MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (2024)

Read this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Great Sword guide on the best loadout & armor build for this weapon. Includes recommended equipment, elements, decorations, skills, & more!!!

Safijiiva Weapon Builds

  • Sheath Armor Build
  • Master's Touch Armor Build

Iceborne: Recommended Builds

  • Starter Builds
  • Sheathed Great Sword Builds
  • High Power Great Sword Builds
  • Endgame Builds

Top Recommended Builds

  • General Purpose Build
  • Firepower Focused Build
  • High Stability Build
  • High DPS Build

Recommended Elemental Builds

  • Fire Attack Build
  • Water Attack Build
  • Ice Attack Build
  • Lightning Attack Build
  • Dragon Attack Build

Recommended Skills

  • Best Skills For Great Sword

Related Article On Great Sword

How To UseMHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (2)Best Builds
Best Skills Endgame Tier List

Check Out All Weapon Types Here!

Great Sword Sheath Build

Master Rank Safi'Jiiva Great Sword With Frostcraft

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (5)

WeaponAugmentDecorations
Safi's ShattersplitterAffinity Increase 3 Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4
ArmorDecorations
Rimeguard Helm β + Charger/Vitality Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Damascus Mail β +Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Rimeguard Vambraces β +Expert Jewel 4
Rimeguard Coil β +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Garuga Greaves β +Attack Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Challenger Charm 4-
Rocksteady Mantle-
Temporal Mantle-
Skills
Agitator Lvl 5Attack Boost Lvl 4
Critical Eye Lvl 4Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Focus Lvl 3Critical Boost Lvl 3
Health Boost Lvl 3Divine Blessing Lvl 2
Flinch Free Lvl 2Coalesence Lvl 1
Quick Sheath Lvl 1Critical Element (Set Bonus)
Frostcraft (Set Bonus)-

Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening

Skill No. Of Frames
Velkhana Essence 1
Attack Increase VI 2
Attack Increase V 2

Points of Recommendations

  • Use Velkhana Essence to activate Velkhana's Frostcraft skill
  • Frostcraft increases attack power of Great Sword when sheathed

Master's Touch Armor Build

Master Rank Safi'Jiiva Great Sword With Master's Touch

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (6)

WeaponAugmentDecorations
Safi's ShatterspearHealth Regen 2
Element/Status Effect Up 1 Charger/Vitality Jewel 4
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown β + Charger/Vitality Jewel 4
Buff Chest α +Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces α +Critical Jewel 2
Kaiser Coil β +Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Garuga Greaves β +Challenger Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Charger Jewel 2
Attack Charm 4-
Rocksteady Mantle-
Temporal Mantle-
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Attack Boost Lvl 5
Agitator Lvl 5Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 3Focus Lvl 3
Health Boost Lvl 3Blast Attack Lvl 2
Heat Guard Lvl 1Fortify Lvl 1
Latent Power Lvl 1Master's Touch (Set Bonus)

Recommended Weapon Skill Awakening

Skill No. Of Frames
Attack Increase VI 1
Attack Increase V 2
Sharpness Increase V 2

Points of Recommendations

  • Master's Touch lessens sharpness loss & need for sharpening
  • Has purple sharpness with Sharpness Increase awakening skills
  • Has good damage & attack power due to activation of skills

Recommended Early Master Rank Great Sword Builds

Jagras Deathclaw Build

WeaponDecorations
Jagras Deathclaw 1Elementaless Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
ArmorDecorations
Jagras Helm α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Bone Mail α +Tenderizer Jewel 2
Kestodon Guard α + -
Beo Coil α +Attack Jewel 1
Beo Greaves α +Earplug Jewel 3
Attack Charm 3-
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 7Earplugs Lvl 5
Health Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Ice Attack Lvl 1Speed Eating Lvl 2
Focus Lvl 2Affinity Sliding Lvl 1
Non-elemental Boost Lvl 1-

Points of Recommendations

  • Easily accessible when starting Iceborne
  • Able to negate roars thanks to the Earplugs skill

Check Out All Iceborne Starter Build Guide Here!

Sheathed Great Sword Builds

WeaponDecorations
Immovable DharmaAttack Boost 1
Attack Boost 1
ArmorDecorations
Rimeguard Helm β +Critical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Rimeguard Mail β +Critical Jewel 2
Attack Boost 1
Rimeguard Vambraces β +Charger Jewel 2
Damascus Coil β +Draw Jewel 2
Attack Boost 1
Rimeguard Greaves β +Elementaless Jewel 2
Attack Boost 1
Handicraft Charm 3-
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 5Quick Sheath Lvl 3
Critical Draw Lvl 3Critical Boost Lvl 3
Handicraft Lvl 3Divine Blessing Lvl 2
Focus Lvl 2Flinch Free Lvl 1
Non-elemental Boost Lv 1Critical Element
Velkhana Divinity-

High Power Great Sword Builds

WeaponDecorations
滅鬼の凶器【断】Attack Boost 1
Attack Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Rex Roar Helm α +Critical Jewel 2
Damascus Mail β +Expert Jewel 4
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Rex Roar Braces α +Critical Jewel 2
Damascus Coil β +Enduring Jewel 4
Critical Jewel 2
Garuga Greaves β +Enduring Jewel 1
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Master's Charm III-
Skills
Attack Boost Lvl 7Critical Eye Lvl 7
Focus Lvl 3Health Boost Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Item Prolonger Lv3Free Meal Lvl 1

Recommended Endgame Master Rank Great Sword Builds

High Crit Non-Elemental Build

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (8)

WeaponDecorations
Immovable Dharma-
ArmorDecorations
Velkhana Helm α +Divine Blessing Jewel 1
Coalescence 1
Damascus Mail β +Focus 2
Attack Boost 1
Attack Boost 1
Velkhana Vambraces β +Quick Sheathe Jewel 1
Flinch Free Jewel 1
Velkhana Coil α +Flinch Free Jewel 1
Coalescence Jewel 2
Velkhana Greaves β +Critical Draw 2
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 4Health Boost Lvl 3
Focus Lvl 3Critical Boost Lvl 3
Non-Elemental Boost Lvl 1Attack Boost Lvl 2
Coalescence Lvl 2Flinch Free Lvl 2

Points of Recommendation

  • High critical damage & critical chance
  • Good to use against any element
  • Multiple additional skills buffs Velkhana Divinity

General Purpose Build For Great Sword

*Following information are Monster Hunter World's best loadout, not Iceborne.

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (9)

WeaponDecorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"
(Jagras Hacker III)
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Dragonking Eyepatch αMighty Jewel 2
Damascus Mail βExpert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces βMighty Jewel 2
Damascus Coil βSheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Empress Greaves βMighty Jewel 2
Elementaless Jewel 2
Skills
Health Boost Lvl 3Maximum Might Lvl 3
Handicraft Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Quick Sheath Lvl 3Focus Lvl 3
Critical Eye Lvl 4Non-elemental Boost

Skill Activation Is Easy

You will be able to use the skills in this loadout without using any γ equipment. If you do not have enough Expert Jewels, you can substitute them for Paralyzer Jewels or Attack Jewels.

Wyvern Ignition "Impact" is Obtained From Events

You will only be able to acquire the Wyvern Ignition "Impact" weapon from Event Quests. If you do not have the weapon yet, you can substitute this with the Jagras Hacker III for the time being.

Firepower Focused Build For Great Sword

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (10)

WeaponDecorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"Expert Jewel 1
Attack Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Dragonking Eyepatch αTenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Mail αMighty Jewel
Drachen Vambraces αMighty Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Coil αElementaless Jewel 2
Drachen Greaves αCharger Jewel 2
Focus Charm II-
Skills
Critical Eye Lvl 7Attack Boost Lvl 4
Weakness Exploit Lvl 3Focus Lvl 3
Critical Boost Lvl 2Maximum Might Lvl 2
Power Prolonger Lvl 1Non-elemental Boost
Master's Touch-

Loadout With Damage Output In Mind

This loadout is based around the Wyvern Ignition "Impact" weapon. By equipping the Drachen armor & skills, you will be able to easily dish out a ton of damage to enemies you encounter!

Can Further Increase Damage Output

You can also opt to replace the Focus Charm in the loadout with an Attack Charm. This way, you will increase your damage output at the expense of your weapon gauge's fill rate.

High Stability Build For Great Sword

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (11)

WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"
(Jagras Hacker III)
Affinity Increase
Expert Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Dragonking Eyepatch αTenderizer Jewel 2
Empress Mail γElementaless Jewel 2
Kushala Grip γExpert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Expert Jewel 1
Damascus Coil βSheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Sheath Jewel 1
Empress Greaves βMighty Jewel 2
Mighty Jewel 2
Earplugs Charm III-
Skills
Earplugs Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 4
Health Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Focus Lvl 3Quick Sheath Lvl 3
Maximum Might Lvl 2Tool Specialist Lvl 1
Non-elemental BoostStamina Cap Up

Made For Survivability

This build was specifically designed with survivability in mind. It can deal some damage to monsters, but it also gives you the luxury to withstand roars, easy sheathing, & a bigger stamina pool among other things to ensure that you get out of the hunt alive!

Sheath Jewel Can Be Substituted

The Sheath Jewel can be substituted with other decorations to suit your needs! If you feel that the Quick Sheath skill can be replaced with another skill to fit your play style you can swap it out for better ease of use!

High DPS Build For Great Sword

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (12)

WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Wyvern Ignition "Impact"
(Jagras Hacker III)
Attack Increase
Sheath Jewel 1
Vitality Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Odogaron Helm βDraw Jewel 2
Kulve Taroth's Ire βHandicraft Jewel 3
Sheath Jewel 1
Drachen Vambraces αDraw Jewel 2
Draw Jewel 2
Odogaron Coil βElementaless Jewel 2
Nergigante Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Critical Jewel 2
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 4Critical Eye Lvl 4
Punishing DrawCritical Draw Lvl 3
Attack Boost Lvl 4Critical Boost Lvl 3
Non-elemental BoostStun Resistance Lvl 2
Bleeding Resistance Lvl 2Quick Sheath Lvl 3

Maximize Attack Damage

The skills in this build bring out the potential of the Great Sword for devastating attacks. Skills along with the augmentation of the weapon increase your attack and critical damage, while stun & bleeding resistances allow you to keep on slashing away!

Kjarr Fellsword "King" Attack Build

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (13)

WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "King"Attack Increase
Attack Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Blaze Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γBlaze Jewel 1
Blaze Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Attack Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Fire Attack Lvl 3Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element
Attack Boost Lvl 2-

Increase Fire Damage To The Max

The third level fire attack skill allows you to increase the fire damage of the weapon to its maximum. Aiming for weak spots of monsters will also grant you bonus damage in order to deal the most damage to monsters!

Kjarr Fellsword "Water" Attack Build

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (14)

WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "Water"Slot Upgrade
Stream Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Stream Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γStream Jewel 1
Stream Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Stream Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Water Attack Lvl 5Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element

Use Weak Spots To Deal High Water Damage

The Water Attack skill will allow the great sword to deal the most water damage that it can. This build is best used to exploit the weak spots of monsters as you will be dealing critical damage almost all the time.

Kjarr Fellsword "Ice" Attack Build

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (15)

WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "Ice"Slot Upgrade
Frost Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Frost Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γFrost Jewel 1
Frost Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Frost Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Ice Attack Lvl 5Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element

Unleash The Ice Element's True Power

Just like other builds for elemental weapons, this loadout allows you to deal the most damage that you can with the ice great sword. Deal devastating ice damage to monsters especially when hitting their weak spots!

Kjarr Fellsword "Thunder" Attack Build

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (16)

WeaponAugmentations
Kjarr Fellsword "Thunder"Affinity Increase
ArmorDecorations
Gala Suit Top Hat αTenderizer Jewel 2
Bolt Jewel 1
Bolt Jewel 1
Drachen Mail αAttack Jewel 1
Drachen Vambraces αTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Drachen Coil αMinds' Eye Jewel 2
Drachen Greaves αExpert Jewel 1
Shock Charm III-
Skills
Master's TouchElemental Airborne
Attack Boost Lvl 4Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Thunder Attack Lvl 5Critical Element
Power Prolonger Lvl 1Mind's Eye/Ballistics

Deal High Thunder Damage Against Monsters

This build was made to pump out the most thunder damage out of the great sword weapon. Aiming for weak spots will also increase the thunder damage dealt to monsters.

Kjarr Fellsword "Decay" Attack Build

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (17)

WeaponAugmentations
Decorations
Kjarr Fellsword "Decay"Attack Increase
Dragon Jewel 1
ArmorDecorations
Kaiser Crown γTenderizer Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Nergigante Mail γCritical Jewel 2
Tenderizer Jewel 2
Dragon Jewel 1
Kaiser Vambraces γCritical Jewel 2
Kushala Cocoon γDragon Jewel 1
Dragon Jewel 1
Kaiser Greaves γCritical Jewel 2
Dragon Jewel 1
Handicraft Charm III-
Skills
Handicraft Lvl 5Critical Eye Lvl 7
Critical Boost Lvl 3Weakness Exploit Lvl 3
Dragon Attack Lvl 4Master's Touch
Maximum Might Lvl 1Critical Element
Attack Boost Lvl 1-

Deal as Much Dragon Damage as You Can

This build allows you to dish out as much dragon damage as you can in order to exploit and defeat monsters that are weak to the Dragon element easily. You will also deal extra dragon damage when aiming for weak spots!

Best Skills For Great Sword

Recommended Skills For Attacking

Skill Recommendation / Overview
Weakness Exploit
★★★
Hitting monster weak spots can do critical hits & increased damage
Handicraft
★★・
Elongates weapon sharpness gauge but not beyond its maximum
Maximum Might
★★・
Affinity increases when stamina bar is full
Non-elemental Boost
★★・
Raises the base attack of non-elemental weapons
Attack Boost
★★・
Increases attack power plus affinity rate at higher levels
Critical Eye
★★・
Increases you affinity rate
Critical Boost
★★・
Strengthens damage of critical hits
Master's Touch
★★・
Prevents weapon from losing sharpness during critical hits

Recommended Skills For Support

Skill Recommendation / Overview
Health Boost
★★★
Increases maximum health
Earplugs
★★・
Weakens monster roars & nullifies them at higher levels
Focus
★★・
Increases your weapon gauge's fill rate
Quick Sheath
★★・
Increases weapon's sheathing speed

©CAPCOM CO., LTD. 2018, 2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Its licensors have not otherwise endorsed and are not responsible for the operation of or content on this site.
MONSTER HUNTER WORLD: ICEBORNE Official Website

Alright, let's delve into the world of Monster Hunter: Iceborne and the intricacies of the Great Sword loadouts, armor builds, and skills.

The provided information offers comprehensive details on various builds for the Great Sword, covering everything from starter builds to high-level endgame configurations. It outlines two primary builds, Safi'Jiiva Weapon Builds and Master's Touch Armor Build, each emphasizing different strategies and utilizing different equipment, decorations, skills, and recommended weapon skill awakenings.

  • Safijiiva Weapon Builds focus on the Safi'Jiiva Great Sword and incorporate the Frostcraft and Critical Element set bonuses, enhancing attack power when sheathed and during critical hits.

  • The Master's Touch Armor Build centers around maintaining sharpness with Master's Touch set bonus, reducing the need for frequent sharpening and optimizing damage output.

The article covers a range of builds catering to various playstyles:

  • Starter Builds like the Jagras Deathclaw Build provide accessible setups with skills like Attack Boost and Earplugs, beneficial for beginners entering Iceborne content.

  • Sheathed Great Sword Builds emphasize Critical Draw, Quick Sheath, and Handicraft for critical hits and faster sheathing.

  • High Power Great Sword Builds leverage skills such as Critical Eye, Weakness Exploit, and Critical Boost to maximize damage output.

  • Endgame Builds like the High Crit Non-Elemental Build focus on critical damage and skill synergies for advanced players tackling high-level content.

  • Elemental Builds, including Fire, Water, Ice, Thunder, and Dragon Attack Builds, cater to exploiting monster weaknesses and maximizing elemental damage.

  • The article also details a General Purpose Build for the Great Sword, irrespective of Iceborne, utilizing the Wyvern Ignition "Impact" and a blend of armor skills like Weakness Exploit, Handicraft, and Maximum Might.

The recommended skills for the Great Sword across these builds emphasize offensive capabilities, including Weakness Exploit, Handicraft, Maximum Might, Non-elemental Boost, Attack Boost, Critical Eye, Critical Boost, and Master's Touch for damage maximization. For support-oriented gameplay, Health Boost, Earplugs, Focus, and Quick Sheath are highlighted as beneficial skills.

These builds cater to a wide spectrum of playstyles, allowing players to optimize their Great Sword setups based on their preferences, whether focusing on raw damage, elemental damage, or utility skills.

MHW: ICEBORNE | Great Sword - Best Loadout Build & Skill Guide - GameWith (2024)

FAQs

What is the best long sword in Monster Hunter world Iceborne? ›

1 Fatalis Zaggespanon

The good news is that the best Long Sword in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is the Fatalis Zaggespanon, with 1155 base Attack power, 150 Dragon power, and Sharpness stretching up to Purple-level.

What is the best armor set for dual blades in Monster Hunter world? ›

Best Armor Set for Dual Blades in MHW

The Nergigante armor set also works well in conjunction with the Dual Blades, given that it can increase attack power, Affinity, and stamina recovery, and lets you heal with every hit.

What is the most overpowered weapon in MHW? ›

Dual Blades are arguably the most powerful weapon type in the game. Similar to Long Swords, Dual Blades charge up attacks to enter Demon Mode, which raises the attack damage through longer combo chains. Raising these levels lets the player enter Archdemon Mode, which boosts even higher.

What is the strongest dual sword in MHW? ›

Monster Hunter World: Best Dual Blades, Ranked
  • 8 Arcanaria III. Unparalleled Agility and Explosive Damage. ...
  • 7 Zireael. The Best Monster-Killing Dual Blade. ...
  • 6 Empress Daggers "Styx" ...
  • 5 Bazelhawk Rookslayer. ...
  • 4 Decimation Claws. ...
  • 3 Taroth Dagger "Rage" ...
  • 2 Wrathful Predation. ...
  • 1 Diablos Clubs II.
Feb 4, 2024

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6075

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.