Unlike many RPGs that lock players into a single weapon type based on their chosen class, Monster Hunter Wilds offers complete freedom in weapon selection. You are not restricted to just one set of weapons throughout the game, so you can change between different weapons at any point after the initial quest.

With so many weapons to choose from, finding the one that feels just right is all about trial and error. Once you’ve got a favorite, you’ll also want to pair it with the right armor and gear to get the most out of every hunt.

But before you charge into battle against monsters that can end you in seconds, you’ll need to know where and how to swap out your equipment. This guide will explain everything you need to know about changing weapons, armor, and useful menu options.

How to Change Equipment and Weapons

You’ll first gain the ability to change your gear after completing the first major mission, which includes a battle against Chatacabra, one of the game’s early monsters. Once you’ve finished that fight and returned to camp, follow these steps to access your Equipment Menu:

Step 1: Unlock Your Personal Tent

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1. Talk to the NPCs at camp and complete their initial dialogues.
2. Visit the Expedition Command tent, where the game will guide you through some tutorial steps.
3. Unlock your personal tent, located near the cave entrance at camp.

Step 2: Enter the Equipment Menu

1. Step into your personal tent and interact with the item box inside.
2. Select “Change Equipment” from the menu.
3. You will now see all available weapon and armor slots on your character.

Step 3: Swap Equipment

1. Click on any slot to view a list of available weapons or armor pieces.
2. Select a different weapon or armor set to equip it instantly.
3. Exit the menu, and your changes will be immediately reflected on your character.

What Equipment Can You Change?

• Weapons
• Armor
• Charms and Decorations

Important Notes on Equipment Changes

• Starter Armor Sets Are Unlocked: Regardless of what armor you picked during character creation, all starter sets (Leather, Chainmail, and Hope outfits) are now available in your inventory.
• Layered Armor is Separate: Cosmetic skins and layered armor must be equipped through the Appearance Menu, not the Equipment Menu.

Useful Features in the Equipment Menu

The Equipment Menu isn’t just for changing weapons and armor. It also offers several powerful features to help you organize and optimize your gear.

1. Creating a Loadout As you progress in Monster Hunter Wilds, your inventory will quickly fill up with dozens of weapons and armor sets. Instead of manually changing each piece every time, you can save complete builds as load-outs for quick access.

How to Save a Loadout:

• Equip your desired weapon, armor, and charms.
• Press L3/LS/Shift to open the Loadout Screen.
• Select an empty loadout slot and press Triangle/Y/R to save your current build.
• The game allows you to save up to 140 loadouts!

Why Use Loadouts?

• Quickly switch between different builds for various monster fights.
• Save elemental-specific armor sets for different environments.
  2. Checking Equipment Skills Every piece of armor and gear in Monster Hunter Wilds comes with unique skills that enhance your abilities. Some provide defensive bonuses, while others boost damage or increase elemental resistance. You can view Equipment Skills by selecting a weapon or armor piece in the Equipment Menu. Once that’s done, Rectangle/X/G to bring up a detailed skill description. The menu will show the skill name, skill Level and a short explanation of its effect.

3. Sub-Menu Options for Organization As your inventory grows, you may struggle to sort through all your gear. The sub-menu options in the Equipment Menu help you reorganize and compare items efficiently.

How to Use the Sub-Menu:

1. Press Triangle/Y/R to open the Sub-Menu.

2. From here, you can:

   • Rearrange items into a grid-style table.
   • Sort armor by series (e.g., all Rathalos gear together).
   • Show or hide weapons on your character.
   • Compare two pieces of gear side-by-side.
   • Preview armor sets before equipping them.

Why Changing Equipment Matters in Monster Hunter Wilds

Mastering the Equipment Menu is an important aspect of becoming a better hunter. Changing your gear can help you adapt to different monsters as some monsters are weak to certain weapons (e.g., Blunt damage for armored creatures). Elemental weaknesses also matter. For example, Fire weapons are effective against Ice monsters.

Changing equipment is also important as it allows multiplayer Loadout Switching. You can quickly swap to healing builds or damage builds depending on your team’s needs or customize armor sets for specific roles, such as staggering enemies or applying status effects.

It also helps in overcoming Tougher Hunts. For example, High-rank and Elder Dragon fights require precise skill and stat optimizations.

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FAQs

Can I change weapons at any time?

Yes! You can swap weapons and gear at any camp or tent in the game.

Do I lose my progress when switching weapons?

No, your character’s progression remains the same regardless of weapon choice.

Are layered armors changed in the Equipment Menu?

No, layered armor (cosmetics) must be changed in the Appearance Menu.

What happens if I forget to save a loadout?

Your equipment changes will stay active, but you won’t be able to quickly revert to a previous setup unless saved as a loadout.

Conclusion

Knowing how to change weapons and armor in Monster Hunter Wilds is crucial for success. By utilizing loadouts, checking skills, and organizing your gear, you can optimize your hunting experience and adapt to any challenge the game throws at you.