Armor & Gear

Armor & Gear

Your armor and gear are your primary means of survival and offense in Monster Hunter: World. Choosing the right equipment for the job can mean the difference between a successful hunt and a cart. Understanding the different types of armor and how to upgrade them is fundamental.

From basic leather to powerful Elder Dragon sets, each piece of armor offers unique defensive capabilities and grants valuable skills. This guide will break down the core concepts of armor and gear, helping you make informed decisions for every hunt.

Types of Armor

Armor in Monster Hunter: World is divided into two main categories:

• Hunter Armor: This is the standard armor you'll craft and upgrade throughout the game. It's categorized by rarity and the rank of monsters it's made from (Low Rank, High Rank, Master Rank). Each piece provides defense and grants specific skills.
• Layered Armor: Introduced later, Layered Armor is purely cosmetic. It allows you to change your character's appearance without affecting your stats or skills. You can obtain Layered Armor through various means, including event quests, DLC, and the in-game shop.

Armor Sets and Components

Armor is typically acquired in sets, consisting of five pieces:

• Head
• Chest
• Arms
• Waist
• Legs

Wearing multiple pieces from the same set often unlocks powerful set bonuses, which provide significant buffs or unique effects. These set bonuses can dramatically alter your playstyle and are often a key consideration when building a loadout.

Defense and Resistances

Each armor piece has a Defense value, which determines how much damage you mitigate from monster attacks. Higher defense is generally better, especially in High Rank and Master Rank.

Armor also provides elemental resistances:

• Fire Resistance: Reduces damage from fire attacks.
• Water Resistance: Reduces damage from water attacks.
• Thunder Resistance: Reduces damage from thunder attacks.
• Ice Resistance: Reduces damage from ice attacks.
• Dragon Resistance: Reduces damage from dragon attacks.

Negative resistances can increase damage taken from that element, so be mindful of these when facing specific monsters.

Upgrading Armor

Armor can be upgraded in two primary ways:

• Armor Spheres: These items are used to increase the Defense value of individual armor pieces. You can earn Armor Spheres from completing quests, mining, and other activities. There are different tiers of Armor Spheres, offering larger defense boosts.
• Augmentation (Master Rank/Endgame): In the endgame and Master Rank, you can further enhance your armor through augmentation. This process requires specific materials and allows you to increase defense, add new skills, or gain other beneficial effects.

Weapons

While armor focuses on defense and skills, your weapon is your primary offensive tool. Weapons are categorized into 14 distinct types, each with its own unique moveset, strengths, and weaknesses:

• Great Sword
• Long Sword
• Sword & Shield
• Dual Blades
• Hammer
• Hunting Horn
• Lance
• Gunlance
• Switch Axe
• Charge Blade
• Insect Glaive
• Light Bowgun
• Heavy Bowgun
• Bow

Like armor, weapons can be crafted and upgraded through a weapon tree, leading to more powerful versions with higher attack power, different elemental properties, and improved sharpness or ammo types.

Key Gear Considerations

• Match Gear to the Monster: Always consider the monster you're hunting. Its elemental attacks, status effects, and physical strengths should dictate your gear choices.
• Skill Synergy: Focus on building armor sets that complement your weapon and playstyle. A good combination of skills can be more effective than raw defense.
• Fashion Hunting: Don't underestimate the power of looking good! Layered armor allows you to maintain your aesthetic while benefiting from optimized stats.