★ Title Update 4 coverage is complete!
┗ TU4 Builds | Sunbreak Weapon Tier List
┗ New Monsters: Velkhana | Risen C.G. Valstrax
┗ New Skills: Frostcraft | Dragon Conversion
┗ New Armors: Rimeguard | Valstrax - Epoch
┗ Updated: Decorations | Afflicted Materials
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Gates of Heaven
|
340 | 0 | 0% |
| Element / Status |
Slots | Rampage Slots | |
56
|
③ーー | ② |
| Weapon Augments |
|---|
| Armor | Slots | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Valstrax Helm - Epoch
|
④②ー | ||
 Valstrax Mail - Epoch
|
④④ー | ||
 Valstrax Braces - Epoch
|
④①① | ||
 Valstrax Coil - Epoch
|
④①① | ||
 Valstrax Greaves - Epoch
|
④③ー | ||
| Talisman | Weakness Exploit 2 with a ②① slot | ||
| Rampage Decoration | |||
| Decorations | |||
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Rampage Skill | Valstrax Soul to increase dragon element damage when Dragonheart activates |
|
Attack Boost Lv.7 | Dragon Attack Lv.5
Dragonheart Lv.5 | Latent Power Lv.4 Critical Boost Lv.3 | Weakness Exploit Lv.3 Stamina Surge Lv.3 | Offensive Guard Lv.3 Dragon Resistance Lv.3 | Stun Resistance Lv.3 Dragon Conversion Lv.3 | Intrepid Heart Lv.2 Flinch Free Lv.1 |
|
| Build Merits |
Risen Crimson Glow Valstrax's armor introduced a new skill called Dragon Conversion. This skill converts elemental resistances you get from attacking with the Blue Swap Scroll to elemental damage when you switch to the Red Swap Scroll. This is a powerful skill to use with elemental builds and for weapons that are able to land hits continuosly. Be sure to start fights with this build with the Blue Swap Scroll first and switch to Red only when the elemental resistance logo appears at the top of your health bar. Also take extra care when fighting with the Red Swap Scroll as your elemental resistances will all be 0.
A skill that synergizes well with Dragon Conversion is Dragonheart, which can now be slotted in after Title Update 4! When the skill is activated, it will provide you 50 Elemental resistances. With the mechanic that Dragon Conversion has, this will then be converted to elemental values after you swap to the Red Scroll, increasing your overall dps! There's no better way to round out this build than using the final upgrade of the Crimson Glow Valstrax Sword and Shield! It has high dragon element values with it plus it's large white sharpness negates the need to frequently sharpen. To make this more effective, we slotted in the Valstrax Soul Rampage Skill to further increase elemental damage while dragonblighted by the Dragonheart skill (yep, lots of dragons!). This build also benefits from the Offensive Guard skill when you use the Sword and Shield's Silkbind Attack, Metsu Shoryugeki. This will deal significant damage and can knock out a monster if done multiple times (even once, if the monster is susceptible!). This build assumes that no Armor Augmentations have been made.Should you do some, we suggest targeting a skill that doesn't fit your playstyle and replacing it with a better skill. |
|---|
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 withNEW have updated builds for TU4. |
| 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 BowgunNEW Low Rank | High Rank Master Rank |
| Other Build Guides | |
|---|---|
| General High Rank Builds and Best Equipment |
Buddy Equipment Builds Palico | Palamute |
Sword and Shield Builds and Best Armor (SNS)
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Elemental Boost
Affinity Boost
Valstrax Soul Jewel 2
Hard Dragon Jewel 3
Dragon Jewel 1
Dragon Spirit Jewel 4
Guardian Jewel+ 4
Guardian Jewel 3
Attack Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Brace Jewel 1
Intrepid Jewel 1
