How to use the Lance in Monster Hunter Outlanders: its features and controls, guard and counter tips, the best combos, the best craftable Lances, and the adventurers who wield it, with the teammates that pair well with them. Moves checked against the in-game skill descriptions on October 31, 2026.
Lance Features
Guard and Counter to Balance Offense and Defense
The Lance's biggest strength is countering while your shield holds off the monster's attacks. You move slowly with it drawn, but its outstanding guard gives it the best defense of any weapon type.
Dash Attack Is Also a Strong Way to Move
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
With the Lance drawn you move very slowly, so it's hard to deal damage unless you're right up against the monster. In Outlanders, Dash Attack closes the gap quickly and is easy to steer, so make good use of it.
Solo and Multiplayer Play Differently
The Lance lands its strong counters by taking hits. In a party, the monster spreads its attacks around, so you're targeted less often and get fewer chances to counter. While you aren't the target, build damage with Thrust and Dash Attack.
Lance Controls
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Basic Attack | Thrust, up to three hits. After the third, Skill 2 finishes the charge instantly. |
| Skill 1 | Guard. The start of the guard is a Perfect Guard. Press Basic Attack after guarding for Counter Thrust. |
| Skill 2 | Charged Counter: charges while guarding. Press it again mid-charge for Power Guard. |
| Skill 3 | Guard Dash. Hold it for Dash Attack. |
| Sheathe | Sheathe your weapon. |
| Evade | Evade. After evading backward, Basic Attack becomes Leaping Thrust. |
| Ultimate | Ultimate. What it does depends on the adventurer and type. |
The moves are the Fated Adventurer's. Arkaya and Ouyang Varen have different moves on some buttons (see Lance Adventurers and Teams).
How to Play the Lance
Block and Deal Damage with Charged Counter
Input: (timed to the monster's attack)Skill 2Basic Attack
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
The basic way to play Lance is to block attacks with your guard and use Charged Counter with good timing. It blocks attacks easily, but in a party, the charge and the timing of Charged Counter are harder to line up.
Tip The two-hit counter only comes out when your timing on Charged Counter is right, so you'll take fewer hits if you don't force it.
Build Damage with Thrust Combos
Input: (while another adventurer is targeted)Basic AttackBasic AttackBasic AttackSkill 2Basic Attack ↻ repeat
Input: (while another adventurer is targeted)Basic AttackBasic AttackBasic AttackSkill 3Basic Attack ↻ repeat
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
A combo for when another adventurer has the monster's attention in a party. The damage itself is low, but you can loop it between the monster's attacks or while it's downed, and build damage alongside your other skills.
Close the Distance with Dash Attack
Input: Skill 3(hold)Basic Attack
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
When the monster pulls away and your attacks can't reach, Dash Attack closes the gap in one go. It drains stamina while it lasts, but the longer it goes, the higher the stage of the finishing thrust, and the more damage it deals.
Tip Against a large monster, keeping up Dash Attack damage while it's downed is another option.
Go for Perfect Guard Counters
Input: (timed to the monster's attack)Skill 1Basic Attack
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
Perfect Guard timing is harder than Charged Counter, and a mistimed guard leaves you easier to hit. In exchange, you automatically counter with your shield and can follow with Counter Thrust. It's quicker than charging Charged Counter, so it suits experienced players who know the monster's attacks.
Tip If you're used to Perfect Evade or Long Sword counters on other weapons, going for Perfect Guard is recommended.
Withstand Strong Attacks with Power Guard
Input: Skill 2Skill 2
Input: (after a successful guard)Basic Attack
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
Power Guard drains a lot of stamina, but it blocks almost every attack, and after a successful guard Basic Attack strikes back. However, getting pushed into a combo or running out of stamina is fatal, so watch when and where you use it.
Arkaya and Ouyang Varen Play Differently
The Lance specialists Arkaya and Ouyang Varen have different follow-up moves, so check how each one plays on their own pages.
Best Lance Combos
These combos use the Fated Adventurer's skills. Text in parentheses is when to start or how to press a button.
| Combo | Rating | Input |
|---|---|---|
| Charged Counter | Skill 2Basic Attack(once it turns orange) | |
| Perfect Guard Counter | (timed to the monster's attack)Skill 1Basic Attack | |
| Dash Attack | Skill 3(hold)Basic Attack | |
| Thrust Combo | Basic AttackBasic AttackBasic Attack |
Charged Counter
Input: Skill 2Basic Attack(once it turns orange)
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
Charged Counter unleashes once the Basic Attack button turns orange. Pressing Basic Attack earlier still gives a Counter Thrust, but a weaker one.
Perfect Guard Counter
Input: (timed to the monster's attack)Skill 1Basic Attack
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
Dash Attack
Input: Skill 3(hold)Basic Attack
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
During Dash Attack, each time the Basic Attack button changes color, the thrust at the end gets stronger.
Thrust Combo
Input: Basic AttackBasic AttackBasic Attack
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
Thrust Combo Follow-Up
Input: Basic AttackBasic AttackBasic AttackSkill 3Basic Attack ↻ repeat
The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.
Best Craftable Lances
These are the weapons in our Lance builds. Start with a general-purpose one, then add the fire or thunder Lance for monsters weak to those elements. The builds article has the full armor and skills.
| Build | Weapon | Element | Attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| General(Perfect Guard + Dash Attack)Also used in the Arkaya builds | Blacksteel Lance II |  Dragon | 274 |
| General(Charge Enhancement)Also used in the Ouyang Varen builds | Radiant Aqua Horn II |  Water | 282 |
| Fire Element | Flame Lance II |  Fire | 251 |
| Thunder Element | Radiant Lightning Spire III |  Thunder | 282 |
Lance Adventurers and Teams
These adventurers use the Lance. Their rank and review come from our adventurer tier list.
| Adventurer | Rank and review |
|---|---|
 Arkaya | Overall rank: SS
|
 Fated Adventurer (Lance) | Overall rank: S
|
 Ouyang Varen | Overall rank: B
|
Teammates That Pair Well with Lance Adventurers
These are the recommended teams from each adventurer's guide. Select an adventurer to see the guide, which explains each role and the swap options.
| Adventurer | Recommended team |
|---|---|
| Arkaya | |
| Fated Adventurer (Lance) | |
| Ouyang Varen |