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This is a guide about the best skills for Swords and Shields. Read on to know which skills to look out for when making a Sword and Shield build and why.
List of Contents
| Recommendations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Affinity Skills | Agitator | Elemental Attack Skills |
| Partbreaker | ||
Sword and Shields benefit from having high affinity - which is why it is recommended to invest in Affinity Skills such as Critical Eye, Critical Boost, and Weakness Exploit to bring the Sword and Shield's overall damage to the next level.
The introduction of the Clutch Claw made the Agitator Skill a community staple when making builds. When active, Agitator grants hunters +20 attack and affinity by 10% at level five. (Levels six and seven are unlocked via the Agitator Secret Skill.)
The Clutch Claw, specifically its Flinch Shot Attack, gave hunters the ability to enrage the monster whenever the opportunity presents itself. This gave hunters a way to maintain their Agitator's up-time.
Swords and Shields have generally low base damage compared to other weapon types. Most Swords and Shields make up for this by having very high elemental damage.
Hunters can increase their swords and shields' elemental damage even higher by adding these Elemental Attack Skills to their builds.
Swords and Shields excel at targetting a monster's weak spots.
Partbreaker increases Part Damage by 30% at level three and compliments the Sword and Shield very well.
Partbreaker's damage increase does NOT reflect in floating damage numbers.
| Recommendations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Guard | Guard Up | Evade Extender |
| Health Boost | ||
Those who prefer to block with a Sword and Shield might want to consider adding Guard to their builds.
The Guard Skill bolsters a Sword and Shield's blocking efficiency. Hunters will receive a massive improvement in impact absorption and a 50% reduction in stamina depletion when blocking attacks at level five.
It is recommended to invest in at least three levels of Guard when adding it to builds.
Another favorite for blocking hunters. The Guard Up Skill allows hunters to block otherwise unblockable attacks from monsters.
Swords and Shields are more mobile compared to other shielded weapons. Evade Extender greatly increases the distance covered when evading and is definitely worth considering when making Sword and Shield builds.
It never hurts to pump up one's HP! Health Boost increases a hunter's Health by 50 at level three, making it a solid addition to any build - especially early on in the game.
| General Recommendations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mind's Eye/Ballistics | Protective Polish | Speed Sharpening |
| Support Recommendations | ||
| Wide-Range | Speed Eating | Free Meal |
Sword and Shield attacks can be deflected by monster hides if thick enough. Mind's Eye/Ballistics ensures that attacks can cut through regardless of how thick a hide is!
Swords and Shields have very quick attacks. This also makes them lose sharpness rapidly.
Protective Polish applies a protective coating to weapons after sharpening, preventing sharpness loss for a certain amount of time.
Speed Sharpening removes three cycles of the sharpening animation at level three and is also another solution to sharpness issues.
Swords and Shields have the unique ability of being able to use items while unsheathed.
Hunters who prefer to apply this towards a more supportive role in groups may invest in Wide-Range.
Wide-Range allows the effect of specific items and potions to also affect nearby allies when consumed. The radius and efficacy of the items and potions consumed are maximized at level five.
It is important to note that Palicoes are also affected by Wide-Range's effects.
Speed Eating greatly improves the use speed of consummables. This synergizes well with Wide-Range and is definitely recommended alongside it.
Supportive builds tend to put a heavy strain on a hunter's supplies. Free meal gives you a predetermined chance of using food and drink items without actually consuming them. The activation chances are 25% at level one, 50% at level two, and 75% at level three.
Levels two and three are unlocked via the Free Meal Secret Skill.
| Recommendations for Other Weapons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Charge Blade |
 Dual Blades |
 Long Sword |
 Sword & Shield |
 Switch Axe |
 Insect Glaive |
 Hunting Horn |
 Great Sword |
 Lance |
 Gunlance |
 Hammer |
 Bow |
 Heavy Bowgun |
 Light Bowgun |
||
| Kinsects | ||
|---|---|---|
 Kinsects |
Kinsect Tree and Complete Kinsect List | Best and Recommended Kinsects |
Best Skills for Swords and Shields
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Great Swords
Long Swords
Swords and Shields
Dual Blades
Hammers
Hunting Horns
Lances
Gunlances
Switch Axe
Charge Blade
Insect Glaive
Bows
Light Bowguns
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