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Sword & Shield is the most versatile weapon choice in Monster Hunter Wilds, as it always has been. With new skills introduced in the game, SnS has become significantly better. In this guide, we’ll cover the best Sword & Shield builds in MH Wilds, from early to endgame.
This guide will be updated regularly along with future content!
Sword & Shield Gameplay and Combo
Monster Hunter Wilds has significantly buffed SnS basic attacks. Now, the best combo you can use at all times is the Chop Combo, which revolves around constant basic attacks. What makes it special is Focus Mode, granting you the ability to switch direction and reposition.
The best combo starts by activating Focus Mode, then spamming Triangle in the direction you want. Side Slash and Diagonal Chop are excellent offensive moves that let you attack while repositioning. You can end the combo with Round Slash and Charged Chop (Triangle + Circle).
A new move that further enhances SnS’s versatility is Sliding Swipe, which allows you to slide quickly in your chosen direction. This is crucial for repositioning or dodging attacks. After sliding, you can seamlessly continue with the Chop Combo.
The Lateral Slash (Circle) combo is only viable when the monster is stunned or paralyzed, as you cannot move while performing this combo.
But what about Perfect Rush? While it was the highest-damage skill in Monster Hunter World, that is no longer the case in Wilds. You only deal the highest damage on the final hit of the combo, making the Chop Combo superior to Perfect Rush.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the best build and progression.
SnS Low Rank Build and Progression
At Low Rank, there isn’t much to look for. The Level 3 Divine Blessing from the default Hope Armor is decent enough to carry you through late Low Rank missions. You can upgrade the helmet and coil to Hirabami, providing that nice Evade Window.
What you mainly need to do to progress is upgrade your weapon. Barina Dague is a great choice to start with, as its paralysis effect can significantly help in your hunts.
Best SnS for Low Rank
- Barina Dague I
- Ajara Saber I
- Balahara Blade I
SnS High Rank Builds and Progression
Before entering High Rank, you can craft this set for extra defense and the Weakness Exploit skill. Level 3 WEX greatly boosts your critical chance, which is exactly what you need to progress quickly and smoothly, especially when using SnS.
If you prefer paralyzing monsters, keep upgrading and using Barina Dague. However, if you prefer a shielding playstyle, switch to Ajara Saber, as it grants Offensive Guard for additional damage when guarding perfectly.
Late High Rank
Getting into the late High Rank, where you’ll face tougher monsters, frenzies, and tempered threats, you’ll need a more improved armor set. As iconic as it is important, Rathalos once again reigns supreme. This set allows you to achieve Level 5 Weakness Exploit, 4 Agitator, and 3 Max Might, more than enough to decimate story mission monsters.
Level 3 Maximum Might is a great bonus if you have the decorations. At this point, it’s best to start crafting the Exploiter Charm, Challenger Charm, and Chain Charm, as they are commonly used in various weapon builds.
Best SnS for High Rank
- Ajara Saber II
- Barina Dague III
- Albirath Edge II
- Rey Kuara II
SnS Best Endgame Builds
SnS is a versatile weapon that can serve as both a damage dealer and a support. However, the best SnS build right now focuses on boosting elemental damage and critical values. Here are the best builds for Sword & Shield in Wilds:
SnS Endgame 4-Gore Build
SnS is a fast-moving, fast-attacking weapon that can hit a monster consecutively without stopping. If combos are performed flawlessly, you will constantly activate skills that boost your affinity and attack power.
Antivirus grants a total of +25% affinity after curing Frenzied state, making it a perfect skill for a fast-hitting weapon like SnS. When combined with Maximum Might, Weakness Exploit, and Critical Boost, you will land constant critical hits on all your attacks, which is extremely satisfying.
You can switch Guardian with Critical Boost if you prefer sliding rather than guarding. A single level of Burst is never a bad addition, as it further enhances your attack power.
For the Artian SnS, the best setup is full Attack infusion with 4 Attack + 1 Sharpness reinforcement. This is the god-roll configuration, perfect for maximizing this build’s potential.
SnS Endgame Zoh Shia Comfy Build
After Zoh Shia was introduced as a regular monster you can hunt in Title Update 1, you can craft a new comfort build thanks to its armor set. Zoh Shia's armor set grants you Zoh Shia's Pulse, which provides constant passive healing.
The health regeneration is not that fast—it's not as fast as G. Arkveld's healing. However, Arkvulcan and G. Arkveld's set bonuses require you to constantly hit or destroy wounds to activate the healing bonus, whereas Zoh Shia's set bonus regenerates your health passively without any requirements.
In this build, you still get 5 Weakness Exploit, 4 Agitator, 3 Max Might, and 3 Antivirus, which grants you 100% Affinity. So, a bit less damage than 4-piece Gore, but you get that sweet passive healing.
Recovery Up and Recovery Speed jewels are recommended to boost the passive healing from Zoh's set bonus.
SnS Endgame Para Build
This build still utilizes the 4-piece Gore armor, but this time, it features Lala Barina's SnS, making it a powerhouse paralysis build! It's incredibly fun to use, as you can paralyze monsters up to four times per hunt, providing immense value in battle.
Instead of Flayer and Burst, prioritize maxing out Coalescence. This provides an even greater elemental or status buildup, ensuring you can continuously paralyze your target throughout the hunt.
However, this build does sacrifice three levels of Offensive Guard, which isn't a major issue since you can always rely on Sliding Swipe attacks instead of perfectly timed guards.
This is a build you absolutely have to try!
SnS Endgame Elemental Burst Build
This build is the best if you're using an elemental weapon and prefer elemental matchups against monsters. The build shown focuses on dragon, but you can switch to any element you like—just make sure not to lose the Offensive Guard skill in the process.
This build includes 2-piece Burst Boost and 2-piece Gore, increasing both affinity and elemental attack critical rate.
While this build is excellent overall for SnS, it shines even more against element-heavy monsters like Hirabami or Uth Duna.
SnS Endgame Support Build
If you haven’t noticed, the Hunting Horn isn’t the only support weapon—SnS is also a great choice if your party needs a support role. As a support, the crucial skills to prioritize are:
- Wide-Range
- Mushroomancer
- Free Meal
- Speed Eating
While excellent for healing support, this build is also perfect for crowd control with its paralysis attacks. The best weapon to use is the Paralysis Verdoloto, infused with all Attack and reinforced with 3 Attack + 2 Sharpness.
Do make sure to bring Mega Potions with Honey and Potions for restocking, all mushrooms to buff your teammates, and a couple of Lifepowders or Dust of Life as last-resort healing items.
Best SnS Weapons for Endgame
- Verdoloto (all Attack infusion & 4 Attack + 1 Sharpness reinforcement)
- Jager-Ankh
- Ajara-Subinda
- Lala Acanthopelm
- Kuara Clairsword
- Nerskiller
- Viperine Saber
- Corona
Whether you're a damage dealer or a support, these SnS builds can serve as a guideline to dominate the endgame content of Monster Hunter Wilds. We will update this page whenever a better build or new meta emerges. In the meantime, try out these builds and customize them to fit your playstyle. Happy hunting!
