MH Wilds Gunlance Shelling Types and Builds 2026

The Gunlance (GL) is one of the most unique weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. It combines lance defense with explosive shelling attacks. This guide covers shelling types and the best GL builds for solo and multiplayer play.

Why Gunlance

Gunlance is the best weapon for players who want a defensive, explosive play style. The GL can:

• Block attacks with the shield.
• Deal explosive damage with shelling.
• Apply status effects with wyrmstake.
• Mount monsters with aerial attacks.
• Provide team support with wide shelling.

How Shelling Works

Shelling is the GL's unique mechanic. The GL can fire shells at monsters for fixed damage that doesn't depend on the weapon's raw damage.

There are three shelling types:

Normal Shelling

Effect: Balanced damage with multi-hit shells.

Best for: General-purpose builds.

Levels: 1-8. Higher levels deal more damage.

Long Shelling

Effect: Single-hit shells with longer range.

Best for: Sustained ranged pressure.

Levels: 1-8. Higher levels deal more damage.

Wide Shelling

Effect: AoE shells with wider spread.

Best for: Multi-monster hunts and team support.

Levels: 1-8. Higher levels deal more damage.

Best Shelling Types for Each Play Style

Solo Play

Long Shelling is the best for solo play. Its single-hit shells deal consistent damage and have longer range.

Multiplayer Play

Wide Shelling is the best for multiplayer. Its AoE shells can hit multiple monsters.

Boss Fights

Normal Shelling is the best for boss fights. Its multi-hit shells deal high DPS to single targets.

Best Gunlance Equipment

Best GL for Normal Shelling

Tigrex Thunder Lance

Raw damage: 280. Shelling: Normal Lv8. Affinity: 15%. Sharpness: White.

How to get: Crafted from Tigrex materials.

Best GL for Long Shelling

Legiana Frost Lance

Elemental damage: 320 ice. Shelling: Long Lv8. Affinity: 10%. Sharpness: White.

How to get: Crafted from Legiana materials.

Best GL for Wide Shelling

Coral Lance

Raw damage: 240. Shelling: Wide Lv8. Affinity: 10%. Sharpness: White.

How to get: Crafted from Coral Palace materials.

Best GL Armor

Best for Tank Builds

Uragaan Armor

Skills: Guard 4, Defense Boost 4, Guard Up 2.

Defense: 450. Elemental Resistance: high.

How to get: Crafted from Uragaan materials.

Best for Damage Builds

Rathalos Armor

Skills: Attack Boost 4, Critical Eye 3, Weakness Exploit 2.

Defense: 380. Elemental Resistance: balanced.

How to get: Crafted from Rathalos materials.

Best GL Skills

Artillery

Boosts shelling damage. Levels 1-3. Recommended: Level 3.

Guard

Boosts shield defense. Levels 1-5. Recommended: Level 4.

Guard Up

Allows blocking of unblockable attacks. Levels 1-3. Recommended: Level 2.

Capacity Boost

Adds shelling capacity. Levels 1-2. Recommended: Level 2.

Load Shells

Faster loading. Levels 1-2. Recommended: Level 2.

Attack Boost

Boosts raw attack. Levels 1-7. Recommended: Level 4.

Best GL Combos

Standard Combo

The standard GL combo is for sustained damage:

1. Poke 1
2. Poke 2
3. Poke 3
4. Shell (after 3 pokes)
5. Repeat

Use this combo for balanced damage.

Wyrmstake Combo

The wyrmstake combo is for burst damage:

1. Poke 1
2. Poke 2
3. Poke 3
4. Full Burst (consumes all shells)
5. Wyrmstake Blast (after full burst)

Use this combo for boss kills.

Aerial Combo

The aerial combo is for mounting:

1. Jump (L1/LB + R1/RB)
2. Aerial Attack 1
3. Aerial Attack 2
4. Aerial Shelling

Use this combo for mounting monsters.

How to Use Wyrmstake

Wyrmstake is the GL's signature move:

1. Load wyrmstake from the item bar.
2. Use it after a full burst.
3. The wyrmstake fires a stake that deals massive damage.
4. The stake also explodes for AoE damage.

Use wyrmstake during boss staggers for maximum damage.

How to Use Full Burst

Full Burst is the GL's highest damage move:

1. Build up shells in the GL.
2. Use the full burst combo.
3. All shells fire at once for massive damage.
4. Combine with wyrmstake for the highest burst.

Use full burst when the monster is staggered.

How to Use Guard

The GL's shield is its unique advantage:

1. Hold L1/LB to guard.
2. The shield reduces incoming damage.
3. Guard Point (during specific attacks) provides perfect guard.
4. Use Guard Up skill to block unblockable attacks.

The GL has the strongest shield in the game.

Best Items to Use While Drawn

The GL can use items while the weapon is drawn:

• Potions (for healing)
• Mega Potions (for stronger healing)
• Whetstone (for sharpening)
• Lifepowders (for team healing)

Use the item-drawing advantage to heal without sheathing.

Solo Strategy

For solo play, focus on:

1. Build up shells with pokes.
2. Use full burst for burst damage.
3. Use wyrmstake for boss kills.
4. Block with the shield when needed.

The GL is excellent for solo play due to its defense.

Multiplayer Strategy

For multiplayer play, focus on:

1. Wide shelling for AoE damage.
2. Wyrmstake for burst damage.
3. Block for team defense.
4. Healing support (use items while drawn).

The GL is excellent for team support in multiplayer.

Common Mistakes

• Don't use wyrmstake without full burst. The damage is low.
• Don't ignore the shield. The GL's defense is its advantage.
• Don't forget to load wyrmstake. It needs to be loaded from the item bar.

Best GL Matchups

Great Jagras

Use normal GL for burst damage.

Anjanath

Use paralysis GL for status effects.

Legiana

Use ice GL for elemental weakness.

Rathalos

Use dragon GL for elemental weakness.

Tigrex

Use thunder GL for elemental weakness.

Final Tips

• Practice the full burst timing.
• Use the shield for emergency blocks.
• Combine full burst with wyrmstake for maximum damage.
• Use wide shelling for team support.

With this guide, you will master the Gunlance and be a defensive, explosive hunter in any situation.