In the world of Monster Hunter, hunters are frequently innovating news ways to combat the massive wyverns and the deadly threats they represent, not to mention deviants and elders oft times being literal forces of nature. One such innovation takes the incredible defense of the lance and sacrifices a little of it to add a short range shelling gun to the lance. This is the 'Murica Lance... I mean, Gunlance.
* Note; each of these Monster Hunter weapons is built with the assumption of the Hunter wielding them is PL10, possessing 4 Strength and a balance 10/10 Tough and Active Defenses.
Gunlance - Paired Device
Total Cost: 29pp (36pp With Removeable(-7pp))
Basic Attack: Strength-based Damage 4 (Total damage 8), Reach
Cost: 5pp
Shelling: Enhanced Attack 8 (Secondary Effect 8 added to Basic Attack) and Enhanced Attack 8 (Penetrating 8 added to Basic Attack), Limited(Secondary Effect only)
Cost: 12pp
Wyrmstake: Enhanced Attack 8 (Multiattack 8 added to Basic Attack), Triggered(Shelling attack), Limited(Secondary Effect Only), Quirk(May only be used when Triggered)
Cost: 3pp (Shared array slot with Shelling)
Great Shield: Protection 5, Feature(Second Chance 3 (Being Tripped, Knocked Down or Knocked Back), Feature(Withstand Damage), Concentration, Distracting
Cost: 1pp (Alternate Effect to Shelling + Wyrmsteak)
Guarded Thrust: Enhanced Attack 8 (Move Action added to Basic Attack), Limited(While using Great Shield)
Cost: 0pp (Shared array slot with Great Shield)
Wyvern Fire: Enhanced Attack 16 (Move Action 8 and Multiattack 8 added to Basic Attack), Limited(While aiming) linked to Weaken Toughness 8, Improved Critical 4, Multiattack, Move Action, Limited(While aiming), Distracting, Instant Recovery, Side Effect 2(Complication - Cooldown)
Cost: 14pp
Okay, so I tease a bit with the 'Murica Lance, but they did literally install a gun on a lance.. I mean come on. Levity aside, this thing pairs the powerful defense of the lance with some very nice added offensive capabilities with shelling.
This weapon functions well in a sort of a two-turn flow which can go two ways;
If you want to use the Wyrmstake, you'll set the trigger on that every odd round then Shelling on the even rounds, but if you want to truly unleash devastation to your foes, you start off with your Wyrmstake, loaded before combat, then Shelling for your opening hit, Guarded Thrust and Great Shield on your even numbered turns and continue Shelling on the odd numbers. Largely, Wyrmstake will be used for an opener, then reset only when you can't get into position to attack.
Secondary Effect will not trigger when you use the effect with Secondary Effect again, but it will if you attack with an effect lacking Secondary Effect. So by alternating, you are dishing out double damage every even numbered round from the Guarded Thrust or a Basic Attack and Shelling's secondary effect. (Turns out using Enhanced Attack this way is very powerful since you can just turn Secondary Effect on and off)
If you have a defenseless target, rip them a new one with Wyvern Fire. You must aim with it and can't move, not to mention the cooldown complication that prevents you from using it again for several minutes, but it is very powerful (and due to how this is built, you can combine Shelling, Wyrmstake and Wyvern Fire all in one intensely huge attack, which is what Wyvern Fire is. So that is intentional.)
Gunlance has the same shield as lance, so you can block with Withstand Damage to get a 0 defense, but 20 toughness. You can still take damage the same as a lance can with a strong attack but a poor toughness roll, but it's still damn impressive. It does lack Perfect Guard though in favor of its greater offense capabilities with Shelling.
Long story short, the Gunlance is capable of a relentless onslaught of modestly strong attacks with a powerful shield for defense when needed.
Worth noting, in the game, the number of shells is finite, but quick reload is a thing that essentially cancels that out. Also the difference in shell types is relatively minor, so wasn't factored in. A Charged Shelling is simply a power attack with Shelling. Nothing fancy there.