Capcom has revealed the Gunlance changes coming to Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, and the weapon is receiving one of its most significant upgrades in years.
The latest weapon showcase introduces Elemental Shelling, faster attacks, new movement options, stronger guarding, aerial follow ups, and new Boost Bracer techniques. The expansion is scheduled to launch in 2027 for Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, and PC through Steam.
The most important addition is Elemental Shelling, which allows Gunlance shell attacks to make use of elemental properties instead of relying mainly on fixed damage with a small Fire component.
Elemental Shelling changes how Gunlance builds can work
Historically, Gunlance shelling has dealt largely fixed damage, with only limited elemental contribution. That often reduced the value of elemental Gunlances because shelling did not benefit meaningfully from a weapon's elemental damage.
Ascendance appears to change that.
The trailer shows an Ice based Wyvern's Fire effect, confirming that shell attacks can now use elemental properties.
| Gunlance change | What it does |
|---|---|
| Elemental Shelling | Adds elemental properties to shell attacks |
| Boost Driver | Forward dash while guarding |
| Drill follow up | Impales an enemy after Boost Driver |
| Offset uppercut | Counter attack after the dash |
| Aerial dive | Follow up attack after the uppercut |
| Faster attacks | Speeds up regular and shelling attacks |
| Improved guard | Reduces knockback while blocking |
| Reload sidestep | Lets you move, reload, and guard together |
| Mounted Wyrmstake | Fires Wyrmstake Cannon while mounted |
The change could make Fire, Water, Thunder, Ice, and Dragon Gunlances more useful against monsters with specific elemental weaknesses.
It also builds on changes already made in Monster Hunter Wilds, where shelling damage was adjusted to scale with a Gunlance's raw attack power.
Boost Bracer expands Gunlance mobility and defense
Ascendance's new Boost Bracer system adds several new actions to Gunlance.
Boost Driver lets hunters rush forward while holding their shield in a defensive position. At the end of the move, players can choose between launching a drill into the monster or using a rising Offset attack designed to counter incoming attacks.
The uppercut can then transition into a forward aerial dive, giving Gunlance another way to close distance after knocking an enemy off balance.
When the Boost Gauge is active, the weapon receives additional improvements.
Normal attacks and shelling become faster, new combo routes become available, and blocking causes less knockback. Reduced guard recovery should make it easier to respond immediately with a counterattack.
Reloading gains a defensive movement option
One of the more practical additions is the ability to sidestep while reloading.
During this action, the hunter can reload Gunlance ammunition while continuing to guard. That addresses a vulnerable part of the weapon's traditional combat loop, where stopping to reload could leave the player exposed.
The trailer also shows a new mounted attack. Hunters can mount a monster, drive the Gunlance into its body, and fire a Wyrmstake Cannon directly into it.
Capcom has not provided detailed damage values for these new moves, so their final effectiveness will depend on the expansion's balancing.
Status Shelling has not been confirmed
The reveal of Elemental Shelling also raises questions about Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, and Blast weapons.
The supplied showcase confirms elemental shelling, but it does not establish whether shell attacks will also apply status effects.
That remains unconfirmed.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is planned for release in 2027. The Gunlance changes shown so far suggest Capcom is expanding both its offensive options and defensive flexibility, with Elemental Shelling likely to have the biggest effect on how the weapon is built and used.
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