Best Build and Armor for Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds). Guide includes best weapon, equipment, skill, early game and high rank sets, and recommended armor.
| Great Sword Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Builds | High Rank Builds | Artian Builds |
| Best Skills | Great Sword Controls | Great Sword List |
Table of Contents
Great Sword's Best Builds After Update
| Best Build | Rating |
|---|---|
| ▼Zoh Shia Second Wind Build | ★★★★★ |
| ▼Super Recovery Build | ★★★★・ |
| Non-Artian Build | Rating |
| ▼Zoh Shia Weapon Second Wind Build | ★★★・・ |
| ▼Zoh Shia Weapon Super Recovery Build | ★★・・・ |
After the first update in Monster Hunter Wilds, the best Great Sword build includes the 'Second Wind' set and the 'Super Recovery' set, both utilizing the Zoh Shia armor.
Second Wind Build with Zoh Shia Armor
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Varianza (Artian) | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1104 | Sleep 280 | 5% | 0 |
| Decoration | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Guardian-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel III 3 | ||
| Element Type | Sleep Element Type ×3 | ||
| Production | Attack Infusion ×3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Attack Boost x5 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
The optimal all-purpose, top-tier Great Sword build after the update features the Zoh Shia Equipment. Compared to pre-update, the maximum Affinity under optimal conditions is now 90%. But with skills like Second Wind, Maximum Might, and Counterstrike active in addition to Earplugs at Lv2, this build allows for smooth hunting of most monsters. If Earplugs is unnecessary, you can swap it out for other preferred decorations, like Ambush.
Super Recovery Build
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Varianza (Artian) | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1104 | Sleep 280 | 5% | 0 |
| Decoration | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Guardian-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel III 3 | ||
| Element Type | Sleep Element Type ×3 | ||
| Production | Attack Infusion ×3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Attack Boost x5 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This Great Sword build is a recovery-focused setup built around the Zoh Shia Equipment and its set bonus skill, Super Recovery. It achieves up to 75% affinity through synergized skill stacking and allows for rapid HP recovery from chip damage sustained during Tackle usage. When engaging monsters with large roars, such as Zoh Shia, it's recommended to swap Ambush Jewel 2 for Earplugs Jewel 2, enabling Earplugs Lv3 to maintain uninterrupted offensive uptime.
Zoh Shia Weapon Second Wind Build
| Weapon Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Blazing Veiah | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1056 | Dragon 300 | 5% | 0 |
| Weapon Skills | |||
| Decorations | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel II 2 Critical Jewel 1 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
The recommended forgeable build after the update for the Great Sword uses the Zoh Shia weapon. The other forgeable weapon Stalwart Lamorak has higher Dragon Element stats, but with 5% Affinity and the additional damage from Whiteflame Torrent, this build should be easier to use overall.
Zoh Shia Weapon Super Recovery Build
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Blazing Veiah | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1056 | Dragon 300 | 5% | 0 |
| Weapon | |||
| Decoration | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel II 2 Critical Jewel 1 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This is a recovery-focused, all-purpose Great Sword build centered around the Zoh Shia Equipment and its set bonus skill, Super Recovery. It achieves up to 75% affinity with various skills and allows for quick recovery of damage taken while blocking with tackle. When hunting monsters with large roars, like Zoh Shia, swap Ambush Jewel 2 for Earplugs Jewel 2 and set Earplugs to Lv3 for added convenience.
Great Sword's Best Builds Before Update
| Strongest Equipment | Ratings |
|---|---|
| ▼ General-purpose Second Wind Equipment | ★★★★★ |
| ▼ Health Recover Equipment for Consistency | ★★★★・ |
| ▼ Drawn Great Sword Equipment for Usability | ★★★・・ |
| Equipment without Artian Weapons | Rating |
| ▼ Forged Weapon Second Wind Equipment | ★★・・・ |
| ▼ Forged Weapon Drawn Great Sword Equipment | ★・・・・ |
For Great Sword builds, we highly recommend using one of the following builds: General-purpose Second Wind
, Health Recover
, or Drawn Great Sword
.
General-purpose Second Wind Equipment
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Varianza (Artian) | | ||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1104 | Sleep 280 | 5% | 0 |
| Decoration | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Guardian-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel 3 | ||
| Element Type | Sleep Element Type x3 | ||
| Production | Attack Infusion x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Attack Boost x5 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This is the Great Sword's recommended general-purpose build that employs the Sleep Element Artian weapon. If the conditions are right, the build's maximum affinity will be 100% once you hit a wound. The stamina gained from the second stamina gauge provided by "Second Wind" does not lose the "Maximum Might" effect even if this stamina is consumed. "Counterstrike" is also triggered when a blockable attack is deflected by a tackle, and "Offensive Guard" can be used to increase attack when guard is used.
Health Recover Equipment for Consistency
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Varianza (Artian) | | ||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1104 | Sleep 280 | 5% | 0 |
| Decoration | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Guardian-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel III 3 | ||
| Element Type | Sleep Element Type x3 | ||
| Production | Attack Infusion x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Attack Boost x5 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This is a Great Sword Build that specializes in increasing Recovery with each skill while also generating up to 85% Affinity when attacking wounds under the right conditions. You can recover HP through "Hasten Recovery" when attacked 5 times, and through "Decimator" when you trigger Partbreaker. Therefore, even if your health is reduced to some extent when you dodge a monster's attack with Tackle, you can quickly recover provided you keep attacking, allowing you to remain in combat for longer.
Drawn Great Sword Equipment for Usability
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Varianza (Artian) | | ||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1104 | Sleep 280 | 5% | 0 |
| Decoration | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Draw Jewel III 3 Critical Jewel 3 | ||
| Element Type | Sleep Element Type x3 | ||
| Production | Attack Infusion x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Attack Boost x5 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This is a Critical Draw Build for the Great Sword that is designed for usability while producing 100% Affinity with the Critical Draw skill for about 3 seconds after performing a draw attack. The main attack rotation is going to be Drawn Overhead Slash (3 levels) →Strong Charged Slash (1 level) and, according to the monster's upcoming attack, Evade (or Guard) then Sheathe. If Evade is successful, your attack stat increases for about 30 seconds with Adrenaline Rush, and if you eat a Well-done Steak, you can expect another attack stat increase with Xu Wu's Vigor for about 2 minutes.
Forged Weapon Second Wind Equipment (HR40+)
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stalwart Lamorak | | ||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 1056 | Dragon 500 | 0% | 0 |
| Weapon Skill | | ||
| Decoration | Guardian-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 1 | ||
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This is a Second Wind Great Sword build that can be assembled without the Artian Weapon. Even the forgeable weapon "Stalwart Lamorak" has a high attack and white sharpness gauge, and Focus Lv3 makes it even stronger. If the conditions are right, the maximum affinity will be 95% when attacking Wounds, and the Stamina added in "Second Wind" will easily maintain the effect of Maximum Might even if consumed.
Forged Weapon Drawn Great Sword Equipment (HR40+)
| Weapon Name | Shaprness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Prinvrilo's Dissolution | |||
| Attack | Element | Critical | Defense |
| 1056 | Water 300 | 0% | 0 |
| Weapon Skill | |||
| Decoration | Focus-Handicraft Jewel 3 Critical Jewel II 2 Critical Jewel 1 | ||
| Active Skill | |
|---|---|
Drawn Great Sword build that can be assembled without the Artian Weapon. The main combo is Drawn Overhead Slash (3 hits) → Strong Charged Slash (1 hit), then Evade (or Guard) and Sheathe depending on the monster's movement. When Evade is successful, Adrenaline Rush will give you 30 seconds and eating a Well-done Steak will give you 2 minutes of increased Attack with Xu Wu's Vigor.
Great Sword's High Rank Builds (HR20-40)
| ▼ High Rank Beginning | ▼ Up to HR40 | ▼ Right after HR40 |
Great Sword Strongest Equipment for Early High Rank
Buster Sword III for the Weapon
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Buster Sword III | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 912 | - | 0% | 0 |
| Weapon Skills | |||
The recommended weapon for Great Sword's early High Rank is "Buster Sword III", which can be made by upgrading your weapon from Chapter 4. As for the timing, you can get the materials when you go to "Ruins of Wyveria" at HR20. After the upgrade, Critical Draw will be level 3 and Affinity will be 100% with the weapon drawn.
Doshaguma Alpha Set for Armor
| Armor | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| Doshaguma Helm Alpha | |
| Doshaguma Mail Beta | |
| Doshaguma Braces Alpha | |
| Doshaguma Coil Alpha | |
| Ajarakan Greaves Beta | |
| Hope Charm | |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
The recommended equipment for the Great Sword's early High Rank is equipment centered on Doshaguma Alpha Equipment, which can be made from Chapter 4. Once you start High Rank, the amount of damage you receive increases significantly, so it is recommended to update your equipment from this point onwards.
Great Sword Strongest Equipment up to HR40
Buster Sword III for the Weapon
| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Buster Sword III | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 912 | - | 0% | 0 |
| Weapon Skills | |||
You can continue using the Buster Sword III up until you reach HR40 and it will still perform well.
Rathian Weapon Optional| Weapon | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Valkyrie Blade II | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 912 | Poison 270 | 15% | 0 |
| Weapon Skills | |||
Once you've progressed to HR35 and hunted the High Rank Rey Dau, the Valkyrie Blade II is also a recommended option. It not only has a white sharpness gauge but also offers 15% Affinity and Poison Element. Additionally, it comes with a skill that enhances Poison status effects.
Jin Dahaad Set for Armor
| Armor | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| Dahaad Shardhelm Alpha | |
| Doshaguma Mail Beta | |
| Dahaad Shardbraces Alpha | |
| Doshaguma Coil Alpha | |
| Dahaad Shardgreaves Beta | |
| Sheathe Charm II | |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
Recommended build for the Great Sword up to HR40 is Jin Dahaad and Doshaguma equipment. When a monster is angry, you can temporarily enhance your attack with two types of Set Bonus Skills, such as Agitatot and Power Clash.
Great Sword Strongest Equipment just after HR40
| Weapon Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stalwart Lamorak | |||
| Attack | Element | Critical | Defense |
| 1056 | Dragon 500 | 0% | 0 |
| Weapon Skill | |||
| Decoration | Critical Jewel 1 Critical Jewel 1 Critical Jewel 1 | ||
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| G. Fulgur Helm Beta | ②ーー | - |
| Arkvulcan Mail Beta | ③②ー | - |
| G. Fulgur Vambrace Beta | ②②ー | - |
| Arkvulcan Coil Beta | ①①ー | Physique Jewel 1 Physique Jewel 1 |
| Dahaad Shardgreaves Beta | ②ーー | - |
| Exploiter Charm II | - | - |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
The recommended post-game build for the Great Sword is equipment based on the weapon "Stalwart Lamorak". In addition to high attack and white sharpness gauge, the Charged Slash will also become faster with Focus Lv.3. If the conditions are met, the maximum affinity when attacking wounds is 70%. Even if the Stamina added with Second Wind is consumed, the effect of Maximum Might will not end. For Decorations, use Critical Boost, Offensive GuardAgitator, Maximum Might, Counterstrike, etc. if available.
Great Sword's Low Rank Builds (HR1-8)
Weapon will Strengthen Buster Sword
| Weapon Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Buster Sword Ⅰ | |||
| Attack | Element | Critical | Defense |
| 576 | - | 0% | 0 |
| Weapon Skill | |||
The recommended low rank weapon for the Great Sword is the "Buster Sword". It can be forged from Chapter 1, and Critical Draw Skill increases affinity when the weapon is drawn, making it easier to deal damage from the beginning. By upgrading it, the sharpness level and draw skills also increase, so you can continue using it until you reach High Rank.
Forge 2 Types of Armor in Chapter 3
| Name | Skills | |
|---|---|---|
| G. Rathalos Helm | |
| G. Doshaguma Mail | |
| G. Rathalos Vambraces | |
| G. Doshaguma Coil | |
| G. Rathalos Greaves | |
| Hope Charm |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
The recommended equipment for the Great Sword early game is a combination of Guardian Doshaguma Equipment and Guardian Rathalos Equipment That can be created from Chapter 3. It is possible to increase the damage level with the skill effects "Weakness Exploit" and "Doshaguma's Might".
Best Low Rank Build Per WeaponGreat Sword Best Skills
| Table of Contents (Tap to Move) | |
|---|---|
| ▼Weapon Skills | ▼Armor Skills |
Recommended Weapon Skills
| Skill Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Increases the fill rate for weapons with gauges and the charge rate for weapons with charge attacks. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Temporarily increases attack power after executing a perfectly-timed guard. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Increases the damage of critical hits. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Increases affinity when performing draw attacks. (Not effective while riding.) | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★・ Extends the weapon sharpness gauge. However, it will not increase the gauge past its maximum. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★・・Increases attack power. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★・・ Increases affinity. |
The recommended weapon skills for the Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds are Focus, Offensive Guard, Critical Boost, and Critical Draw. In particular, Focus is essential as it speeds up the execution of each Overhead Slash, significantly improving your gameplay. Be sure to prioritize activating this skill.
Recommended Armor Skills
| Skill Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Increases attack power and affinity when large monsters become enraged. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Increases the affinity of attacks that exploit a monster's weak points and wounds. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Increases affinity if stamina is kept full for a period of time. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Temporarily increases attack power after being knocked back. | |
(G. Fulgur Set) | Recommendation Rating: ★★★ Activated by Armors that has the same set bonus skill or group skill. |
(Gore Magala Set) | Recommendation Rating: ★★・ Activated by Armors that has the same set bonus skill or group skill. |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★・ Once infected, makes it easier to overcome the Frenzy and increases affinity if cured | |
(Jin Dahaad Set) | Recommendation Rating: ★★・ Activated by Armors that has the same set bonus skill or group skill. |
(Zoh Shia Set) | Recommendation Rating: ★★・ Activated by Armors that has the same set bonus skill or group skill. |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★・ Grants protection from large monsters' roars. | |
| Recommendation Rating: ★★・ Speeds up weapon sheathing. | |
(Doshaguma Set) | Recommendation Rating: ★・・ Activated by Armors that has the same set bonus skill or group skill. |
The recommended armor skills for the Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds are Agitator, Weakness Exploit, Maximum Might, Counterstrike, and Fulgur Anjanath's Will. In particular, Counterstrike is great for the Great Sword as it activates when you counter monster attacks with Offset Attacks or Tackle, even when the attacks have knockback effects.
Monster Hunter Wilds Related Guides
Equipment Guides
| Beginner Armor | High Rank Builds | Artian Armor | Best Builds |
| Skill List | Set Bonus | Group Skill | Layered Armor List |
| Mantles List |
Recommended Equipment by Weapon
| Great Sword | Long Sword | Sword & Shield | Dual Blades |
| Hammer | Hunting Horn | Lance | Gunlance |
| Switch Axe | Charge Blade | Insect Glaive | Bow |
| Light Bowgun | Heavy Bowgun | ||
Equipment Guide by Monster
Mantles Guide
| Ghillie Mantle | Rocksteady Mantle | Mending Mantle |
| Evasion Mantle | Corrupted Mantle | - |
Equipment Related Guides
| Equipment Related Guides | |
|---|---|
| ▶ How to Hide Headgear? | ▶ Alpha & Beta Armor Guide |
| ▶ Guardian Armor List | ▶ How to Upgrade Armor |
| ▶ Melding Pot | ▶ Decoration Farming |
| ▶ Palico Equipment List | ▶ Best Palico Equipment |
Great Sword
Long Sword
Sword and Shield
Dual Blades
Hammer
Hunting Horn
Lance
Gunlance
Switch Axe
Charge Blade
Insect Glaive
Bow
Light Bowgun
Heavy Bowgun