The Lance is the best weapon for learning dangerous monster patterns with a safety net. It is also a genuine team asset: a good lancer creates openings for everyone else.
The rhythm
Lance overview
The Lance is the most dependable first-clear weapon in Outlanders. A strong shield answers charges, projectiles and multi-hit combos, while its counters convert defense into damage. The trade-off is a slower clear time if you never learn when to lower the guard and attack.
Arkaya builds Resolve and spends it on a shielded finishing blow, while Ouyang Varen turns successful guards into Impetus-powered thrusts. The weapon fits both a support-style team player and a front-line tank who wants to hold a monster still.
Weapon snapshot
Melee · Sever damage · Medium difficulty · Best first pick: Barroth tree.
Trade-offs
Lance strengths & weaknesses
Strengths
- Excellent defensive safety against charges and projectiles
- Counters reward correct reads with strong damage
- Strong part pressure on heads and legs
- High-value team role in four-player hunts
Trade-offs
- Low mobility when unsheathed
- Backhops and guard management take practice
- Damage output can stall if you turtle too long
- The charge attack is easy to overuse
Practice route
Lance combos & core moves
These are the routes worth learning first. Treat the inputs as a description of the flow, not a controller-specific notation — touch layouts can be customised.
| Move | Input concept | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Thrust | Light attack chain | The bread-and-butter poke chain. Use short versions to stay ready for a counter. |
| Guard Counter | Guard immediately before impact, then attack | The core defensive punish. Learn one monster combo at a time and counter only after the final hit. |
| Charging Lance | Hold the charge input while moving | Close distance or catch a fleeing monster. Cancel early rather than crashing into a follow-up. |
| Shield Advance | Move forward with guard active | Safer repositioning under projectile pressure. Use it to stay in front of the monster for the team. |
Build direction
Best skills for Lance
prioritize one offensive core and one comfort skill. The exact armor set depends on what the launch forge provides; these are the skills that change the weapon's feel.
- Guard and Guard Up for tough projectile patterns
- Offensive Guard if the launch build supports it
- Attack Boost and elemental attack for your weapon tree
- Evade Extender for better backhop distance
- Constitution if guard stamina is a problem
Forge targets
Best Lance paths to aim for
Barroth tree
TargetA thematic guard-first option with strong synergy for Ouyang Varen's identity.
Diablos tree
TargetRaw pressure for horn breaks and a defensive counter game.
Kushala Daora tree
TargetA long-term Elder Dragon target with elemental coverage for late hunts.
Tree names and material requirements are based on pre-launch data. Check the live forge after October 29 for the final upgrade layout.
Good hunts
Lance monster matchups
These hunts let the weapon do what it is designed to do. Use them to learn the moveset before taking it into an unfavorable target.
Check every elemental weakness before building the next weapon.
Touch controls
Lance tips for mobile play
- Keep guard and counter on separate, large buttons.
- Learn the final hit of each combo before trying to counter mid-sequence.
- Use the camera lock only for repositioning; manual aim is better for head pokes.
- When your team needs a safe clear, the Lance is the lowest-variance pick.
Quick answers