It can be hard to know which of the 14 weapon types will match your play style in Monster Hunter Rise. Each one has a different fighting style as well as unique advantages and disadvantages. If you're the kind of player who's willing to take risks for the chance of a big payoff, then you should consider the Lance. It has the ability to absorb incoming attacks, leading to powerful counterattacks.
In this guide, I'll go over the Lance's controls, Silkbind Attacks, and recommended builds to help you make the most out of your hunting sessions. In no time, you'll see just why Monster Hunter Rise is one of the best Nintendo Switch games you can play.
Monster Hunter Rise Lance fighting style
With it's long size and accompanying shield, the Lance is a great defensive weapon perfect for blocking attacks and pulling off counterattacks. Instead of swinging like a sword, the Lance is thrust forward and can land charge attacks with multiple hits.
Monster Hunter Rise Lance controls
| Controls | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| X | Mid Thrust | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| A | Hight Thrust | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| X + A | Wide Sweep | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
| ZR + L Joystick + X | Guard Dash | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
| ZR + X + A | Dash Attack | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
| ZR + A | Counter-thrust | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
| ZR | Guard | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
- Charged Wide Sweep: Builds up power as you hold down the buttons. Release both buttons to unleash a devastating Charged Wide Sweep.
- Counter-thrust: Blocking an attack by holding ZR will result in an automatic counterattack. Quickly press ZR for a Cancel Trhust.
- Power Guard: Press ZR + B while charging Counter-thrust or during guard reactions to activate Power Guard. Your stamina will deplete as long as your shield is readied, but stun time from guarding will be greatly reduced until your stamina runs out, allowing tou to swiftly counter-attack.
- Twin Vine: A Silkbind attack that jabs a kunai into the target to get its attention. Pressing ZL + B while the kunai is still lodged into the target will launch you towards it while guarding (Wirebug Guage costs: 2)
- Anchor Rage: A Silkbind attack that makes it so attacks absorbed while your shield is up temporarily boost your attack power. The strength of the boost depends on the power of the attack absorbed.
Monster Hunter Rise Lance combos
| Combos | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| X, X, X, B | Basic Combo: Mid Thrust I > Mid Thrust II > Mid Thrust III > Backstep | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| ZR + L Joystick + X, A, X, X | Closing Attacks while Guarding: Guard Dash > Leaping Thrust > Mid Thrust II > Mid Thrust III | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| ZR + A, A, A, ZR + A | Endless Thrusting Combo: Cancel Thrust > High Thrust I > High Thrust II > Cancel Thrust | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Monster Hunter Rise Lance Silkbind Attacks
| Silkbind Attacks | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| ZL + X | Twin Vine: A Silkbind attack that jabs a kunai into the target to get its attention. Pressing ZL + B while the kunai is still lodged into the target will launch you towards it while guarding (Wirebug Guage costs: 2) | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| ZL + A | Anchor Rage: A Silkbind attack that makes it so attacks absorbed while your shield is up temporarily boost your attack power. The strength of the boost depends on the power of the attack absorbed. | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| ZL + A | Spiral Thrust: A fast manuever that uses your shield to parry then sends your thrusting the Lance forward with the help of a Wirebug. It's great for confusing prey and releasing several strikes. | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Monster Hunter Rise Lance Switch Skills
Each weapon attack in Monster Hunter Rise allows you to assign one of two skills to it, which results in different effects. Here are the Switch Skills for the Lance.
| Attack | Switch Skills |
|---|---|
| Silkbind Attack | ○ Anchor Rage: If used successfully, you'll block and absorb an incoming attack, which temporarily boosts your attack power. (Wirebug Gauge recovers at medium speed).○ Spiral Thrust: You parry with your shield then use a Wirebug to thrust forward with the Lance. It confuses the target and lets you hit several times. (Wirebug Gauge recovers at fast speed). |
| Regular Attack | ○ Dash Attack: A charge attack with the Lance where you continually gain speed. The attack ends when you cancel it, crash into a wall, or run out of stamina.○ Shield Charge: You run forward deflecting attacks with your shield. If you run into a monster, it will inflict blunt damage. |
Monster Hunter Rise Lance Best Builds
The gear you wear determines what your stats and skills are on quests. Here are the builds we think work best with the Lance.
Best Builds for 2 Star Quests
| Area | Best equipment |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Iron Lance II |
| Head | Izuchi Helm |
| Chest | Hunter's Mail |
| Arms | Alloy Vambraces |
| Waist | Chainmail Belt |
| Legs | Baggi Greaves |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 38
- Fire: -3
- Water: -2
- Thunder: -3
- Ice: 1
- Dragon: 1
- Attack Boost Lvl 2
- Critical Eye Lvl 2
- Guard Lvl 1
Best Builds for 4 Star Quests
| Area | Best equipment |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Wind Thief Lance II |
| Head | Basarios Helm |
| Chest | Basarios Mail |
| Arms | Basarios Vambraces |
| Waist | Barroth Coil |
| Legs | Kadachi Greaves |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 115
- Fire: -2
- Water: -9
- Thunder: 10
- Ice: 3
- Dragon: -8
- Guard Lvl 3
- Defense Boost Lvl 2
- Speed Sharpening Lvl 1
- Constitution Lvl 1
- Critical Eye Lvl 1
Best Builds for Endgame
| Area | Best equipment |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Sinister Shadespear |
| Head | Utsushi Mask (H) S |
| Chest | Diablos Mail S |
| Arms | Diablos Vambraces S |
| Waist | Rathalos Coil S |
| Legs | Diablos Greaves S |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 307
- Fire: 16
- Water: -1
- Thunder: -4
- Ice: -7
- Dragon: -5
- Guard Lvl 3
- Offensive Guard Lvl 3
- Attack Boost Lvl 2
- Spare Shot Lvl 2
- Razor Sharp Lvl 2
- Windproof Lvl 1
- Wirebug Whisperer Lvl 1
Monster Hunter Rise Lance Best Skills
The skills you develop really make a difference with your hunting sessions. In our experience, these are the most useful skills for the Lance.
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| Offensive Guard | This one is the most important since the Lance is so focused on Guarding. It makes it so your attack increases after a successful guard. |
| Guard Up | Makes it so you can guard against more kinds of attacks. It's crucial for the guarding abilities of the Lance. |
| Guard | Makes it so you don't use as much stamina when guarding while also decreasing the amount of damage you receive while guarding. |
| Attack Boost | As you'd guess, this increases the Lance's attack. You'll be happiest if you get it to level 4 or higher. |
Take a stab at it
The Lance offers some of the best defense and blocking in the game. If you are willing to take risks while blocking oncoming attacks you'll be able to deliver massive damage with powerful counterattacks. Just make sure to acquire equipment and upgrade skills that best compliment this fighting style.
More navigation links:
Monster Hunter Rise Lance
All Weapons
