● Last updated · Next review · Game version: Global launch
Ouyang Varen
Guard-focused Lance attacker who turns attacks aside with a sturdy shield. Certain skills build Impetus, which makes his thrusts hit harder. The ultimate blocks a hit or roar and staggers.
Is Ouyang Varen good? Usable, but not a priority. Ouyang Varen is B-tier: there are clearly better options for the same job.
Placement confidence
High confidence
This placement is settled.
Why this tier
All 3 launch-week ratings that placed Ouyang Varen put them in B. With no disagreement, B is a safe call.
Rating breakdown
Based on 3 launch-week ratings.
Rating sources (3)
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Game8 Page dated Oct 29, 2026 | B |
| monsterhunteroutlanders.cc Page dated Oct 29, 2026 | B |
| Gacha.gg Page dated Oct 29, 2026 | B |
Why these: each one ranks by strength and was updated in launch week (from October 28, 2026). Each counts once, the majority decides, and a split goes to the lower tier. Closed-beta snapshots, pre-launch estimates and reroll-priority lists are not used. Last checked Oct 30, 2026.
Every change to this tier is logged in the changelog.
Strengths
- Very safe to play
- Useful in early free-to-play Water teams, and joins for free through the story (not officially confirmed)
Weaknesses
- Lowest damage of the Assault Adventurers
- Sharpness stacks are easy to lose
How to get
Joins for free after the Jyuratodus story quests, once you beat Jyuratodus again in a Free Hunt (not officially confirmed). Also on the Standard banner
Reported free — not officially confirmed. Sources: Game8 walkthrough (Oct 29, 2026), GameSaiyan beginner guide (Oct 28, 2026).
Lance on the weapon tier list (B)
✓ Role and weapon match the official website (checked Oct 29, 2026). Rarity, element and how to get are not listed there (not officially confirmed).
Other Assault Adventurers
The kit, in short
Ouyang Varen relies on the Lance's strong guard, using the shield to turn attacks aside. Certain skills build Impetus, which makes the thrusts hit harder.
Summarised from the official description.
The Assault class
Assault is the damage class. On hunts, Assault Adventurers fight alongside a Palico Buddy that adds bursts of damage.
Every Adventurer also feeds the squad's shared energy for the Co-Op Skill, which only lands when the whole squad hits the same monster part within a short window.
Teams with Ouyang Varen
- Water with Pepper, Fated Adventurer (Water) and MadelynRanged damage on flying monsters from Pepper, with Madelyn healing.
Ouyang Varen's skills explained
- Exclusive Trait Heart of Justice
- Each Basic Attack gives +5% Attack for 10s, up to 3 stacks. Skills also build Impetus, which raises some skill damage but resets when he stops attacking.
- Co-op Skill Earthshaker
- Jumps up with the Buddy and plunges down for heavy damage, giving 3 Impetus on hit; hitting the co-op focus part advances co-op phase.
- Skill 1 Defensive Stance
- Shield guard; a Perfect Guard at the start gives 1 Impetus, but guarding too long resets Impetus. A successful guard opens a lance counter worth 1 Impetus on hit.
- Skill 2 Defensive Maneuver
- Dash with a parry; a successful parry gives 1 Impetus. Pressing Skill 2 again after the dash does Rending Sweep, a Burst skill that spends all Impetus (a parry keeps Impetus). At 3 Impetus it triggers a Support-type Squadmate Skill.
- Skill 3 Piercing Thrust
- Hold to charge behind the shield, gaining up to 3 Impetus; release for a fast lunge whose reach and damage scale with Impetus. Unwavering at 2+ Impetus; counts as a Burst skill at 3. Skill 2 afterwards gives Rending Sweep.
- Squadmate Skill Breaching Follow-Up
- When the Main Adventurer or any Ultimate suppresses the monster, deals heavy damage. Once every 40s.
- Ultimate Sentinel Thrust
- Takes a parry stance that also shields nearby allies; a successful parry leads to an empowered combo counter that always staggers, otherwise a normal combo counter. In a squad he steps in front of the Main Adventurer to parry for them.
All 10 Insights
- Ironclad Glory: Ultimate raises squad part-break efficiency by 30% for 15s. (30 pts)
- Desert Storm: Skill 3 skill damage +20% and charge time -20%. (30 pts)
- Indomitable: +10% water skill damage per Impetus stack. (30 pts)
- Hoarfrost Lance: 3rd Thrust gives 1 Impetus even if it misses; long guards no longer reset Impetus. (30 pts)
- Unstoppable Momentum: Ultimate adds multi-hit damage and gives 3 Impetus on hit; protects teammates longer during the Ultimate and clears their ailments. (30 pts)
- Aquatic Surge: After a successful Skill 2 parry, the next skill deals +48% damage (window 30s). (30 pts)
- Power Charge: Ultimate charge rate +5%. (10 pts)
- Hunting Spirit: Damage dealt +5%. (10 pts)
- Protection: Physical damage taken -8%. (5 pts)
- Harmony: All elemental resistances +8%. (5 pts)
How to play Ouyang Varen
- Build Impetus from the third Thrust, Perfect Guards, counters and parries.
- Guard right at the start of an attack for a Perfect Guard. Holding the guard too long resets your Impetus.
- Parrying with Defensive Maneuver keeps your Impetus, which helps you chain into Rending Sweep.
- Hold the front line at a slight angle so the team can still reach the head, and spend the stack on reinforced thrusts at the head or a broken part.
- Passive turtling gives very low damage. He is at his best against monsters that charge a lot.
Good matchups: Barroth, Diablos, Black Diablos.
Skill names and numbers come from launch-week guides that list them from the game (not officially confirmed). The play tips are our summary of their advice. Sources: Official website, Game8 (Oct 29, 2026), monsterhunteroutlanders.cc (Oct 29, 2026), Gacha.gg (Oct 29, 2026).
Ouyang Varen FAQ
Is Ouyang Varen good in Monster Hunter Outlanders?
Usable, but not a priority. Ouyang Varen is B-tier: there are clearly better options for the same job.
What class and weapon does Ouyang Varen use?
Ouyang Varen is an Assault Adventurer who fights with the Lance, and the element is Water. The class and weapon match the official website.
How do I get Ouyang Varen?
Joins for free after the Jyuratodus story quests, once you beat Jyuratodus again in a Free Hunt (not officially confirmed). Also on the Standard banner.
What does Ouyang Varen's Ultimate do?
Sentinel Thrust: Takes a parry stance that also shields nearby allies; a successful parry leads to an empowered combo counter that always staggers, otherwise a normal combo counter. In a squad he steps in front of the Main Adventurer to parry for them. (Not officially confirmed.)
Who should I team Ouyang Varen with?
In our suggested teams, Ouyang Varen lines up with Pepper and Madelyn. The full line-ups are on the team comps page.
Official sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on Oct 30, 2026. Where they cover something, the official information wins. Tiers and anything they do not cover come from our comparison of launch-week guides.