Monster Hunter Rise: Best High Rank Longswords
Hey there, fellow hunters! Ready to slice and dice your way through High Rank in Monster Hunter Rise? If you're a longsword main, you're in the right place. We're diving deep into the best longswords you can snag in High Rank, so you can make those monsters faint faster than ever. We'll cover everything from raw damage powerhouses to elemental specialists, ensuring you're well-equipped to face whatever challenges Kamura Village throws your way. Let's get started, yeah?
Understanding High Rank Longsword Progression
Before we jump into the specific weapons, let's chat about how High Rank works. You see, High Rank is where things really start to get interesting. The monsters hit harder, they have new moves, and they require you to up your game. This also means you'll be able to craft more powerful weapons and armor. It's a huge step up from Low Rank, so you'll want to be prepared. When you hit High Rank, you'll start getting access to better materials, which allow you to craft and upgrade to more powerful weapons. The longsword, known for its stylish attacks, spirit gauge, and counter-centric playstyle, is a favorite among many hunters. High Rank is where you truly start to feel its power.
Keep in mind that the best longsword for you might depend on the monster you're hunting, your playstyle, and what skills your armor has. Raw damage is always a solid choice, but elemental damage can be devastating against the right monsters. Also, the Rampage Longswords can be customized to offer a wide variety of effects. You can change its stats to deal status ailments or elements to effectively hunt monsters. It's all about finding the right weapon to fit your needs, guys. It is worth knowing that there's no single "best" longsword for every situation. Different weapons excel in different scenarios, and what works best for you will depend on your playstyle, the monster you're fighting, and the skills you've invested in your armor set.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Longsword
When you're choosing your longsword, there are several key factors to consider:
- Raw Damage: This is the base attack power of the weapon. Generally, the higher the raw damage, the more damage you'll deal with each hit.
- Affinity: This is the percentage chance that a weapon will deal critical damage (more damage) or negative affinity deals less damage. A high affinity is always great, but it's not the end-all-be-all.
- Elemental or Status Damage: Some longswords deal elemental (fire, water, thunder, ice, dragon) or status (poison, paralysis, sleep, blast) damage. This can be super effective against monsters that are weak to certain elements or statuses.
- Sharpness: The sharpness of your weapon affects your damage output and how likely you are to bounce off a monster's hide. Higher sharpness means more damage and fewer bounces. Also, you can sharpen weapons mid-fight to maintain it.
- Rampage Skills: These are unique skills that can be added to Rampage Weapons, offering various buffs and effects. These can be used to augment raw damage, elemental damage, or status effect application.
- Upgrade Path: Consider the upgrade path of the longsword. Some weapons have fantastic final forms, while others might fall off in later ranks.
Top Longswords in High Rank
Alright, let's get into the good stuff – the best longswords! This list is based on a mix of damage, versatility, and ease of use. Keep in mind that this is not a definitive tier list, and your mileage may vary depending on your hunting style and the monsters you're facing. Let's get it!
1. Tigrex Longsword
The Tigrex line of longswords is a solid choice for its high raw damage and decent sharpness. This weapon is a powerhouse for those who like to stick to dealing raw damage. Here's why you should consider it:
- High Raw Damage: This is the primary strength of the Tigrex longsword. It hits hard, making it a great choice for general hunts.
- Negative Affinity: It has a negative affinity, which means some of your attacks will deal less damage. However, the high raw damage often makes up for this.
- Easy to Obtain: You'll need to hunt Tigrex to craft this weapon, which is not particularly difficult.
This is a good choice for when you just want to do some serious damage without worrying too much about elemental matchups. If you're looking for something that is both practical and effective, then this is definitely the weapon for you. Build your armor with skills that can help negate the negative affinity, like Weakness Exploit.
2. Narga Longsword
The Nargacuga longsword is a great option if you like critical hits. The weapon is known for its high affinity and high damage. It is an excellent choice for hunting most monsters.
- High Affinity: With a high affinity percentage, you'll be landing critical hits often, which increases your damage output significantly.
- Good Sharpness: The Nargacuga longsword typically has good sharpness, meaning fewer bounces and consistent damage.
- Decent Raw Damage: It also boasts a decent raw damage stat, making it a well-rounded weapon.
This longsword is a fantastic all-around choice. Its high affinity ensures that you'll be dealing consistent damage. The sharpness also helps with your overall damage. The Nargacuga longsword is a great weapon for new and seasoned hunters alike.
3. Rampage Longsword
The Rampage weapons are highly customizable, and the longsword is no exception. This is a must-have for every hunter. This weapon is versatile and can be tailored to fit your specific needs.
- Customization: You can choose from various Rampage skills to tailor the weapon to your needs. This allows you to focus on raw damage, elemental damage, status effects, or other buffs.
- Versatility: The Rampage longsword can be adapted to any hunting situation.
- Good Stats: While the base stats might not be the highest, the ability to customize makes it incredibly effective.
If you want a weapon that can adapt to any situation, the Rampage longsword is for you. The customization options allow you to build a weapon that is tailored to your hunting style. This is your go-to weapon!
4. Elemental Longswords
For some monsters, elemental damage can be incredibly effective. Consider these options:
- Fire: Rathalos Longsword is a great option for fire damage.
- Water: Jyuratodus Longsword is the best option for water damage.
- Thunder: Zinogre Longsword is the best option for thunder damage.
- Ice: Barioth Longsword is the best option for ice damage.
- Dragon: Chameleos Longsword is the best option for dragon damage.
If you're hunting monsters that are weak to specific elements, these longswords can make a huge difference in your hunt times. Elemental longswords are more situational but can be incredibly effective against monsters weak to those elements. To determine a monster's weakness, check your Hunter's Notes or consult online resources.
Optimizing Your High Rank Longsword Build
Choosing the right longsword is only part of the equation. You'll also want to build an armor set that complements your weapon of choice. Here are some key skills to look for:
Essential Skills:
- Attack Boost: Increases your raw attack power.
- Critical Eye: Increases your affinity, which increases the chance of landing critical hits.
- Weakness Exploit: Increases your affinity when hitting a monster's weak points.
- Critical Boost: Increases the damage of your critical hits.
- Focus: Speeds up your Spirit Gauge charging, allowing you to use your Spirit Blade attacks more often.
- Evade Window: Makes it easier to dodge attacks.
Armor Sets
Here are some armor sets that will help you excel in the game. These can be mixed and matched to achieve your desired skills:
- Beginner Build: This focuses on attack boost and critical eye. A combination of Bone and Alloy armor is a good start.
- Offensive Build: Focus on maximizing raw damage with skills like Attack Boost, Critical Eye, and Weakness Exploit. Mix and match armor pieces from monsters like Tigrex, Rathalos, or Nargacuga.
- Elemental Build: Prioritize elemental attack skills and mix armor from monsters whose element you are using. For example, if you're using a fire longsword, consider the Rathalos armor set.
Mastering the Longsword Playstyle
Once you have your longsword and armor set ready, it's time to hone your skills. Here's a quick refresher on the longsword playstyle:
- Spirit Gauge: This gauge is key to the longsword's damage output. Fill it up by landing attacks, then use Spirit Blade attacks for big damage.
- Foresight Slash: This is a counter move that lets you evade an attack and follow up with a powerful slash. Timing is crucial.
- Iai Spirit Slash: This is another counter move that lets you perform a quick slash and then automatically counter any incoming attacks.
- Fade Slash: Use this to reposition and evade attacks.
- Spirit Blade Combo: This is your primary damage combo. Land attacks to fill your Spirit Gauge, then unleash the Spirit Blade attacks for massive damage.
Conclusion: Slicing Your Way to Victory
Choosing the best longsword in High Rank Monster Hunter Rise is about finding the right weapon that suits your playstyle and the monsters you're hunting. Whether you're all about raw damage, elemental mastery, or the flexibility of the Rampage weapons, there's a longsword out there for you. Combine that weapon with an armor set that complements your playstyle, and you'll be slicing through High Rank with ease. Happy hunting, and may your Spirit Gauges always be full!