Master Rank Weapon Trees & Upgrades
The journey through Monster Hunter World: Iceborne introduces Master Rank, a new tier of challenges that necessitates a significant upgrade to your weaponry. Master Rank weapon trees offer vastly improved stats, new unique skills, and often higher elemental or status effect values compared to their High Rank counterparts. Understanding how to navigate these trees and what materials are needed is crucial for progression.
Each weapon type has its own distinct progression path within the Master Rank trees. For example, the Great Sword tree will branch out from early Master Rank options like the Chrome Fortress line (Iron Tree) or the Bone Great Sword line, eventually leading to powerful endgame weapons like the Safi's Shattercryst or the Raging Brachydios Great Sword.
The materials required for Master Rank upgrades are predominantly sourced from Master Rank monsters. This means you'll be hunting new variants and subspecies, as well as facing familiar monsters with increased health, damage, and new attack patterns. Key materials often include:
- Monster Parts: Claws, hides, scales, horns, gems, and plates from Master Rank monsters are essential. The rarity of these parts often dictates the difficulty of obtaining them.
- Monster Essences: Special materials like Elder Dragon Blood or Wyvern Tears are needed for higher-tier upgrades.
- Armor Spheres: While not directly for crafting, Armor Spheres are used to upgrade the defense of your armor. Weapon upgrades focus on raw damage, sharpness, element, and affinity.
- Zenny: The in-game currency is always required for crafting and upgrading.
When choosing a weapon to upgrade, consider the monster you're about to face. Monsters often have elemental weaknesses, and equipping a weapon that exploits this can drastically shorten hunt times. For instance, facing a Velkhana with a strong fire element weapon will be significantly easier than using a neutral or ice element weapon.
The endgame weapon trees often feature unique properties or require specific endgame materials. For example, weapons crafted from Safi'jiiva or Raging Brachydios materials often come with inherent bonuses or require special augments to reach their full potential. The Guiding Lands also play a crucial role, as certain monsters only appear there, and their materials are needed for powerful weapon augments.
Don't neglect the importance of sharpness. Master Rank monsters have high defense, and a dull weapon will bounce off their hides, dealing minimal damage. Prioritize weapons with good natural sharpness or invest in skills like Handicraft and Master's Touch to maintain optimal sharpness levels.