Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds: Best builds, skills, and combo guide

Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds is perhaps one of the best and most customizable weapons at your disposal, suitable for quick-attacking, guarding, even item usage while not sheathed. It gives an equal split between offense and defense, making it a fine pick for starter players and vets alike who yearn for flexible, high-paced gameplay.

Though its combos are basic, Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds can deal considerable damage when properly built and equipped with decent skills.

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Recommended Sword & Shield builds in Monster Hunter Wilds

Verdoloto build for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming/Capcom)

Best early-game builds

1) Albirath Edge I build (HR6 - HR8)

• Weapon: Albirath Edge I
• Armor:G. Rathalos Helm, G. Ebony Mail, G. Rathalos Vambraces, G. Ebony Coil, G. Rathalos Greaves
• Charm: Evasion Charm I

This setup for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds maximizes Weakness Exploit (WEX) and Burst, alongside Critical Element and Scorcher, making it an excellent choice for consistent damage.

2) Quematrice Cuchillo II build (HR3 - HR5)

• Weapon: Quematrice Cuchillo II
• Armor: Rey Sandhelm, Ajarakan Mail, Hirabami Vambraces, Balahara Coil, Ajarakan Greaves
• Charm: Leaping Charm I

This build for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds enhances Partbreaker and Latent Power, helping players break monster parts faster while increasing overall damage output.

3) Balahara Blade I build (HR1 - HR3)

• Weapon: Balahara Blade I
• Armor:Doshaguma Helm, Doshaguma Mail, Doshaguma Braces, Bone Coil, Doshaguma Greaves

A beginner-friendly build for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds focused on Powerhouse, delivering a big attack boost early on.

Read more — Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds: Best builds, skills, and combo guide

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Best mid-game builds

1) Artian Sword I build

• Weapon: Artian Sword I
• Armor: G. Fulgur Helm b, G. Rathalos Mail b, G. Fulgur Vambraces a, G. Rathalos Coil a, G. Rathalos Greaves a
• Charm: Leaping Charm III

Leverages Second Wind and Maximum Might with Affinity-boosting skills for high Critical Hit damage.

2) Princess Rapier I build

• Weapon: Princess Rapier I
• Armor: Bulaqchi Specs a, Rathian Mail a, Balahara Vambraces b, Rathian Coil b, Chatacabra Greaves b
• Charm: Foray Charm I

Designed for High-Rank hunts, this build for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds stacks Foray and Weakness Exploit to boost Affinity and raw attack, making it ideal for fighting poisoned monsters.

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Best late-game build

Verdoloto build

• Weapon: Verdoloto
• Armor: Gore Helm b, G. Fulgur Mail b, G. Arkveld Vambraces b, G. Fulgur Coil a, Gore Greaves b
• Charm: Phoenix Charm II

This setup for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds maximizes Affinity through Black Eclipse, Maximum Might, and Weakness Exploit, making it a powerhouse for endgame hunts.

Stats:

• Health: 100
• Stamina: 150
• Attack: 287
• Element: 430
• Affinity: 5%
• Defense: 283

Skills:

• Weapon skills: Critical Boost Lv.3, Critical Element Lv.3, Fire Attack Lv.3, Handicraft Lv.2 Armor skills: Constitution Lv.5, Weakness Exploit Lv.4, Antivirus Lv.3, Coalescence Lv.3, Divine Blessing Lv.3, Maximum Might Lv.3, Evade Window Lv.1, Flinch Free Lv.1, Stamina Surge Lv.1

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Best skills for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds

Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds (Image via Capcom)

• Handicraft: Extends Sharpness, reducing the frequency of sharpening.
• Critical Element: Increases elemental damage on Critical Hits, making it a must-have for Elemental SnS builds.
• Offensive Guard: Pairs well with Perfect Guard, granting a temporary attack boost when blocking correctly.
• Master's Touch: Another chance-based Sharpness conservation skill, best suited for high-Affinity builds.
• Evade Extender: Enhances dodging, improving overall mobility and survivability.
• Burst: Rewards continuous attacks, making it perfect for the fast-hitting nature of the SnS.
• Guard: Helps with non-perfect blocks but isn’t essential due to Perfect Guard mechanics.
• Attack Boost: Offers a raw damage increase, but other skills like Weakness Exploit provide better scaling.
• Critical Boost: Increases Critical Hit damage, but is less effective for elemental-heavy SnS setups.
• Critical Eye: Provides flat Affinity, though better Affinity-boosting skills exist.
• Weakness Exploit: Even after slight nerfs in Wilds, WEX remains a core skill for increasing Affinity, which is crucial for SnS builds.
• Elemental Attack: Since the Sword & Shield excels at rapid strikes, boosting elemental damage significantly improves DPS.
• Protective Polish: Essential for managing Sharpness, especially with the SnS's rapid attack rate.
• Razor Sharp: Helps conserve Sharpness but relies on chance.

Read more — Monster Hunter Wilds: 5 things you shouldn't do as Dual Blades user

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Best Sword & Shield Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds

1) Rush onslaught combo

• PC: (Hold S) S + Right Click → Left Click → Left Click → Left Click → Left Click → Left Click or Right Click
• PS5: (Tilt LS Back) L + Circle → Triangle → Triangle → Triangle → Triangle → Triangle or Circle or Triangle + Circle
• Xbox: (Tilt LS Back) LS + B → Y → Y → Y → Y → Y or B or Y + B

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2) Reaper’s edge chain

• PC: Right Click → Right Click → Right Click → Left Click + Right Click → (Hold) Left Click + Right Click
• PS5: Circle → Circle → Circle → Triangle + Circle → (Hold) Triangle + Circle
• Xbox: B → B → B → Y + B → (Hold) Y + B

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3) Brutal Bash sequence

• PC: (Hold W) W + Right Click → Right Click → Right Click → R + Right Click
• PS5: (Tilt LS Forward) L + Circle → Circle → Circle → R2 + Circle
• Xbox: (Tilt LS Forward) L + B → B → B → RT + B

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This sums up our best builds, skills, and combo guide for Sword & Shield in Monster Hunter Wilds.

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