Monster Hunter Rise: Best Early Game Long Sword

What's up, hunters! So, you're diving into the vibrant world of Monster Hunter Rise and you've decided that the Long Sword is your weapon of choice. Awesome! It's a super versatile and stylish weapon that can absolutely shred through monsters if you know how to use it. But when you're just starting out, picking the right early-game Long Sword can feel like a bit of a maze. You've got a bunch of options, and you want to make sure you're not wasting your hard-earned monster bits on a clunker, right? Well, fear not, fellow gamers, because today we're going to break down the absolute best Long Swords you should be aiming for in the early stages of Monster Hunter Rise. We'll talk about why they're great, what materials you'll need, and how they'll help you conquer those first few challenging hunts. Getting a solid early-game weapon is crucial for a smooth progression, and believe me, having a good Long Sword can make all the difference between a triumphant victory and a frustrating cart. So, grab your drink, settle in, and let's get you geared up to slay some beasts with the sharpest steel!

Why Your Early Game Long Sword Matters

Alright, guys, let's talk brass tacks. Why should you even bother stressing about the best early-game Long Sword in Monster Hunter Rise? It's a fair question, especially when you're just getting your feet wet and the game throws a ton of new mechanics at you. Well, the Long Sword is a weapon that really shines when you've got decent sharpness and raw damage. In the early game, monsters hit hard, and you don't have all those fancy armor skills or high-tier decorations unlocked yet. This means your weapon's base stats are going to be doing a huge chunk of the work. A superior early game Long Sword isn't just about dealing more damage; it's about efficiency. A sharper blade means fewer bounces off monster hides, which translates to more consistent hits and less time spent getting knocked around. Think about it: every time your sword bounces, you're not only losing damage, but you're also leaving yourself open to counter-attacks. That's precious time and health you can't afford to lose when you're facing down something like an Arzuros or a Great Izuchi for the first time. Furthermore, a good early Long Sword will have enough raw power to break parts more easily, which is essential for gathering the materials you need to craft even better gear later on. It's a snowball effect, really. You use a good weapon to farm better materials, which you use to craft an even better weapon, and so on. Plus, let's be honest, landing those satisfying combos with a sharp, reliable weapon just feels good. It boosts your confidence and makes the learning curve of the Long Sword, which can be a bit steep with its Spirit Gauge mechanics, much more forgiving. So, investing a little time and a few monster parts into getting a solid early Long Sword is not just a good idea, it's practically a necessity for a smooth and enjoyable journey through the early ranks of Monster Hunter Rise. Don't underestimate the power of good foundational gear, especially when it comes to your primary weapon!

The Top Tier: Kulu Head Armor Long Sword

When we talk about the best early game Long Sword in Monster Hunter Rise, one weapon consistently rises to the top: the Kulu Head Armor. Now, you might be thinking, "Kulu Head Armor? Isn't that a bird wyvern?" And you'd be absolutely right! This weapon, crafted from the parts of the Kulu-Ya-Ku, offers an incredible balance of raw damage and sharpness that is simply unmatched in the early stages of the game. To craft the Kulu Head Armor, you'll primarily be looking for Kulu-Ya-Ku Scales, Kulu-Ya-Ku Plumes, and maybe some Monster Bone S. These are all readily available from the Kulu-Ya-Ku, which you'll encounter relatively early in your Hub Quests and Village Quests. The beauty of this Long Sword lies in its straightforward progression. You start with the Kulu Sword, which already boasts impressive raw attack power for its tier. As you upgrade it, you'll eventually unlock the Kulu Head Armor itself, which significantly boosts that attack power and often comes with a decent amount of natural white sharpness, or at least a very generous chunk of blue sharpness that's easy to maintain with the right skills. Why is this so important? Well, as we discussed, high raw damage allows you to break monster parts faster and deal more damage overall, while good sharpness ensures your attacks don't bounce and you can keep the pressure on. The Kulu Head Armor excels in both these areas without demanding incredibly rare or difficult-to-obtain materials. You won't be hunting elder dragons for this bad boy; you'll be taking down a bird wyvern you can probably master within a few hunts. This makes it incredibly accessible for new players or those just starting their Rise journey. For anyone looking for a reliable, hard-hitting, and easy-to-upgrade Long Sword to carry them through the early Low Rank quests and even into the beginning of High Rank, the Kulu Head Armor line is hands down your best bet. It provides a solid foundation for learning the Long Sword's complex combos and spirit gauge management, allowing you to focus on mastering the weapon rather than constantly worrying about your gear.

The Runner-Up: Felyne/Melynx Long Sword Line

Okay, so you've checked out the Kulu Head Armor and maybe you're looking for another solid option, or perhaps you just really like the idea of a feline-themed weapon. In that case, you'll definitely want to keep an eye on the Felyne and Melynx Long Sword line. This line is another fantastic choice for the best early game Long Sword in Monster Hunter Rise, offering a slightly different but equally valuable set of benefits. The Felyne Long Sword, and its subsequent upgrades into the Melynx Long Sword, are known for their decent raw damage output, but where they really shine is in their affinity. Affinity, as you probably know, determines your critical hit chance. A higher affinity means more frequent critical hits, which can significantly boost your overall damage output, especially as you start landing more consistent hits with the Long Sword's combo strings. To get started on this path, you'll be hunting critters like the Felyne and Melynx (obviously!), which are often found in early Palamute-focused expeditions or certain low-rank monster hunts. You'll also likely need some basic materials like Iron Ore and maybe some specific monster parts depending on the upgrade path. The advantage here is that these weapons are often very accessible early on. You can start building the Felyne Long Sword almost immediately, and its early upgrades are relatively easy to acquire. While its raw attack might not hit quite as hard as the Kulu Head Armor line in the absolute earliest stages, its potential for critical hits can make up for that difference, particularly as you get more comfortable with the Long Sword's moveset and start landing more hits. It's a great weapon for players who are already getting a feel for consistent attacking and want to leverage critical hits to maximize their damage. Plus, let's face it, wielding a weapon that looks like a giant cat's claw is pretty darn cool! The Felyne/Melynx line provides a fantastic alternative if the Kulu path doesn't appeal to you, offering a slightly different playstyle that emphasizes critical damage and has a very smooth upgrade path. It's a reliable workhorse that will serve you well through many of your initial hunts.

Honorable Mention: Minegarde Series

Now, for our honorable mention, we've got the Minegarde series, specifically the Minegarde Great Sword and its various upgrades. While technically a Great Sword, the Minegarde series often serves as a fantastic stepping stone or even a viable early-game Long Sword alternative if you're struggling to find the exact parts for the others or just want a solid, reliable weapon with a straightforward crafting path. The Minegarde series is built primarily from Iron Ore and other basic mining materials. This means that as long as you're doing your mining outcrops during hunts or in expeditions, you'll be gathering the necessary components without needing to farm specific monsters repeatedly. This accessibility is what makes the Minegarde series a true hero for many new players. Its raw attack power is generally very respectable for the early game, and while its sharpness might not be the absolute best, it's usually serviceable enough to get the job done without constant bouncing. What's great about this line is its simple, linear progression. You mine, you craft, you upgrade. There are no complex branching paths or obscure monster parts needed for its initial stages. This makes it perfect for when you just need a weapon now to take down that troublesome Rathian or Tigrex. While it might not have the flashy critical hits of the Felyne line or the balanced stats of the Kulu Head Armor, the Minegarde series provides unwavering reliability and ease of acquisition. It's the kind of weapon that lets you focus on learning the Long Sword's mechanics and the flow of combat without the added stress of hunting down rare monster parts. For any hunter who values simplicity and consistent performance in the early game, the Minegarde series is an excellent, often overlooked, choice that deserves a spot on your crafting radar. It's the dependable friend in your inventory that always gets the job done.

Crafting and Upgrading Your Early Blade

Alright, hunters, you've got your sights set on some sweet early-game Long Swords. Now let's talk about the nitty-gritty: how do you actually get these bad boys and make them even better? Crafting and upgrading your early game Long Sword in Monster Hunter Rise is a crucial step, and understanding the process will save you a lot of time and potentially some frustration. First things first, you'll need to head to the Smithy. This is your go-to NPC for all things weapon and armor related. When you access the Smithy, you'll have two main options: Craft Weapon and Upgrade Weapon. For a brand new Long Sword, you'll choose 'Craft Weapon'. You'll then navigate through the weapon tree until you find the Long Sword category. Here, you'll see all the available Long Swords you can craft based on the materials you currently possess. For example, to craft the initial Kulu Sword, you'll need specific Kulu-Ya-Ku materials like Scales and Feathers, along with some basic Iron Ore. Always keep an eye on the required materials listed – if you're missing something, you'll need to go on a hunt for it! Once crafted, your journey with that Long Sword isn't over. The 'Upgrade Weapon' option is where the magic happens for increasing its power. Each weapon has multiple upgrade tiers, and clicking on your currently equipped Long Sword will show you what its next upgrade path looks like. This usually involves more monster parts, sometimes rarer ones, and Zenny (the in-game currency). For instance, upgrading the Kulu Sword to the Kulu Head Armor will require more Kulu-Ya-Ku parts, potentially some higher-tier monster bones, and a significant amount of Zenny. Don't shy away from upgrades! Even a small increase in raw attack or sharpness can make a noticeable difference in your hunts. Pay attention to the stats that change with each upgrade. Is the raw damage going up significantly? Is the sharpness level improving? Sometimes, an upgrade might even unlock a new element or status effect, though this is less common for early-game raw-focused Long Swords. Remember, the goal is to create a powerful early game Long Sword that helps you efficiently take down monsters, gather more materials, and progress through the game. So, don't be afraid to spend your Zenny and farm those monster parts. Every upgrade is an investment in your hunting success. Keep your eyes on the Smithy, check your material inventory regularly, and plan your hunts around the upgrades you want to achieve. It's a rewarding loop that fuels your progression in Monster Hunter Rise!

Gathering Materials Efficiently

Alright, let's talk about making sure you're not wasting your time grinding for materials. Gathering the necessary components for your best early game Long Sword can sometimes feel like a chore, but with a few smart strategies, you can make it way more efficient. First off, target specific monsters. If you need Kulu-Ya-Ku Scales and Plumes for the Kulu Head Armor line, then focus your hunts on Kulu-Ya-Ku. Don't just wander around hoping to find them. Check your Hunter's Notes to see which monsters drop the parts you need and prioritize those hunts. You can even filter your Quest Board to find specific monster quests. Second, break monster parts. This is HUGE! Many valuable materials, like specific scales, horns, or claws, are more likely to drop (or can only drop) from breaking the corresponding monster part. For the Kulu-Ya-Ku, breaking its head can yield rarer head-related materials. For the Felyne/Melynx line, you might need specific claws or other body parts. Always aim for those breaks! It's a core part of Monster Hunter and essential for efficient farming. Third, utilize your Palamute. Your doggo buddy isn't just for fast travel; they can be equipped with 'Buddy Skills' that help gather materials. Send them out on expeditions with gathering-focused skills, or have them assist you in fights where they can contribute to breaking parts or even picking up shiny drops. Fourth, carve wisely. After a successful hunt, you get a set number of carves from the monster's body. Always make sure you use all your carves! Sometimes, a rare material you desperately need will be sitting right there on the carcass. Finally, know your gathering spots. For weapons like the Minegarde series that rely on ore, make sure you're hitting up all the mining outcrops you see on the map, especially the red ones which often yield rarer ores. Use your Wirebugs to quickly traverse the map and collect resources. By combining these tactics – targeted hunts, part breaking, Buddy support, careful carving, and efficient resource gathering – you'll be churning out those materials for your superior early game Long Sword in no time. Happy hunting, and happy gathering!

Zenny and Crafting Costs

Let's not forget about the cold, hard cash – or in this case, Zenny – that you'll need to get your hands on that best early game Long Sword. Crafting and upgrading weapons in Monster Hunter Rise isn't free, guys. The Smithy always has a price tag attached to its services, and while early-game weapons are relatively cheap compared to their late-game counterparts, the costs can still add up, especially if you're trying to craft multiple weapons or experiment. So, how do you make sure you have enough Zenny without feeling like you're constantly scraping by? The most straightforward method is simply completing quests. Every quest you finish, whether it's a Village quest or a Hub quest, rewards you with Zenny. The higher the rank and difficulty of the quest, the more Zenny you'll earn. So, prioritize completing quests that are within your current capabilities. Another effective way to boost your Zenny income is by selling unwanted items. As you hunt, you'll accumulate a lot of materials, some of which you might not need immediately or ever. Things like extra monster hides, basic ores, or surplus crafting items can be sold at the Merchant. Just be careful not to sell anything you might need later – check your crafting recipes before you hit that sell button! Consider a quick check of the weapons and armor you're aiming for. A third, and often very lucrative, method is through expeditions. While expeditions don't have a specific objective like a hunt, you can gather a surprising amount of Zenny by mining ores, collecting honey and herbs, and picking up 'shiny' drops from monsters. Plus, if you happen to stumble upon and defeat a monster during an expedition, you'll get quest rewards, including Zenny. Some players even focus on running specific routes during expeditions solely to collect valuable items to sell. Finally, don't underestimate the value of selling excess monster parts after you've crafted what you need. If you've hunted a monster 10 times and only needed its parts for one upgrade, you likely have plenty left over to sell for a quick Zenny injection. Managing your Zenny is key to ensuring you can always afford the upgrades for your powerful early game Long Sword and other essential gear. Keep an eye on your finances, plan your crafting needs, and always look for opportunities to earn more.

Final Thoughts on Your First Long Sword

Alright, hunters, we've covered a lot of ground today regarding the best early game Long Sword options in Monster Hunter Rise. Whether you're leaning towards the balanced power of the Kulu Head Armor, the critical-hitting potential of the Felyne/Melynx line, or the sheer accessibility of the Minegarde series, you've got some fantastic choices to kickstart your journey. Remember, the goal in the early game isn't necessarily to have the absolute strongest weapon possible, but rather to have a reliable and effective early game Long Sword that allows you to learn the weapon's intricacies and overcome the challenges presented by early-rank monsters. The Long Sword is a weapon that rewards skill and practice, and having a solid foundation with your gear will only help you improve faster. Don't get bogged down in trying to find the