Monster Hunter Now: Best Great Sword Build for High Damage

In the diverse arsenal of *Monster Hunter Now*, the Great Sword stands out as a potent damage dealer. Its massive swings can obliterate unsuspecting monsters, but its size demands a strategic approach. This guide outlines a build maximizing the Great Sword's potential, focusing on a sleep-inducing strategy for devastating attacks.

To create a truly effective Great Sword build, you'll need to slow your foes. Recent updates have introduced sleep-inducing weapons crafted from specific monster materials. However, maximizing sleep effects requires the right skills. This guide details the necessary gear.

The Optimal *Monster Hunter Now* Great Sword Build

Unlike the poison-focused Long Sword, the Great Sword shines with a sleep element strategy. While this build requires materials from a relatively rare monster, the majority of equipment can be obtained from more common hunts.

Complete *Monster Hunter Now* Great Sword Build

Weapon: Frilled Blade

Sleep-inducing Great Swords are limited; the Frilled Blade is the top choice. Its Evade Extender skill provides crucial distance after dodging, enhancing survivability. While not essential, it significantly improves Great Sword maneuverability. Somnacanth is the source for this weapon's materials.

Helmet & Greaves: Nightshade Paolumu

The core of this build utilizes the Nightmare Paolumu, introduced in the first paid event. Its parts provide crucial skills, including all three levels of Rude Awakener, boosting damage by 100% on the first hit against a sleeping monster. While less frequent now, they appear in events and as rare spawns.

Mail, Vambraces, & Coil: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku

Completing the build, Tzitzi-Ya-Ku provides Status Sneak Attack, maximizing sleep buildup with rear attacks. This also adds Evade Extender and Artful Dodger for enhanced evasion. Tzitzi-Ya-Ku is thankfully more common thanks to the paintball tracker.

Optimizing Driftstone Slots

This build boasts numerous Driftstone slots. Five Sleep Attack slots are ideal, but you can also enhance dodging (Artful Dodger, Evade Extender) or rear-attack damage (Sneak Attack).

• Sleep Attack (Azure): Increases sleep buildup (50 at Rank 1, 150 at Rank 5).
• Sneak Attack (Pale): Increases damage from rear attacks (10% at Rank 1, 30% at Rank 5).
• Artful Dodger (Azure): Improves evasion (noticeably at Rank 5).
• Evade Extender (Pale): Extends evasion distance (significantly at Rank 5).