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Here are the best Sword and Shield Builds in Monster Hunter Now. Check out the best early game build, the best elemental Sword and Shield builds, and the best Sword and Shield build progression against large monsters in this guide!
All Sword and Shield Guides | ||
---|---|---|
Full List | How to Use | Builds |
List of Contents
Jump to a Sword and Shield Build | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Early Game Build | Raw/Status Build | ||||
Water Build | Fire Build | Thunder Build | |||
Ice Build | Dragon Build |
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
95 | 0% | 25 | |
Armor | Skills | ||
Kulu Headpiece
(Grade 2) |
▸ Lock On Lv. 1 | ||
Jagras Mail
(Grade 2) |
▸ Rising Tide Lv.1 | ||
Girros Vambraces
(Grade 2) |
▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1 | ||
Leather Belt
(Grade 2) |
▸ Health Boost Lv.1 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 2) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv.1 |
In the early stages of the game, most monsters will be weak to the Water element. We recommend the Jagras Edge as your starting weapon to progress in the early game. The weapon's damage is increased further with skills such as Sneak Attack and Water Attack.
This build is ideal to progress and in farming Tobi-Kadachi materials, which you will need to craft equipment against Jyuratodus.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
At least Grade 5 |
409 | 0% | 298 |
At least Grade 5 |
473 | 0% | 188 |
At least Grade 5 |
430 | 0% | 250 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Zinogre Helm
(Grade 5) |
▸
Evasive Concentration
Lv. 1 ▸ Burst Lv. 1 |
||
Rathalos Mail
(Grade 6) |
▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2 | ||
Rathian Vambraces
(Grade 6) |
▸
Lock On
Lv. 1 ▸ Burst Lv. 2 |
||
Rathian Coil
(Grade 6) |
▸
Poison Resistance
Lv. 1 ▸ Burst Lv. 1 |
||
Zinogre Greaves
(Grade 5) |
▸ Burst Lv. 1 |
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
(at least Grade 5) |
335 | 10% | 230 |
Alternative:
(at least Grade 5) |
370 | 0% | 181 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Pukei Lagoon Hat
(Grade 8) |
▸
Lock On
Lv. 1 ▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2 |
||
Jyura Mail
(Grade 4) |
▸
Water Attack
Lv. 1 ▸ Last Stand Lv. 1 |
||
Jyura Vambraces
(Grade 6) |
▸ Water Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Rathian Coil
(Grade 5) |
▸
Poison Resistance
Lv. 1 ▸ Burst Lv. 1 |
||
Jagras Greaves
(Grade 6) |
▸ Water Attack Lv. 2 |
You can replace the Pukei Lagoon Hat with the Kulu Headpiece if you don't have the materials.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
(at least Grade 5) |
361 | 0% | 232 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Anja Helm
(Grade 4) |
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Rathalos Mail
(Grade 6) |
▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2 | ||
Anja Vambraces
(Grade 6) |
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Diablos Nero Coil
(Grade 5) |
▸ Lock On Lv. 1 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 6) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv. 2 |
If Black Diablos isn't available, an alternative would be to use the Rathalos Coil. This will let you let you max out Fire Attack at the cost of Lock On. If you want to keep Lock On, you should also use the Kulu Headpiece instead, but your Fire Attack will only be at Lv. 3.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
At least Grade 6 |
461 | 0% | 320 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Pukei Lagoon Hat
(Grade 8) |
▸
Lock On
Lv. 1 ▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2 |
||
Rathalos Mail
(Grade 6) |
▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2 | ||
Zinogre Vambraces
(Grade 6) |
▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Kadachi Coil
(Grade 6) |
▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Zinogre Greaves
(Grade 6) |
▸
Burst
Lv. 1 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 1 |
This Thunder Sword and Shield build requires Zinogre materials. This monster is available during Hunt-a-thons. If you're struggling to find Zinogre, you can use our alternative set below.
You can also replace the Pukei Lagoon Hat with the Kulu Headpiece if you don't have the materials.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
(at least Grade 5) |
370 | 0% | 181 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Rathalos Helm
(Grade 5) |
▸ Attack Boost Lv. 2 | ||
Kadachi Mail
(Grade 4) |
▸
Evade Extender
Lv. 1 ▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 1 |
||
Rathian Vambraces
(Grade 6) |
▸
Lock On
Lv. 1 ▸ Burst Lv. 2 |
||
Kadachi Coil
(Grade 6) |
▸ Thunder Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Rathalos Greaves
(Grade 6) |
▸
Fire Resistance
Lv. 1 ▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 1 |
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
(at least Grade 5) |
361 | 0% | 232 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Pukei Lagoon Hat
(Grade 8) |
▸
Lock On
Lv. 1 ▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2 |
||
Barioth Mail
(Grade 6) |
▸
Ice Resistance
Lv. 1 ▸ Ice Attack Lv. 1 |
||
Barioth Vambraces
(Grade 6) |
▸ Ice Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Legiana Coil
(Grade 5) |
▸ Ice Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 6) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv. 2 |
This Ice Sword and Shield build requires Barioth materials, which requires defeating it in Hunt-a-Thons. You can also replace the Pukei Lagoon Hat with the Kulu Headpiece if you don't have the materials.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
(at least Grade 5) |
361 | 0% | 232 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Legiana Helm
(Grade 6) |
▸
Divine Blessing
Lv. 1 ▸ Ice Attack Lv. 1 |
||
Anja Mail
(Grade 6) |
▸ Special Boost Lv. 2 | ||
Rathian Vambraces
(Grade 6) |
▸
Lock On
Lv. 1 ▸ Burst Lv. 2 |
||
Legiana Coil
(Grade 5) |
▸ Ice Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Rathalos Greaves
(Grade 6) |
▸
Fire Resistance
Lv. 1 ▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 1 |
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
(at least Grade 5) |
368 | -30% | 292 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Pukei Lagoon Hat
(Grade 8) |
▸
Lock On
Lv. 1 ▸ Weakness Exploit Lv. 2 |
||
Rath Heart Mail
(Grade 6) |
▸
Focus
Lv. 1 ▸ Dragon Attack Lv. 1 |
||
Vangis Vambraces
(Grade 5) |
▸
Dragon Attack
Lv. 1 ▸ Peak Performance Lv. 1 |
||
Vangis Coil
(Grade 6) |
▸
Dragon Attack
Lv. 2 ▸ Tremor Resistance Lv. 1 |
||
Rath Heart Greaves
(Grade 6) |
▸
Special Boost
Lv. 2 ▸ Dragon Attack Lv. 1 |
You can replace the Pukei Lagoon Hat with the Kulu Headpiece if you don't have the materials.
Skill | Explanation / Recommended Level |
---|---|
Elemental Attack | Take advantage of a monster's elemental weakness by equipping this stat! Priority: ★★★ |
Burst | Since the Sword and Shield is a fast-hitting weapon, it can easily activate Burst, making it a priority for raw sets. Priority: ★★★ |
Weakness Exploit | This skill will increase your critical hit rate when hitting weak points, which will directly increase your DPS. Priority: ★★☆ |
Critical Eye | This skill also increases critical hit rate but is always active. Priority: ★★☆ |
Lock On | Target a monster's weak spots easily with this skill! Priority: ★★☆ |
Offensive Guard | Improve your DPS further by doing a perfectly-timed guard with your Sword and Shield. Priority: ★★☆ |
Sneak Attack | Attacking the rear is the safest way to not get hit by a monster's rushing attack. This skill will improve your damage while doing this. Priority: ★☆☆ |
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
128 | 0% | 47 | |
Armor | Skills | ||
Kulu Headpiece
(Grade 2) |
▸ Lock On Lv. 1 | ||
Jagras Mail
(Grade 2) |
▸ Rising Tide Lv.1 | ||
Girros Vambraces
(Grade 2) |
▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1 | ||
Kadachi Coil
(Grade 2) |
▸ Thunder Attack Lv.1 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 2) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv.1 |
Craft Thunder Edge as soon as you can. This will be the ideal Sword and Shield against Jyuratodus because of its weakness to lightning. Forge the Kadachi Coil for the Thunder Attack skill to increase damage.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
95 | 0% | 25 | |
Armor | Skills | ||
Kulu Headpiece
(Grade 2) |
▸ Lock On Lv. 1 | ||
Jyura Mail
(Grade 3) |
▸ Water Attack Lv.1 | ||
Jyura Vambraces
(Grade 3) |
▸ Water Attack Lv.1 | ||
Lumu Coil
(Grade 3) |
▸ Divine Blessing Lv.1 | ||
Jagras Greaves
(Grade 2) |
▸ Water Attack Lv.1 |
The Jagras Edge will be the best weapon against Anjanath. At this point, you have already defeated Jyuratodus, so farm for its materials to craft its chest and arm pieces. These two armor pieces will increase your Water element damage with the skill, Water Attack.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
128 | 0% | 47 | |
Armor | Skills | ||
Kulu Headpiece
(Grade 4) |
▸ Lock On Lv. 1 | ||
Anja Mail
(Grade 4) |
▸ Special Boost Lv.1 | ||
Girros Vambraces
(Grade 3) |
▸ Sneak Attack Lv.1 | ||
Kadachi Coil
(Grade 3) |
▸ Thunder Attack Lv.1 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 3) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv.1 |
Re-equip the Thunder Edge Sword and Shield to fight Rathian and increase this weapon's damage with the Thunder Attack skill from the Kadachi Coil. Craft the Anjanath chest armor for the Special Boost skill to increase the damage of your Perfect Rush Combo.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
260 | 0% | 117 | |
Armor | Skills | ||
Anja Helm
(Grade 4) |
▸ Fire Attack Lv. 2 | ||
Anja Mail
(Grade 4) |
▸ Special Boost Lv.1 | ||
Rathian Vambraces
(Grade 4) |
▸ Lock On Lv.1 ▸ Burst Lv.1 |
||
Lumu Coil
(Grade 3) |
▸ Divine Blessing Lv.1 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 4) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv.1 |
Craft the Blazing Edge Sword and Shield to take advantage of Legiana's weakness to fire. To increase the elemental damage you do, equip the Anja Helm and level it up until you get the Fire Attack Lv.2 skill that comes with it.
The Rathian Vambraces is a good arm armor to equip for Lock On and Burst, which increases your attack the more you land hits with your Sword and Shield. However, if you want more elemental damage, swap this out with the Anja Vambraces to get the Fire Attack skill to level 3.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
361 | 0% | 232 | |
Armor | Skills | ||
Leather Headgear
(Grade 2) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv. 1 | ||
Anja Mail
(Grade 4) |
▸ Special Boost Lv.1 | ||
Rathian Vambraces
(Grade 4) |
▸ Lock On Lv.1 ▸ Burst Lv.1 |
||
Legiana Coil
(Grade 5) |
▸ Ice Attack Lv.2 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 4) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv.1 |
Glacial Grace is the best Sword and Shield against Diablos because of its weakness to Ice. Equip the Legiana Coil and upgrade it until you get the two levels on Ice Attack, further increasing your damage.
Weapon | ATK | AFF | ELE |
---|---|---|---|
(at least Grade 4) |
370 | 0% | 181 |
Armor | Skills | ||
Leather Headgear
(Grade 2) |
▸Critical Eye Lv. 1 | ||
Anja Mail
(Grade 4) |
▸ Special Boost Lv.1 | ||
Rathian Vambraces
(Grade 4) |
▸ Lock On Lv.1 ▸ Burst Lv.1 |
||
Kadachi Coil
(Grade 3) |
▸ Thunder Attack Lv.1 | ||
Kulu Greaves
(Grade 4) |
▸ Critical Eye Lv.1 |
Thunder Edge takes advantage of Rathalos's weakness to Thunder, so this is the ideal weapon for this hunt. The Special Boost skill from the Anjanath chest armor increases the damage of your Perfect Rush Combo, but if you want more elemental damage, equip the Kadachi Mail and upgrade it until you unlock the level one Thunder Attack that comes with it.
All Weapon Builds | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sword and Shield | Great Sword | Long Sword | |||
Hammer | Light Bowgun | Bow | |||
Lance | Dual Blades | Charge Blade | |||
Gunlance | Heavy Bowgun |
Best Sword and Shield Builds
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