User blog comment:KillerIke/Best Weapon Type?/@comment-71.240.161.213-20120524015600

In my opinion, it really varies on your playing style.

Great Swords and Hammers are both amazing charge weapons that you can use to deal a large amount of damage in a surgical attack (Hammering the head not only rewards you with massive damage, but also stuns and possibly causes the target to flinch, where a charged GS swing can sever tails with ease). Since both of these weapons are rather slow, they don't really benefit from elementals though. Poorly placed Charge Hammer strikes can send nearby teammates flying though, so care should be taken.

Long Swords are situational as they can deal burst damage with their Spirit Combo, but require a good deal of experience and skill to utilize effectively against speedy targets (say Alatreon). They benefit from both Flat Damage and Elemental Damage since they attack rather quickly, more so when using the Spirit Combo, and can further increase their damage when you begin hitting your Spirit Roundslashes. They have nice range and can slice high situated targets like a rathalos' tail, but can't cut as effectively as a Great Sword. Spirit Combo also tends to knock down your teammates, lowering synergy.

Sword and Shield (or SnS) and Dual Swords both benenit greatly from elemental attacks since they attack so rapidly, but have limited reach and are usually best for killing something extremely quickly, or against land wyverns. Also, since you attack so fast, you can cancel most of your attacks into an evade for hit and runs, which are neat against mobile targets. Dual Swords can power up with Demonization Mode and deal a nice burst of damage, but while in this Mode, you become more vulnerable since your stamina is constantly deplenting, and when you're using the Demon Combo, you can't do anything til it ends. Sword and Shield don't deal as much damage as DS, but benefit from being mobile, using items while unsheathed (only in the more recent MH's), able to stun to an extent (useful for farming kelbi horns), and possessing the ability to block. This makes SnS extremely versatile, being a good choice for beginners, and even for seasoned hunters. SnS also benefit from increased sharpness, bouncing less frequently than other weapons with green (or was it yellow?) sharpness.

Wait... I'm going off topic. Just gonna click Post comment and wonder wtf was I doing.