Knowing how to change weapons in Monster Hunter Now quickly is one of the most useful skills you can pick up as a Hunter. Switching your loadout mid-hunt lets you exploit a monster’s elemental weakness, swap into a defensive stance when things get rough, or simply try a weapon type that better fits your playstyle. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how weapon switching works, which weapons you can unlock and when, and a few practical tips for choosing the right weapon before your next encounter.
How to Switch Weapons in Monster Hunter Now
Changing your weapon in Monster Hunter Now only takes a single tap. Look for the Weapon Icon at the bottom of your screen — tapping it opens your available arsenal, letting you switch between weapon types on the fly. This makes it easy to adapt to whatever monster you’re about to face, whether you need more mobility, heavier damage, or a stronger defensive option.
Before confronting a formidable monster, Hunters have the flexibility to switch weapons based on personal preference or the specific fight ahead. Tapping the Weapon Icon lets you select your weapon of choice, ensuring you’re properly equipped before the encounter begins — there’s no need to finish a hunt or return to camp first.
Weapon Types and How to Unlock Them
Weapon variety is a core part of the Monster Hunter series, and Monster Hunter Now is no exception. New weapon types unlock as you progress through the game’s story chapters, giving you more tools to adapt your strategy over time.
Unlocking the Great Sword (Chapter 2-2)
Completing Chapter 2-2 grants Hunters access to the Great Sword. This heavy weapon type lets you absorb damage from standard attacks, execute blocking maneuvers, and retaliate with powerful counterattacks — making it a sturdy option for players who prefer a defensive, high-impact playstyle over pure speed.
More Weapons After Chapter 3-1
Once you finish Chapter 3-1, additional weapon types become available. However, upgrading and strengthening these weapons requires you to keep progressing through the game and defeat higher-star monster spawns, which unlock the higher-rarity weapon materials needed for meaningful upgrades.
Tips for Choosing the Right Weapon
- Match the weapon to the monster’s weakness. Some monsters take extra damage from specific elements or attack types, so switching weapons before a hunt can significantly cut down fight time.
- Keep a defensive option unlocked. The Great Sword’s blocking and counterattack ability is especially useful against monsters with heavy-hitting attacks.
- Upgrade before you switch permanently. A newly unlocked weapon at its base rarity may perform worse than a fully upgraded weapon you already own — check your materials before committing to a new main weapon.
Keep Exploring the Monster Hunter Universe
If you’re enjoying Monster Hunter Now and want a look at where the franchise is headed next, check out our Game Preview: Monster Hunter Wild – The Evolution of Monster Hunting for a breakdown of the biomes, monster AI, and multiplayer improvements coming to the series.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to change weapons in Monster Hunter Now gives you far more flexibility in how you approach every hunt. Tap the Weapon Icon to switch instantly, unlock the Great Sword after Chapter 2-2, and keep progressing past Chapter 3-1 to expand your arsenal even further. With the right weapon equipped for each encounter, you’ll take down monsters faster and with far less risk to your Hunter.
This article was updated on September 10, 2026 to keep the information accurate and relevant.
