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Insect Glaive - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide

MHW: ICEBORNE | Insect Glaive - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide

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

Safijiiva Weapon Builds

Iceborne: Recommended Builds

Top Recommended Builds

Recommended Skills

Related Article On Insect Glaive

Insect Glaive iconHow To Use Best Insect Glaive build iconBest Builds
Best Insect Glaive skill iconBest Skills Endgame Insect Glaive Tier ListEndgame Tier List
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Safijiiva Crested & Teostra Armor Build

Safijiiva Armor With Master's Touch

This set is inspired by the armor build originally shared by FightinCowboy on Youtube.

Crested & Teostra Armor Build Details

WeaponAugment
Decorations
Safi's Shatterspear
*Can work with other Safi Insect Glaive
Health Regen 1
Affinity Increase 1
Challenger/Medicine Jewel 4
ArmorDecorations
Safi Crested Crown β + Expert Jewel 4
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Kaiser Mail β +Flight/Expert Jewel 4
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Safi Crested Vambraces β +Enhancer/Medicine Jewel 4
Enhancer Jewel 2
Enhancer Jewel 2
Kaiser Coil β +Stonethrower/Handicraft Jewel 4
Resistor Jewel 1
Medicine Jewel 1
Safi Crested Boots β +Fortitude/Handicraft Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Vitality Jewel 1
Attack Charm 4-
Glider Mantle+Footing/Vitality Jewel 4
Brace/Vitality Jewel 4
Temporal Mantle+Vitality Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Attack Boost Lvl 4
Recovery Up Lvl 3Critical Boost Lvl 3
Power Prolonger Lvl 3Blight Resistance Lvl 2
Blast Attack Lvl 2Handicraft Lvl 2
Health Boost Lvl 1
*Lvl 2 when wearing Mantle
Airborne Lvl 1
Latent Power 1Agitator Lvl 1
Fortify 1Evade Window Lvl 1
Slinger Capacity Lvl 1Tremor Resistance Lvl 1
*when wearing Mantle
Flinch Free Lvl 1
*when wearing Mantle
Master's Touch (Set Bonus)
Dragonvein Awakening (Set Bonus)-

Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening

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

Points of Recommendations

  • Set has 100% Affinity, allowing for almost no sharpness loss with Master's Touch
  • Dragonvein Awakening allows for increased damage per hit
  • Recovery Up & Health Regen increases health after a few hits, negating health lost from Safi set bonus

Safijiiva Blast Weapon Build

Master Rank Safi'Jiiva Blast Insect Glaive Build

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

Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening

Skill No. Of Frames
Sharpness Increase VI 1
Kinsect Bonus (Power/Spirit) 1
Attack Increase V 2
Sharpness Increase V 1

Points of Recommendations

  • More versatile and stronger than most crafted weapons
  • Master's Touch lessens sharpness loss & need for sharpening
  • Has purple sharpness with Sharpness Increase awakening skills

Insect Glaive Iceborne Starter Build

WeaponAugment
Decoration
Chrome Trident IExpert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Armor & CharmDecoration
Jagras Helm α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Bone Helm α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Kulu Headpiece α +Attack Jewel 1
Attack Jewel 1
Beo Coil α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Beo Greaves β +Flight Jewel 2
Handicraft Charm III
Skill
Attack Boost Lv6Earplugs Lv4
Health Boost Lv3Weakness Exploit Lv3
Handicraft Lv3Speed Eating Lv2
Critical Eye Lv2Critical Boost Lv1
Airborne Lv1Pro Transporter Lv1

Reasons For Recommendation

  • Can easily be accessed at the beginning of Iceborne
  • Switch to Health Boost if focus on surviving
  • Jumping attack should be main source of damage

Insect Glaive Iceborne Middle Phase Build

WeaponDecoration
Kadachi Vipertail IIExpert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
ArmorsDecorations
Legiana Helm β +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Protection Jewel 1
Nargacuga Mail α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Damascus Vambraces α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Vitality Jewel 1
Nargacuga Faulds α +Vitality Jewel 1
Nargacuga Greaves α +Vitality Jewel 1
Grinder Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Evade Window Lv5Handicraft Lv5
Weakness Exploit Lv3Divine Blessing Lv3
Health Boost Lv3Critical Eye Lv2
Speed Sharpening Lv2Speed Crawler Lv1
Stamina Surge Lv1Peak Performance Lv1
True Razor Sharp/Spare Shot
(Set Bonus)

Dodge Attacks & Paralyze

Nargacuga loadout maximize the evasion with Evade Window, enabling you to dodge monster's attack easily. Even when you get hit, Health Boost and Divine Blessing will help you out. Kadachi Vipertail II has high paralysis damage which is very helpful both solo and multi play.

Insect Glaive Iceborne Late Phase Build

WeaponDecoration
Infinite WisdomExpert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
ArmorsDecorations
Fulgur Helm β +Expert Jewel 4
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Kushala Cista β +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Damascus Vambraces β +Handicraft Jewel 3
Expert Jewel 1
Shara Ishvalda Coil α +Enhancer Jewel 2
Enhancer Jewel 2
Garuga Greaves β +Enhancer Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Razor Sharp Charm-
Skills
Critical Eye Lv7Handicraft Lv5
Power Prolonger Lv3Weakness Exploit Lv3
Critical Boost Lv3Health Boost Lv2
Recovery Up Lv1Razor Sharp/Spare Shot

Purple Sharpness With Razor Sharp

This build compliments the short purple sharpness of Infinite Wisdom by Razor Sharp. It has high affinity of 90% & add critical damage with Critical Boost. Health Boost and Power Prolonger increase your chance of survival.

Insect Glaive Iceborne Endgame Build

WeaponDecoration
Ruinous CatastropheAttack Jewel 1
ArmorsDecorations
Rex Roar Helm α +Critical Jewel 2
Kirin Jacket α +Critical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Rex Roar Braces α +Flight Jewel 2
Nargacuga Faulds α +Attack Jewel 1
Garuga Greaves β +Expert Jewel 4
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Evasion Jewel 2
Exploiter Charm II-
Skills
Critical Eye Lv7Attack Lv7
Evade Window Lv3Weakness Exploit Lv3
Health Boost Lv3Critical Boost Lv3
Stamina Surge Lv1Divine Blessing Lv1
Airborne Lv1Free Meal Lv1

Strong & Stable

Significantly high damage with 95% Affinity, Critical Boost Lv3 & Attack Lv7. Airborne raises your jumping attack by 30% as well. Health Boost & Evade Window allows you to fight safely.

Strongest Build For Insect Glaive

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

Strongest Build For Insect Glaive
WeaponAugmentations
Tyrannis Glaive IIAttack Increase
Affinity Increase
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Kulve Taroth's Ire βEmpty Slot 3
Vitality Jewel 1
Drachen Vambraces αCritical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γVitality Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
Nergigante Greaves γTenderizer Jewel 2
Sharp Jewel 2
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Attack Boost Lvl 4
Critical Eye Lvl 4Health Boost Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Stun Resistance Lvl 2Protective Polish
Non-elemental Boost-

Over 900 Attack Power

This build will bring out one of the hardest hitters in the Insect Glaive weapon category. This build will deal over 900 damage due to the skills such as non-elemental boost. This also has a high Handicraft skill level meaning that it has a white sharpness gauge.

Maintain Sharpness With Protective Polish

The Protective Polish was also added to keep the Insect Glaive's sharpness from deteriorating over a certain time period. This way, it can maintain its white sharpness for longer.

Taroth Glaive Ice Build For Insect Glaive

Taroth Glaive Ice Build For Insect Glaive
WeaponAugmentations
Taroth Glaive Ice
► How To Get This Weapon
Affinity Increase
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Empress Mail βFrost Jewel 1
Frost Jewel 1
Frost Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kulve Taroth's Malice βRelease Jewel 3
Vitality Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Vitality Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Handicraft Lvl 4
Ice Attack Lvl 3Free Elem / Ammo Up Lvl 3
Health Boost Lvl 2Critical Boost Lvl 2
Weakness Exploit Lvl 2Peak Performance
Master's Touch-

Fire Resistant Ice Build

Highly specialized equipment that is effective in dealing with Teostra due to its fire resistance capabilities. The elemental damage of this build can stack up to 490 total ice damage, & thanks to the Master's Touch, has a high sharpness.

High Affinity Build

Due to the Lvl 7 Critical Eye, this build shines the brightest when you crit on your attacks. Pairing this skill with Weakness Exploit will allow you to deal massive amounts of damage when aiming for monster weak spots.

High Damage Grunge Storm Build For Insect Glaive

High Damage Grunge Storm Build For Insect Glaive
WeaponAugmentations
Grunge StormAffinity Increase
Attack Increase
ArmorDecorations
Drachen Armet αCritical Jewel 2
Expert Jewel
Drachen Mail αTenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Vambraces αTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Coil αMighty Jewel 2
Nergigante Greaves γMighty Jewel 2
Mighty Jewel 2
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Attack Boost Lvl 4
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Handicraft Lvl 3Maximum Might Lvl 3
Health Boost Lvl 2Master's Touch
AirborneElemental Airborne

Built Around the Grunge Storm

The Grunge Storm is the star of this build as it boasts one of the highest attack powers of the Insect Glaives. Combining skills such as Weakness Exploit, & Critical Boost, you are sure to deal high damage especially when hitting weak spots!

Kjarr Glaive "Paralysis" Build For Insect Glaive

Kjarr Glaive Paralysis Build For Insect Glaive
WeaponAugmentations
Kjarr Glaive "Paralysis"
► How To Get This Weapon
Health Regen
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Mail αBrace Jewel 2
Kaiser Vambraces γTenderizer Jewel 2
Kaiser Coil γAttack Jewel 1
Attack Jewel 1
Nergigante Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Evasion Charm III-
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Attack Boost Lvl 5
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Latent Power Lvl 3Evade Window Lvl 3
Flinch Free Lvl 1Master's Touch
Critical StatusMaster's Touch

Paralyze Opponents With High DPS

With the Kjarr Glaive "Paralysis" equipped, you will be able to deal high amounts of damage while also having a high chance of paralyzing a monster! With the Critical Status skill equipped, the chances of applying a paralysis are very high!

Take Advantage Of Longer Battles

With the Latent Power skill, you will have increased affinity & decreased stamina consumption. Take advantage of this during long drawn out battles to mount the monster more often!

How To Trigger Latent Power Skill

* The skill will trigger if any of the two conditions are met!!!

  • 5 minutes have passed since you have engaged a large monster
  • Take a total of 180 damage

Balanced Build For Insect Glaive

Balanced Build For Insect Glaive
WeaponDecorations
Empress Cane "Styx"Tenderizer Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γMighty Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Vitality Jewel 1
Drachen Vambraces αCritical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Empress Coil γEnhancer Jewel 2
Nergigante Greaves γEnhancer Jewel 2
Enhancer Jewel 2
Evasion Charm III-
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 5Evade Window Lvl 5
Critical Eye Lvl 4Health Boost Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Power Prolonger Lvl 2Maximum Might Lvl 2
Razor Sharp/Spare Shot-

DPS and Survival Emphasis

This build focuses on both firepower and survivability for your hunter. You will be able to deal tons of damage due to the Empress Cane "Styx" weapon while also having high health and a bigger evade window!

Survival Focused Build For Insect Glaive

Survival Focused Build For Insect Glaive
WeaponAugmentation
Decorations
Empress Cane "Ruin"Health Regen
Tenderizer Jewel 2
ArmorDecorations
Xeno'jiiva Headgear γEnhancer Jewel 2
Medicine Jewel 1
Medicine Jewel 1
Empress Mail βVitality Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
Xeno'jiiva Claws γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Medicine Jewel 1
Empress Coil βCritical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Xeno'jiiva Spurs γFlawless Jewel 2
Maintenance Jewel 1
Empty Slot 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Health Boost Lvl 3Recovery Up Lvl 3
Critical Eye Lvl 4Critical Boost Lvl 3
Weakness Exploit Lvl 3Power Prolonger Lvl 3
Handicraft Lvl 3Peak Performance Lvl 3
Tool Specialist Lvl 3Blight Resistance Lvl 2
Special Ammo Boost Lvl 1Hasten Recovery
Razor Sharp/Spare ShotStamina Cap Up

High Chance Of Surviving

The build utilizes several skills that will increase your survivability in tough fights. Skills such as health boost & Stamina Cap Up will let you take more hits, & move out of the way of incoming attacks!

Best Skills For Insect Glaive

Recommended Skills For Attacking

Skill Recommendation / Overview
Weakness Exploit
★★★

Hitting monster weak spots can do critical hits and increased damage
Master's Touch
★★★

Does not lower your weapon's sharpness when dealing critical hits
Razor Sharp/Spare Shot
★★★

Halves the rate at which your weapon loses sharpness
Handicraft
★★・

Increases weapon sharpness gauge
Attack Boost
★★・

Increases weapon damage output
Critical Eye
★★・

Increases your affinity rate
Critical Boost
★★・

Increases damage dealt by critical hits
Maximum Might
★★・

Increases affinity rate as long as stamina bar is full
Non-elemental Boost
★★・

Greatly increases damage output of non-elemental weapons
Critical Element
★★・

Increases elemental damage dealt
Airborne
★・・

Increases jumping attack damage

Recommended Supporting Skills

Skill Recommendation / Overview
Health Boost
★★★

Increases your maximum health
Speed Sharpening
★★・

Sharpen your weapon faster
Protective Polish
★★・

Prevents sharpness loss for a time after sharpening your weapon
Power Prolonger
★★・

Increases the duration of bonus effects
Earplugs
★★・

Negates the effect of monster roars
Flinch-Free
★・・

Prevents knockbacks and tripping
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Article Written by
MHW: ICEBORNE Strategy Team

MHW: ICEBORNE Strategy Team

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mad 4

the iceborne medium phase glaive build is confusing me. its telling me to put... three pieces of armor on my head? am i reading that right??

Anonymous 3

Yeah the endgame build is a complete lie, i built it the slots arent even acurate, the skills half of them arent even there and the incect glaive concept is good but its an absolute lie. DO NOT TRUST IT!

Anonymous 2

Hi, I think you miswrote the starter build cause there 3 headpiece in it. You should edit it to bone
chest and kulu vambraces. :)

Anonymous 1

how legit is this info? The names aren't accurate at all.

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