There are eight weapons in Wild Hearts, most of which are of the melee variety, but there are some excellent ranged options as well. Each armament has its own unique peculiarities and idiosyncracies, and thus choosing the best weapon heavily depends on your personal taste and playstyle.
Here you will find a tier list of the best weapons in Wild Hearts, including some of their most powerful moves and combos.
S-Tier Weapons
Maul
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Pummel.
- Range: Close.
Hunting Kemono is not an easy job, especially when you face some of the larger ones. That’s where the Maul becomes your best friend. This close to release, it currently delivers the heaviest and most damaging blows of all melee weapons in the game.
Its best combos are Extended Smash Bursts, which utilize moves like Pound, Jumping Pummel, and Extended Maul Helve. If your timing is right, and you combine these three moves, you’ll be able to not only deal large amounts of damage but also cancel your attacks if you suddenly need to reposition during the fight.
Bow
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Lunge.
- Range: Long.
The Bow is an incredibly versatile and powerful weapon, but it is hard to master. Beginners may have to practice quite a bit to get the best results from it.
It is also important to always keep in mind which of the two stances you’re using in your current situation. For example, if you’re confident you can deal lots of damage, then use Otoya Stance for a Resonant combo with the Full Bolster and Full Draw moves, or use a Shockwave combo with the Crate move that allows you to shoot from the air.
If you need to reposition or defend yourself, then switch to Haya Stance with moves like Rapid Burst and Volley.
A-Tier Weapons
Karakuri Staff
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Various.
- Range: Mid.
The Karakuri Staff is definitely the most unique weapon in Wild Hearts, being able to transform into five different weapons, including Long Staff, Twin Fang, War Pike, Giant Shuriken, and Juggernaut Blade.
The most powerful of the five weapons is Juggernaut Blade, which is similar to Maul or Nodachi. It is a heavy-bladed weapon that deals high damage.
But the best results come from dealing damage right after it transforms. To achieve this effect, perform the first two attack combos and then activate Special Attack to transform the Karakuri Staff while dealing damage.
Bladed Wagasa
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Lunge.
- Range: Close.
Bladed Wagasa is the only weapon in the game with the Parry mechanic and Dodge combos.
Its best moveset is the Spindance Attack, which allows you to deal a series of very strong slashing attacks in quick succession by simply pressing the attack button five times in a row.
Also, pay attention to its weapon gauge, and make sure that it is as full as possible, as it determines how many strikes your weapon deals during a combo.
Nodachi
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Slash.
- Range: Close.
Nodachi can be a great alternative to the Maul weapon, which is just as heavy and requires proper attack timing.
To achieve the highest possible damage with Nodachi, activate the Iai Stance by pressing the “F” key on PC or RT/R2 on consoles. The longer you hold this stance, the more your Valor gauge fills, which results in some absolutely devastating damage from a single hit.
B-Tier Weapons
Cannon
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Explosive.
- Range: Long.
This is the only other ranged weapon in Wild Hearts, but it is a bit clumsier than the Bow.
Of course, its damage is fantastic, and its long-range capabilities allow you to shoot Kemono at a relatively safe distance. However, you must constantly be aware of its Charge and Heat gauges.
If you keep shooting, the Charge gauge will deplete, and the Heat gauge will fill quickly, rendering the weapon useless for a period of time before it cools down and recharges.
Karakuri Katana
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Slash.
- Range: Close.
The Katana is a decent, beginner-friendly melee weapon that has some good and easy-to-execute combos.
The most powerful move you can perform with Karakuri Katana involves entering the Unleashed State, then executing a Special Attack with a full weapon gauge. Other than that, there isn’t much to this weapon.
Clawblade
Image via Electronic Arts
- Damage type: Pierce.
- Range: Mid.
The Clawblade is the only weapon besides Bladed Wagasa that lets you to perform aerial attacks, but there is no parrying option with this weapon.
These claws-on-wires can reach even further once you’re in the air. If you manage to rotate while performing its Special Attack, then you’ll deliver the strongest blow to Kemono possible with this type of weapon. But in comparison to other weapons in the game, Clawblade is still quite weak.
Those are the best weapons in Wild Hearts. Also, check out our official Wild Hearts review, and stay tuned for more Wild Hearts tips and tricks articles.
Featured image via Electronic Arts.
