Monster Hunter Rise: Best Builds

Your quest of finding the very best builds from the huge amount of armor pieces and items Monster Hunter Rise throws at you, can be a tough one considering how many possibilities there are. Not only that, but finding that one specific ‘best build’ for each weapon can be really subjective, since there is a great number of possible gear combos, talisman picks, and of course, individual playstyles. Therefore, a definite and optimal build is hard to judge, based on all of the above. That said, we are here to present some of the most used setups from high-end hunters, so feel free to take a look.

Best builds in Monster Hunter Rise

As mentioned, the following will be setups that are mainly used in the current meta, for fast clear times and efficient hunting, rather than targeting each playstyle individually. There are many ways you can use weapons and skills accordingly, but since the main focus is killing monsters the fastest and easiest possible, our best builds list will mostly include offensive setups.

Hopefully, you can use these as cores for any other example sets you may want to try out, expanding your way of thought process while deciding on a specific build in Monster Hunter Rise. Additionally, these sets will be listed without weapons, as a weapon can drastically change the route of a specific gear’s choice. For more info about which weapons to use, please take a look at our ‘Best Weapons’ guide right here. Lastly, we will include only one best build for each weapon, in order to make this guide as compact as possible, and don’t stress new players out with too many options. More sets will be analyzed over to future guides, so stay tuned for those.

Best Great Sword Build

• Head: Zinogre Helm S
• Torso: Anjanath Mail S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Ingot Greaves S
• Talisman: Attack Boost LV2
  • Slots: At least one with LV2 socket
• Decorations: Slot in Attack Boost and the rest either Elemental Jewels, fitting your weapon’s choice or Grinder Jewels.

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Focus LV3/ Attack Boost LV7/ Critical Eye LV2

Best Long Sword Build

• Head: Zinogre Helm S
• Torso: Barioth Mail S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Golden Hakama
• Talisman: Quick Sheath – Any LV
  • Slots: At least one with LV2 socket
• Decorations: x2 Attack Jewels and as many Sheath Jewels to max

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Critical Boost LV2/ Attack Boost LV2/ Quick Sheath LV1/ Latent Power Lv2/ Maximum Might LV1

Tips

• Equip Anjanath waist instead, if you have a Weakness Exploit LV2 Talisman
• Equip Remobra chest instead, if you have a Quick Sheath Lv3 Talisman

Best Sword and Shield Build

• Head: Utsushi Mask (H) S/ Channeler’s Hair-tie S
• Torso: Vaik Mail S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Golden Hakama
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV1
  • Slots: None needed
• Decorations: x4 Attack Jewels, x3 Grinder Jewels (optional)

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Critical Boost LV2/ Attack Boost LV2/ Quick Sheath LV1/ Razor Sharp Lv2/ Latent Power LV1/ Wirebug Whisperer LV1

Best Dual Blades Build

• Head: Utsushi Mask (H) S/ Channeler’s Hair-tie S
• Torso: Zinogre Mail S
• Arms: Lagombi Vambraces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Golden Hakama
• Talisman: Critical Element LV2 (optional) or any that fills up your skills
  • Slots: At least one with LV2 socket
• Decorations: x1 Crit Element Jewel, x5 Elemental Jewels that fit your weapon’s element

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Critical Boost LV2/ Critical Element LV2/ Ice Attack LV1/ Razor Sharp Lv2/ Latent Power LV2/ Critical Eye LV2/ Wirebug Whisperer LV1

Tips

• Mostly used for weapons that reach up to blue sharpness

Best Hammer Build

• Head: Zinogre Helm S
• Torso: Remobra Suit S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Anjanath Coil S
• Legs: Golden Hakama
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV2
  • Slots: Not needed
• Decorations: x2 Attack Jewels, x1 Wirebug Jewel, x3 Grinder Jewels, x3 Brace Jewels

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Critical Boost LV3/ Attack Boost LV4/ Latent Power LV2

Best Hunting Horn Build

• Head: Zinogre Helm S
• Torso: Zinogre Mail S
• Arms: Sinister Gauntlets S
• Waist: Anjanath Coil S
• Legs: Hunter’s Greaves S
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV1
  • Slots: Not needed
• Decorations: x3 Attack Jewels, x3 Grinder Jewels, x1 Sonorous Jewel

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Handicraft LV2/ Attack Boost LV4/ Latent Power LV2/ Hellfire Cloak LV1/ Stun Resistance LV1

Tips

• Use Rampage Horn IV with Attack Melody II, Non-Elemental Boost and Sharpness Type I

Best Lance Build

• Head: Barroth Helm S
• Torso: Aelucanth Thorax S
• Arms: Lagombi Vambraces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Ingot Greaves S
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV1
  • Slots: At least one with LV1 socket
• Decorations: x1 Attack Jewels, x5 Elemental Jewels matching your weapon’s element, x1 Crit Element Jewel (optional)

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Critical Eye LV6/ Attack Boost LV4/ Dragon Attack LV1/ Critical Element LV1/ Ice Attack LV1/ Offensive Guard LV1

Best Gunlance Build

• Head: Utsushi Mask (H) S/ Channeler’s Hair-tie S
• Torso: Basarios Mail S
• Arms: Rhenoplos Braces S
• Waist: Narwa’s Fauld
• Legs: Diablos Greaves S
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV2 or LV1
  • Slots: At least one with LV2 socket
• Decorations: x1 Magazine Jewel, x3 Grinder Jewels, x1 Shield Jewel

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV2-LV1/ Razor Sharp LV2/ Spare Shot LV2/ Guard LV3/ Artillery LV3/ Load Shells LV1/ Offensive Guard LV1/ Wirebug Whisperer LV1/ Thunder Alignment LV1

Best Switch Axe Build

• Head: Almudron Helm S
• Torso: Almudron Mail S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Almudron Greaves S
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV1
  • Slots: At least one with LV2 socket
• Decorations: x5 Attack Jewels

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Razor Sharp LV3/ Attack Boost LV2/ Rapid Morph LV2/ Power Prolonger LV1

Tips

• If you use both a weapon and talisman with LV2 slots (or a talisman with two LV2 slots), you can also socket in a Quickswitch Jewel to max out both Rapid Morph and Attack Boost

Best Charge Blade Build

• Head: Almudron Helm S
• Torso: Barroth Mail S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Golden Hakama
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV1
  • Slots: At least one with LV2 socket or have a weapon with LV2 slot
• Decorations: x4 Attack Jewels, x1 Quickswitch Jewel, fill with Grinder Jewels the rest

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Defense Boost LV3/ Attack Boost LV3/ Rapid Morph LV2/ Critical Boost LV2/ Latent Power LV1

Best Insect Glaive Build

• Head: Utsushi Mask (H) S/ Channeler’s Hair-tie S
• Torso: Remobra Suit S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Golden Hakama
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV1
  • Slots: At least one with LV2
• Decorations: x2 Attack Jewels, x3 Grinder Jewels

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Weakness Exploit LV3/ Attack Boost LV2/ Critical Boost LV3/ Razor Sharp LV2/ Spare Shot LV2/ Latent Power LV1/ Wirebug Whisperer LV1

Tips

• Best used with the Nargacuga Insect Glaive (Evening Calm)

Best Light Bowgun Build

• Head: Rhenoplos Helm S
• Torso: Shell-Studded Vest S
• Arms: Wroggi Vambraces S
• Waist: Pukei-Pukei Coil S
• Legs: Ingot Greaves S
• Talisman: Spare Shot LV2
  • Slots: Not needed
• Decorations: x2 Attack Jewels, x1 Capacity Jewel

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Pierce Up LV3/ Attack Boost LV2/ Critical Eye LV2/ Poison Attack LV2/ Spare Shot LV3/ Stun Resistance LV1/ Normal/ Rapid Up LV1

Tips

• Night Owl weapon is recommended
• You can switch Ingot Greaves for Golden Hakama and Pukei-Pukei Coil S for Skalda/ Spio Elytra S if you prefer going the Critical focused route, instead of Attack

Best Heavy Bowgun Build

• Head: Utsushi Mask (H) S/ Channeler’s Hair-tie S
• Torso: Vaik Mail S
• Arms: Rhenoplos Braces S
• Waist: Pukei-Pukei Coil S
• Legs: Vaik Greaves S
• Talisman: Flexible, depends on what you want to increase further
  • Slots: n/a
• Decorations: x3 Absorber Jewel, x1 Artillery Jewel, x1 Attack Jewel, x2 Capacity Jewel, x3 Quickload Jewel

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Poison Attack LV2/ Spare Shot LV3/ Ammo Up LV1/ Razor Sharp LV2/ Artillery LV2/ Wirebug Whisperer LV1

Tips

• Set is recommended for explosive builds, utilizing Cluster Bomb, Wyvern Ammo and Sticky Ammo.
• All around set, by no means an optimal damage one

Best Bow Build

• Head: Mighty Bow Feather
• Torso: Remobra Suit S
• Arms: Rathalos Braces S
• Waist: Skalda/ Spio Elytra S
• Legs: Golden Hakama
• Talisman: Weakness Exploit LV1
  • Slots: At least one with LV2
• Decorations: x2 Attack Jewel, x2 Quickload Jewel

Skills from gear without Decorations

• Critical Boost LV3/ Weakness Exploit LV2/ Attack Boost LV2/ Latent Power LV1/ Bow Charge Plus LV1

Tips

• If you are using the Night Flight weapon, which is highly suggested due to its high affinity and pierce attacks, you can slot in an additional Attack Jewel

With this, we finally come to the end of this not so brief guide. As mentioned in the beginning, these sets are highly customizable based on player’s preference, but can be used as they are to tackle high-end content. Don’t feel that you need to use them as they are exactly, since Monster Hunter Rise is famous for having tons of options for hunter to choose from, when it comes to slaying monsters. Pick the one you fancy the most, and happy hunting!

Monster Hunter Rise is available on the Nintendo Switch. For more guides about the game, make sure to check our extensive list right here.

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