Best Build and Armor for Sword and Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds). Guide includes best weapon, equipment, skill, early game and high rank sets, and recommended armor.
| Sword & Shield Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Build for SnS | SnS Controls Guide | SnS List |
Table of Contents
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Set Builder & Skill CalculatorSword & Shield - Best Artian Weapon Build
Versatile High-Crit Paralysis Build
| Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdoloto | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 266 | Paralysis 60 | 5% | 0 |
| Decoration | Razor Sharp-Ironwall Jewel 3 Critical Jewel 3 Attack Jewel 3 | ||
| Element Type | Paralysis Element Type x3 | ||
| Production | Attack Infusion x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Attack Boost x4 Sharpness x1 | ||
▲The above stats shown are before bonus effects are applied.
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Arkveld Helm β | ③①ー | Tenderizer Jewel 3 Adapt Jewel 1 |
| Chest | Gore Mail α | ③ーー | Challenger Jewel 3 |
| Arms | G. Arkveld Vambraces β | ①①① | Sane Jewel 1 Sane Jewel 1 Brace Jewel 1 |
| Waist | Gore Coil β | ③②ー | Chain Jewel 3 Destroyer Jewel 2 |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves β | ②ーー | Destroyer Jewel 2 |
| Talisman | Exploiter Charm 2 | - | - |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This is a highly versatile and recommended top-tier Sword and Shield build featuring an Artian weapon. With skills included, the maximum Affinity reaches 87%, and without Wounds, it remains at 67%. The weapon can also be substituted with Poison or Blast element options.
| Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdoloto | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 266 | Paralysis 60 | 5% | 0 |
| Decoration | Razor Sharp-Ironwall Jewel 3 Paralyzer Jewel 3 Crit Stat-Handicraft Jewel 3 | ||
| Element Type | Paralysis Element Type x3 | ||
| Production | Affinity Infusion x3 | ||
| Reinforcement | Element Boost x4 Sharpness x1 | ||
▲The above stats shown are before bonus effects are applied.
| Armor | Slot | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Arkveld Helm β | ③①ー | Tenderizer Jewel 3 Adapt Jewel 1 |
| Chest | Gore Mail α | ③ーー | Challenger Jewel 3 |
| Arms | G. Arkveld Vambraces β | ①①① | Sane Jewel 1 Sane Jewel 1 Brace Jewel 1 |
| Waist | Gore Coil β | ③②ー | Chain Jewel 3 Destroyer Jewel 2 |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves β | ②ーー | Destroyer Jewel 2 |
| Talisman | Exploiter Charm 2 | - | - |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
This is a Paralysis-focused Sword and Shield build featuring an Artian weapon. Rather than emphasizing firepower, it prioritizes increasing the number of Paralysis procs. Aim for the 'Element Boost' restoration bonus. Additionally, setting the production bonus to 'Affinity Boost' makes it easier to activate Critical Status.
Sword & Shield - Best Endgame Build
Lala Acanthopelm
| Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lala Acanthopelm | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 280 | Paralysis 200 | 15% | 0 |
| Equipment Skill | |||
| Decoration | Critical Jewel 1 Critical Jewel 1 Critical Jewel 1 | ||
| Name | Decoration | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Fulgur Helm β | Growth Jewel 1 |
| Chest | Arkvulcan Mail β | - |
| Arms | G. Arkveld Vambraces β | - |
| Waist | Arkvulcan Coil β | - |
| Legs | Dahaad Shardgreaves β | - |
| Talisman | Chain Charm 2 | - |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
The Lala Acanthopelm is the best S&S at endgame due to its strong Paralysis Element. The weapon's Attack is low but its Affinitiy is at 15%. When combined with Weakness Exploit and Agitator, the max Affinity increases to 75%.
Sword & Shield - Best High Rank Build
| ▼ Early High Rank | ▼ Up to HR40 |
Best Build for Early High Rank
Best Weapon
| Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Barina Dague III | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 210 | Paralysis 150 | 15% | 0 |
| Equipment Skill | |||
At early High Rank, the best S&S is the Barina Dague III. Continue upgrading the Barina Dague as you go through Low Rank. Rathian's Princess Rapier is also a good alternative.
Best Armor
| Name | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Rathalos Helm α | |
| Chest | Rathian Mail α | |
| Arms | Rathian Vambraces α | |
| Waist | Rathian Coil β | |
| Legs | Rathalos Greaves β | |
| Talisman | Foray Charm 1 |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
Rathian's Armor set is best to use at Earlt High Rank because of its Skill "Foray". This increases Attack and Affinity against monsters aflicted with either Paralysis or Poison.
Best Build for Up to HR40
Best Weapon
| Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Barina Dague IV | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 252 | Paralysis 170 | 15% | 0 |
| Equipment Skill | |||
As you try to go up to HR40, continue upgrading until you get the Barina Dague IV. You can also use Princess Rapier II as an alternative.
Best Armor
| Name | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Ebony Helm α | |
| Chest | Rathian Mail α | |
| Arms | G. Ebony Braces α | |
| Waist | G. Ebony Coil β | |
| Legs | G. Ebony Greaves β | |
| Talisman | Foray Charm 1 |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
Up to HR40, the best armor is the G. Ebony Odogaron Alpha. Since the Sword & Shield is compatible with Burst, having 4 parts of the G. Ebony Odogaron armor to get the Burst Boost II is highly recommended.
Sword & Shield - Best Low Rank Build
Best Weapon
| Name | Sharpness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Barina Dague II | |||
| Attack | Element | Affinity | Defense |
| 168 | Paralysis 120 | 10% | 0 |
| Equipment Skill | |||
Barina Dague II is the best weapon to use at Early Game due to its Paralysis. It can create opportunities even against unfamiliar monsters as you progress through the story.
Best Armor
| Name | Skill | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | G. Ebony Helm | |
| Chest | G. Ebony Mail | |
| Arms | G. Ebony Braces | |
| Waist | G. Ebony Coil | |
| Legs | G. Rathalos Greaves | |
| Talisman | Hope Charm |
| Active Skills | |
|---|---|
At early game, the G. Ebony Armor set is best to use. It can be crafted by Chapter 3. By having the 4 parts, it will give Burst Boost that increases the effectiveness of the Burst skill.
Sword & Shield - Recommended Skills
| ▼ Weapon Skills | ▼ Armor Skills |
Weapon Skills
| Skill | Effect |
|---|---|
| Rating: ★★★ Increases the damage of critical hits | |
| Rating: ★★★ Extends the weapon sharpness gauge. However, it will not increase the gauge past its maximum | |
| Element Boost | Rating: ★★★ Increases the damage of a specific Element |
| Rating: ★★・ Temporarily increases attack power after executing a perfectly-timed guard | |
| Rating: ★★・ Increases attack power | |
| Rating: ★★・ Increases affinity | |
| Rating: ★・・ Reduces knockbacks and stamina depletion when guarding | |
| Rating: ★・・ Prevents your weapon from losing sharpness during critical hits | |
| Rating: ★・・ Prevents your weapon from losing sharpness |
For Weapon Skills, it's best to have Critical Boost and Handicraft. When using Elemental weapons, it's also good to have the specific Element boost skill for it.
Armor Skills
| Skill | Effect |
|---|---|
| Rating: ★★★ Increases the affinity of attacks that exploit a monster's weak points and wounds | |
| Rating: ★★★ Increases attack power and affinity when large monsters become enraged | |
| Rating: ★★★ Continuously landing hits gradually increases attack and elemental attack. (Amount increased depends on weapon.) | |
| Rating: ★★・ Temporarily increases attack power after executing a perfectly-timed evade just as a monster attacks | |
| Rating: ★★・ Increases attack power and affinity against large monsters affected by poison or paralysis | |
| Rating: ★・・ Extends the invulnerability period when evading | |
(Doshaguma Set) | Rating: ★・・ Activated by Armors that has the same set bonus skill or group skill. |
(G. Ebony Odogaron Set) | Rating: ★・・ Activated by Armors that has the same set bonus skill or group skill. |
For the Armor Skills, Weakness Exploit, Agitator, and Burst are recommended.
Monster Hunter Wilds Related Articles
Equipment Guides
| Beginner Armor | High Rank Builds | Artian Armor | Best Builds |
| Decoration List | Decoration Set | Charm List | Layered Armor List |
| Skill List | Set Bonus | Group Skill | 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
| Chatacabra Low Rank / High Rank | Quematrice Low Rank / High Rank | Lala Barina Low Rank / High Rank | Congalala Low Rank / High Rank |
| Balahara Low Rank / High Rank | Doshaguma Low Rank / High Rank | Uth Duna Low Rank / High Rank | Rompopolo Low Rank / High Rank |
| Rey Dau Low Rank / High Rank | Nerscylla Low Rank / High Rank | Hirabami Low Rank / High Rank | Ajarakan Low Rank / High Rank |
| Nu Udra Low Rank / High Rank | Guardian Doshaguma Low Rank / High Rank | Guardian Rathalos Low Rank / High Rank | Guardian Arkveld Low Rank / High Rank |
| Jin Dahaad Low Rank / High Rank | Guardian Ebony Low Rank / High Rank | Xu Wu Low Rank / High Rank | Yian Kut-Ku High Rank |
| Gypceros High Rank | Rathian High Rank | Guardian Fulgur High Rank | Rathalos High Rank |
| Gravios High Rank | Blangonga High Rank | Gore Magala High Rank | Arkveld High Rank |
Recommended Decoration
Recommended Armor Decorations
| Tenderizer Jewel 3 | Challenger Jewel 3 | Chain Jewel 3 |
| Counterattack Jewel 3 | Mighty Jewel 2 | Counter Jewel 2 |
| Destroyer Jewel 2 | Evasion Jewel 2 | Phoenix Jewel 2 |
| Jumping Jewel 2 | Refresh Jewel 2 | Sane Jewel 1 |
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