How to change primary & secondary weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds

One of Monster Hunter Wilds‘ biggest new features is the ability to switch between primary and secondary weapons, so here’s how to change them.

Monster Hunter Wilds players are free to mix and match any weapon pairing they desire. Not only is this feature useful if you’re struggling against tough monsters like Arkveld, but it’s also a great way to increase your damage.

As Wilds wastes no time in throwing in-game tutorials and primers at the player in the first few hours, it’s easy to miss how you set your primary and secondary weapons. So, whether you’re looking to use powerful combos like Long Sword and Hunting Horn, we have you covered.

How to set primary and secondary weapons

1. Visit Gemma the Smithy in any camp.
2. Use RB (Gamepad) or E (M&KB) to select the Equipment Menu.
3. Select Change Equipment.
4. Choose your desired primary and secondary weapons.

Accessing the Equipment Menu

Gemma serves as Monster Hunter Wilds’ Smithy, providing numerous services from crafting and upgrading gear to being a one-stop shop for all your customization needs.

Gemma can be found in every major camp, and you’ll need to visit her to adjust your loadout. Upon speaking to her, tab over to the Equipment Menu (RB or E) and select Change Equipment.

Changing equipment

Here, you’ll be presented with an overview of your character’s current gear and be able to set which weapons you want as your primary and secondary. These can be swapped during missions by mounting your Seikret and pressing left on the D-Pad/X.

Which secondary weapon should you use?

The answer, somewhat predictably, is that it depends, but a good rule of thumb to follow is that you should deploy with a melee and ranged weapon to cover all of your bases. Several Brute Wyverns are a nightmare to hit consistently with the former, so Bows or Bowguns will be your best friend in such situations

Alternatively, consider packing one slow, hard-hitting weapon, such as the Gunlance or Hammer, with swifter options such as Dual Blades or the Insect Glaive, which is another solid choice. This will give you great coverage when it comes to taking down faster monsters like Rey Dau.

Looking for more Monster Hunter Wilds content? Be sure to check out every wyvern in the game via our monster roster hub and the best weapons you should be using.