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 Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Build for Great Sword | Great Sword Controls Guide | Great Sword List |
Table of Contents
Great Sword's Best Builds
| 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 (HR40+) | ★★・・・ |
| ▼ Forged Weapon Drawn Great Sword Equipment (HR40+) | ★・・・・ |
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 | Basic Attack Reinforcement x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Basic Attack Reinforcement x5 | ||
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Fulgur Helm Beta | ②ーー | Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Chest | Arkvulcan Mail Beta | ③②ー | Challenger Jewel 3 Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Arms | G. Fulgur Vambraces Beta | ②②ー | Counter Jewel 2 Counter Jewel 2 |
| Waist | Arkvulcan Coil Beta | ①①ー | Physique Jewel 1 Physique Jewel 1 |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves Beta | ②ーー | Counter Jewel 2 |
| Talisman | Exploiter Charm II | - | - |
| 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 | Basic Attack Enhancement x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Basic Attack Reinforcement x5 | ||
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Arkveld Helm Beta | ③①ー | Challenger Jewel 3 Sheath Jewel 1 |
| Chest | Arkvulcan Mail Beta | ③②ー | Challenger Jewel 3 Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Arms | G. Arkveld Vambraces Beta | ①①① | Medicine Jewel 1 Medicine Jewel 1 Medicine Jewel 1 |
| Waist | Arkvulcan Coil Beta | ①①ー | Sheath Jewel 1 Sheath Jewel 1 |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves Beta | ②ーー | Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Talisman | Counter Charm III | - | - |
| 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 | Basic Attack Enhancement x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Basic Attack Reinforcement x5 | ||
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Xu Wu Helm Beta | ②①ー | Destroyer Jewel 2 Sheath Jewel 1 |
| Chest | Gore Mail Beta | ③①ー | Challenger Jewel 3 Sheath Jewel 1 |
| Arms | Xu Wu Vambraces Beta | ②②① | Earplugs Jewel 2 Earplugs Jewel 2 Sheath Jewel 1 |
| Waist | Rathalos Coil Beta | ②ーー | Evasion Jewel 2 |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves Beta | ②ーー | Evasion Jewel 2 |
| Talisman | Challenger Charm II | - | - |
| 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 | ||
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Fulgur Helm Beta | ②ーー | Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Chest | Arkvulcan Mail β | ③②ー | Challenger Jewel 3 Mighty Jewel 2 |
| Arms | G. Fulgur Vambraces Beta | ②②ー | Counter Jewel 2 Counter Jewel 2 |
| Waist | Arkvulcan Coil β | ①①ー | Physique Jewel 1 Physique Jewel 1 |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves β | ②ーー | Counter Jewel 2 |
| Talisman | Exploiter Charm II | - | - |
| 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 I [1] | ||
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Xu Wu Helm Beta | ②①ー | Destroyer Jewel [2] Sheath Jewel [1] |
| Torso | Gore Mail Beta | ③①ー | Challenger Jewel [3] Sheath Jewel [1] |
| Arms | Xu Wu Vambrace Beta | ②②① | Earplugs Jewel [2] Earplugs Jewel [2] Sheath Jewel [1] |
| Waist | Rathalos Coil Beta | ②ーー | Evasion Jewel [2] |
| Legs | Dahaad Shard Greaves Beta | ②ーー | Evasion Jewel [2] |
| Talisman | Challenger Charm II | - | - |
| 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
| 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.
Recommended Armor
| Armor | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Doshaguma Helm Alpha | |
| Chest | Doshaguma Mail Beta | |
| Arms | Doshaguma Braces Alpha | |
| Waist | Doshaguma Coil Alpha | |
| Legs | Ajarakan Greaves Beta | |
| Talisman | 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
| 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.
| Armor | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Dahaad Shardhelm Alpha | |
| Chest | Doshaguma Mail Beta | |
| Arms | Dahaad Shardbraces Alpha | |
| Waist | Doshaguma Coil Alpha | |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves Beta | |
| Talisman | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Fulgur Helm Beta | ②ーー | - |
| Torso | Arkvulcan Mail Beta | ③②ー | - |
| Arm | G. Fulgur Vambrace Beta | ②②ー | - |
| Waist | Arkvulcan Coil Beta | ①①ー | Physique Jewel [1] Physique Jewel [1] |
| Legs | Dahaad Shard Greaves Beta | ②ーー | - |
| Talisman | 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Rathalos Helm | |
| Torso | G. Doshaguma Mail | |
| Arm | G. Rathalos Vambraces | |
| Waist | G. Doshaguma Coil | |
| Legs | G. Rathalos Greaves | |
| Talisman | 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
| ▼ Weapon Skill | ▼ Armor skill |
Recommended Weapon Skills
| Skill name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Recommendation level: ★★★ Charge attacks accumulate faster. | |
| Recommendation level:★★★ After attacking with a weapon, Affinity increases for a certain period of time (While Riding does not activate) | |
| Recommendation level: ★★★ If you successfully use Guard at the right time, Attack will increase for a certain period of time. | |
| Recommendation level:★★・ Increases the damage of critical attacks. | |
| Recommendation level: ★★・ Weapon Sharpness becomes longer. However, the length will not exceed the Sharpness limit. | |
| Recommendation level: ★・・ Increase the player's Attack. | |
| Recommendation level: ★・・ Affinity is UP. |
Recommended weapon skills for Monster Hunter Wilds' Great Sword include "Focus", "Critical Draw", and "OffensiveGuard". In particular, "Focus" will make the Charged Slash faster, so be sure to activate it.
Recommended Armor Skills
| Skill name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Recommendation level: ★★★ When attacking a monster, if the attack is quite effective on that part, Affinity will increase. | |
| Recommendation level: ★★★ After being blown away, the Attack increases for a certain period of time. | |
(GuardianFulgur Series) | Recommended: ★★★ Obtain an additional Stamina gauge. |
(Doshaguma Series) | Recommendation level: ★★・ When PowerClash or OffsetAttack is successful, the base Attack increases for a certain period of time. |
(JinDahaad Series) | Recommendation level: ★★・ Attack increases for a certain period of time after a Webbing state, when recovering from Freeze, or when being released from a restraining attack, after PowerClash. |
| Recommended level: ★★・ When a large monster in battle becomes angry, Attack and Affinity will increase. | |
| Recommendation level: ★★・ If the Stamina gauge remains full for a while, Affinity will increase. | |
| Recommendation level: ★★・ It becomes easier to destroy parts of large monsters, and the damage when destroying Wounds with FocusStrike increases. | |
| Recommendation level: ★★・ You will be able to put away your weapons faster. |
Recommended armor skills for Monster Hunter Wilds' Great Sword include "Weakness Exploit", "Counterstrike", and "Fulgur Anjanath's Will". In particular, "Counterstrike" is compatible with the Great Sword because it can be activated even when you use Offset Attack or Tackle to dodge a monster's attack that has a blowback effect.
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