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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A tank-style Lance build in Monster Hunter Wilds is about staying close, guarding or countering at the right moment, and getting back to thrusting—not drawing guaranteed aggro or avoiding all damage. Start with Guard if knockback is stopping your follow-up; prioritize armor and survival skills if hits or chip damage are making close-range play unsafe. Add other skills to address the specific problem you encounter.
What a tank Lance build is meant to do
Lance combines a shield and guard-related moves with quick thrusting, making it well suited to a defensive, close-range rhythm. PlayStation’s official game page describes it as “A weapon with top-class defence.” That defense gives you ways to answer attacks while remaining in position, but it does not make you immune to damage.
Here, “tank” means absorbing or answering attacks while staying near the monster. The available sources do not establish a taunt or guaranteed aggro control for Lance, so do not build around the assumption that the monster will target you.
How to keep attacking through guards and counters
Think of Lance’s defensive loop as a response followed by a short attack string. Guard or counter when an attack is about to connect, then use the opening to thrust. If the monster will hit before your next attack lands, stop the string and defend instead.
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- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Players can also now ride atop the Seikret, an agile new mount enabling hunters to traverse difficult terrain, perform actions like sharpening weapons on the move, and switch between two weapons while out on hunts!
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
Use the opening, not a fixed-length combo
When there is enough time, a standing sequence is Mid Thrust → Wide Sweep → Mid Thrust → Triple Thrust. Treat it as an option, not a rotation to complete at any cost. If the monster’s next attack will connect first, cut the sequence short and guard.
Make a timed guard lead into the right follow-up
A precisely timed Perfect Guard opens thrust follow-ups. Choose a shorter or longer follow-up based on how much of the opening remains; the goal is to keep attacking without being caught finishing a move after the monster has recovered.
Use Power Guard for a planned response
Power Guard can answer a specific incoming attack or sequence, but stamina drains while it is held. Use it for the threat you intend to cover rather than holding it indefinitely without a plan.
Choose skills by the problem you need to solve
There is no established universal armor-and-decoration recipe for every stage of progression. Use the symptoms of your hunts to decide whether a slot should improve knockback control, damage tolerance, counter rewards, or matchup coverage. The recommendations below follow the skill guidance in Red Gauge’s guide, which identifies itself as reflecting Title Update 4.
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Rank #3
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
If knockback stops your response, add Guard
When guard knockback cancels the counter or follow-up you meant to use, Guard is the direct priority: the guide says it reduces knockback and stamina loss. If knockback is not disrupting your response, those slots may be available for another need.
If damage makes staying close unsafe, build for tolerance
Upgrade your armor and consider defensive skills before committing every available slot to offense when chip damage or direct hits repeatedly make close-range play unsafe. Divine Blessing is an option if you want a chance to reduce incoming damage. Stun Resistance Lv 3 is relevant if getting stunned is a recurring failure point; it prevents stun, including when a hit lands before you can guard.
If you can time guards precisely, consider Offensive Guard
Offensive Guard rewards precisely timed guards, so it fits a counter-focused loop. It is a less natural priority if your main need is a more forgiving setup; in that case, survival options may better address the problem you are having.
If a matchup has normally unblockable attacks, consider Guard Up
Guard Up allows you to block certain attacks that are normally unblockable. It does not prevent damage while you are guarding those attacks, so treat it as matchup coverage rather than immunity.
Best Value
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
Balance the build around your hunts
| Build priority | Choose it when | Trade-off or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Guard | Knockback is interrupting the counter or follow-up you want. | When knockback is not a problem, those slots could address another need. |
| Armor upgrades and defensive skills | Chip damage or direct hits make it unsafe to remain close. | They address survival rather than the timing reward of a counter-focused setup. |
| Offensive Guard | You can make precise guards and want to support a counter-focused rhythm. | Its value depends on successfully timing guards. |
| Guard Up | A particular monster uses attacks that are normally unblockable. | Damage still occurs while guarding those attacks. |
| Power Guard | You need to cover a specific attack or sequence. | Stamina drains for as long as it is held. |
What the official launch notes add
Capcom’s launch weapon-adjustment explanation describes Lance’s reactive identity in historical terms: “The Counter Thrust from past games has returned as a Charge Counter whilst guarding.” It also says that Director Tokuda wanted to give Lance “more options than in past titles, using a variety of guards and movements.” The same launch explanation mentions Power Guard as a counterattack and changes to guard-dash cancellation timing. These notes explain the design context at launch; they are not evidence that every later balance value remains unchanged.
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