With 14 distinct weapon types on offer, it can be difficult to determine which to rely on in the early game, as you find your footing in the world of Monster Hunter Wilds. The 30+ starter armor sets that can be found or forged can cause even more indecision, with their diverse equipment skills and set bonuses on offer. Certain synergies between weapons and armor sets can provide huge advantages in monster hunts.
This Monster Hunter Wilds guide is a recommendation of the best early weapons and armor sets in the game, as well as their required materials for forging and upgrading.
WEAPONS:
Best Early Bow
Bows offer the ideal method for taking down monsters while avoiding incoming damage for the most part. With limitless ammunition, and a variety of applicable status effects through the use of Coatings, the Bow allows hunters to remain on the move as they chip away at their target. The only potential drawback is the high stamina consumption, but this is easily managed or mitigated with the correct armor set and skills.
The Windbrace Bow can be found in the Hope Hirabami Tree. Aside from its elemental Ice damage, and Focus and Airborne skills, it provides early access to the Power Coating that boosts arrow attack power.
Windbrace Bow I Forge Materials
- 1x Frost Sac
- 2x Hirabami Tail Claw
- 3x Hirabami Scale
- 1,500 Zenny
Windbrace Bow II Forge Materials
- 2x Hirabami Certificate S
- 6x Freezer Sac
- 8x Hirabami Tail Claw+
- 10,000 Zenny
Windbrace Bow II Upgrade Materials
- 1x Hirabami Certificate S
- 3x Freezer Sac
- 4x Hirabami Tail Claw+
- 5,000 Zenny
Windbrace Bow III Upgrade Materials
- 1x Wyvern Gem
- 3x Jin Dahaad Certificate S
- 5x Hirabami Hide+
- 14,000 Zenny
Windbrace Ibami Upgrade Materials
- 1x Jin Dahaad Icegem
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 6x Hirabami Webbing+
- 20,000 Zenny
Best Early Dual Blades
The single most agile melee weapon group, Dual Blades allow for a gameplay style that is ultra quick and full of flair, but low in true damage dealt. Demon mode can mitigate that downside to some degree, however it then becomes an even more persistent drain on stamina. Add to that the rapid decrease in Sharpness, and this weapon can be a bit of a pain to micromanage for full effectiveness in combat.
The Bone Hatchets are a high-damage pair of Dual Blades from the Bone Tree with the added benefit of the Attack Boost and Focus skills, that ought to get you into Demon mode more often.
Bone Hatchets I Forge Materials
- 1x Mystery Bone
- 500 Zenny
Bone Hatchets II Upgrade Materials
- 1x Monster Fluid
- 2x Sturdy Bone
- 800 Zenny
Bone Hatchets III Upgrade Materials
- 2x Tough Guardian Bone
- 2,600 Zenny
Bone Hatchets IV Upgrade Materials
- 2x Colossal Bone
- 4x Great Stoutbone
- 10,000 Zenny
Wild Hatchets Upgrade Materials
- 1x Beast Gem
- 1x Dragonbone Relic
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 5x Monster Hardbone
- 20,000 Zenny
Best Early Light Bowgun
As a ranged weapon that can also be used in a limited capacity while mounted, the Light Bowgun provides some interesting gameplay possibilities in terms of mobility. Special ammunition management can be an issue, but Normal, Pierce, and Spread types are unlimited. There are a myriad of ammunition types to choose from, for all occasions and opponents, that can apply a variety of status effects.
The Dosha Faithbreaker from the Hope Doshaguma Tree has the Opening Shot skill for faster reloads as well as higher attack power when at full capacity. Additionally, it offers an early opportunity to use Sticky Ammo for an explosive and stun effect.
Dosha Faithbreaker I Forge Materials
- 1x Doshaguma Fang
- 2x Doshaguma Claw
- 3x Doshaguma Fur
- 800 Zenny
Dosha Faithbreaker II Upgrade Materials
- 1x Guardian Doshaguma Claw
- 1x Guardian Blood
- 3x Doshaguma Hide
- 2,600 Zenny
Dosha Faithbreaker III Upgrade Materials
- 2x Doshaguma Certificate S
- 4x Doshaguma Fang+
- 6x Doshaguma Claw+
- 10,000 Zenny
Faithbreaker Leibolkule Upgrade Materials
- 1x Beast Gem
- 5x Hunter Symbol II
- 6x Doshaguma Hide+
- 20,000 Zenny
Best Early Long Sword
The Long Sword requires a true commitment to pure melee combat, as it has no guard/block functionality whatsoever. Once a combo is initiated, there is no way to escape incoming damage short of diving away. The spirit gauge mechanic eventually opens up new movesets to the wielder, dishing out even more damage. The Long Sword is an excellent starter weapon that maintains its usefulness into the endgame as players develop familiarity with combos and timing.
The Iron Katana is from the Hope Ore Tree and grants the Critical Draw skill for a boost to affinity when performing draw attacks.
Iron Katana I Forge Materials
- 1x Machalite Ore
- 2x Earth Crystal
- 800 Zenny
Iron Katana II Upgrade Materials
- 1x Lightcrystal
- 2x Icium
- 2,600 Zenny
Iron Katana III Upgrade Materials
- 3x Gracium
- 3x Monster Keenbone
- 4x Fucium Ore
- 10,000 Zenny
Keen Edge Upgrade Materials
- 1x Novacrystal
- 1x Wyvern Gem
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 20,000 Zenny
Best Early Sword & Shield
A classic combination that ought to be the default choice for new players with a propensity for melee combat, this is the ideal weapon to start with, as its basic principles set the foundations for mastering other melee weapons. With both stun and sever capabilities, the Sword & Shield is an all-rounder in the offense department. The ability to use items/consumables while still actively wielding both, comes in handy during extended monster fights. A major drawback is its limited range, requiring a lot of up close and personal combat, and exceptionally timed use of the Shield to guard against incoming attacks.
Balahara Blade from the Hope Balahara tree offers early elemental Water damage along with fairly high attack power. The Offensive Guard skill grants a temporary bonus to attack power as a reward for skillful guarding, making the very best of this Sword & Shield combo. High affinity and sharpness round out its early game advantages.
Balahara Blade I Forge Materials
- 1x Balahara Skull
- 1x Aqua Sac
- 3x Balahara Scale
- 800 Zenny
Balahara Blade II Upgrade Materials
- 1x Guardian Doshaguma Claw
- 1x Balahara Tail
- 2x Balahara Shell
- 2,600 Zenny
Balahara Blade III Forge Materials
- 2x Balahara Black Pearl
- 4x Balahara Certificate S
- 4x Balahara Skull+
- 4x Torrent Sac
- 10,000 Zenny
Balahara Blade III Upgrade Materials
- 1x Balahara Black Pearl
- 2x Balahara Certificate S
- 2x Balahara Skull+
- 2x Torrent Sac
- 5,000 Zenny
Balahara Blade IV Upgrade Materials
- 1x Wyvern Gem
- 3x Uth Duna Certificate S
- 5x Balahara Carapace
- 14,000 Zenny
Sandsea Katduva Upgrade Materials
- 1x Uth Duna Watergem
- 5x Hunter Symbol I
- 6x Balahara Scale+
- 20,000 Zenny
ARMOR:
Alloy Armor Set
This armor set is an early recommendation simply because it can be acquired purely through the act of mining rather than monster hunting. The Quick Sheathe skill that allows for fast-swapping between weapons and items, can come in handy for all but Sword & Shield wielders, that do not need to swap at all. Tremor Resistance may not come in handy as often, but level 3 will completely negate the effect of all ground tremors.
Alloy Helm Forge Materials
- 1x Machalite Ore
- 1x Iron Ore
- 200 Zenny
Alloy Mail Forge Materials
- 1x Machalite Ore
- 1x Iron Ore
- 200 Zenny
Alloy Vambraces Forge Materials
- 1x Machalite Ore
- 1x Iron Ore
- 200 Zenny
Alloy Coil Forge Materials
- 1x Machalite Ore
- 1x Earth Crystal
- 200 Zenny
Alloy Greaves Forge Materials
- 1x Machalite Ore
- 1x Earth Crystal
- 200 Zenny
Bone Armor Set
The Bone armor set may be of especial utility to wielders of the Bow and Dual Blades, as its inherent equipment skill, Marathon Runner, slows the rate of stamina consumption by between 15% and 50%. Being stunned in combat will be a regular occurrence for most hunters, making this set’s Stun Resistance come in handy as well, with level 3 preventing stun entirely. One of the easier armor sets to assemble, consisting as it does of readily available Mystery Bone.
Bone Helm Forge Materials
- 1x Mystery Bone
- 100 Zenny
Bone Mail Forge Materials
- 1x Mystery Bone
- 100 Zenny
Bone Vambraces Forge Materials
- 1x Mystery Bone
- 100 Zenny
Bone Coil Forge Materials
- 1x Mystery Bone
- 100 Zenny
Bone Greaves Forge Materials
- 1x Mystery Bone
- 100 Zenny
Chainmail Armor Set
The relatively ordinary appearing Chainmail armor set is an excellent choice for mining and gathering excursions. The innate Geologist skill confers bonuses to pickup from various gathering spots, which can be especially useful in the early game when critical resources are relatively scarce. Combat benefits from the Recovery Speed skill that, at level 3, can quadruple the speed at which the red section of the health bar is recovered. The entire set will set you back 500 Zenny.
Chainmail Headgear Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Chainmail Vest Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Chainmail Gloves Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Chainmail Belt Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Chainmail Pants Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Chatacabra Armor Set
As a product of the first monster that players battle, this armor set offers some excellent bonuses to aid in survivability in the early game. Item Prolonger extends the duration of item effects between 10% and 50%, while Speed Eating can greatly reduce the time spent on meat and item consumption.
Chatacabra Helm Forge Materials
- 1x Chatacabra Jaw
- 2x Chatacabra Scale
- 200 Zenny
Chatacabra Mail Forge Materials
- 1x Chatacabra Shell
- 2x Chatacabra Scale
- 2x Chatacabra Hide
- 200 Zenny
Chatacabra Vambraces Forge Materials
- 1x Chatacabra Shell
- 2x Chatacabra Hide
- 200 Zenny
Chatacabra Coil Forge Materials
- 1x Chatacabra Jaw
- 1x Sharp Fang
- 1x Chatacabra Certificate
- 2x Chatacabra Scale
- 200 Zenny
Chatacabra Greaves Forge Materials
- 1x Chatacabra Jaw
- 1x Chatacabra Shell
- 1x Mystery Bone
- 200 Zenny
Hope Armor Set
The Hope armor set can potentially reduce damage between 15% and 50% if it kicks in correctly. The Stun Resistance begins at 30%, and nullifies the stun status effect entirely by level 3. The entire Hope armor set can be purchased for 500 Zenny.
Hope Mask Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Hope Mail Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Hope Vambraces Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Hope Coil Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Hope Greaves Forge Materials
- 100 Zenny
Those are the best early weapons and armor sets for low rank hunters to choose from in Monster Hunter Wilds.
