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┗ Title Update 4 | Title Update 5 | Bonus Update
┗ Check out all our Best Builds For Every Weapon!
┗ TU4 Monsters: Velkhana | Risen C.G. Valstrax
┗ TU5 Monsters: Amatsu | Risen Shagaru Magala
┗ Bonus Update Monster: Primordial Malzeno
This is a guide to the best builds and equipment for Sword and Shields in Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise): Sunbreak. Learn about the best Sword and Shields for Sunbreak and the best builds and Armor pieces to use with the Sword and Shield for Low, High, and Master Rank.
| All Sword and Shield Guides | ||
|---|---|---|
 Trees & Full List |
 How to Use |
 Best Builds |
List of Contents
| If you have any suggestions or additional information, please comment them below! |
|---|
| Weapon | ATK | DEF | Affinity |
|---|---|---|---|
 Phecda's Asterism
 |
340 | 0 | 0% |
| Element / Status |
Slots | Rampage Slots | |
11 |
④②ー | ① |
| Armor | Slots | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Risen Kaiser Horns
|
③②ー | ||
 Tempest Robe
|
④④① |
Critical Boost Lv. 1
Heaven-Sent Lv. 1
|
|
 Risen Mizuha Sleeves
|
④②① | ||
 Virtue / Prudence Coil
|
④②ー | ||
 Valstrax Greaves - Epoch
|
④③ー | ||
| Talisman | Attack Boost Lv. 3 with a ③② slot or better | ||
| Rampage Decoration |
 Anti-Wyvern Jewel 2
x 1 or Anti-Aerial Jewel 2
x 1 or Anti-Aquatic Jewel 2
x 1 or Fanged Exploit Jewel 2
x 1
|
||
| Decorations | |||
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Rampage Skill | Swap between Wyvern Exploit, Anti-Aerial Species, Anti-Aquatic Species, or Fanged Exploit depending on the monster. |
|
Attack Boost Lv.7
| Guard Lv.5
Critical Eye Lv.4 | Critical Boost Lv.3 Weakness Exploit Lv.3 | Offensive Guard Lv.3 Stun Resistance Lv.3 | Grinder (S) Lv.3 Chameleos Blessing Lv.3 | Embolden Lv.2 Wirebug Whisperer Lv.1 | Coalescence Lv.1 Bloodlust Lv.1 | Foray Lv.1 Burst Lv.1 | Buildup Boost Lv.1 Powder Mantle Lv.1 | Heaven-Sent Lv.1 Frenzied Bloodlust Lv.1 |
|
| Weapon Augments | |
|---|---|
| Armor Augments |
Armor Augments for this build are not necessary. However, feel free to add as you please once you get comfortable with your build! Generally, you'd want to get better skills and more slots for your armor.
For damage, aim for any of the following: ● Buildup Boost ● Critical Eye ● Poison Attack ● Status Trigger For comfort, aim for any of the following: ● Intrepid Heart ● Wind Mantle ● Embolden ● Shockproof (add as decoration, multiplayer only) |
| Build Merits and Notes |
|---|
| The Phecda's Asterism remains a powerful option for raw damage in Sunbreak's endgame, even after having its sharpness extended with additional anomaly slots. By dropping Protective Polish, it's still possible to burn through sharpness to reach blue before Grinder (S) runs out of time. Heaven-Sent also gives the option to sharpen back to purple with a Switch Skill Swap, eliminating the need for other sharpness skills as long as you don't get knocked back often. Adding Intrepid Heart through a skill or slot augment is highly recommended to maintain this buff more easily.
Also new to this build is the addition of Embolden, which reduces knockback more when paired with max-level Guard. This allows us to activate Offensive Guard consistently with either Metsu Shoryugeki or a Guard Slash. Guard Slash is notable as it can be chained to a Perfect Rush, scoring big damage when used properly. Due to the nature of Embolden, this is best used when playing solo or with followers that don't draw aggro. While it can also be used in multiplayer hunts, it's far from ideal since the monster will not constantly target you. |
Master Rank Sword and Shield Builds
Whether you're just breaking in the High Rank at HR 4 or are just looking for some new strategies at HR 100, we've got the best High Rank Sword and Shield builds to spice up your hunts.
►High Rank Sword and Shield Builds
| Latest Builds | Rank |
|---|---|
| Raw Damage Build | HR 100+ |
| Dragon Slayer Build | HR 100+ |
Check out the best Sword and Shield builds for Monster Hunter beginners or for speeding through Village Quests or Low Rank Gathering hub.
►Low Rank Sword and Shield Builds
| Latest Builds | Rank |
|---|---|
| Maximum KO Build | Village Quest ★4 to ★6 |
These skills make it possible to deal extra damage! Aim for these skills for maximum DPS to defeat those monsters easier and finish those quests faster!
| Best Skills | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Weakness Exploit ★★★ |
A staple skill for any meta build. Increases affinity when hitting enemy weakspots, which the Sword and Shield does very often. Synergizes with Critical Eye and Critical Boost. |
| Critical Boost ★★★ |
Amplifies critical damage by 5% per level, synergizing with Critical Eye and Weakness Exploit for critical-focused Sword and Shield builds. |
| Critical Eye ★★★ |
Critical Eye increases Affinity, working hand-in-hand with Sword and Shield builds being mostly critical-focused. |
| Attack Boost ★★★ |
More damage is always welcome for the Sword and Shield. Max this skill out whenever possible or aim for 4 levels. |
| Element Attack ★★★ |
Sunbreak featured buffs for elemental damage, making elemental builds viable. Max out this skill to increase damage against monsters. Fire | Water | Ice | Thunder | Dragon |
| Offensive Guard ★★★ |
This skill further amps your damage whenever you pull off a successful Metsu Shoryugeki. |
| Burst ★★★ |
The Sword and Shield's fast-paced attacks allow this skill to shine to its full potential. Max it out whenever possible, but a single point is enough for most fights. Available in Sunbreak Base Game |
| Element Exploit ★★ |
Amplify your elemental damage against monsters weak to a specific element with this skill. A single point of it is enough to deal significant damage. Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 1 |
| Critical Element ★★ |
Improve your overall DPS with more elemental damage during critical hits! |
| Slugger ★★ |
Makes it easier to stun monsters, working hand-in-hand with the weapon's various shield bash moves. |
| Dragon Conversion ★★ |
When activated, this skill from the Risen Crimson Glow Valstrax Armor will benefit elemental builds, increasing DPS even further! Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 4 |
| Powder Mantle ★★ |
This skill from the Risen Teostra Armor provides the Sword and Shield with additional blast damage every time it activates, contributing greatly to DPS. Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 3 |
| Dereliction ★ |
Using the Red Scroll increases the Sword and Shield's elemental values while using the Blue Scroll increases both attack and stun potency, improving overall damage. Just be wary of your health! Available in Sunbreak Base Game |
| Bloodlust ★ |
Overcome the Frenzy Virus to power up with this skill; best paired with Coalescence. Available in Sunbreak Base Game |
These are skills that make managing weapon mechanics a lot easier. Damage is only part of the equation - taking time to slot in comfort skills that increase consistency & comfort will also increase overall DPS!
| Best Skills | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Protective Polish ★★★ |
Due to the Sword and Shield's fast-attacking nature, it will deplete sharpness fast. Always consider maxing this skill out to keep your sharpness high, up to a maximum of 90 seconds! |
| Master's Touch ★★ |
Every time a critical strike hits, this skill prevents your weapon from losing sharpness. This is an ideal skill for most high affinity builds and for weapons with manageable sharpness (e.g., Gates of Heaven) |
| Razor Sharp ★★ |
Another sharpness managing skill to consider with the Sword and Shield. |
| Speed Sharpening ★★ |
Reduces a cycle for sharpening with each level. Synergizes well with the Protective Polish skill. |
| Wirebug Whisperer ★★ |
Using Metsu Shoryugeki during your combos costs 2 Wirebugs and recharges slowly. Focusing on this skill will make the Wirebugs more readily available. Best paired with Wind Mantle. |
| Wind Mantle ★★ |
This skill from the Risen Kushala Armor will recharge your Wirebugs faster, giving you more utility with your Sword and Shield. Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 3 |
| Defiance ★★ |
Three levels of this skill prevent most roars, tremors, and winds from interrupting your charged attacks. The Cornerstone Jewel is a level 1 decoration, so slot it in whenever possible! Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 1 |
| Flinch Free ★★ |
Useful especially in multiplayer where minor attacks can interrupt your attacks, especially when trying to charge your weapon! |
| Guard ★ |
When paired with Embolden, this skill is useful in guarding strong attacks, which can make transitioning into the Perfect Rush combo easier. |
| Handicraft ★ |
Some endgame Sword and Shields tend to have a lot of room for improvement regarding their sharpness. Slot this skill in only when necessary! |
| Intrepid Heart ★ |
Whenever the gauge above your health bar is full, this skill can be useful in preventing monster attacks from interrupting your combos, making it possible to pull off an extra charged attack before you can regroup. Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 2 |
|
• Weapons marked withNEW have been updated. • Weapons withUP have been reviewed and does not warrant an updated build from the Bonus Update. |
| All Weapon Build Guides | |
|---|---|
 Great SwordNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Long SwordNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Sword & ShieldNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Dual BladesNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 HammerNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Hunting HornNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 LanceNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 GunlanceNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Switch AxeNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Charge BladeNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Insect GlaiveNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 BowNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Light BowgunNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
 Heavy BowgunUP Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
| Other Build Guides | |
|---|---|
| General High Rank Builds and Best Equipment | Buddy Equipment Builds Palico | Palamute |
Hey Anon, thanks for pointing this out. We've rewritten this section now.
Sword and Shield Builds and Best Armor (SNS)
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Attack Jewel+ 4
Embolden Jewel+ 4
Expert Jewel+ 4
Guardian Jewel+ 4
Polisher Pro Jewel+ 4
Ironwall Jewel+ 3
Guardian Jewel 3
Polisher Pro Jewel 3
Chain Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Ironwall Jewel 2
Phoenix Jewel 2
Wirebug Jewel 2
Haze Jewel 1
Rampage Slot Upgrade
Attack Boost
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