Hey fellow hunters! Are you looking to become an impenetrable wall while dealing consistent damage in Monster Hunter Rise? Then, you've come to the right place! This guide will walk you through some of the best Lance builds in the game, ensuring you’re ready to tackle any monster that comes your way. So, grab your Lance, sharpen that weapon, and let's dive into the world of pokes, blocks, and counter-attacks!

Why Choose the Lance?

The Lance. Oh, the Lance! It's not just a weapon; it's a lifestyle. If you love being up close and personal with giant, angry monsters without, you know, dying, the Lance is your best friend. Here's why:

• Unmatched Defense: The Lance has the best blocking ability in the game. You can literally stand your ground against almost any attack. Think of yourself as a heavily armored, mobile fortress. Nothing gets past you!
• Consistent Damage: While it may not have the flashy, burst damage of some other weapons, the Lance delivers steady, reliable damage. Poke, poke, poke – it's a rhythm that monsters will come to fear.
• Counter-Attacks Galore: The Lance is all about reacting to monster attacks. With well-timed counters, you can turn their aggression against them, dealing significant damage and maintaining offensive pressure.
• Mobility: Okay, maybe not amazing mobility, but the Lance has some surprisingly agile moves. The Charge attack lets you close gaps quickly, and the Guard Dash offers excellent repositioning options.

The Lance might seem simple at first, but mastering it involves understanding monster attack patterns, timing your blocks and counters perfectly, and knowing when to go on the offensive. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you'll feel like an unstoppable force of nature.

Core Skills for Lance Builds

Before we get into specific builds, let's talk about the essential skills that every Lance user should prioritize. These skills will enhance your defense, damage output, and overall survivability.

• Guard: This is the most important skill for any Lance build. Guard reduces the amount of knockback and stamina consumption when blocking. At level 5, you can block almost anything without flinching, making you an unmovable object.
• Guard Up: Another crucial defensive skill. Guard Up allows you to block attacks that are normally unblockable, such as Teostra's Supernova or Rajang's beam. Without this skill, you'll be forced to evade these attacks, which can be risky.
• Attack Boost: More attack power means more damage! Attack Boost is a straightforward way to increase your overall damage output. It's always a solid choice for any weapon.
• Weakness Exploit: This skill increases your affinity (critical hit chance) when attacking a monster's weak spots. Since the Lance relies on precise, targeted attacks, Weakness Exploit is incredibly effective.
• Critical Eye: More affinity is always good. Critical Eye is an easy way to boost your affinity, especially if you're having trouble hitting weak spots consistently.
• Critical Boost: This skill increases the damage multiplier of critical hits. Pair it with Weakness Exploit and Critical Eye for maximum damage potential.
• Stamina Surge: Blocking consumes stamina, and you don't want to be caught with an empty stamina bar. Stamina Surge increases your stamina recovery rate, allowing you to block more frequently and maintain offensive pressure.
• Evade Extender: While the Lance isn't known for its dodging prowess, Evade Extender can help you reposition more effectively and avoid attacks that are difficult to block. It's especially useful for dodging around monsters quickly.

These core skills form the foundation of any good Lance build. Now, let's look at some specific builds that incorporate these skills and cater to different playstyles.

Build 1: The Immovable Object (Defensive Build)

This build focuses on maximizing your defenses, making you virtually unkillable. It's perfect for players who prefer a more cautious playstyle and want to be able to withstand even the most devastating attacks. With the Immovable Object build, you’ll become the tankiest hunter in your squad, capable of soaking up damage while consistently poking monsters to death. This build excels in prolonged fights where survivability is key.

• Weapon: Rampage Lance S (with Defense Ramp-Up)
• Head: Barroth Helm (for Guard)
• Chest: Barroth Mail (for Guard)
• Arms: Kaiser Vambraces (for Weakness Exploit and Critical Eye)
• Waist: Anjanath Coil (for Attack Boost)
• Legs: Ingot Greaves (for Critical Eye)
• Charm: A charm with Guard +2 or better (or a charm with good slots)

Skills:

• Guard 5
• Guard Up 3
• Attack Boost 4
• Weakness Exploit 3
• Critical Eye 4
• Stamina Surge 2

Explanation:

This build is all about defense. Guard 5 and Guard Up 3 will allow you to block almost any attack in the game without flinching. Attack Boost 4 provides a decent damage boost, while Weakness Exploit and Critical Eye increase your affinity. Stamina Surge 2 helps you manage your stamina while blocking.

Playstyle:

With this build, you'll want to stay close to the monster and block its attacks. Use the Guard Dash to reposition and the Counter-thrust to deal damage. Don't be afraid to be aggressive, as you can block almost anything the monster throws at you. Focus on hitting weak spots to maximize your damage output.

Build 2: The Counter-Attacker (Offensive Build)

If you prefer a more aggressive playstyle, this build is for you. It focuses on maximizing your damage output through well-timed counter-attacks. With the Counter-Attacker build, you'll turn monster aggression against them, dealing massive damage and staggering them frequently. This build is perfect for players who have a good understanding of monster attack patterns and can time their counters effectively. Imagine deflecting every attack and punishing monsters with powerful counter-thrusts – that's what this build is all about!

• Weapon: Tigrex Lance
• Head: Kaiser Crown (for Weakness Exploit and Critical Eye)
• Chest: Rathalos Mail (for Attack Boost and Weakness Exploit)
• Arms: Kaiser Vambraces (for Weakness Exploit and Critical Eye)
• Waist: Anjanath Coil (for Attack Boost)
• Legs: Skalda Elytra S (for Critical Boost)
• Charm: A charm with Critical Boost +2 or better (or a charm with good slots)

Skills:

• Attack Boost 7
• Weakness Exploit 3
• Critical Eye 2
• Critical Boost 3
• Guard 3
• Guard Up 1

Explanation:

This build sacrifices some defense for increased damage. Attack Boost 7, Weakness Exploit 3, Critical Eye 2, and Critical Boost 3 will significantly increase your damage output. Guard 3 and Guard Up 1 provide enough defense to block most attacks, but you'll need to be more careful with your timing.

Playstyle:

With this build, you'll want to be more aggressive and focus on counter-attacking. Learn the monster's attack patterns and time your counters perfectly to deal massive damage. Use the Guard Dash to reposition and the Charged Sweep to close gaps. Be mindful of your stamina, as blocking consumes a lot of it.

Build 3: The Status Inflictor (Support Build)

This build focuses on inflicting status ailments on monsters, such as poison, paralysis, or sleep. It's perfect for players who enjoy a more supportive role and want to help their team control the battlefield. With the Status Inflictor build, you'll be disrupting monsters and creating opportunities for your teammates to deal damage. Picture yourself paralyzing a monster at a critical moment, allowing your team to unleash a barrage of attacks – that's the power of this build!

• Weapon: Chameleos Lance
• Head: Rathian Helm S (for Poison Attack)
• Chest: Izuchi Mail S (for Status Attack)
• Arms: Jelly Vambraces S (for Evade Extender)
• Waist: Jyuratodus Coil S (for Sleep Resistance and Evade Extender)
• Legs: Bnahabra Greaves (for Status Attack)
• Charm: A charm with Status Attack +2 or better (or a charm with good slots)

Skills:

• Poison Attack 3
• Status Attack 3
• Evade Extender 3
• Guard 3
• Guard Up 1
• Stamina Surge 1

Explanation:

This build focuses on inflicting status ailments. Poison Attack 3 and Status Attack 3 increase the rate at which you inflict poison and other status effects. Evade Extender 3 helps you reposition and avoid attacks, while Guard 3 and Guard Up 1 provide some defensive capabilities. Stamina Surge 1 helps you manage your stamina.

Playstyle:

With this build, you'll want to focus on inflicting status ailments on the monster. Use the Charged Sweep to apply status effects quickly and the Guard Dash to reposition. Be mindful of your positioning and try to stay out of harm's way. Your primary goal is to disrupt the monster and create opportunities for your teammates to deal damage.

General Tips for Lance Users

Alright, before you go charging off into the wilderness, here are a few more tips to help you become a Lance master:

• Master the Counter-Thrust: This is your bread and butter. Learn the timing and use it to punish monster attacks. It's one of the Lance's most powerful tools.
• Use the Guard Dash: The Guard Dash is an excellent way to reposition quickly. Use it to close gaps, evade attacks, and maintain offensive pressure.
• Don't Be Afraid to Block: The Lance has the best blocking ability in the game. Don't be afraid to block attacks, even if they seem unblockable. With the right skills, you can withstand almost anything.
• Learn Monster Attack Patterns: Knowing when to block, counter, or evade is crucial for success with the Lance. Study monster attack patterns and learn how to react accordingly.
• Experiment with Different Skills: These builds are just a starting point. Feel free to experiment with different skills and find what works best for you. The most important thing is to have fun!

Conclusion

The Lance is a versatile and rewarding weapon that can be incredibly effective in Monster Hunter Rise. Whether you prefer a defensive, offensive, or supportive playstyle, there's a Lance build that's right for you. So, grab your Lance, hone your skills, and get ready to take on any monster that dares to cross your path. Happy hunting, and may your pokes be ever in your favor!

Now go out there and show those monsters what a real Lance user can do! And remember, practice makes perfect. The more you play with the Lance, the better you'll become at timing your blocks, counters, and attacks. Before you know it, you'll be an unstoppable force, dominating the battlefield and leading your team to victory. Good luck, hunters, and happy poking!