From Monster Hunter Wiki

[edit] Melee Weapons

Image	Weapon Name	Description
	Sword and Shield	The Sword and Shield, also known as SnS were first introduced in Monster Hunter. These weapons are small and are accompanied by a shield that allows you to block against most attacks. In Monster Hunter 2 it is possible to use items while the SNS is drawn. In MH2, the SNS also gained a Upward slash by pressing the Right Analog stick. Although causing a small amount of damage compared to most weapons, they are very fast and easy to travel with. Many SnSs are infused with status effects (poison, stun, sleep, fire, etc...) that make up for their low attack. When another blade is used in place of a shield, the combination is called Dual Swords.
	Dual Sword	Dual Swords, often shortened to DS, are two swords that move with great speed in combos. Dual Swords have the ability to go into a "'Demonization Mode" which cause the blades to form a red aura around them and allow the user to strike with even greater speed and deal a lot of damage in a short time. Demonization also makes it so the user is not effected by wind pressure, but the weapon will still bounce while in this state. The base advantage of the Dual Swords, is the speed and maneuverability of a SnS, complete with the status ailment advantages, simply multiplied by two, but with the obvious disadvantage of being completely unable to block. Please note that due to the high rate of attack, that sharpness is also lost quickly. It is therefore imperative for a Dual Sword user to have a good supply of whetstones on hand at all times. They were first introduced in Monster Hunter G in Japan and Monster Hunter for other areas. Ever since Monster Hunter 2, it is possible to use items while having them drawn, but you cannot in freedom 2.
	Switch Axe	Switch Axe is an exclusive weapon to Monster Hunter 3. In Japan, it is known as the Slash Axe. There are two modes: Axe and Sword. Transformation between the two are done by pressing the R trigger. The speed in Axe-form is similar to that of a Long Sword; while Sword-form is about as slow as a Great Sword. Sword-form can only be sustained for a limited time. Once its energy bar is depleted, it will need to be reloaded. Pressing the + (start) button while in Sword-form and then tapping on the X button, will cause the Slashaxe to discharge/burst a great amount of energy release.
	Great Sword	Great Sword, also known as GS are large, slow weapons that were first introduced in Monster Hunter. They have three main attacks: the sideswipe, the upswing, and the downstrike. Hitting a monster with the middle of the blade, also known as the sweet spot, causes a damage bonus. They have a charge attack, first introduced in Monster Hunter 2, that takes a long while to activate, with three levels of charge denoting the power thereof, which causes the most raw damage out of any single attack in the game. It is also known that releasing the attack approximately halfway between the second and third level of charge will cause the third level to instantly activate, which can drastically improve the effectiveness of the strike. They now have a sub-category of weapons known as the Tachi, or Long Sword.
	Long Sword	Long Swords, also called LS or "Tachi", are long, slender blades that move very quick. In Monster Hunter, the Long Swords had existed, but performed exactly the same as the Great Swords. As of Monster Hunter 2, they have become a completely new weapon in terms of gameplay and technique. A gauge now fills in power over several strikes in quick succession, and when full, the hunter can activate a Spirit Combo, a frightening boost of 120 to the power your chain of already fast combo attacks. Alternately, the gauge may be left full for an attack bonus and making any other attack less likely to bounce off the target. However, because of their fragile nature, they lack the ability to block like a GS, so players may need to be otherwise more careful around the much faster monsters. Long Swords typically have great handling and allow the hunter to maneuver comfortably.
	Lance	Lances are long weapons that can strike from a distance. The lance is always accompanied by a large shield which generally grants a powerful defense against most attacks. Although slow and difficult to travel with, the weapon's damage output can be impressive. Lances have different moves, such as the upstab, pierce, and jousting attack. Along with the SnS, lances are one of the only weapons that can attack and block at the same time. They have a sub-category of weapons known as the Gunlance. Lances also add 1+ damage because of their naturally piercing attacks. In MH3, it now exhibits a charge attack similar to that of a Great Sword.
	Gunlance	Gunlances, also known as GL, are long, piercing weapons with a mechanism inside which can fire a blank round. Unlike Bowguns, the Gunlance cannot fire over distances; the Shelling ability can only be used from close range. The use of the weapon is largely the same as the original Lance. Like ranged weapons, Gunlances take ammo. They are able to charge up, indicated by the radiating energy at the tip of the lance, and dish out a strong explosive attack referred to as Wyvern's Fire.
	Hammer	Hammers are large, heavy weapons which are capable of dealing the most raw damage in a single true combo. Their tremendous size only slightly hinders mobility, but the player is still able to run pretty fast with them, unlike the Great Sword and Lance. These fierce weapons have several moves: a simple pound and a related combo, a "golf" swing, a revolving spin, and a charge-up attack that crushes anything it connects with. Since Monster Hunter 2, hammers now have the ability to daze its opponents after hitting a target on the head several times.
	Hunting Horn	Hunting Horns are weapons that are mildly different from Hammers in attacking and appearance. Hunting Horns act as large instruments in that they are hollowed-out inside and have an opening that allows the hunter to play different musical notes. These musical notes have different benefits, such as increasing different stats. Like attack/defense boosts, elemental resistance up and Poison Negated. You will even be able to run with these as fast as the SNS after playing some notes. The effects are only temporary. These beneficial upgrades not only affect you, but the hunters you are with. The hunting horn is a very useful weapon when used in groups.

[edit] Ranged Weapons

Image	Weapon Name	Description
	Light Bowgun	Light Bowguns are ranged weapons that allow the player to run with the weapon drawn and attack quickly due to its light weight. Although the hunter has the advantage of being able to run around, light bowguns are generally lacking in attack power. They also have the disadvantage of carrying less ammo types to use than their ranged counterparts. This has been somewhat compensated in Monster Hunter 2 with the unique ability of some Light Bowguns with "Rapid-fire", which fire multiple rounds at once. Light Bowguns are original weapons first seen in Monster Hunter.
	Medium Bowgun	Medium Bowguns To be released in Monster Hunter Tri.
	Heavy Bowgun	Heavy Bowguns are ranged weapons that pack a powerful punch, but due to their size and weight, do not allow you to run. Most commonly, heavy bowguns are able to use the majority of ammo types, and typically, the stronger or higher-level the bowgun, the stronger the ammo types it is able to use. Heavy Bowguns are original weapons first seen in Monster Hunter. In Monster Hunter 2, you are now able to upgrade your heavy bowgun with a shield. Heavy bowguns can be equiped with a long-barrel or a shield with their own advantages. Equipping a long barrel will increase the accuracy of the bowgun along with its attack power, meanwhile equipping the shield will enable the "Autoguard" skill, compensating the movement restriction from the weapon.
	Bow	The Bow is another ranged weapon that uses arrows as ammunition instead of bolts. Bow users are usually the most dexterous and mobile because of the lightweight material bows are crafted from. The amount of arrows you can use is unlimited. Vials, which are capable of adding various status effects, however, must be bought or made. These can also be used to power up arrows to do extra damage. A unique feature of the bow is that when aiming, an otherwise-imaginary line is exposed to show where the arrow will hit. Also worthy of note is that bow users can utilize two melee attacks: a downward slash and a horizontal slash. The melee attacks are generally weaker than firing arrows, but they do not waste vials. Using the melee attack also inflicts both elemental damage (if the bow has an element) and the status of any equipped coatings. Bows are also able to be charged to three different levels (four with armor skill), each one changing the type of arrow to pierce, scatter, or rapid depending on the bow (there are different levels for each type as well). This type of weapon was first seen in Monster Hunter 2.