In the diverse arsenal of *Monster Hunter Now*, the Great Sword stands out as a powerhouse capable of devastating blows. However, its size makes it less agile. To maximize its potential, a strategic build is key, focusing on incapacitating monsters for maximum damage output.
Recent updates have introduced sleep-inducing weapons, opening up exciting build possibilities. This guide details the optimal gear and skills to create a highly effective sleep-based Great Sword build.
The Best Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build
Unlike the poison-focused Long Sword, the Great Sword shines with sleep effects. This build requires materials from a relatively rare monster, but the majority of the equipment can be obtained from more common hunts.
Complete Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Weapon: Frilled Blade | - Element: Sleep - Evade Extender I (Grade 8) |
| Helmet: Nightshade Paolumu Helmet | - Rude Awakener I (Grade 5) - Rude Awakener II (Grade 8) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 8) |
| Mail: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Mail | - Status Sneak Attack (Grade 2) - Artful Dodger (Grade 4) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
| Vambraces: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Vambraces | - Status Sneak Attack I (Grade 2) - Status Sneak Attack II (Grade 4) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
| Coil: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Coil | - Evade Extender (Grade 2) - Status Sneak Attack (Grade 4) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
| Greaves: Nightshade Paolumu Greaves | - Rude Awakener (Grade 5) - Status Sneak Attack (Grade 6) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
Weapon: Frilled Blade
The Frilled Blade is the optimal sleep-based Great Sword. Its Evade Extender skill enhances mobility, improving defensive maneuvers with this less agile weapon. You'll need Somnacanth materials to craft it.
Helmet & Greaves: Nightshade Paolumu Armor
The Nightshade Paolumu armor, introduced in an early event, provides crucial skills. The Rude Awakener skill significantly boosts damage against sleeping monsters. While less common now, they appear in events and as rare spawns.
Mail, Vambraces, & Coil: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Armor
The Tzitzi-Ya-Ku armor pieces maximize the Status Sneak Attack skill, guaranteeing sleep buildup with rear attacks. This armor also contributes to Evade Extender and Artful Dodger, enhancing both offense and defense. Tzitzi-Ya-Ku is a more readily available monster.
Optimizing Driftstone Slots
This build benefits from a good number of Driftstone slots. Prioritize five Sleep Attack slots for maximum sleep buildup. Alternatively, invest in Artful Dodger and Evade Extender for improved evasion, or Sneak Attack for increased damage from rear attacks.
- Sleep Attack (Azure): Increases sleep buildup (50 at Rank 1, 150 at Rank 5).
- Sneak Attack (Pale): Boosts damage from rear attacks (10% at Rank 1, 30% at Rank 5).
- Artful Dodger (Azure): Improves evasion ease.
- Evade Extender (Pale): Increases evasion distance.
