Great Sword High Rank and Endgame Builds for Monster Hunter Wilds

Last updated on Jul 16, 2025 at 13:08 by Holster

Learn everything about the best Great Sword builds for High Rank as well as endgame builds for Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds including the best skills to focus on as well as the best weapons, best armor all to help you progress through High Rank.

Welcome to our Monster Hunter Wilds build guide for the Great Sword in both High Rank as well as endgame. Listed below you will find the best builds for the Great Sword both for progressing through the earlier stages of High Rank as well as the best builds for Great Sword at endgame.

To skip straight to the endgame builds, click the button below!

1.

Great Sword HR 9 - 34 Leveling Build Options

Weakness Exploit Build Agitator Build
1.1.

Weakness Exploit Build

This next set lasts from as soon as you hit High Rank all the way until around Hunter Rank 32 and requires you to defeat Guardian Rathalos, Guardian Doshaguma and Ajarakan a few times to gain all the materials.

In addition to this you will also want to hunt the Rathian and Chatacabra to be able to craft the Exploiter Charm I giving you that extra Weakness Exploit Skill granting you more affinity.

At this point in the game, decorations are not worth specifically farming so simply use what you have to either improve your current skills, add new ones or increase your defensiveness if you feel you are struggling with some of the earlier High Rank fights. That being said, if you are struggling that should go away over time, progressing through this part of High Rank unlocks passive resource farms allowing you to more regularly use consumables without having to actively farm them.

Gear Decorations
Weapon Quematrice Espada III N/A
Head G. Rathalos Helm β N/A
Chest G. Rathalos Mail β N/A
Gloves G. Doshaguma Braces α N/A
Waist Ajarakan Coil β N/A
Legs G. Rathalos Greaves β N/A
Talisman Exploiter Charm I N/A

This set mainly uses the Guardian Rathlos set as it uses Weakness Exploit enabling a high amount of critical damage to be dealt to weak points and wounds which is a great skill for the Great Sword as it focuses on dealing high amounts of damage in single blows. In addition to this the Partbreaker skill works harmoniously with Weakness Exploit due to both creating high amounts of damage to weak points making it quicker and easier to break parts. The beta set is specifically used because the additional skills provided by the alpha set do not bring much of value so using additional decoration slots can give you more opportunities to boost skills and give extra defense.

1.2.

HR 9-34 Armor Set Skills and Set Bonuses

  • Weakness Exploit - Level 4
  • Punishing Draw - Level 2
  • Iron Skin - Level 2
  • Part Breaker - Level 2
  • Intimidator - Level 1
  • Heroics - Level 1
  • Blast Resistance - Level 1
  • Windproof - Level 1
  • Rathalos's Flare - Level 2
  • Guardians Protection - Level 3
1.3.

Agitator Build

The armor set below includes decorations to enhance the equipment and group skills overall improving the wearers stats:

Gear Decorations
Weapon Quematrice Espada III Focus Jewel II
Critical Jewel I
Head G. Fulgur Helm β Destroyer Jewel II
Chest Rathian Mail α N/A
Gloves G. Fulgur Vambraces α Physique Jewel I
Waist G. Fulgur Coil α Physique Jewel I
Physique Jewel I
Legs G. Rathalos Greaves α Physique Jewel I
Talisman Challenger Charm I N/A

This set mainly uses the Guardian Fulgur set due to it's Agitator skill which enhances the amount of attack and affinity to the hunter when a large monster enters the enraged state. In addition to this the Constitution skill works well with Agitator as it ensures that the hunter's stamina remains higher for a longer period of time so that increased DMG can be dealt throughout the fight. The Group Skill Fulgur Anjanath's Will additionally gives the hunter a further stamina guage.

1.4.

HR 9-34 Armor Set Skills and Set Bonuses

  • Agitator - Level 4
  • Constitution - Level 4
  • Punishing Draw - Level 2
  • Focus - Level 2
  • Foray - Level 2
  • Maximum Might - Level 2
  • Windproof - Level 2
  • Critical Boost - Level 1
  • Partbreaker - Level 1
  • Stamina Surge - Level 1
  • Weakness Exploit - Level 1
  • Fulgur Anjanath's Will - Level 21
  • Guardians Pulse - Level 3
2.

Great Sword HR 34 - 41+ Armor Set

After rank 34 and 40, you will be able to hunt both Gore Magala and Arkveld respectively. These 2 monsters are the main monsters at endgame currently until future updates and their gear is generally some of the best available.

While this set is still a progression set, this set allows you to more than comfortably farm decorations and any materials you may want while you work towards a final endgame set or even just to farm so you can explore different builds and see what works with your playstle and goals.

Gear Decorations
Weapon Stalwart Lamorak N/A
Head Dahaad Shardhelm α N/A
Chest Gore Mail α N/A
Gloves Dahaad Shardbraces β N/A
Waist Arkvulcan Coil β N/A
Legs Gore Greaves β N/A

Stalwart Lamorak is known for being the best non-artian Great Sword currently in the game due to its high raw damage, high sharpness with the Handicraft 1 jewel equipped to the weapon decoration slot. Additionally Stalwart Lamorak uses 3x Focus skill reducing the charge by 15% as well as increasing the gauge refill rate.

This set utilises Gore Magala's group skill that infects you with Frenzy while the Antivirus skill increases recovery rate and grants affinity when cured. Overall this set is great for producing high amounts of damage whilst keeping the hunter always in the fight.

2.1.

Talisman and Key Decoration Options

Depending on the decorations you have available, you want to use the following decorations to max out the current set skills:

  1. Exploiter Charm II - Grants Weakness Exploit Lv2
  2. Handicraft Jewel I - Extends Weapon Sharpness
  3. Critical Jewel II - Grants Crit Damage Boost
  4. Sheath Jewel I - Increases Sheathing speed
  5. Sane Jewel I - Grants Antivirus

Use whichever of these you do not currently have decorations for to help max out your skills.

2.2.

HR 34 - 41+ Armor Set Skills and Set Bonuses

  • Weakness Exploit - Level 3 (5 With Talisman)
  • Antivirus - Level 3
  • Focus - Level 3
  • Critical Boost - Level 2
  • Agitator - Level 2
  • Evade Window - Level 2
  • Handicraft - Level 1
  • Adaptability - Level 1
  • Recovery Speed - Level 1
  • Flinch Free - Level 1
  • Quick Sheathe - Level 1
  • Jin Dahaad's Revolt - Level 2
  • Gore Magala's Tyranny - Level 2
3.

Endgame

Listed below you will find our currently recommended endgame build options for the Great Sword including their best weapons and best decorations to use on these builds.

3.1.

Endgame Artian Great Sword

The Artian Great Sword is currently the best Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds. This weapon comes with high raw damage as well as 3x Level 3 Slots with the ability to include an elemental status type. For the Great Sword Sleep is the optimal element to use due to it producing twice the amount of damage during Wake Up hits. Picking 3 lots of the same elemental type will grant you Element Infusion increasing the element stat by 30. On the other hand using 2 of the same element results in the weapon to be created with that elemental type.

3.2.

What is the Best Artian Great Sword?

Currently the best Artian Weapon for Great Sword is the Varianza with there being a few good variations depending on Production and Reinforcement Bonuses. The Production bonus determines the element type as well as any additional stats such as Attack and Affinity. The Reinforcement Bonus is randomised when upgrading the Artian Weapon using reinforcement materials. You can quit to the title screen without saving in order to reroll the reinforcement bonus if you aren't satisfied with your outcome.

When picking Elemental Type you will want to look at either Sleep due to its x2 damage during Wake up hits or Paralysis when battling during co-op to increase the overall amount of damage dealt.

When looking at the Production Bonus for the Varianza the first production bonus will want to include Element Infusion granting +30 to the Element Stat. In addition to this you will want either 2x Attack and 1x Affinity Infusion or the alternative 3x Attack. Lastly for the Element Type you will choose either Sleep or Paralysis depending on gameplay style.

For optimal Reinforcement Bonuses, prioritise Sharpness Boost to increase your sharpness level. Additionally, focus on either 3x Attack with 1x Affinity or go all in with 4x Attack to increase damage output.

For a pure Affinity focused setup, your Production bonus should include 1x Affinity and 2x Attack, while your Reinforcement Bonus should be 3x Attack and 1x Affinity. If you prefer a more balanced approach, consider a Production bonus of 3x Attack, with a Reinforcement Bonus of 1x Affinity and 3x Attack for a well rounded weapon.

4.

Great Sword Endgame Build Options

See below for the recommended endgame Great Sword Builds:

Maximum Might Build Gore Build Rey Dau Gamma Build
4.1.

Maximum Might

Gear Decorations
Weapon Varianza Critical Jewel II
Critical Jewel III
Focus Jewel III
Head G. Fulgur Helm β Counter Jewel II
Chest Arkvulcan Mail β Challenger Jewel III
Counter Jewel II
Gloves G. Fulgur Vambraces β Counter Jewel II
Mighty Jewel II
Waist Gore Coil β Tenderizer Jewel III
Mighty Jewel II
Legs Gore Greaves β Chain Jewel III
Sane Jewel I
Sane Jewel I

This endgame armor set focuses on the skill Maximum Might which increases the amount of affinity when the stamina bar is kept full allowing a higher amount of critical damage. This works by the Fulgur skill granting additional stamina by adding an extension to the stamina bar. This then allows Maximum Might to stay activated due to the additional stamina not counting towards stamina usage.

4.2.

Endgame Armor Set Skills and Set Bonuses

  • Critical Boost - Level 5
  • Agitator - Level 5
  • Focus - Level 3
  • Counterstrike - Level 3
  • Maximum Might - Level 3
  • Antivirus - Level 3
  • Weakness Exploit - Level 2
  • Constitution - Level 2
  • Flinch Free - Level 1
  • Burst - Level 1
  • Fulgur Anjanath's Will - Level 2
  • Gore Magala's Tyranny - Level 2
4.3.

Gore Armor Set Build

Gear Decorations
Weapon Varianza Critical Jewel II
Critical Jewel III
Focus Jewel III
Head Gore Helm β Challenger Jewel III
Physique Jewel I
Chest Numinous Shroud β Challenger Jewel III
Gloves Gore Vambraces β Mighty Jewel II
Mighty Jewel II
Waist Gore Coil β Challenger Jewel III
Mighty Jewel II
Legs Gore Greaves β Chain Jewel III
Sane Jewel I
Sane Jewel I

This endgame armor set centers around the 4-piece Gore Magala bonus while incorporating the powerful Burst skill. With the addition of the Zoh Shia chest piece in Title Update 1, it's now possible to include Burst 1 without losing out on key abilities. The build combines high impact offensive skills like Agitator, Critical Boost, and Maximum Might, alongside defensive and mobility support from Evade Window and Counterstrike. Altogether, it delivers a strong and well rounded setup for the Great Sword.

4.4.

Endgame Armor Set Skills and Set Bonuses

  • Critical Boost - Level 5
  • Agitator - Level 5
  • Constitution - Level 4
  • Focus - Level 3
  • Maximum Might - Level 3
  • Antivirus - Level 3
  • Counterstrike - Level 3
  • Evade Window - Level 2
  • Coalescence - Level 1
  • Flinch Free - Level 1
  • Burst - Level 1
  • Gore Magala's Tyranny - Level 4
  • Scale Layering - Level 3
4.5.

Rey Dau Gamma Build

Gear Decorations
Weapon Varianza Critical Jewel II
Critical Jewel III
Focus/KO Jewel III
Head Rey Dau Helm γ Challenger Jewel III
Chest Numinous Shroud β Throttle Jewel III
Gloves Rey Dau Sandbraces γ Jumping Jewel II
Throttle Jewel III
Waist Rey Dau Sandcoil γ N/A
Legs Rey Dau Sandgreaves γ Throttle Jewel III

This endgame armor set centers around the 4-piece Rey Dau's Voltage Set skill. This Great Sword build is tailored for a high impact, crit focused playstyle that emphasises quick charge times, strong burst damage, and efficient stamina management. With maxed Critical Boost, Agitator, and Latent Power, the build ensures high critical hit frequency and damage, particularly when the monster is enraged or the player is under pressure.

Focus significantly reduces charge times, allowing for faster execution of powerful moves like the True Charged Slash, while Maximum Might complements the Great Sword's stamina friendly nature by increasing affinity when stamina is full. Stamina Surge and Evade Extender enhance mobility and recovery, helping the hunter reposition quickly and maintain offensive pressure. Stun Resistance adds reliability by preventing interruptions during long charge windups, and Weakness Exploit, though only at level one, still contributes to overall affinity on weak points.

The set also includes Rey Dau's Voltage and Lord's Soul at level four and three, likely providing additional offensive bonuses that further enhance damage potential. Altogether, this build supports a deliberate, aggressive Great Sword playstyle that balances raw power with survivability and control.

4.6.

Endgame Armor Set Skills and Set Bonuses

  • Critical Boost - Level 5
  • Agitator - Level 5
  • Latent Power - Level 5
  • Focus - Level 3
  • Maximum Might - Level 3
  • Stamina Surge - Level 3
  • Evade Extender - Level 3
  • Stun Resistance - Level 3
  • Slugger - Level 1
  • Weakness Exploit - Level 1
  • Rey Dau's Voltage - Level 4
  • Lord's Soul - Level 3
5.

Changelog

  • 16 Jul. 2025: Guide Updated.
  • 09 Apr. 2025: Guide added.
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