Ouyang Varen in our tier list
A A very sturdy guard keeps Ouyang Varen planted in front of the monster, and every Impetus gained makes the thrusts land harder. The catch is the ramp: the strongest thrusts wait until Impetus is built up, which fits our A definition. See the full Monster Hunter Outlanders Tier List.
Ouyang Varen strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- The card lists a strong guard, so on paper Ouyang Varen can take a hit on the shield instead of needing a perfect dodge.
- Impetus raises thrust damage, and the Lance attacks with quick thrusts, so the resource feeds the moves Ouyang Varen uses most.
- One player reports Ouyang Varen comes free through early story progress, so the A tier costs no pulls.
Weaknesses
- The heaviest thrusts only arrive after Impetus is built, so the opening seconds of a fight hit softer on paper.
- The card lists nothing that helps squadmates, so Ouyang Varen adds damage and staying power but no buffs.
Our take
- Day-one paper call: Ouyang Varen is an SR, and one player reports the story hands Ouyang Varen over for free. Spend no pulls, tickets or exchange picks here; save them for SSR targets.
- Ouyang Varen is a sensible first character to control on a new account. A guard forgives late reactions, and you can learn how Impetus builds before moving to a harder kit. This comes from the card, not from our own hunts.
Ouyang Varen holds A on our day-one list. A strong guard keeps Ouyang Varen in position, and Impetus makes each thrust hit harder, but the heaviest thrusts wait until Impetus is built. That ramp is the condition behind the A.
Unlocking Ouyang Varen should cost nothing: one player reports all five SR Adventurers are free, Ouyang Varen through early story progress. Save pulls for SSR picks.
What the official card tells us
Beyond the Lance, Ouyang Varen’s profile names a strong guard for defense and Impetus, which certain skills build to raise thrust damage. The card gives no figures for how much one skill adds, how far Impetus stacks or whether it fades.
The official Lance overview fits that picture: a defensive weapon with quick thrusts, several guard options and blocks that lead into stronger counters. A rush move gains speed and power as it runs, then ends with an enhanced finisher. On paper, Ouyang Varen blocks, counters and keeps thrusting while Impetus climbs.
That ramp keeps Ouyang Varen out of S: the guard works from the first second, but full damage needs setup. Arkaya, the only other Lance user, plays the weapon as a Support, leaving Ouyang Varen as the damage Lance.
Where Ouyang Varen fits in a squad
Players report you control one Adventurer while three more fight automatically. Ouyang Varen suits the slot you control if you like to stand your ground; on paper, a guard means fewer forced dodges.
The Co-Op Skill needs every squadmate on the same monster part after one Adventurer activates it, and we expect quick thrusts from a planted guard to stay on target. One player reports the Assault squadmate skill deals burst damage to a suppressed monster, so Ouyang Varen still contributes as a squadmate.
Madelyn boosts allies near detonated Spores, Arkaya spread a shield across the squad in the closed beta tests, and Luka adds free damage from range. Full lineups sit on our Monster Hunter Outlanders best team list.
What we will check after launch
- How fast Impetus builds, how high it stacks and when it drains.
- Whether the guard holds against a monster’s largest attacks.
- How well the AI uses the guard and keeps Impetus up.
- Whether an official source confirms the free story route.
Fast Impetus could lift Ouyang Varen; a guard that breaks under big hits could drop Ouyang Varen. Changes are logged in our tier list.
What to pair with Ouyang Varen
- Madelyn: Detonated Spores boost Madelyn and allies close by, and a Lance user stays close to the monster. One player reports Madelyn is also a free SR from early story progress.
- Arkaya: Arkaya, the other Lance user, gave every squad member a shield in the closed beta tests. That layer sits on top of the guard while Impetus builds.
- Luka: Luka arrives free from the launch events and attacks from range, so a new account can field a front-line Lance and a mobile Bow without spending.
Ouyang Varen FAQ
Is Ouyang Varen good in Monster Hunter Outlanders?
Yes. Our day-one list places Ouyang Varen in A, as a Lance Assault with a strong guard and a resource, Impetus, that raises thrust damage. The best damage only comes once Impetus is built, which is the condition behind the A.
How do I get Ouyang Varen?
One player reports every SR Adventurer is free, with Ouyang Varen, Raya and Madelyn arriving through early story progress. We have not seen an official statement yet, so treat the route as a player report.
Should I spend pulls on Ouyang Varen?
No. Ouyang Varen is one of the five SR Adventurers, and the reported story route costs nothing. Keep pulls and exchange picks for SSR targets such as Arkaya.
What weapon does Ouyang Varen use?
The Lance. Only two of the 13 Adventurers use it: Ouyang Varen as an Assault and Arkaya as a Support. The official overview calls the Lance a defensive weapon built on quick thrusts and guards.
What is Impetus?
Impetus is the resource on Ouyang Varen's card. Some skills feed that meter, and the fuller it gets, the harder each thrust lands. The card gives no numbers for how much each skill adds or how long Impetus lasts.
Is Ouyang Varen good for beginners?
On paper, yes. Ouyang Varen appears on our beginner list, since a guard should forgive a slow reaction that would punish an evasion kit.
Is Ouyang Varen good in a team?
Ouyang Varen also appears on our best team list. Outside the top three on our main list, Ouyang Varen is the SR we recommend most often.
Ouyang Varen or Midori: which Assault is better?
On paper, Ouyang Varen. Both are Assault, but Ouyang Varen pairs damage with a strong guard, while Midori relies on timed counters. That is why Ouyang Varen is A and Midori is B on our list.