Welcome, Riders and RPG aficionados! In this focused review, we’re diving deep into the heart of Monster Hunter Stories 2‘s combat system. Rather than covering the whole game like a traditional review, we’re zooming in on the turn-based battle mechanics and weapon performance. From kinship strategies to charge skills, we’ll evaluate each weapon type across slash, blunt, and pierce categories, followed by a full critique of the combat system itself. Let’s begin.

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Pierce-Type Weapons

Gunlance – Grade: A

The Gunlance is a hybrid offensive-defensive weapon that shines in longer battles. Its unique mechanic involves accumulating ammo charges, which can be used across various powerful skills:

• Shelling (2 ammo): Versatile and works with any attack type.
• Wyrmstake Cannon (5 ammo): Multiple hits on a single target.
• Burst Fire (8 ammo): Wide AoE attack.
• Seals (kinship-based): Can disable attack types.
• Guard & Protect: Offers significant defense and ally protection.
• Wyvern’s Fire (full kinship): Devastating all-enemy finisher.

Its ammo meter persists even when you switch weapons—a strategic bonus. Paired with its inherent defense boost, it’s a reliable, rewarding choice for tactical players.

Bow – Grade: C+

The Bow delivers high potential but is less consistent. Depending on its variant (spread, rapid, or pierce), it fills different niches:

• Charge mechanic: You must spend a turn charging before using advanced attacks.
• Elemental Coatings (kinship-based): Inflict Sleep, Poison, or Paralysis.
• Arc Shot: AoE finisher.
• Absolute Evasion: A handy dodge tool.

Though capable of great DPS or group control, its reliance on setup (charging) and RNG (status effects) makes it more situational than its pierce counterpart.

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Blunt-Type Weapons

Hunting Horn – Grade: B

This support-focused weapon offers four distinct skill sets depending on its type:

• Music: Focused on healing and status recovery.
• Tune: Provides party-wide buffs (crit chance, elemental power).
• Melody: Grants immunity to status effects.
• Song: Offers defense, item economy, and all-around boosts.

Despite lacking strong direct attacks, the Horn excels in boss encounters and co-op support. Especially powerful during midgame, it becomes more niche by late-game due to rising offensive needs.

Hammer – Grade: B-

The Hammer is all about big hits and charge levels (1–3), unlocking powerful area and single-target strikes:

• Double Swing, Meteor Hammer, Spinning Meteor, Hammer Slammer – progressively stronger attacks.
• Chaser Variants: Deal bonus damage based on enemy status.
• Absolute Evasion: Defensive fallback.

Its drawbacks are that you can only use skills at your current charge level, not below, and status-dependent Chaser boosts require planning or a support partner. Still, when set up correctly, it hits like a freight train.

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Slash-Type Weapons

Greatsword – Grade: A

The Greatsword is the game’s brute-force champion. Its combat loop is simple but highly effective:

• Charge Tackle and Charge Cut: Build up gauge.
• Charge Slash and True Wide Slash: Consume gauge for powerful attacks.
• Guard: Adds survivability.

This weapon thrives on consistency. Its lack of complexity is a strength, letting players focus entirely on reading enemies and exploiting weaknesses.

Sword & Shield – Grade: B+

The Sword & Shield is versatile and beginner-friendly. With elemental attack variants like Focus, Frost, Shock, and Dragon Seal Slashes, it adapts well to most fights:

• Guard and Counter Stance: Defensive utility.
• Naturally higher crit rates than other weapons.
• Balanced stats and accessibility make it a steady performer.

Though it lacks the highest peaks of power, it’s dependable and safe, making it a great go-to for most situations.

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Final Thoughts on the Combat System – Grade: A-

The battle system in Monster Hunter Stories 2 does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of Monster Hunter combat—through a turn-based JRPG lens. It layers mechanics like:

• Elemental and weapon-type matchups
• Targeting specific monster parts for control or loot
• Swapping Monsties mid-fight
• Double Attacks that negate enemy turns and reward prediction
• Kinship Attacks that act as powerful finishers and defensive resets
• Gene transfer and ability customization for deep party building

Its strengths lie in its flexibility and room for mastery. The only drawbacks are:

• Double Attacks are a little too strong, sometimes making skill usage feel secondary.
• Battles can drag on, though this is mitigated with 3x speed settings and field-based monster avoidance.

Overall, the combat is rich, tactical, and satisfying. It rewards preparation and clever play without ever overwhelming the player.

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Final Verdict

• Gunlance: A
• Bow: C+
• Hunting Horn: B
• Hammer: B-
• Greatsword: A
• Sword & Shield: B+
• Combat System Overall: A-

This review focused entirely on combat, but if you want more breakdowns on other systems—like Monstie optimization or late-game builds—feel free to reach out. Until then, sharpen your blades, charge your kinship, and happy hunting!