Bone Hatchets serve as the definitive entry point for hunters favoring the aggressive, fast-paced playstyle of Dual Blades in Monster Hunter World (MHW). While the Ore tree offers reliability through sharpness, the Bone tree is built for pure, raw aggression. In the early tiers of Low Rank and even transitioning into High Rank, the Bone Hatchets provide a higher attack ceiling that often outweighs the initial disadvantage of lower sharpness levels. Understanding how to navigate this weapon tree is essential for maximizing damage output during the opening hours of the hunt.

Core Stats and Early Progression Mechanics

The Bone Hatchets I start with a base attack power of 140. This is a significant bump compared to the standard Iron pair. For a weapon that hits as frequently as the Dual Blades, even a small increase in raw attack power is multiplied across the dozens of strikes performed during a single Demon Dance.

Bone Hatchets I

  • Rarity: 1
  • Attack: 140
  • Sharpness: Yellow/Green (Short)
  • Affinity: 0%
  • Crafting Material: Monster Bone S x1

The simplicity of crafting these blades is their greatest strength. A single Monster Bone S, which can be scavenged from bone piles in the Ancient Forest, is all that is required. At this stage, sharpness management is the primary concern. Yellow sharpness has a lower damage multiplier than green, meaning hunters should aim to upgrade to Bone Hatchets II as quickly as possible to stabilize their damage output.

Bone Hatchets II

  • Rarity: 1
  • Attack: 154
  • Crafting Material: Monster Bone S x2

Stepping up to the second tier increases the attack to 154. In the early game, this level of raw power allows hunters to break monster parts more efficiently. Breaking parts like Great Jagras' stomach or Kulu-Ya-Ku's arms becomes significantly faster, leading to more frequent flinches and openings for the signature Heavenly Blade Dance (the "spine ride" move).

Bone Hatchets III

  • Rarity: 2
  • Attack: 168
  • Crafting Material: Monster Bone M x2, Ancient Bone x1

By the time you reach the Bone Hatchets III, you are likely facing the middle tier of Ancient Forest and Wildspire Waste monsters. The introduction of Monster Bone M (dropped by monsters like Barroth or Jyuratodus) and Ancient Bones (found in Ancient Forest bone piles) marks the transition into a weapon that can comfortably handle the initial Elder Dragon sightings.

The Raw vs. Element Debate for Bone Tree

Dual Blades are traditionally viewed as elemental weapons. However, the Bone tree path is unique because it often features "Hidden Element." In the case of the Bone Hatchets line, the Water element is frequently locked. Without the "Free Elem/Ammo Up" skill, these weapons function as pure raw damage dealers.

In the early game of MHW, focusing on raw damage via the Bone tree is often more efficient than building multiple elemental sets. Because resources are scarce, maintaining one high-attack bone weapon allows you to invest your remaining materials into better armor. The raw power of the Bone Hatchets ensures that you aren't penalized too heavily when fighting monsters resistant to specific elements, making them a versatile tool for clearing the main story assignments.

Navigating the Upgrade Tree: Branching Paths

The Bone Hatchets don't just stay as bone. They are the foundation for some of the most powerful mid-game weapons in the game.

  1. The Blazing Hatchets Path (Anjanath): By using Anjanath materials, the Bone tree can branch into Fire-element blades. These are crucial for tackling monsters like Kirin or Great Girros.
  2. The Madness Pangas Path (Jyuratodus): If you require Water damage, the Bone tree transitions into the Jyuratodus line. These are exceptionally effective against Anjanath and Barroth (once its mud is removed).
  3. The Wild Hatchets Path: Staying on the pure bone path leads to the Wild Hatchets. This line emphasizes high raw attack and eventually leads to the Master Rank "Hulking Choppers" in the Iceborne expansion.

Essential Farming Routes for Bone Materials

To keep your Bone Hatchets at peak performance, you need to master the art of the "Bone Run." Unlike ore, which is found on cave walls, bone piles are often tucked away in nesting areas or near carcass sites.

Ancient Forest Route

Start at the Southwest Camp (1). Head into the tunnels of Area 1 and Area 2. There are several bone piles near the coast and the northern edge of the clearing. If you have unlocked the higher camps, the canopy area (Area 17) near the Rathalos nest contains Ancient Bones, which are vital for the tier III upgrades.

Wildspire Waste Route

Area 8 in the Wildspire Waste is a goldmine for bone piles. The rocky ridges often house several gathering spots. For hunters looking for Monster Bone M, hunting Barroth in the muddy plains of Area 4 and 9 is the most reliable method. Capturing the monster instead of killing it increases the chances of receiving multiple bones in the quest rewards.

Strategic Skill Synergy

Since Bone Hatchets suffer from lower sharpness and high stamina consumption (inherent to Dual Blades), your armor choice is paramount. In the early game, the Bone Armor Set itself is a perfect match, offering the "Attack Boost" skill which stacks with the weapon's high base damage.

Recommended Early Skills:

  • Attack Boost: Directly complements the Bone tree's high raw stats.
  • Marathon Runner: Essential for staying in Demon Mode longer. This is often found on the Barroth or Kirin pieces.
  • Weakness Exploit: As you progress into High Rank, this skill allows your Bone Hatchets to crit on weak points, partially making up for the lack of inherent Affinity.
  • Handicraft: This is the most critical skill for late-tier Bone weapons. It extends the sharpness gauge, potentially pushing a weapon from lackluster Green sharpness into the much more powerful Blue or White tiers.

Transitioning to Iceborne (Master Rank)

For those moving into the Master Rank content, the Bone Hatchets evolve into the Hulking Choppers. At this level, the attack values jump significantly, often exceeding 300 base attack. The materials required shift to Tough Guardian Bones and Colossal Bones found in the Hoarfrost Reach.

While end-game meta builds often revolve around Safi'jiiva or Fatalis gear, the Bone tree remains a reliable "poverty build" for players progressing through the Iceborne story. It requires minimal farming compared to rare monster drops and provides enough punch to take down hurdles like Barioth or Glavenus.

Combat Tips for Bone Hatchet Users

When wielding Bone Hatchets, your goal is to stay glued to the monster's weakest part. Since you aren't relying on elemental procs as much as a dedicated elemental build, your positioning is slightly more flexible, but focusing on the head or tail for raw damage remains optimal.

  • Sharpness Awareness: Always carry Whetfish Fins or standard Whetstones. As soon as your Bone Hatchets dip into Yellow sharpness, your damage drops by roughly 15-20%. Find a ledge or a bush to hide in and sharpen immediately.
  • Demon Mode Management: Don't just stay in Demon Mode until your stamina is empty. Switch back to normal mode to perform the basic combos and refill your stamina. The Bone Hatchets' high raw damage means even your non-Demon Mode hits are respectable.
  • Slope Interaction: The Ancient Forest and Wildspire Waste are full of slopes. Use the sliding attack to perform the mid-air spinning blade dance. This move hits multiple times and is one of the best ways to apply the raw damage of the Bone tree across the entire length of a monster like Anjanath or Diablos.

In conclusion, the Bone Hatchets in MHW are more than just a "beginner weapon." they represent a strategic choice for hunters who value raw power and straightforward progression. By focusing on the Bone tree, you reduce the time spent grinding for rare plates and rubies, allowing you to focus on mastering the intricate dance of the Dual Blades.