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Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide

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Read this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Great Sword guide on the best loadout & armor build for this weapon. Includes recommended equipment, elements, decorations, skills, & more!!!

Safijiiva Weapon Builds

Iceborne: Recommended Builds

Top Recommended Builds

Recommended Elemental Builds

Recommended Skills

Related Article On Great Sword

How To UseBest Great Sword iconBest Builds
Best Hunting Horn skill iconBest Skills Endgame Switch Axe Tier ListEndgame Tier List
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Great Sword Sheath Build

Master Rank Safi'Jiiva Great Sword With Frostcraft

 Master Rank Safi
WeaponAugment
Decorations
Safi's ShattersplitterAffinity Increase 3
Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4
ArmorDecorations
Rimeguard Helm β + Charger/Vitality Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Damascus Mail β +Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Rimeguard Vambraces β +Expert Jewel 4
Rimeguard Coil β +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Garuga Greaves β +Attack Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Challenger Charm 4-
Rocksteady Mantle-
Temporal Mantle-
Skills
Agitator Lvl 5Attack Boost Lvl 4
Critical Eye Lvl 4Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Focus Lvl 3Critical Boost Lvl 3
Health Boost Lvl 3Divine Blessing Lvl 2
Flinch Free Lvl 2Coalesence Lvl 1
Quick Sheath Lvl 1Critical Element (Set Bonus)
Frostcraft (Set Bonus)-

Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening

Skill No. Of Frames
Velkhana Essence 1
Attack Increase VI 2
Attack Increase V 2

Points of Recommendations

  • Use Velkhana Essence to activate Velkhana's Frostcraft skill
  • Frostcraft increases attack power of Great Sword when sheathed

Master's Touch Armor Build

Master Rank Safi'Jiiva Great Sword With Master's Touch

Master Rank Safi
WeaponAugment
Decorations
Safi's ShatterspearHealth Regen 2
Element/Status Effect Up 1
Charger/Vitality Jewel 4
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown β + Charger/Vitality Jewel 4
Buff Chest α +Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces α +Critical Jewel 2
Kaiser Coil β +Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Garuga Greaves β +Challenger Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Charger Jewel 2
Attack Charm 4-
Rocksteady Mantle-
Temporal Mantle-
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Attack Boost Lvl 5
Agitator Lvl 5Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 3Focus Lvl 3
Health Boost Lvl 3Blast Attack Lvl 2
Heat Guard Lvl 1Fortify Lvl 1
Latent Power Lvl 1Master's Touch (Set Bonus)

Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening

Skill No. Of Frames
Attack Increase VI 1
Attack Increase V 2
Sharpness Increase V 2

Points of Recommendations

  • Master's Touch lessens sharpness loss & need for sharpening
  • Has purple sharpness with Sharpness Increase awakening skills
  • Has good damage & attack power due to activation of skills

Recommended Early Master Rank Great Sword Builds

Jagras Deathclaw Build

Jagras Deathclaw Build
WeaponDecorations
Jagras Deathclaw 1Elementaless Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
ArmorDecorations
Jagras Helm α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Bone Mail α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Kestodon Guard α + -
Beo Coil α +Attack Jewel 1
Beo Greaves α +Earplug Jewel 3
Attack Charm 3-
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 7Earplugs Lvl 5
Health Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Ice Attack Lvl 1Speed Eating Lvl 2
Focus Lvl 2Affinity Sliding Lvl 1
Non-elemental Boost Lvl 1-

Points of Recommendations

  • Easily accessible when starting Iceborne
  • Able to negate roars thanks to the Earplugs skill
Check Out All Iceborne Starter Build Guide Here!

Sheathed Great Sword Builds

WeaponDecorations
Immovable DharmaAttack Boost 1
Attack Boost 1
ArmorDecorations
Rimeguard Helm β +Critical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Rimeguard Mail β +Critical Jewel 2
Attack Boost 1
Rimeguard Vambraces β +Charger Jewel 2
Damascus Coil β +Draw Jewel 2
Attack Boost 1
Rimeguard Greaves β +Elementaless Jewel 2
Attack Boost 1
Handicraft Charm 3-
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 5Quick Sheath Lvl 3
Critical Draw Lvl 3Critical Boost Lvl 3
Handicraft Lvl 3Divine Blessing Lvl 2
Focus Lvl 2Flinch Free Lvl 1
Non-elemental Boost Lv 1Critical Element
Velkhana Divinity-

High Power Great Sword Builds

WeaponDecorations
滅鬼の凶器【断】Attack Boost 1
Attack Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Rex Roar Helm α +Critical Jewel 2
Damascus Mail β +Expert Jewel 4
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Rex Roar Braces α +Critical Jewel 2
Damascus Coil β +Enduring Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Garuga Greaves β +Enduring Jewel 1
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Master's Charm III-
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 7Critical Eye Lvl 7
Focus Lvl 3Health Boost Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Item Prolonger Lv3Free Meal Lvl 1

Recommended Endgame Master Rank Great Sword Builds

High Crit Non-Elemental Build

Recommended Endgame Master Rank Great Sword Builds
WeaponDecorations
Immovable Dharma-
ArmorDecorations
Velkhana Helm α +Divine Blessing Jewel 1
Coalescence 1
Damascus Mail β +Focus 2
Attack Boost 1
Attack Boost 1
Velkhana Vambraces β +Quick Sheathe Jewel 1
Flinch Free Jewel 1
Velkhana Coil α +Flinch Free Jewel 1
Coalescence Jewel 2
Velkhana Greaves β +Critical Draw 2
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 4Health Boost Lvl 3
Focus Lvl 3Critical Boost Lvl 3
Non-Elemental Boost Lvl 1Attack Boost Lvl 2
Coalescence Lvl 2Flinch Free Lvl 2

Points of Recommendation

  • High critical damage & critical chance
  • Good to use against any element
  • Multiple additional skills buffs Velkhana Divinity

General Purpose Build For Great Sword

*Following information are Monster Hunter World's best loadout, not Iceborne.

General Purpose Build
WeaponDecorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"
(Jagras Hacker III)
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Dragonking Eyepatch αMighty Jewel 2
Damascus Mail βExpert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces βMighty Jewel 2
Damascus Coil βSheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Empress Greaves βMighty Jewel 2
Elementaless Jewel 2
Skills
Health Boost Lvl 3Maximum Might Lvl 3
Handicraft Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Quick Sheath Lvl 3Focus Lvl 3
Critical Eye Lvl 4Non-elemental Boost

Skill Activation Is Easy

You will be able to use the skills in this loadout without using any γ equipment. If you do not have enough Expert Jewels, you can substitute them for Paralyzer Jewels or Attack Jewels.

Wyvern Ignition "Impact" is Obtained From Events

You will only be able to acquire the Wyvern Ignition "Impact" weapon from Event Quests. If you do not have the weapon yet, you can substitute this with the Jagras Hacker III for the time being.

Firepower Focused Build For Great Sword

Firepower Focused Build
WeaponDecorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"Expert Jewel 1
Attack Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Dragonking Eyepatch αTenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Mail αMighty Jewel
Drachen Vambraces αMighty Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Coil αElementaless Jewel 2
Drachen Greaves αCharger Jewel 2
Focus Charm II-
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Attack Boost Lvl 4
Weakness Exploit Lvl 3Focus Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 2Maximum Might Lvl 2
Power Prolonger Lvl 1Non-elemental Boost
Master's Touch-

Loadout With Damage Output In Mind

This loadout is based around the Wyvern Ignition "Impact" weapon. By equipping the Drachen armor & skills, you will be able to easily dish out a ton of damage to enemies you encounter!

Can Further Increase Damage Output

You can also opt to replace the Focus Charm in the loadout with an Attack Charm. This way, you will increase your damage output at the expense of your weapon gauge's fill rate.

High Stability Build For Great Sword

High Stability Build
WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"
(Jagras Hacker III)
Affinity Increase
Expert Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Dragonking Eyepatch αTenderizer Jewel 2
Empress Mail γElementaless Jewel 2
Kushala Grip γExpert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Damascus Coil βSheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Empress Greaves βMighty Jewel 2
Mighty Jewel 2
Earplugs Charm III-
Skills
Earplugs Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 4
Health Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Focus Lvl 3Quick Sheath Lvl 3
Maximum Might Lvl 2Tool Specialist Lvl 1
Non-elemental BoostStamina Cap Up

Made For Survivability

This build was specifically designed with survivability in mind. It can deal some damage to monsters, but it also gives you the luxury to withstand roars, easy sheathing, & a bigger stamina pool among other things to ensure that you get out of the hunt alive!

Sheath Jewel Can Be Substituted

The Sheath Jewel can be substituted with other decorations to suit your needs! If you feel that the Quick Sheath skill can be replaced with another skill to fit your play style you can swap it out for better ease of use!

High DPS Build For Great Sword

High DPS Build
WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"
(Jagras Hacker III)
Attack Increase
Sheath Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Odogaron Helm βDraw Jewel 2
Kulve Taroth's Ire βHandicraft Jewel 3
Sheath Jewel 1
Drachen Vambraces αDraw Jewel 2
Draw Jewel 2
Odogaron Coil βElementaless Jewel 2
Nergigante Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 4Critical Eye Lvl 4
Punishing DrawCritical Draw Lvl 3
Attack Boost Lvl 4Critical Boost Lvl 3
Non-elemental BoostStun Resistance Lvl 2
Bleeding Resistance Lvl 2Quick Sheath Lvl 3

Maximize Attack Damage

The skills in this build bring out the potential of the Great Sword for devastating attacks. Skills along with the augmentation of the weapon increase your attack and critical damage, while stun & bleeding resistances allow you to keep on slashing away!

Kjarr Fellsword "King" Attack Build

Kjarr Fellsword King Build
WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "King"Attack Increase
Attack Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Blaze Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γBlaze Jewel 1
Blaze Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Fire Attack Lvl 3Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element
Attack Boost Lvl 2-

Increase Fire Damage To The Max

The third level fire attack skill allows you to increase the fire damage of the weapon to its maximum. Aiming for weak spots of monsters will also grant you bonus damage in order to deal the most damage to monsters!

Kjarr Fellsword "Water" Attack Build

Kjarr Fellsword Water Build
WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "Water"Slot Upgrade
Stream Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Stream Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γStream Jewel 1
Stream Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Stream Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Water Attack Lvl 5Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element

Use Weak Spots To Deal High Water Damage

The Water Attack skill will allow the great sword to deal the most water damage that it can. This build is best used to exploit the weak spots of monsters as you will be dealing critical damage almost all the time.

Kjarr Fellsword "Ice" Attack Build

Kjarr Fellsword Ice Build
WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "Ice"Slot Upgrade
Frost Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Frost Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γFrost Jewel 1
Frost Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Frost Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Ice Attack Lvl 5Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element

Unleash The Ice Element's True Power

Just like other builds for elemental weapons, this loadout allows you to deal the most damage that you can with the ice great sword. Deal devastating ice damage to monsters especially when hitting their weak spots!

Kjarr Fellsword "Thunder" Attack Build

Kjarr Fellsword Thunder Build
WeaponAugmentations
Kjarr Fellsword "Thunder"Affinity Increase
ArmorDecorations
Gala Suit Top Hat αTenderizer Jewel 2
Bolt Jewel 1
Bolt Jewel 1
Drachen Mail αAttack Jewel 1
Drachen Vambraces αTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Coil αMinds' Eye Jewel 2
Drachen Greaves αExpert Jewel 1
Shock Charm III-
Skills
Master's TouchElemental Airborne
Attack Boost Lvl 4Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Thunder Attack Lvl 5Critical Element
Power Prolonger Lvl 1Mind's Eye/Ballistics

Deal High Thunder Damage Against Monsters

This build was made to pump out the most thunder damage out of the great sword weapon. Aiming for weak spots will also increase the thunder damage dealt to monsters.

Kjarr Fellsword "Decay" Attack Build

Kjarr Fellsword Dragon Build
WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "Decay"Attack Increase
Dragon Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Dragon Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γDragon Jewel 1
Dragon Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Dragon Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Dragon Attack Lvl 4Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element
Attack Boost Lvl 1-

Deal as Much Dragon Damage as You Can

This build allows you to dish out as much dragon damage as you can in order to exploit and defeat monsters that are weak to the Dragon element easily. You will also deal extra dragon damage when aiming for weak spots!

Best Skills For Great Sword

Recommended Skills For Attacking

Skill Recommendation / Overview
Weakness Exploit
★★★

Hitting monster weak spots can do critical hits & increased damage
Handicraft
★★・

Elongates weapon sharpness gauge but not beyond its maximum
Maximum Might
★★・

Affinity increases when stamina bar is full
Non-elemental Boost
★★・

Raises the base attack of non-elemental weapons
Attack Boost
★★・

Increases attack power plus affinity rate at higher levels
Critical Eye
★★・

Increases you affinity rate
Critical Boost
★★・

Strengthens damage of critical hits
Master's Touch
★★・

Prevents weapon from losing sharpness during critical hits

Recommended Skills For Support

Skill Recommendation / Overview
Health Boost
★★★

Increases maximum health
Earplugs
★★・

Weakens monster roars & nullifies them at higher levels
Focus
★★・

Increases your weapon gauge's fill rate
Quick Sheath
★★・

Increases weapon's sheathing speed
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Article Written by
MHW: ICEBORNE Strategy Team

MHW: ICEBORNE Strategy Team

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Anonymous 10

"Updated 22 hours ago"
Literally all builds from before Iceborne.

Anonymous 9

Not even close to endgame setups. Don't waste your time reading.

Anonymous 8

Can you fix the decorations section for the high crit non-elemental build (endgame build). You have the effects from the armor instead of the decorations. Thanks.

Anonymous 7

There's some typos I found in the build.
Elementaless Jewel - Elementless
Mighty Jewel "2" on the Drachen Mail

PS.Forgot to attach my build.

Seremi 6

By now, everyone should at least have a minimum of 3 Attack Jewels, considering they manage to catch up with the huge festival marathon a few weeks ago. And the 3rd Attack Jewel from completing the Special Assignment/Witcher 3 Collaboration Side Quest.

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