Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

Sword and Shield Builds and Best Armor (SNS)

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Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise) - Sword and Shield Builds and Best Equipment Guide

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
Sword and Shield 1Trees & Full List Sword and Shield 2How to Use Sword and Shield 3Best Builds

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Latest Sunbreak MR Build

Heaven-Sent Embolden Poison Build

Weapon ATK DEF Affinity
PhecdaPhecda's Asterism
Phecda
340 0 0%
Element
/ Status
Slots Rampage Slots
Poison Image 11
④②ー
Armor Slots Skills
Risen Kaiser HornsRisen Kaiser Horns ③②ー
Tempest RobeTempest Robe ④④①
Risen Mizuha SleevesRisen Mizuha Sleeves ④②①
Virtue / Prudence Coil Virtue / Prudence Coil ④②ー
Valstrax Greaves - EpochValstrax Greaves - Epoch ④③ー
Talisman Attack Boost Lv. 3 with a ③② slot or better
Rampage Decoration
Decorations
Skills
Rampage Skill Swap between Wyvern Exploit, Anti-Aerial Species, Anti-Aquatic Species, or Fanged Exploit depending on the monster.

Build Merits and Augments

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

High Rank Builds

Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise) - High Rank Sword and Shield Builds

Gathering Hub HR 4 - HR 100+

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+

Low Rank Builds

MH Rise - Low Rank Sword and Shield Builds

Village Quests - Low Rank Hub

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

Recommended Skills for Sword and Shield

Best Damage Skills

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

Best Comfort Skills

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

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• Weapons withUP have been reviewed and does not warrant an updated build from the Bonus Update.
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