Monster Hunter Wilds

Best Sword & Shield (SNS) Builds for High Rank

Monster Hunter Wilds Walkthrough Team

Last updated on: November 8, 2025 12:15 AM

Monster Hunter Wilds - Sword & Shield (SNS) Builds for High Rank

These are the best High Rank Sword & Shield (SNS) builds in Monster Hunter Wilds. Learn about all the builds for climbing Hunter Ranks, tips for building in High Rank, and the best Skills and Armor pieces to use with the Sword & Shield while in High Rank.

All Sword & Shield Builds
Low Rank Builds	High Rank Builds

List of Contents

Builds Progression
Endgame High Rank Build (HR 50++)
Endgame High Rank Build (HR 36++)
High Rank Build (HR 21 to HR 35)
High Rank Build (HR 9 to HR 20)
Related Guides

Sword & Shield Builds Progression (High Rank)

Endgame Builds and Recommendation

Rating	Build Name
★★★★★	Max Critical Rey Gore Sword & Shield High critical build using Rey Dau γ pieces.
★★★★	NEW Synthetic Shield SNS Build Omega Resonance build that buffs allies with Synthetic Shield.
★★★★	NEW Lord's Soul WEX Agitator SNS Aggressive, high-damage Lord's Soul build with high Affinity.
★★★★	Self-Heal Comfy Sword & Shield A high affinity, self-sustaining build that restores health over time.
★★★	Lagi-Rey Sword & Shield High raw and thunder damage build using Lagiacrus, Rey Dau and Uth Duna pieces.

Progression Builds

High Rank	Build Name
HR36++	Critical Burst Sword & Shield
HR21 - HR35	Elemental Crit Sword & Shield
HR9 - HR20	Foray WEX Sword & Shield

Note that if you are still comfortable with a previous build you're using, you can skip some builds. This is a suggested build progression that you can follow until endgame.

Date	Changes
October 27, 2025	Added Lord's Soul WEX Agitator build.
October 6, 2025	Added Synthetic Shield SNS Build.
August 15, 2025	Included the option to equip Appraised Charms to existing endgame builds.
August 15, 2025	Improved Lagi-Rey SNS build with the use of an appraised charm and replaced its greaves with Duna Wildgreaves γ.
July 2, 2025	Added Lagi-Rey SNS build.
May 21, 2025	Added Self-Heal Comfy SNS build.
May 7, 2025	Took out the 2x Sakuratide Agitator General Build at the end of the Blossomdance Event. The archived build can be found on the Sakuratide α Armor page.
April 25, 2025	Added TU1 2x Sakuratide Agitator General Build for the Blossomdance Event.
April 5, 2025	Addition of HR 50++, an improvement of the HR36++ build. This build features the Zoh Shia armor set that adds more affinity and raw attack.
March 19, 2025	Added specific Artian Reinforcement Rolls to the appropriate recommended weapons.
March 8, 2025	HR 36++ build updated. Now runs Burst 5, WEX 5 , Critical Boost 3, and Offensive Guard 3.
March 4, 2025	Addition of HR 36++, an Elemental build centered around Coalescence and Frenzy for even more Elemental Damage and Affinity.
March 3, 2025	Addition of HR 21-35 build, focusing on Elemental damage while boosting Affinity with Maximum Might and WEX.
March 2, 2025	Guide creation and addition of HR 9-20 build, centered around using Poison to activate Foray alongside WEX.

Endgame High Rank Build (HR 50++)

Max Critical Rey Gore Sword & Shield

Best Artian Weapon

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
Verdoloto	8	315 (225)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③③③	280	5%

Weapon Decorations	Guardian/Handicraft Jwl【3】 x1 Critical Jewel III【3】 x1 Any Elemental Attack/Handicraft Jewel【3】x1

Production Bonus	Artian Reinforcements
•　Element +20 •　Attack +5 •　Attack +5 •　Attack +5 Element Type: Any Element	•　Attack +5 •　Attack +5 •　Attack +5 •　Attack +5 •　Sharpness +30

For this Artian weapon, three materials that share an element and Attack Infusion are recommended to synergize with the armor set of the build.

Critical Jewel and Any Elemental Attack/Handicraft Jewel both at level 3 will occupy one decoration slot since the armor set will take care of the affinity. Take note that status jewels do not have hybrid counterparts.

Note that the Hybrid Guardian decoration for Handicraft is an optional skill, and players can choose to use another Hybrid Decoration or the basic Guardian III Decoration instead.

Best Non-Artian Elemental Swords & Shields

Fire

Water

Thunder

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
Corona	8	280 (200)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③②①	250	10%
Skills	Critical Boost Lv. 3

Weapon Decorations	Crit Elem/Handicraft Jwl【3】 x1 Blaze Jewel II【2】 x1 Blaze Jewel【1】 x1

The Corona is the Fire weapon of choice as it has good Affinity and access to Critical Element, buffing its own damage even before Decorations get added to the weapon.

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
Sandsea Katduva	8	294 (210)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③②①	200	10%
Skills	Offensive Guard Lv. 3

Weapon Decorations	Crit Elem/Handicraft Jwl【3】 x1 Stream Jewel II【2】 x1 Stream Jewel【1】 x1

The Sandsea Katduva is the recommended Water weapon, as it has great element, as well as Affinity for Crits, and a conditional damage-boosting skill in Offensive Guard.

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
High Lagia Sword	8	308 (220)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③②①	300	0%
Skills	Offensive Guard Lv. 2 Convert Thunder Resistance Lv. 1

Weapon Decorations	Crit Elem/Ironwall Jwl【3】 x1 Bolt Jewel II【2】 x1 Guardian Jewel【1】 x1

The High Lagia Sword is the recommended Thunder weapon. Its innate skill Convert Thunder Resistance compliments the resistance of the build's set and Offensive Guard is one of the best offensive skills for the weapon.

Ice

Dragon

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
Precipice Mateptro	8	294 (210)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③②①	350	0%
Skills	Guard Lv. 3

Weapon Decorations	Crit Elem/Handicraft Jwl【3】 x1 Frost Jewel II【2】 x1 Frost Jewel【1】 x1

The Ice weapon of choice is the Precipice Mateptro due to its massive 350 Element, allowing it to hit enemies weak to Ice extremely hard.

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
Jäger-Ankh	8	294 (210)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③②①	200	20%
Skills	Critical Element Lv. 3

Weapon Decorations	Critical Jewel III【3】 x1 Dragon Jewel II【2】 x1 Dragon Jewel【1】 x1

For Dragon, the Jäger-Ankh is the recommended option due to its great Sharpness, Affinity, and 200 Element, further supplemented by its access to Critical Element by default.

Max Critical Rey Gore Sword & Shield Armor Loadout

Armor	Slots	Skills
Rey Sandhelm γ	ーー	Stamina Surge Lv. 1 Weakness Exploit Lv. 1 Maximum Might Lv. 1
Rey Sandmail γ	ーー	Latent Power Lv. 3
Rey Sandbraces γ	ー	Evade Extender Lv. 2
Gore Coil β	ー	Constitution Lv. 2
Gore Greaves β		Flinch Free Lv. 1 Antivirus Lv. 1
Armor Decorations	Challenger Jewel【3】 x3 Chain Jewel【3】 x2 Mighty Jewel【2】 x1 Sane Jewel【1】 x2 Physique Jewel【1】 x1
Alternate Charm (HR 50+)	Challenger Charm II
Appraised Charm (HR 100+)	Challenger Jewel【3】 Agitator Lv. 1 Handicraft Lv. 1
DEF and RES Totals	Defense: 324 Fire Res: -4 Water Res: 0 Thunder Res: 10 Ice Res: -5 Dragon Res: -2

Builds Summary and Explanation

Weapon Skills
Critical Boost	3	Offensive Guard	3
Any Elemental Attack	3	Handicraft	2
Armor Skills
Agitator	5	Latent Power	3
Constitution	3	Antivirus	3
Evade Extender	2	Burst	2
Maximum Might	2	Weakness Exploit	1
Stamina Surge	1	Flinch Free	1
Group / Set Skills
Black Eclipse I		Thunderous Roar I
Guts (Tenacity)
Affinity ・AGI5: +15% ・LP3: +30% ・AV3: +25% ・MM2: +20% ・WEX1: +5~8% ・Weapon: 5% Lowest-Highest: ・5%~103% (on wounds)		Attack \| Element ・LS: +9 Raw (+5) ・AGI5: +20 Raw ・OG3: +28 Raw (+15%) ・BST2: +10 Raw \| +80 Ele ・E.Atk3: +56 Ele (+20%), +60 Ele ・Weapon: 225 Raw \| 280 Ele Lowest-Highest: ・225~292 Raw ・396~476 Ele

The skill summary above assumes the use of the Artian Weapon and the appraised talisman.

This build improves upon the HR 50++ Max Critical Agitator build. Once Agitator, Latent Power, Antivirus, and Maximum Might are all active, the armor skills will provide 95% affinity.

This increase in affinity will allow the players to focus more on attack reinforcements when crafting their artian weapon, giving more raw attack power.

Outside of this new reinforcement priority, Burst will further boost the build's raw and elemental attacks, while Consitution and Stamina Surge aids the player in stamina management.

If you can use an Appraised Charm that contains the Agitator and Handicraft skills, you can replace the Guardian/Handicraft jewel to other Guardian hybrid decorations, such as the Guardian/Ironwall jewel.

Playstyle and Combos

Below is a short guide of general gameplay for the Sword & Shield while using this build.

At the start of a fight, use a Perfect Guard to activate Offensive Guard and nullify the monster's roar, or open with a Sneak Attack for a burst of damage.
Use quick combos, like the Lateral Slash Combo, to keep putting out damage quickly to activate Burst, alongside clearing Frenzy for Coalescence and Antivirus as soon as possible.
Reposition as needed by using Side Slash, Advancing Slash or Sliding Swipe to get around a monster. You can also dodge to cover ground.
Continue to negate monster attacks with Perfect Guard, or use the Sword & Shield's Backstep to avoid attacks too risky to block.
Weave in Shield Bashes whenever you can to rack up Stun damage and eventually knock down a monster.
Once the monster is down, stunned, or otherwise immobilized, go for a Perfect Rush to do a big burst of damage.

The Sword & Shield is at its best when constantly laying down attacks, while protecting itself with Perfect Guard to activate Offensive Guard and minimize offense downtime.

Using quick combo strings, such as the Chops, Lateral Slashes, or the spam combo of alternating two each of the former inputs, to land lots of hits on monsters. Charged Chop can also come in as a combo-ender if the window is big enough.

Also aim to stun the monster using Shield Bashes, to open up an even larger window for attacks. Whenever a monster is immobilized, you can use Perfect Rush for a big burst of damage.

Sword & Shield Weapon Guide

Best Mantles to Use

Best Mantles	Explanation
Corrupted Mantle	•　Provides more damage when active, adding even more offensive power. •　Note that this constantly drains HP if you aren't attacking while it's on.

The Corrupted Mantle is a high-risk, high-reward Mantle that boosts damage when you attack constantly, but will drain your HP if you aren't hitting anything.

This can be used to further your attacks, at the cost of needing to go on the offensive to avoid the HP drain. Play smart when activating this Mantle to be rewarded with Affinity and Attack.

Best Secondary Weapons

Weapon & Type	Explanation
Chrono Gear (Charge Blade)	•　The Charge Blade's sword mode is identical to the Sword and Shield's playstyle, giving players the familiarity to play this weapon mode. •　Furthermore, the Charge Blade's most devastating attacks in Savage Axe and SAED do not consume stamina, giving Maximum Might the right conditions to stay active.

Synthetic Shield SNS Build

Weapon Loadout

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
True Omega's Sword	8	308 (220)	25
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③②①	None	10%
Skills	Guard Up Lv. 3 Synthetic Shield Lv. 1

Weapon Decorations	Rzr Sharp/Ironwall Jwl【3】 x1 Ironwall Jewel II【2】 x1 Guardian Jewel【1】 x1

Armor Loadout

Armor	Slots	Skills
Lagiacrus Helm β		Maximum Might Lv. 2
Omega Suit α	ー	Partbreaker Lv. 2
Omega Vambraces α	ー	Divine Blessing Lv. 1 Agitator Lv. 1
Omega Accessory α	ー	Divine Blessing Lv. 1 Burst Lv. 1
Omega Boots α	ー	Evade Window Lv. 2
Appraised Charm (HR 100+)	Guardian Jewel【1】 Stun Resistance Lv. 3
Armor Decorations	Chain Jewel【3】 x1 Challenger Jewel【3】 x4 Counter Jewel【2】 x3 Destroyer Jewel【2】 x1 Mighty Jewel【2】 x1 Shockproof Jewel【1】 x1
DEF and RES Totals	Defense: 337 Fire Res: 9 Water Res: 2 Thunder Res: -8 Ice Res: 7 Dragon Res: -10

Decorations are randomly obtained, so feel free to adjust with what is available.

Skill Summary

Weapon Skills
Razor Sharp	3	Guard	3
Guard Up	3	Offensive Guard	2
Synthetic Shield	1	ー
Armor Skills
Agitator	5	Counterstrike	3
Maximum Might	3	Partbreaker	3
Stun Resistance	3	Divine Blessing	2
Burst	2	Evade Window	2
Shock Absorber	1	ー
Group / Set Skills
Resonance II		ー

The skill summary above assumes the use of the appraised talisman.

This is a general purpose build with 4 Omega pieces to activate Omega Resonance to boost your own Affinity and attack, depending on your distance to allies.

This build also improves the effects Synthetic Shield, granting +45 Defense to yourself and allies when performing a Perfect Guard.

How to Block and Perfect Guard

Lord's Soul WEX Agitator SNS Build

Best Weapon

Main Weapon

Alternate Weapon

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
Verdoloto	8	308 (220)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③③③	280	5%

Weapon Decorations	Guardian/Handicraft Jwl【3】 x1 Critical Jewel III【3】 x1 Mastery Jewel【3】 x1

Production Bonus	Artian Reinforcements
• Element +20 • Attack +5 • Attack +5 • Attack +5 Element Type: Any Element	• Attack +5 • Attack +5 • Attack +5 • Sharpness +30 • Sharpness +30

Weapon	Rarity	ATK	DEF
Blazing Mikal	8	308 (220)	0
	Slots	Element	Affinity
	③②①	150	5%
Skills	Whiteflame Torrent Lv. 1

Weapon Decorations	Mastery Jewel【3】 x1 Critical Jewel II【2】 x1 Critical Jewel【1】 x1

Lord's Soul WEX Agitator Armor Loadout

Armor	Slots	Skills
Rey Sandhelm γ	ーー	Stamina Surge Lv. 1 Weakness Exploit Lv. 1 Maximum Might Lv. 1
Udra Miremail γ	ー	Counterstrike Lv. 2
Lagiacrus Braces β	ーー	Stamina Surge Lv. 2 Weakness Exploit Lv. 1
Lagiacrus Coil β		Weakness Exploit Lv. 1 Maximum Might Lv. 1
Duna Wildgreaves γ		Quick Sheathe Lv. 3 Agitator Lv. 1
Charm	Exploiter Charm II
Armor Decorations	Chain Jewel【3】 x1 Challenger Jewel【3】 x4 Counter Jewel【2】 x1 Mighty Jewel【2】 x1 Protection Jewel【1】 x3
DEF and RES Totals	Defense: 333 Fire Res: -2 Water Res: 2 Thunder Res: 9 Ice Res: -4 Dragon Res: -4

Decorations are randomly obtained, so feel free to adjust with what is available.

You may swap out the three Protection Jewels for Steadfast Jewels to gain immunity to stun effects, or for Elemental Resistance Jewels, depending on the matchup.

Skill Summary

Weapon Skills
Offensive Guard	3	Critical Boost	3
Master's Touch	1	Handicraft	1
Armor Skills
Agitator	5	Weakness Exploit	5
Counterstrike	3	Maximum Might	3
Quick Sheathe	3	Stamina Surge	3
Burst	1	ー
Group / Set Skills
Guts (Tenacity)		Azure Bolt I
Skill Buffs Breakdown
Affinity ・AGI5: +15% ・MM3: +30% ・WEX5: +30~50% ・A. Bolt: +15% ・Weapon: 5% Lowest-Highest: ・5%~115%		Attack \| Element ・AGI5: +20 Raw ・OG3: +28 Raw (+15%) ・BST1: +8 Raw \| +60 Ele ・CS3: +25 Raw ・Guts: +11 Raw (+5%) ・Weapon: 220 Raw \| 280 Ele Lowest-Highest: ・220~312 Raw ・280~340 Ele

The skill summary above assumes the use of the Artian Weapon.

This is an aggressive, high-damage build with Guts (Tenacity) that can easily max out Affinity, augmented by Critical Boost 3.

Comfort skills include Master's Touch, Quick Sheathe, Stamina Surge, and a value point in Handicraft.