★ Monster Hunter Rise and its expansion MHRise: Sunbreak is out now for the Nintendo Switch & PC, then for PlayStation, XBox, & Game Pass on January 20, 2023!
Head on over to our MHRise Wiki for the latest guides and strategies about all things MHRise!
Want to learn about the best Sword and Shield Builds for Monster Hunter World (MHW) Iceborne? Look no further than our best endgame builds for Sword and Shield! This build is made on Iceborne's last patch and is a build that is centered around Iceborne's Meta Endgame builds.
List of Contents
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
True Fatalis Sword |
Challenger Jewel+ 4
x1 Evasion Jewel+ 4 x1 Augment: Health Regen/Affinity |
|
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Dragonhead Beta + | Critical/Maintenance Jewel 4 x3 |
Armor | Dragonhide Beta + |
Handicraft/Maintenance Jewel 4
x2 Attack Jewel+ 4 x1 |
Greaves | Dragonclaws Beta + |
Expert Jewel+ 4
x2 Attack Jewel+ 4 x1 |
Waist | Dragonbarbs Alpha + |
Attack Jewel+ 4
x2 Handicraft Jewel 3 x1 Shaver Jewel 3 x1 |
Legs | Rimeguard Greaves Gamma + |
Attack Jewel 1
x1 Handicraft Jewel+ 4 x1 |
Charm | Challenger Charm V | None |
Skills | |
---|---|
Critical Eye 7 | Agitator 7 |
Attack Boost 7 | Handicraft 5 |
Tool Specialist 5 | Peak Performance 3 |
Stun Resist 3 | Critical Boost 3 |
Weakness Exploit 3 | Evade Window 3 |
Quick Sheathe 2 | Clutch Claw Boost |
Fatalis Legend 4 |
A sample endgame build utilizing Peak Performance, Critical Eye, and Agitator for increased damage and Affinity. The usual Critical Boost and Weakness Exploit are there to further increase critical hit damage. Other QoL skills like Clutch Claw Boost, Evade Window, and Tool Specialist are also mixed in to further improve performance. |
Velkhana Armor Build | Blast Sword and Shield Build |
Awakened Blast Build | Paralysis Sword and Shield Awakened Build |
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
True Fatalis Sword |
Attack Jewel+ 4
x2 --- |
|
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Rimeguard Helm Gamma + |
Handicraft Jewel+ 4
x1 Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4 x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 |
Armor | Rimeguard Mail Gamma + |
Brace/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 |
Vambraces | Rimeguard Vambraces Gamma + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 x1 |
Waist | Dragonbarbs Alpha + |
Expert Jewel+ 4
x1 Critical Jewel 2 x2 |
Legs | Rimeguard Greaves Gamma + |
Expert Jewel+ 4
x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 |
Charm | Challenger Charm V | None |
Skills | |
---|---|
Critical Eye 7 | Attack Boost 7 |
Ice Attack 6 | Agitator 5 |
Health Boost 3 | Recovery Up 3 |
Critical Draw 3 | Critical Boost 3 |
Weakness Exploit 3 | Peak Performance 3 |
Coalescence 3 | Handicraft 2 |
Quick Sheath 2 | Resuscitate 1 |
Flinch Free 1 | Clutch Claw Boost 1 |
Velkhana Divinity 4 |
Sheath your weapon, focus on healing but don't neglect to use your charged attacks for Frostcraft's bonus damage! Elemental weapons are great for a Velkhana set due to the true critical element bonus too! |
Velkhana Armor Build | Blast Sword and Shield Build |
Awakened Blast Build | Paralysis Sword and Shield Awakened Build |
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
Lightbreak Sword |
Expert Jewel+ 4
x1 Mind's Eye Jewel 2 x1 |
|
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Kaiser Crown Beta + | Expert Jewel+ 4 x1 |
Armor | Brachydium Mail Beta + |
Attack Jewel+ 4
x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 |
Vambraces | Kaiser Vambraces Beta + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Brace Jewel 3 x1 |
Waist | Kaiser Coil Beta + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 Expert Jewel 1 x1 |
Legs | Brachydium Greaves Beta + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Attack Jewel 1 x2 |
Charm | Challenger Charm V | None |
Skills | |
---|---|
Attack Boost 7 | Critical Eye 7 |
Agitator 7 | Health Boost 3 |
Critical Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
Blast Attack 2 | Heat Guard 1 |
Latent Power 1 | Flinch Free 1 |
Mind's Eye/Ballistics 1 | Teostra Technique 3 |
Brachydios Will 2 |
When talking about Blast Weapons, the Raging Brachydios weapon tree is always there for you. Featuring a passive 65% affinity without attacking weak spots, this build sports a lot of raw damage AND blast damage allowing you to demolish monsters with ease. |
Velkhana Armor Build | Blast Sword and Shield Build |
Awakened Blast Build | Paralysis Sword and Shield Awakened Build |
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
Safi's Shatterfang |
Attack Jewel+ 4
x1 --- |
|
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Brachydium Helm Beta + |
Expert Jewel+ 4
x1 Expert Jewel+ 4 x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 |
Armor | Brachydium Mail Beta + |
Attack Jewel+ 4
x1 Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 |
Vambraces | Kaiser Vambraces Beta + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Brace Jewel 3 x1 |
Waist | Kaiser Coil Beta + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Evasion Jewel 2 x1 Attack Jewel 1 x1 |
Legs | Garuga Greaves Beta + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Evasion Jewel 2 x1 Evasion Jewel 2 x1 |
Charm | Challenger Charm V | None |
Awakened Ability | ||
---|---|---|
Teostra Essence | Sharpness Increase VI | Attack Increase V x3 |
Skills | |
---|---|
Attack Boost 7 | Agitator 7 |
Critical Eye 6 | Health Boost 3 |
Critical Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
Evade Window 3 | Blast Attack 2 |
Flinch Free 1 | Heat Guard 1 |
Teostra Technique | Brachydios Will |
An alternative and better build to the previous blast weapon but sports a rarer weapon. The Safi blast weapon can dish out more damage than the Lightbreak Sword when it's fully awakened. Add your damage-boosting skills and you become a huge source of DPS for your team. |
Velkhana Armor Build | Blast Sword and Shield Build |
Awakened Blast Build | Paralysis Sword and Shield Awakened Build |
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
Safi's Bindfang |
Para Jewel+ 4
x1 --- |
|
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Safi Crested Crown Beta + |
Expert Jewel+ 4
x1 Expert Jewel 1 x1 Expert Jewel 1 x1 |
Armor | Kaiser Mail Beta + |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Expert Jewel 1 x2 |
Vambraces | Safi Crested Chest Beta + |
Brace/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Paralyzer Jewel 1 x2 |
Waist | Kaiser Coil Beta + |
Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4
x1 Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 Expert Jewel 1 x1 |
Legs | Safi Crested Boots Beta + |
Attack Jewel+ 4
x1 Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 Resistor Jewel 1 x1 |
Charm | Attack Charm V | None |
Awakened Ability | ||
---|---|---|
Teostra Essence | Status Effect Up VI | Status Effect V |
Skills | |
---|---|
Attack Boost 7 | Critical Eye 7 |
Paralysis Attack 4 | Health Boost 3 |
Critical Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
Blight Resistance 3 | Blast Attack 2 |
Latent Power 1 | Evade Window 1 |
Flinch Free 1 | Teostra Technique |
Safi'jiiva Seal |
A paralysis build featuring the Safi + Teostra set build. increased affinity and status up from the Safi set makes the paralysis tick in faster resulting in more DPS. Just make sure to always be on the offensive to regain your health back! |
Early Iceborne Progression Build | Mid-Late Iceborne Build | MHW Related Links |
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
Defender Warhatchet V | ||
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Guild Cross Circlet Beta | Steadfast Jewel 1 x3 |
Armor | Rathalos Mail Beta | Protection Jewel 1 x1 |
Greaves | Kushala Grip Beta | Evasion Jewel 2 x1 |
Waist | Empress Coil Beta |
Tenderizer Jewel 2
x1 Vitality Jewel 1 x1 |
Legs | Death Stench Heels Beta | Vitality Jewel 1 x2 |
Charm | Handicraft Charm III | None |
Skills | |
---|---|
Health Boost 3 | Divine Blessing 3 |
Stun Resist 3 | Handicraft 5 |
Weakness Exploit 3 | Evade Window 2 |
Tool Specialist 2 |
A defensive skillset that utilizes weakness exploit and the blast ailment from the Defender series to deal damage to monsters. Its skills are enough to make you survive against the hard-hitting monsters in Iceborne's quests. |
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
Gnashing Flammensucher + | --- --- |
|
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Anja Helm Alpha + | Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 |
Armor | Bone Mail Alpha + | Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 |
Greaves | Alloy Vambraces Alpha + | Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 |
Waist | Lumu Coil Alpha + | Vitality Jewel 1 x2 |
Legs | Alloy Greaves Alpha + | Handicraft Jewel 3 x1 |
Charm | Handicraft Charm III | None |
Skills | |
---|---|
Fire Attack 2 | Fire Resist 1 |
Attack Boost 2 | Health Boost 3 |
Defense Boost 2 | Speed Sharpening 3 |
Divine Blessing 2 | Windproof 2 |
Handicraft 4 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
Sword and shield consume a lot of sharpness quickly so this build focused on having speed sharpening and handicraft to avoid losing DPS in the middle of the fight. It also comes with essential defensive skills to lessen the risks of battle. |
Weapon | Decorations | |
---|---|---|
Chrome Knight Sword III |
Vitality Jewel 1
x2 --- |
|
Armor | Decorations | |
Head | Nargacuga Helm Alpha + | Attack Jewel 1 x2 |
Armor | Nargacuga Mail Beta + | Elementless Jewel 2 x1 |
Greaves | Damascus Vambraces Alpha + | Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 |
Waist | Odogaron Coil Alpha + | Tenderizer Jewel 2 x1 |
Legs | Nargacuga Greaves Alpha + | Attack Jewel 1 x2 |
Charm | Handicraft Charm III | None |
Skills | |
---|---|
Critical Eye 3 | Peak Performance 3 |
Evade Window 3 | Health Boost 3 |
Attack Boost 4 | Weakness Exploit 2 |
Non-Elemental Boost | Handicraft 3 |
A decent damage dealer build that focuses on the Sword and Shield's mobility to keep Peak Performance on. It also utilizes the Nargacuga set's secret to avoid Sharpness loss hence the dropping of Speed Sharpening skill. |
Weapon | |
---|---|
True Fatalis Sword
[Atk] 490 | [Affinity] -30% |
・Highest Raw Damage Sword and Shield ・Fatalis Armor Set can prolong sharpness through the True Razorsharp armor bonus skill |
Alatreon Star
[Atk] 420 | [Affinity] 0% |
・Extremely High Dragon element damage ・ Best weapon against enemies weak to Dragon element |
Lightbreak Sword
[Atk] 420 | [Affinity] 0% |
・High Power with decent purple sharpness ・ Has a high blast attribute ・Easy to Build |
Nyx Tabar II
[Atk] 336 | [Affinity] 0% |
・Has a high sleep damage |
Lunatic Rose
[Atk] 406 | [Affinity] 10% |
・Balanced Sword and Shield ・ Has Poison Damage |
Skill | Explanation |
---|---|
Health Boost ( ★★★ ) |
・Increase your vitality and greatly increases your survival rate. Essential for beginners who get hit a lot. |
Teostra's Technique ( ★★★ ) |
・Reduces the sharpness depletion of your weapon. |
Weakness Exploit ( ★★★ ) |
・Increases your affinity towards monster weak parts. |
Critical Boost ( ★★★ ) |
・Boosts the damage of your critical attacks. |
Clutch Claw Boost ( ★★★ ) |
・Allows the Sword and Shield to wound a specific part with a single clutch attack. |
Critical Eye ( ★★★ ) |
・Increases your the base affinity of your weapon. |
Velkhana Divinity (★★ ) |
・Increases the elemental damage of your weapon on critical hits when 2 pieces are worn and increases your weapon's damage after being drawn when 4 pieces are worn. |
Agitator ( ★★ ) |
・Increases your damage and affinity when a monster is angry. |
Attack Boost ( ★★ ) |
・Increases your base damage and adds 5% affinity when at level 4. |
Wide-Range ( ★★ ) |
・Your consumables will also affect your teammates. |
Speed Eating ( ★★ ) |
・Decreases the time of item consumption. |
Elemental Attack ( ★★ ) |
・Increases your weapon's elemental damage. |
Best Skills for Sword and Shields
Best Endgame Builds and Weapon Progression Builds
Melee Weapons | |||
---|---|---|---|
Long Swords | Great Swords | Sword and Shield | Dual Blades |
Hammer | Hunting Horn | Lance | Gunlance |
Switch Axe | Charge Blade | Insect Glaive |
Ranged Weapons | |
---|---|
Bow | Light Bowgun |
Heavy Bowgun |
Monster Counterbuilds | |
---|---|
Fatalis | Alatreon |
Best Sword and Shield Builds for Iceborne 2023-2024
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Safi Para build messed up. 2 chest pieces