on the ground and in the air. Short mode reverses the impact zone damage (the weakest parts of the monster are the hardest and vice versa) and enables a flying kick attack in mid-air to extend air time. It also has a built-in damage booster with a Long Sword-style gauge. Tonfas, in conjunction with Wirebugs, would be a perfect addition to take advantage of the faster style of play in Monster Hunter Rise.
Possible Monsterr Hunter Rise DLC Weapon - Magnet Spike
Introduced in Monster Hunter Frontier Z Zenith, the Magnet Spike, like the Switch Axe and Charge Blade, has two modes: slashing and Impact. Slashing mode works like a bulky half-ring blade (like Tifa from Soul Caliber), and Impact mode morphs it into a giant war hammer that does impact damage. Impact mode is considerably slower than the Slashing mode but hits extremely hard to make up for it. Hallmarks of the Magnet Spike are the Impact mode’s German suplex attack (which has the hunter suplex the weapon into the monster) and magnetic dash abilities thanks to its phials. A fully magnetized monster can be bound with a powerful magnetic force, setting up a damaging finishing move. Tweaks to the weapon’s movements and streamlining, the magnetic function could let the Magnet Spike slot perfectly with Monster Hunter Rise.
Possible Monster Hunter Rise DLC Weapon - Accel Axe
Take the Wyvern Ignition Great Sword from Monster Hunter World, give it a Valstraxx booster, and the result is the Accel Axe. Two parts engine, one part Greataxe, the Accel Axe is capable of hard-hitting offense thanks to the engine within the weapon. Like the Switch Axe, a charge gauge can activate a Full Accel Mode, allowing the hunter to perform faster, broader range attacks. Accel Axe can also boost hunters across the battlefield and into the air to perform aerial attacks.
Once airborne, a spinning attack can be performed, resulting in a giant impact on the ground. While it is versatile, the Accel Axe would need to streamline its mechanics before it can fit in Monster Hunter Rise. Attaching a phial system to the axe for different elemental effects or turning Full Accel Mode into a version of Demon Dance could work well. If done right, the Accel Axe could give the Great Sword a run for its money in terms of raw damage output.
Possible Monster Hunter Rise DLC Weapon - The Wyvern Boomerang
As reported by Siliconera, concept art for Monster Hunter Generations had two ideas for weapons: the Hunting Hound and the Wyvern Boomerang. While it seems Capcom reworked the ideas for the Hunting Hound into the Palamutes of Rise, the Wyvern Boomerang had full combos sketched out. The sketches of the weapon resemble the Magnet Spike’s Slashing mode but much thinner and played a little like the Prowler class in Generations. As its name implies, the Wyvern Boomerang could be thrown at a monster and caught, but its main combos were slashing attacks. Interestingly, the hunter would also have gauntlets to punch the Boomerang back at the monster or hit it with blunt punching attacks. A ranged hybrid weapon like this opens up possibilities for playstyle variety and combinations with different elementals.
Will There Be a 15th Weapon In Monster Hunter Rise G?
Monster Hunter Rise looks to have a lot more content on the way based on what the first title update brought and another already on the horizon. A new weapon type could add even more longevity to a game that has hours of content already. However, whether or not Capcom would add a new weapon for Rise is interesting. Iceborne introduced new weapon mechanics and the Clutch Claw, which means a new weapon for Rise G is possible.
Source: Siliconera