Best Long Sword Builds for Iceborne
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These are the best builds for the Long Sword in Monster Hunter World (MHW) Iceborne for DLC progression and endgame. Learn about the best builds, skills, and weapons for Long Sword below!
List of Contents
Long Sword Endgame Meta Build
Fatalis Armor Set
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
Fatalis Zaggespanon
|
Mighty/Maintenance Jewel 4 Mighty/Maintenance Jewel 4 Maximum Might 1, Tool Specialist 1
x2
|
|
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
Dragonhead Beta +
|
Slots: ④④④
Stun Resistance (Lv 3) |
Challenger Jewel+ 4 Challenger Jewel+ 4 Agitator 2
x1 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x2
|
Dragonhide Alpha +
|
Slots: ④④③
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) Evade Window (Lv 2) |
Mighty/Maintenance Jewel 4 Mighty/Maintenance Jewel 4 Maximum Might 1, Tool Specialist 1
x2Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1 |
Dragonclaws Alpha +
|
Slots: ④①ー
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) Handicraft (Lv 3) |
Mighty/Maintenance Jewel 4 Mighty/Maintenance Jewel 4 Maximum Might 1, Tool Specialist 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
Dragonbarbs Alpha +
|
Slots: ④③③
Critical Eye (Lv 3) Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) |
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1Shaver Jewel 3 x1 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1 |
Rimeguard Greaves Gamma +
|
Slots: ④②ー
Peak Performance (Lv 3) Quick Sheath (Lv 2) |
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1 |
| Challenger Charm V | --- | |
Fatalis Armor Set Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Agitator 7 | Critical Eye 7 |
| Attack Boost 5 | Maximum Might 5 |
| Tool Specialist 5 | Stun Resist 3 |
| Critical Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
| Handicraft 3 | Evade Window 2 |
| Quick Sheath 2 | Peak Performance 3 |
| Clutch Claw Boost 1 | Inheritance (Fatalis Legend 2) |
| Transcendence (Fatalis Legend 4) | |
Taking advantage of Inheritance from the Fatalis Legend Set Bonus, this build provides high affinity and attack using the unlocked Agitator 7 and Maximum Might 5, complemented with Critical Eye, Weakness Exploit, and Attack Boost.
While Transcendance from the Fatalis Legend Set Bonus provides comfort and survivability with True Razor Sharp and the huge Health and Stamina boost. This allows for less sharpening between each encounter and gets you to max HP without Health Boost and eating meals or consuming Max/Ancient Potions.
Long Sword Meta Builds
| Meta Builds |
|---|
|
|
Raging Brachydios I Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
Lightbreak Edge
|
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1 |
|
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Kaiser Crown Beta +
|
Slots: ④ーー
Latent Power (Lv 1) Critical Eye (Lv 2) |
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1 |
|
Brachydium Mail Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Agitator (Lv 2) |
Challenger Jewel+ 4 Challenger Jewel+ 4 Agitator 2
x1Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x1 |
|
Kaiser Vambraces Beta +
|
Slots: ④③ー
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) Heat Guard (Lv 1) |
Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4 Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4 Agitator 1, Health Boost 1
x1Brace Jewel 3 Brace Jewel 3 Flinch Free 1
x1 |
|
Kaiser Coil Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Blast Attack (Lv 2) |
Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4 Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4 Agitator 1, Health Boost 1
x1Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Brachydium Greaves Beta +
|
Slots: ④①①
Weakness Exploit (Lv 2) |
Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4 Challenger/Vitality Jewel 4 Agitator 1, Health Boost 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
| Attack Charm V | None | |
Raging Brachydios I Build Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Agitator 7 | Critical Eye 7 |
| Attack Boost 7 | Health Boost 3 |
| Critical Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
| Blast Attack 2 | Heat Guard 1 |
| Latent Power 1 | Flinch Free 1 |
| Agitator Secret (Brachydios Will 2) | Master's Touch (Teostra's Technique 3) |
A high affinity build that uses Agitator Secret to get Agitator 7 complimented with Critical Eye and Weakness Exploit.
The high affinity makes Master's Touch easy to take advantage of, removing the need to sharpen as often if you aim for the monster's weakspots.
Raging Brachydios II Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
Safi's Shatterblade
|
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1--- |
|
| Awakened Ability | ||
| Attack Increase VI | Attack Increase V x4 | |
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Kaiser Crown Beta +
|
Slots: ④ーー
Latent Power (Lv 1) Critical Eye (Lv 2) |
Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1 |
|
Brachydium Mail Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Agitator (Lv 2) |
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x2 |
|
Kaiser Vambraces Beta +
|
Slots: ④③ー
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) Heat Guard (Lv 1) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Brace Jewel 3 Brace Jewel 3 Flinch Free 1
x1 |
|
Kaiser Coil Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Blast Attack (Lv 2) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Brachydium Greaves Beta +
|
Slots: ④①①
Weakness Exploit (Lv 2) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x2 |
| Challenger Charm V | None | |
Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Attack Boost 7 | Critical Eye 7 |
| Agitator 7 | Health Boost 3 |
| Critical Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
| Blast Attack 2 | Heat Guard 1 |
| Latent Power 1 | Flinch Free 1 |
| Agitator Secret (Brachydios Will 2) | Master's Touch (Teostra's Technique 3) |
A variation of the Raging Brachydios Build I that uses Safi'jiiva's Awakened Weapon. When fully awakened, Safi'jiiva weapons reach higher attack stat than most crafted weapons.
Raging Brachydios Paralysis Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
|
Safi's Bindblade
|
Para Jewel+ 4 Para Jewel+ 4 Paralysis Attack 2
x1--- |
|
| Awakened Ability | ||
| Teostra's Essence | Element Increase VI | Element Increase V x3 |
| Armor | Decorations | |
|
Brachydium Helm Beta +
|
Slots: ④④①
Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) |
Para Jewel+ 4 Para Jewel+ 4 Paralysis Attack 2
x1Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1 |
|
Kaiser Mail Beta +
|
Slots: ④①①
Latent Power (Lv 1) |
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x2 |
|
Brachydium Braces Beta +
|
Slots: ④④ー
Agitator (Lv 2) |
Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1 |
|
Kaiser Coil Beta +
|
Slots: ④②①
Blast Attack (Lv 2) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x1 |
|
Brachydium Greaves Beta +
|
Slots: ④①①
Weakness Exploit (Lv 2) |
Brace/Vitality Jewel 4 Brace/Vitality Jewel 4 Flinch Free 1, Health Boost 1
x1Expert Jewel 1 Expert Jewel 1 Critical Eye 1
x2 |
| Challenger Charm V | None | |
Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Critical Eye 7 | Agitator 7 |
| Attack Boost 5 | Paralysis Attack 4 |
| Critical Boost 3 | Weakness Exploit 3 |
| Health Boost 3 | Blast Attack 2 |
| Flinch Free 1 | Latent Power 1 |
| Teostra's Essence (Awakening) | Brachydios Will |
A variation of the Raging Brachydios Build I that uses a Paralysis Safi'jiiva Awakened Weapon.
An important thing to note about status ailments is that the monsters build resistances towards them, needing more buildup to trigger the next status ailment.
Frostcraft Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
|
Safi's Shatterblade
|
Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1 |
|
| Awakened Ability | ||
| Teostra's Essence | Attack Increase VI | Attack Increase V x3 |
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Rimeguard Helm Gamma +
|
Slots: ④④②
Coalescence (Lv 3) Resuscitate (Lv 1) |
Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical/Vitality Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Health Boost 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1
|
|
Rimeguard Mail Gamma +
|
Slots: ④②①
Critical Draw (Lv 3) Ice Attack (Lv 3) |
Critical/Protection Jewel 4 Critical/Protection Jewel 4 Critical Boost 1, Divine Blessing 1
x1Sharp Jewel 2 Sharp Jewel 2 Protective Polish 1
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1
|
|
Frostfang Braces Beta +
|
Slots: ④④ー
Critical Eye (Lv 2) |
Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4 Tenderizer/Vitality Jewel 4 Weakness Exploit 1, Health Boost 1
x1Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1
|
|
Rimeguard Coil Gamma +
|
Slots: ④①ー
Focus (Lv 3) Quick Sheath (Lv 1) |
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x1
|
|
Rimeguard Greaves Gamma +
|
Slots: ④②ー
Peak Performance (Lv 3) Quick Sheath (Lv 2) |
Resistor/Expert Jewel 4 Resistor/Expert Jewel 4 Blight Resistance 1, Critical Eye 1
x1Tenderizer Jewel 2 Tenderizer Jewel 2 Weakness Exploit 1
x2
|
| Challenger Charm V | None | |
Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Critical Eye 7 | Attack Boost 5 |
| Agitator 5 | Health Boost 3 |
| Critical Boost 3 | Quick Sheath 3 |
| Peak Performance 3 | Critical Draw 3 |
| Ice Attack 3 | Focus 3 |
| Coalescence 3 | Weakness Exploit 2 |
| Protective Polish 1 | Blight Resistance 1 |
| Divine Blessing 1 | Resuscitate 1 |
| Critical Element (Velkhana Divinity 2) | Frostcraft (Velkhana Divinity 4) |
| Punishing Draw (Frostfang Absolute Art 1) | Master's Touch (Teostra's Essence) |
This build is centered around the interaction between sheath moves of the Long Sword and the Frostcraft skill, with the Froscraft bar increasing during the special sheath of the Long Sword. This increases the damage of your Iai Slash, Iai Spirit Slash, and your regular draw attacks.
Punishing Draw and Critical Draw helps boosts this by adding more attack, 100% affinity, and a little stun effect to draw attacks. While Critical Eye, Critical Boost, Attack Boost, Agitator, and Weakness Exploit helps keep your damage high even outside the special sheath moveset.
Long Sword Progression Builds
| Progression Builds |
|---|
|
|
Starter Iceborne Build
The Guardian Armor plus Defender Weapon combo is a viable starter build for Iceborne's early game. It has good enough defense to take hits from the early monsters, as well as enough damage to let you farm for your early Iceborne build.
The Guardian Armor set is given to all players from the start of the game and has good defense and survival skills while the Defender Weapon can be crafted from the Smithy and can be fully upgraded with ease.
Early Iceborne Progression Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
Rafiq al-Nasr I
|
--- | |
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Bone Helm Alpha +
|
Slots: ③ーー
Health Boost (Lv 2) Partbreaker (Lv 1) |
Handicraft Jewel 3 Handicraft Jewel 3 Handicraft 1
x1 |
|
Bone Mail Alpha +
|
Slots: ②ーー
Attack Boost (Lv 2) Health Boost (Lv 1) |
Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1 |
|
Kulu Vambraces Beta +
|
Slots: ④ーー
Critical Boost (Lv 1) |
Expert Jewel+ 4 Expert Jewel+ 4 Critical Eye 2
x1 |
|
Kulu Coil Alpha +
|
Slots: ③ーー
Item Prolonger (Lv 2) Critical Eye (Lv 1) |
Handicraft Jewel 3 Handicraft Jewel 3 Handicraft 1
x1 |
|
Kulu Greaves Alpha +
|
Slots: ②ーー
Critical Eye (Lv 2) Item Prolonger (Lv 1) |
Critical Jewel 2 Critical Jewel 2 Critical Boost 1
x1
|
| Handicraft Charm III | None | |
Early Iceborne Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Critical Eye 5 | Handicraft 5 |
| Health Boost 3 | Critical Boost 3 |
| Item Prolonger 3 | Attack Boost 2 |
| Partbreaker 1 | |
An early Iceborne build that can pack a lot of damage in the early game because of high sharpness and decent affinity. While lacking in some quality of life skills, it should be enough to get you to the mid game if you play carefully.
Mid-Late Iceborne Progression Build
| Weapon | Decorations | |
|---|---|---|
Deepest Night
|
--- --- |
|
| Armor | Slots and Skills | Decorations |
|
Nargacuga Helm Alpha +
|
Slots: ①①ー
Peak Performance (Lv 2) Piercing Shots (Lv 1) |
Vitality Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 Health Boost 1
x2 |
|
Nargacuga Mail Beta +
|
Slots: ④ーー
Evade Window (Lv 2) |
Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Jewel+ 4 Attack Boost 2
x1 |
|
Rathalos Vambraces Alpha +
|
Slots: ③ーー
Jump Master (Lv 1) Weakness Exploit (Lv 1) |
Elementless Jewel 2 Elementless Jewel 2 Non-elemental Boost 1
x1 |
|
Fulgur Coil Alpha +
|
Slots: ①ーー
Weakness Exploit (Lv 2) Item Prolonger (Lv 1) |
Vitality Jewel 1 Vitality Jewel 1 Health Boost 1
x1 |
|
Nargacuga Greaves Alpha +
|
Slots: ①①ー
Evade Window (Lv 1) Peak Performance (Lv 1) |
Attack Jewel 1 Attack Jewel 1 Attack Boost 1
x2
|
| Attack Charm III | None | |
Mid-Late Iceborne Progression Build Skill List
| Skills | |
|---|---|
| Attack Boost 7 | Health Boost 3 |
| Weakness Exploit 3 | Peak Performance 3 |
| Evade Window 3 | Piercing Shots 1 |
| Item Prolonger 1 | Jump Master 1 |
| Non-elemental Boost 1 | True Razor Sharp / Spare Shot (Nargacuga Essence 3) |
This build forgoes the usual high affinity build and instead deals consistent high damage thanks to Attack Boost 7 and Non-elemental Boost. That said, Weakness Exploit and Deepest Night's affinity still gives the build a decent amount of affinity as long as you're hitting weak spots.
What makes this build comfortable is the True Razor Sharp / Spare Shot, keeping the weapon sharp for longer battles, leading to less sharpens in the entire hunt. Paired with Deepest Night's high sharpness, this build makes for a consistent damage output over a long time.
Best Long Sword Weapons and Skills
Best Weapons for Long Sword
| Weapon | Explanation |
|---|---|
|
Fatalis Zaggespanon
[Atk] 1155 | [Affinity] -30% |
・Weapon with the highest raw damage ・ High Sharpness |
|
Lightbreak Edge
[Atk] 990 | [Affinity] 0% |
・Blast sword with high raw damage and excellent sharpness ・ Has ④ and ③ slot |
Dark Claw "Demise"
[Atk] 924 | [Affinity] 0% |
・Has a high Dragon Element value ・ Very effective against monsters weak against Dragon Element |
Best Skills for Long Sword
| Skill | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Health Boost ( ★★★ ) |
Increases maximum health to increase your survival rate A must have for beginners |
| Weakness Exploit ( ★★★ ) |
Significantly increases your attack by targeting weakpoints |
| Critical Boost ( ★★★ ) |
Increases the damage of critical hits. Best used when paired with Weakness Exploit |
| Critical Eye ( ★★★ ) |
Increases your Affinity |
| Clutch Claw Boost ( ★★★ ) |
Allows you to wound monsters easier |
| Teostra Technique (★★) |
Prevents sharpness loss with critical hits |
| Agitator (★★) |
Increases damage against enraged monsters |
| Handicraft (★★) |
Increases sharpness gauge |
| Attack Boost (★★) |
Improves attack power and affinity at level 4 |
| Peak Performance (★★) |
Increases attack power when HP is full. Works well with Health Regen Augment |
MHW Related Guides
Best Builds
Best Endgame Builds and Weapon Progression Builds
Best Builds Per Weapons
| Melee Weapons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Long Swords |
 Great Swords |
 Sword and Shield |
 Dual Blades |
 Hammer |
 Hunting Horn |
 Lance |
 Gunlance |
 Switch Axe |
 Charge Blade |
 Insect Glaive |
|
| Ranged Weapons | |
|---|---|
 Bow |
 Light Bowgun |
 Heavy Bowgun |
|
Best Counter Builds
| Monster Counterbuilds | |
|---|---|
 Fatalis
|  Alatreon |
Comment
DragonMaster almost 2 yearsAlso a little suggestion for a build I run is kulve chest and legs, safi drakeblade with slots 3 and 4 stygian zin arms, coil and head shaver charm with aff sliding sheath crit draw etc or (optionally) safi shatterblade w/2 sharp lvl 5 1 zin essence and atk lvl 5 and replace zin gloves with frostfang barioth gloves
Author
Best Long Sword Builds for Iceborne
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so the reason i do this build is for endurance and fluency of attacks not much is put into attack as if you can get a monster dead fast you must be doing something right. right..?