There are over 80 high rank armor sets to choose from in the post-game content of Monster Hunter Wilds. With multiple skills and set bonuses to select from, the choice often comes down to achieving the right synergy with the myriad advanced weapons from the 14 weapon groups available.
This Monster Hunter Wilds guide is a recommendation of the best high rank weapons and armor sets in the game, as well as their required materials for forging.
WEAPONS:
Great Sword
This overpowered weapon relies on charged attacks to inflict maximum damage. This delay in striking a blow can potentially miss, or worse, make you vulnerable to counter-attack. The reward, however, for a successful strike is massive damage output. Additionally, unlike the Long Sword, the Great Sword has the ability to guard/block incoming attacks.
The Dusterstolz has everything you need.
Valkyrie Blade I Forge Materials
- 1x Rathian Certificate S
- 3x Rathian Webbing
- 2x Rathian Spike+
- 5x Rathian Scale+
- 5,000 Zenny
Red Wing I Upgrade Materials
- 2x Rathalos Certificate S
- 5x Rathalos Carapace
- 4x Rathalos Wing
- 1x Rath Medulla
- 10,000 Zenny
Schattenstolz I Upgrade Materials
- 3x Gore Magala Certificate S
- 4x Gore Magala Ripclaw+
- 1x Gore Magala Tail
- 5x Frenzy Shard
- 14,000 Zenny
Dusterstolz Upgrade Materials
- 5x Hunter Symbol III
- 2x Magala Feeler+
- 1x Gore Magala Nyctgem
- 5x Frenzy Crystal
- 20,000 Zenny
Heavy Bowgun
This hard-hitting long range weapon not only lets you maintain distance from targets, but can adequately and even automatically guard against their attacks should they close the distance from the front. Various weapon mods can significantly improve the performance of the Heavy Bowgun, especially special ammunition capacity. While ammunition management can be a bit of a pain, it can be crafted on demand fairly quickly.
Tankmage from the Gypceros tree comes with the Guard skill to reinforce guarding against knockback attacks, as well as reducing stamina consumption.
Tankmage I Forge Materials
- 1x Gypceros Certificate S
- 2x Gypceros Head
- 3x Gypceros Wing
- 5x Rubbery Hide+
- 4,000 Zenny
Tankmage II Upgrade Materials
- 2x Gravios Certificate S
- 4x Gypceros Tail
- 4x Toxin Sac
- 10,000 Zenny
Tanksorcerer Upgrade Materials
- 1x Bird Wyvern Gem
- 1x Novacrystal
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 6x Rubbery Hide+
- 20,000 Zenny
Insect Glaive
An unusual weapon that involves a Kinsect in combat, the Insect Glaive is a fairly advanced weapon with complex mechanics. The weapon itself allows for both ground and air combo moves. The Kinsect aspect is where advanced players will shine, as they use the insect companion to extract essences from monsters, which can then be applied either singly or in various combinations, in order to buff the player.
Princess Regalia from the Rathian tree doubles down on Poison damage with the skills Poison Duration Up, and Critical Status which actually boosts all negative status effects, but specifically from critical strikes.
Princess Regalia I Forge Materials
- 1x Rathian Certificate S
- 2x Rathian Spike+
- 3x Rathian Webbing
- 5x Rathian Scale+
- 5,000 Zenny
Princess Regalia II Upgrade Materials
- 1x Wyvern Gem
- 1x Rath Medulla
- 2x Rey Dau Certificate S
- 6x Rathian Carapace
- 14,000 Zenny
Queen Regalia Upgrade Materials
- 1x Rathian Ruby
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 5x Rathian Scale+
- 20,000 Zenny
Gunlance
Part lance, part shotgun, the Gunlance is another weapon with complex mechanics to master. The offhand shield is also of great utility to guard against incoming attacks. The Gunlance should be the natural progression for early game Sword & Shield players, as many of the underlying principles of block and counter-attack can be applied with this weapon as well.
The Hard Hitter Gunlance from the Gypceros tree buffs draw attacks with the skills Critical Draw for increased affinity, and Punishing Draw which boosts attack power with a stun effect on top.
Hard Hitter I Forge Materials
- 1x Gypceros Certificate S
- 2x Gypceros Head
- 3x Gypceros Wing
- 5x Rubbery Hide+
- 4,000 Zenny
Hard Hitter II Upgrade Materials
- 2x Gravios Certificate S
- 4x Gypceros Tail
- 4x Toxin Sac
- 10,000 Zenny
Big Slugger Upgrade Materials
- 1x Bird Wyvern Gem
- 1x Novacrystal
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 6x Rubbery Hide+
- 20,000 Zenny
Hunting Horn
Not to be shrugged off, the Hunting Horn is easily the most complex weapon to learn. Hunting Horns have both distinct notes and unique tunes that can be played to buff the player and allies, while dealing stun and blunt damage to enemies. Unfortunately, it completely lacks a guard/block ability, and there is a significant learning curve to mastering the Hunting Horn.
From the Hope Vespoid tree, the Sonic Horn can serve as an excellent secondary for low sharpness primaries. Speed Sharpening quickens the sharpening time, and immediately after that the Protective Polish skill can neutralize the loss of sharpness for a fair period of time.
Sonic Horn I Forge Materials
- 2x Lala Barina Mucus
- 2x Bulaqchi Shell
- 3x Vespoid Shell
- 500 Zenny
Sonic Horn II Upgrade Materials
- 1x Nerscylla Claw
- 2x Monster Fluid
- 2x Comaqchi Shell
- 3x Vespoid Wing
- 1,500 Zenny
Sonic Horn III Upgrade Materials
- 2x Lala Barina Certificate S
- 4x Bulaqchi Carapace
- 5x Vespoid Carapace
- 4,000 Zenny
Sonic Horn IV Upgrade Materials
- 3x Monster Hardbone
- 4x Comaqchi Carapace
- 5x Lala Barina Mucus+
- 14,000 Zenny
Glass Royale Upgrade Materials
- 1x Bird Wyvern Gem
- 4x Monster Broth
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 5x Vespoid Innerwing
- 20,000 Zenny
ARMOR:
Balahara α Armor Set
An ideal armor set for high stamina consumption melee builds, the Balahara α provides the Stamina Surge skill to increase its recovery speed by as much as 50%. Evade Extender and Evade Window offer some respite when stamina is nearly drained and incoming attacks must be evaded. As a set bonus, Master Mounter comes in handy to get atop targets and out of reach of their attacks while dishing out wounding damage. Geologist is a nice little bonus for gathering excursions.
Balahara Helm α Forge Materials
- 1x Balahara Skull+
- 1x Balahara Certificate S
- 2x Balahara Carapace
- 3,500 Zenny
Balahara Mail α Forge Materials
- 1x Balahara Skull+
- 1x Monster Keenbone
- 2x Balahara Scale+
- 3,500 Zenny
Balahara Vambraces α Forge Materials
- 1x Balahara Skull+
- 1x Balahara Tail
- 2x Balahara Carapace
- 2x Balahara Scale+
- 3,500 Zenny
Balahara Coil α Forge Materials
- 1x Balahara Certificate S
- 1x Balahara Skull+
- 1x Torrent Sac
- 3,500 Zenny
Balahara Greaves α Forge Materials
- 1x Balahara Black Pearl
- 1x Balahara Certificate S
- 2x Balahara Carapace
- 2x Balahara Scale+
- 3,500 Zenny
Blango α Armor Set
The Palico owner’s armor set of choice, the Blango α has the skill Palico Rally that increases their offense and defense by up to 25% at level 5. Wide-Range confers the effects of items upon allies, reaching full efficacy at level 5, with Item Prolonger extending their duration by 50% as well. The set bonus War Cry allows the ‘To Victory!’ gesture to increase the attack of allies, moderately at first, and then maximally once four set pieces are in the player’s possession. Runs relatively cheap at 25,000 Zenny to forge.
Blango Helm α Forge Materials
- 2x Colossal Bone
- 2x Blangonga Tail
- 3x Blangonga Pelt+
- 4x Blangonga Fang+
- 5,000 Zenny
Blango Mail α Forge Materials
- 2x Blango Pelt+
- 2x Blangonga Certificate S
- 3x Blangonga Whisker
- 5,000 Zenny
Blango Vambraces α Forge Materials
- 1x Beast Gem
- 1x Blangonga Certificate S
- 3x Blangonga Tail
- 5x Blangonga Pelt+
- 5,000 Zenny
Blango Coil α Forge Materials
- 1x Blangonga Certificate S
- 2x Blangonga Whisker
- 3x Freezer Sac
- 5x Blangonga Fang+
- 5,000 Zenny
Blango Greaves α Forge Materials
- 2x Blangonga Tail
- 2x Blangonga Whisker
- 3x Blangonga Pelt+
- 3x Great Stoutbone
- 5,000 Zenny
Gore α Armor Set
An advanced set for melee-focused hunters, the Gore α brings the skill Master Mounter to aid in consistently getting atop monsters during hunts. Flinch Free also comes in handy in close quarters, where tripping and knockbacks are a persistent threat. Evade Window is potentially overpowered, with level 5 conferring a huge invulnerability window during evasions. Dual Bladers suffering from high stamina consumption will benefit from Constitution reducing that drain by as much as 50% at level 5. The Black Eclipse skill applies frenzy when engaging the larger monsters, but overcoming the ailment increases affinity and attack power. No less that 35,000 Zenny will purchase this entire set.
Gore Helm α Forge Materials
- 1x Wyvern Gem
- 2x Gore Magala Certificate S
- 2x Gore Magala Feeler+
- 4x Gore Magala Wing+
- 7,000 Zenny
Gore Mail α Forge Materials
- 2x Gore Magala Tail
- 2x Gore Magala Ripclaw+
- 6x Gore Magala Carapace
- 6x Gore Magala Scale+
- 7,000 Zenny
Gore Vambraces α Forge Materials
- 2x Frenzy Crystal
- 2x Gore Magala Certificate S
- 2x Gore Magala Feeler+
- 5x Gore Magala Carapace
- 7,000 Zenny
Gore Coil α Forge Materials
- 2x Frenzy Shard
- 3x Gore Magala Ripclaw+
- 3x Gore Magala Wing+
- 5x Gore Magala Scale+
- 7,000 Zenny
Gore Greaves α Forge Materials
- 1x Gore Magala Certificate S
- 1x Gore Magala Nyctgem
- 3x Gore Magala Scale+
- 4x Gore Magala Wing+
- 7,000 Zenny
Uth Duna α Armor Set
An armor set for sticky situations in water, oilsilts, or muddy streams. Wearers will benefit from the Aquatic/Oilsilt Mobility skill in those situations. Hunting Horn blowers will appreciate the Inspiration skill that buffs the effect of melodies on companions. Quick Sheathe and Tool Specialist round out the standard skills, enabling players to make effective use of tools during combat without putting themselves on the backfoot. The set bonus skill Protective Veil can raise defense while using said tools. Requires an investment of 35,000 Zenny to put together.
Duna Wildhelm α Forge Materials
- 1x Uth Duna Certificate S
- 1x Uth Duna Watergem
- 4x Uth Duna Cilia+
- 4x Uth Duna Scale+
- 7,000 Zenny
Duna Wildmail α Forge Materials
- 3x Torrent Sac
- 3x Uth Duna Cilia+
- 6x Uth Duna Hide+
- 6x Uth Duna Scale+
- 7,000 Zenny
Duna Wildbraces α Forge Materials
- 2x Monster Hardbone
- 3x Uth Duna Cilia+
- 3x Uth Duna Claw+
- 5x Uth Duna Scale+
- 7,000 Zenny
Duna Wildcoil α Forge Materials
- 1x Uth Duna Plate
- 2x Uth Duna Certificate S
- 4x Uth Duna Tentacle+
- 5x Uth Duna Claw+
- 7,000 Zenny
Duna Wildgreaves α Forge Materials
- 2x Rathian Certificate S
- 2x Uth Duna Certificate S
- 4x Uth Duna Tentacle+
- 5x Uth Duna Hide+
- 7,000 Zenny
Guardian Arkveld β Armor Set
This high rank armor set brings no less than 7 skills with it, including Flayer, Partbreaker, and Weakness Exploit to aid in monster slaughtering. The set bonuses of Decimator and Wylk Burst contribute greatly towards player recovery of health and stamina. At a cost of 50,000 Zenny in total, this armor set will take some doing to acquire.
Guardian Arkveld Helm β Forge Materials
- 1x Hunter Symbol III
- 1x Uth Duna Watergem
- 5x Guardian Pelt+
- 6x Arkveld Scale+
- 10,000 Zenny
Guardian Arkveld Mail β Forge Materials
- 1x Arkveld Gem
- 1x Hunter Symbol III
- 3x Guardian Blood+
- 3x White Arkveld Pelt
- 10,000 Zenny
Guardian Arkveld Vambraces β Forge Materials
- 1x Hunter Symbol III
- 1x Jin Dahaad Icegem
- 3x White Arkveld Pelt
- 6x Arkveld Armorplate
- 10,000 Zenny
Guardian Arkveld Coil β Forge Materials
- 1x Hunter Symbol III
- 1x Rey Dau Boltgem
- 4x Arkveld Calloushell
- 4x Arkveld Scale+
- 10,000 Zenny
Guardian Arkveld Greaves β Forge Materials
- 1x Hunter Symbol III
- 1x Nu Udra Flamegem
- 4x Arkveld Armorplate
- 5x Guardian Scale+
- 10,000 Zenny
Those are the best advanced weapons and armor sets for high rank hunters to choose from in Monster Hunter Wilds.
