Best Early Armor And Weapons In Monster Hunter Rise

One of the most important aspects of any Monster Hunter game is the player's use of the many different armor sets and weapon types, and Monster Hunter Rise is no exception.

With various monsters in the game, all of which are weak to certain elements and deal a plethora of ailments/blights to the player, it is essential to have many different weapons and armor sets at your disposal to help make those battles easier. Having the proper armor set can help soften the impact of incoming damage, while having the right weapon will allow you to deal with optimal damage.

Updated June 25, 2022, by Seth Parmer: With Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak around the corner, we wanted to update this list to include the Defender Armor and Weapons as they were added to the game specifically to help beginners get through the base game and into Sunbreak as quick as possible. Furthermore, we touched up the other entries as well!

15 Black Belt Armor Set

Defender Armor Sets in Monster Hunter Rise

On February 24th of this year, Capcom added Black Belt Armor Set into the game as a free package to help newcomers progress through the base game to prepare for the Sunbreak expansion. To get this set, head to the game's hub world and speak with Senri the Mailman and do the following:

Speak To Senri > Add-on Content > Black Belt Armor Set > Claim

After claiming your Black Belt Armor Set, it will appear in your Item Box, conveniently located straight across from Senri. So, from here, stop speaking with Senri and head to the Item Box and do the following:

Open Item Box > Manage Equipment > Change Equipment > Select Armor Piece > Black Belt x (Helmet, Mail, Braces, Tassets, or Greaves)

Black Belt Armor Stats

When equipping the complete Black Belt Armor Set, your Defense Stat will be 150, with the ability to upgrade to 180 later. Due to its high defense, you can take on the majority of early-game hunts without worrying about having to upgrade and can bump it up to 160, 170, and then 180 when you start hitting a wall. The Black Belt Armor Set paired with the Defender Weapons will allow you to soar through much of the game's early sections.

Armor Pieces

Armor Piece	How To Obtain
Black Belt Helmet	Free Add-on
Black Belt Mail	Free Add-on
Black Belt Braces	Free Add-on
Black Belt Tassets	Free Add-on
Black Belt Greaves	Free Add-on

14 Defender Weapons

Like the Black Belt Set, the Defender Weapons are a gift to newcomers to make the early game manageable to help set you up for the Sunbreak expansion. To obtain your weapons, you will follow the same process as last time, which is to head to the hub world and seek out Senri the Mailman and do the following:

Speak To Senri > Add-on Content > Defender Weapons (14 Types) > Claim

Once you have claimed your free Defender Weapons package from Senri, exit the conversation and head to your Item Box, located across from Senri. Whenever you're at the Item Box, do the following steps:

Open Item Box > Manage Equipment > Change Equipment > Weapon > Select Defender Weapon of your choice (can be any of the 14 weapons in the game)

Defender Weapon Stats

Since there is a Defender Tree for each of the fourteen weapons in the game, we won't go over every single one of their stats but will say that these weapons are the best you can get if you are new to the game or are still in the early goings of your hunting journey. And, unlike the other weapons listed below, the Defender Weapons are completely free and don't require you to scavenge materials to craft. Furthermore, every Defender Weapon can be upgraded once to a Champion Weapon, which provides extra power, allowing you to use it for a bit longer as you approach the later portions of the game.

Defender Weapons

Weapon	Type	How To Obtain
Defender Great Sword I	Great Sword	Free Add-on
Defender Long Sword I	Long Sword	Free Add-on
Defender Sword I	Sword & Shield	Free Add-on
Defender Dual Blades I	Dual Blades	Free Add-on
Defender Charge Blade I	Charge Blade	Free Add-on
Defender Horn I	Hunting Horn	Free Add-on
Defender Switch Axe I	Switch Axe	Free Add-on
Defender Warhammer I	Hammer	Free Add-on
Defender Glaive I	Insect Glaive	Free Add-on
Defender Lance I	Lance	Free Add-on
Defender Gunlance I	Gunlance	Free Add-on
Defender Heavy Bowgun I	Heavy Bowgun	Free Add-on
Defender Light Bowgun I	Light Bowgun	Free Add-on
Defender Bow I	Bow	Free Add-on

13 Izuchi Armor

The Izuchi Armor set in Monster Hunter Rise is one of the better low-tier sets in the game due to its fire-resistant Stat and bonuses. Due to being accessible relatively early and its crucial Fire Resistance stats, the Izuchi armor set is one of Monster Hunter Rise's best early

When obtaining five pieces of the Izuchi Armor set, you will receive +3 resistance to every ailment in the game. Additionally, each armor piece has 51 Defense, which is more than enough for most early monster encounters, and 13 Fire-Resistance, which makes it great for any early-game monsters that deal fire damage. The Izuchi Armor is a great stepping stone for the mid-tier sets.

Forging Materials

Armor Piece	Materials
Izuchi Helmet	x1 Monster Bone S x2 Great Izuchi Pelt x1 Izuchi Pelt
Izuchi Mail	x2 Great Izuchi Hide x1 Great Izuchi Pelt x1 Sharp Claw
Izuchi Braces	x2 Great Izuchi Hide x1 Great Izuchi Tail
Izuchi Coil	x2 Great Izuchi Pelt x1 Sharp Claw x1 Izuchi Pelt
Izuchi Greaves	x2 Great Izuchi Hide x2 Izuchi Tail

12 Kamura Weapons (Grade II)

Kamura Weapon Tree In Monster Hunter Rise

The Kamura Tree might get followed by players naturally, but others may go towards the Ore or Bone tree at the start. However, since the Kamura Weapon (Grade II) only requires Iron Ore, starting with all Grade I Kamura weapons, it is better to upgrade to the next tier.

Even if you don't plan on sticking with the Kamura weapon tree, this slight upgrade will carry you decently far in the initial stages of Monster Hunter Rise and is a great way to defeat monsters early on and farm materials. The Kamura Weapons (Grade II) is a great stepping stone for better gear.

Forging Materials

Weapon	Type	Materials
Kamura Cleaver II	Great Sword	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Blade II	Long Sword	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Glintblades II	Dual Blades	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura C. Blade II	Charge Blade	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Chorus II	Hunting Horn	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Iron Axe II	Switch Axe	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Hammer II	Hammer	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Glaive II	Insect Glaive	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Gunlance II	Gunlance	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura H. Bowgun II	Heavy Bowgun	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura L. Bowgun II	Light Bowgun	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore
Kamura Iron Bow II	Bow	(Upgrade) x1 Iron Ore

11 Tetranadon Armor

The Tetranadon Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Tetranadon Armor is one of the best water-resistant sets in the early game and comes with great defense. Due to its high defensive stats and Water Resistance, the Tetranadon Armor set is one of Monster Hunter Rise's best-starting armor sets.

Much like the Izuchi Armor, the Tetranadon set also increases your ailment resistance by +3 for its 5-piece bonus. The Tetranadon Armor also offers 91 Defense and 23 Water Resistance, making it a powerhouse for early hunts.

Forging Materials

Armor Piece	Materials
Tetranadon Helm	x2 Tetranadon Hide x1 Tetranadon Beak x1 Tetranadon Disc x1 Aqua Sac
Tetranadon Mail	x2 Tetra Carapace x2 Icium x1 Jumbo Bone x1 Tetranadon Hide
Tetranadon Braces	x2 Aqua Sac x2 Tetranadon Hide x1 Jumbo Bone x1 Machalite Ore
Tetranadon Coil	x3 Iron Ore x2 Tetranadon Hide x1 Tetra Carapace x1 Tetranadon Disc
Tetranadon Greaves	x2 Aqua Sac x2 Tetra Carapace x1 Tetranadon Beak

10 Aknosom Weapons

Aknosom Weapon Tree In Monster Hunter Rise

The Aknosom Weapons are the best early game fire element weapons in Monster Hunter Rise. Not every weapon has the Aknosom upgrade path, but you should craft it if the one you chose does!

Most Aknosom Weapons have good Sharpness, 100 Attack, and 10 Fire Damage, making them the best early weapons for the Frost Islands/Monsters who are susceptible to fire. The fight can be tricky to some, but it is worth the effort!

Forging Materials

Weapon	Type	Materials
Aknosom Blade I	Great Sword	x3 Machalite Ore x2 Aknosom Feather x1 Aknosom Crest x1 Flame Sac
Aknosom Sabre I	Long Sword	x6 Aknosom Scale x3 Flame Sac x1 Aknosom Beak x1 Aknosom Crest
Schirmscorn I	Dual Blades	x3 Aknosom Feather x3 Machalite Ore x1 Aknosom Beak x1 Flame Sac
Aknosom Lance I	Lance	x5 Aknosom Scale x3 Machalite Ore x1 Aknosom Beak x1 Aknosom Crest
Aknosom Gunlance I	Gunlance	x2 Aknosom Beak x2 Aknosom Crest x2 Aknosom Scale x2 Machalite Ore
Axenosom I	Switch Axe	x5 Aknosom Scale x3 Machalite Ore x1 Aknosom Crest x1 Flame Sac
Aknosom Pike I	Insect Glaive	x3 Aknosom Feather x3 Machalite Ore x1 Aknosom Crest x1 Flame Sac

9 Lagombi Armor

The Lagombi Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

One of the best early game ice-resistant armor sets in Monster Hunter Rise belongs to the Lagombi Armor. Especially since the Lagombi fight isn't tough, getting its materials won't be much of a hassle.

What the Lagombi set offers are 51 Defense and 23 Ice Resistance. Additionally, it also has minor defense towards the other ailments except for fire, to which it has a -12 resistance. This makes the Lagombi one of the worst sets to use against fire, so be aware! However, much like the other sets, players will receive a +3 Resistance Bonus when equipping five Lagombi armor pieces.

Forging Materials

Armor Piece	Materials
Lagombi Helm	x2 Lagombi Ear x1 Lagombi Pelt x1 Jumbo Bone
Lagombi Mail	x2 Lagombi Plastron x1 Lagombi Iceclaw x1 Meaty Hide
Lagombi Vambraces	x2 Lagombi Plastron x2 Lagombi Iceclaw x1 Icium
Lagombi Coil	x2 Lagombi Pelt x1 Lagombi Iceclaw x1 Warm Pelt
Lagombi Greaves	x2 Twisted Remains x2 Lagombi Plastron x2 Lagombi Pelt

8 Royal Ludroth Weapons

Royal Ludroth Weapon Tree In Monster Hunter Rise

Due to their easy-to-get materials and early tree unlock, some of the simplest weapon types to craft in Monster Hunter Rise are the Royal Ludroth items.

In addition to being accessible to craft, the Royal Ludroth weapons are also one of the few early game Water element weapons that will help take down monsters susceptible to that element. Most Royal Ludroth tree weapons have decent Sharpness, 90 Attack, and 15 Water damage.

Forging Materials

Weapon	Type	Materials
Cataclysm Sword I	Great Sword	x3 Spongy Hide x2 Royal Ludroth Claw x1 Royal Ludroth Crest
Drowning Shaft I	Long Sword	x3 Monster Bone M x2 Immature Sponge x2 Royal Ludroth Crest x1 Royal Ludroth Tail
Royal Claw I	Sword and Shield	x3 Spongy Hide x2 Royal Ludroth Claw x1 Royal Ludroth Tail
Ludroth Pair I	Dual Blades	x3 Jumbo Bone x2 Spongy Hide x2 Immature Sponge
Droth Splashhammer I	Hammer	x3 Spongy Hide x2 Royal Ludroth Crest x2 Hydro Hide
Droth Drone I	Hunting Horn	x3 Spongy Hide x3 Thunderbug x2 Royal Ludroth Scale
Spiral Lance I	Lance	x3 Royal Ludroth Claw x2 Spongy Hide x2 Immature Sponge x1 Royal Ludroth Crest
Ludroth Harpoon I	Gunlance	x3 Spongy Hide x3 Royal Ludroth Scale x2 Machalite Ore x1 Royal Ludroth Claw
Ludroth Axe I	Switch Axe	x4 Spongy Hide x3 Royal Ludroth Scale x3 Royal Ludroth Claw x1 Royal Ludroth Tail
Royal Bloom I	Insect Glaive	x3 Jumbo Bone x2 Royal Ludroth Crest x2 Spongy Hide
Royal Launcher I	Light Bowgun	x3 Hydro Hide x2 Spongy Hide x1 Royal Ludroth Claw x1 Machalite Ore
Spongia Bow I	Bow	x4 Spongy Hide x3 Royal Ludroth Scale x2 Monster Bone M x1 Royal Ludroth Crest

7 Barroth Armor

The Barroth Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise - The crafting menu with various stats.

The Barroth Armor set has excellent Thunder Resistance stats, but what makes it a must-have for beginners is the significant Fire Attack buff it grants the wearer. With each piece of Barroth Armor equipped and each upgrade via the Blacksmith, any Flame-based weapon will deal absurd amounts of damage.

Starting with a modest +2 Fire Attack buff, the Barroth Armor set can grant up to a +20% Fire Attack buff with a +4 Bonus. Paired with this armor's pretty decent 18 Thunder Resistance (with the complete set), you will be tearing through most Monsters in the early game.

Forging Materials

Armor Piece	Materials
Barroth Helm	x2 Barroth Claw x2 Barroth Shell x1 Barroth Tail x1 Monster Bone M
Barroth Mail	x3 Barroth Shell x2 Big Fin x1 Fertile Mud x1 Barroth Scalp
Barroth Vambraces	x2 Machalite Ore x2 Barroth Ridge x1 Barroth Claw x1 Monster Bone M
Barroth Coil	x3 Barroth Ridge x2 Big Fin x1 Barroth Scalp
Barroth Greaves	x2 Eroded Skeleton x2 Barroth Shell x1 Fertile Mud x1 Barroth Claw

6 Bone Weapons

The Bone Scythe Tree - A branch of the Bone Tree - in Monster Hunter Rise

Bones are essential to any Moster Hunter game and are used in various armors and weapons. More notably, at least in the early goings, you can use bones to craft weapons in the Bone Tree or the Bone Scythe Tree to obtain pretty decent weapons! As you explore each area in Monster Hunter Rise, you will gather bones from harvesting bone piles or capturing or killing monsters.

Since bones are readily accessible from the start of the game, the Bone Tree is accessible from the get-go and will give you a nice headstart regarding damage output in the early game. The first weapon crafted in the Bone Tree typically starts at 90 Attack with a decent Sharpness Stat. Additionally, you will potentially be able to upgrade this tree enough to obtain 130 Attack with slightly better Sharpness, making it an excellent choice for beginners!

Forging Materials

Weapon	Type	Materials
Bone Blade I	Great Sword	x3 Monster Bone S
Bone Scythe I	Long Sword	x3 Twisted Remains x3 Monster Bone S x3 Sharp Claw
Bone Kukri I	Sword and Shield	x3 Monster Bone S
Bone Hatchets I	Dual Blades	x3 Monster Bone S
Bone Hammer I	Hammer	x3 Monster Bone S
Bone Horn I	Hunting Horn	x3 Monster Bone S x1 Blue Mushroom
Bone Lance I	Lance	x3 Monster Bone S
Bone Gunlance I	Gunlance	x3 Monster Bone S
Bone Staff I	Insect Glaive	x3 Monster Bone S
Bone Gun I	Bow	x3 Monster Bone S

5 Khezu Armor

The Khezu Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

With the Khezu armor being one of the few early sets in the game to offer Thunder damage resistance, it instantly makes it one of Monster Hunter Rise's best early armor.

The Khezu set offers 81 Defense and 23 Thunder Resistance with an additional 13 Ice Resistance. The only downside, much like the Lagombi Armor, is the Khezu set is highly susceptible to fire damage, so avoid those monsters at all costs. Much like all the other sets, when equipping five pieces of Khezu armor, you will receive a +3 Resistance bonus.

Forging Materials

Armor Piece	Materials
Khezu Helm	x3 Flabby Hide x1 Monster Bone M x1 Machalite Ore x1 Electro Sac
Khezu Mail	x3 Flabby Hide x2 Machalite Ore x1 Electro Sac x1 Lightcrystal
Khezu Vambraces	x2 Monster Bone M x2 Suspicious Fang x1 Pale Bone
Khezu Coil	x2 Flabby Hide x2 Suspicious Fang x1 Warm Pelt x1 Dragonhusk Shard
Khezu Greaves	x3 Suspicious Fang x1 Electro Sac x1 Flabby Hide

4 Lagombi Weapons

Lagombi Weapon Tree In Monster Hunter Rise

Like its armor counterpart, the Lagombi weapons are the best early game Ice-based weapons in Monster Hunter Rise. The Lagombi weapons can also be crafted relatively quickly and require almost no effort to obtain.

The Lagombi weapons typically offer good Sharpness, 80 Attack, and 15 Ice damage. The Lagombi Tree is also present for most Monster Hunter Rise weapons, making them acceptable for many different playstyles.

Forging Materials

Weapon	Type	Materials
Snowclad I	Great Sword	x3 Lagombi Pelt x2 Lagombi Plastron x2 Jumbo Bone
Ivory Rabbit I	Long Sword	x4 Lagombi Plastron x3 Lagombi Iceclaw x2 Sharqskin Scale
Snow Slicers I	Dual Blades	x3 Lagombi Pelt x2 Lagombi Plastron x2 Lagombi Iceclaw
Lagomberator I	Gunlance	x4 Lagombi Pelt x2 Lagombi Plastron x1 Icium
Longear Axe I	Switch Axe	x3 Lagombi Plastron x2 Lagombi Ear x2 Lagombi Pelt
Lagombaglaive I	Insect Glaive	x3 Lagombi Pelt x2 Lagombi Plastron x2 Icium x1 Lagombi Ear
Spheniscine Slayer I	Heavy Bowgun	x3 Lagombi Plastron x3 Lagombi Pelt x2 Lagombi Ear x2 Great Baggi Hide

3 Volvidon Armor

The Volvidon Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

With the Volvidon Armor only being available after you reach the Lava Caverns, it will also be the best early set for that area due to its high fire resistance. Additionally, the Volvidon Set offers more buffs and bonuses, making it one of Monster Hunter Rise's best beginner armor sets, even outside the Lava Caverns.

The Volvidon set offers a high 101 Defense and 13 Fire Resistance. However, the Volvidon set is highly susceptible to Water and Ice, so avoid those areas and monsters at all costs. The Volvidon armor also grants 8 Dragon Resistance and 3 Thunder Resistance, with the 5-Piece Set bonus adding +3 to all Resistances.

Forging Materials

Armor Piece	Materials
Volvidon Helm	x2 Dragonite Ore x2 Volvidon Shell x2 Paralysis Sac x1 Volvidon Claw
Volvidon Mail	x2 Dragonite Ore x2 Volvidon Claw x2 Volvidon Shell x1 Great Izuchi Hide
Volvidon Vambraces	x3 Volvidon Shell x2 Monster Fluid x2 Eroded Skeleton x1 Volvi Rickrack
Volvidon Coil	x2 Warm Pelt x2 Jumbo Bone x2 Volvi Rickrack x2 Volvidon Shell
Volvidon Greaves	x2 Dragonite Ore x2 Volvidon Shell x2 Paralysis Sac x1 Volvidon Claw

2 Khezu Weapons

Khezu Weapon Tree In Monster Hunter Rise

Very few early game Thunder-based weapons are available in Monster Hunter Rise, which is precisely what makes the Khezu weapons so good. These weapons are also easily obtainable and worth the effort.

The Khezu weapons offer good Sharpness, 90 Attack, and 20 Thunder damage. Additionally, some Khezu weapons will offer 8 Paralysis on top of its already impressive Thunder damage, making these an absolute must-have for any foe that is susceptible.

Forging Materials

Weapon	Type	Materials
Khezu Shock Sword I	Great Sword	x3 Flabby Hide x3 Iron Ore x2 Electro Sac
Khezu Razor I	Sword and Shield	x5 Suspicious Fang x2 Flabby Hide x2 Machalite Ore x1 Electro Sac
Khezu Daggers I	Dual Blades	x3 Machalite Ore x2 Flabby Hide x2 Electro Sac
Bag o' Horrors I	Hammer	x5 Suspicious Fang x3 Flabby Hide x3 Electro Sac
Khezu Horn I	Hunting Horn	x3 Suspicious Fang x3 Flabby Hide x3 Monster Bone M x2 Electro Sac
Full Voltage I	Gunlance	x4 Suspicious Fang x3 Flabby Hide x2 Electro Sac
Khezu Axe I	Switch Axe	x5 Suspicious Fang x2 Flabby Hide x1 Lightcrystal x1 Electro Sac
Bolt Chamber I	Insect Glaive	x4 Carbalite Ore x3 Pearl Hide x3 Thunder Sac x2 Pale Bone
Khezu Syringe I	Light Bowgun	x4 Suspicious Fang x3 Flabby Hide x2 Machalite Ore x1 Pale Extract
Khezu Bow I	Bow	x4 Suspicious Fang x2 Flabby Hide x1 Electro Sac x1 Machalite Ore

1 Hunter Set

On paper, the Hunter Set may seem insignificant, but when you start looking into each piece of equipment's Skills, you will see that it's a pretty decent early armor set. Quick Sheath, as an example, is an excellent Skill to have for Long Swords, and the Stun Resistance is a lifesaver for those annoying early-game encounters.

Furthermore, the Hunter Set also boosts your overall attack, which can make a pretty significant difference over time. While this armor set won't blow you away and will likely get replaced once anything better becomes readily available, it's a great starting point.

Forging Materials

Armor Piece	Materials
Hunter's Helm S	x2 Carbalite Ore x1 High-quality Pelt
Hunter's Mail S	x2 Dragonite Ore x2 Remobra Hide+
Hunter's Vambraces S	x2 Jagras Scale+ x1 Carbalite Ore
Hunter's Coil S	x2 Jagras Hide+ x1 Jagras Scale+
Hunter's Greaves S	x2 High-quality Pelt x2 Twisted Rockbone

NEXT: Monster Hunter Rise: Things To Do After You Beat The Game