The best offense is a good defense. And in the case of Monster Hunter Rise, that defense often comes down to the player's ability to craft increasingly better armor. This is done by using the various monster parts and resources acquired during a hunt, which in turn makes it possible to hunt even tougher monsters.

RELATED: Monster Hunter Rise: How To Unlock And Equip Layered Armor

This basic gameplay loop is what has kept the games in the series so addictive over the years. And as the popularity of the latest entry in the series continues to grow amongst fans new and old. What follows is a ranking of the best armor currently available, with additional information about their stats and the materials required to forge them.

Nargacuga S

The Nargacuga S Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Nargacuga S is the High Rank version of the Narcacuga armor set. It offers decent defense against ice, water, and dragon-based attacks and monsters, but is comparatively weaker against fire and thunder.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 300
  • Fire: -10
  • Water: 5
  • Thunder: -15
  • Ice: 5
  • Dragon: 5
  • Evade Window Lv. 5
  • Critical Eye Lv. 4
  • Evade Extender Lv. 3
  • 5x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 1x Lv. 2 Decoration slot
  • 1x Lv. 3 Decoration slot

Required materials to forge:

  • 10,000 Zenny
  • 16x Nargacuga Scale+
  • 7x Nargacuga Fang+
  • 2x Nargacuga Tail
  • 2x Wyvern Gem
  • 2x Nargacuga Tailspike
  • 5x Narga Razor
  • 2x Piercing Claw
  • 1x Great Izuchi Tail+
  • 2x Monster Hardbone
  • 1x Narga Medulla
  • 2x Remobra Hide+

Brigade S

The Brigade S Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The High Rank Brigade S armor is currently comprised of just the head and chest portions of the set. Both can be unlocked by getting the Hunter King and Rajang coins, and the remaining pieces of the set are expected to be included as part of a future update.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 310
  • Fire: 5
  • Water: 0
  • Thunder: 10
  • Ice: 0
  • Dragon: 10
  • Botanist Lv. 4
  • Capture Master Lv. 1
  • Geologist Lv. 3
  • Good Luck Lv. 1
  • Carving Pro Lv. 1
  • 2x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 1x Lv. 3 Decoration slot

Required materials to forge:

  • 45,000 Zenny
  • 7x Hunter King Coin
  • 6x Ace Hunter Coin
  • 5x Bazelgeuse Coin
  • 4x Rajang Coin
  • 7x Barioth Coin
  • 11x Monster Hardbone

Jelly S

The Jelly S Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Jelly S armor set is one of several secret armor sets in Monster Hunter Rise. It is unlocked through a Mewcenary expedition in the lava caverns and can be crafted once they are able to bring you some Gothjelly.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 310
  • Fire: 5
  • Water: 15
  • Thunder: 0
  • Ice: 10
  • Dragon: 0
  • Divine Blessing Lv. 3
  • Blast Attack Lv. 3
  • Partbreaker Lv. 3
  • 5x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 2x Lv. 2 Decoration slots
  • 2x Lv. 3 Decoration slots

Required materials to forge:

  • 45,000 Zenny
  • 5x Gothjelly
  • 2x Tetranadon Hide+
  • 4x Monster Hardbone
  • 1x Novacrystal
  • 1x Somnacanth Fin+
  • 4x Torrent Sac
  • 6x Gracium
  • 2x Spongy Hide+
  • 8x Carbalite Ore
  • 1x Mizutsune Fin+
  • 2x Tetra Carapace+

Rathalos S

The Rathalos S Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Rathalos is one of the tougher enemies in Monster Hunter Rise, and once it is defeated, players are granted the ability to craft the Rathalos armor set. The High Rank version of the set boosts its base defense up from 140 to 310.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 310
  • Fire: 20
  • Water: 0
  • Thunder: -10
  • Ice: 0
  • Dragon: -20
  • Attack Boost Lv. 7
  • Partbreaker Lv. 3
  • Windproof Lv. 2
  • 5x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 2x Lv. 2 Decoration slots

Required materials to forge:

  • 45,000 Zenny
  • 17x Rathalos Scale+
  • 6x Rathalos Wing
  • 10x Rathalos Carapace
  • 2x Firecell Stone
  • 2x Rathalos Tail
  • 1x Rathalos Medulla
  • 1x Rathalos Wingtalon+
  • 3x Inferno Sac
  • 4x Uroktor Scale+
  • 1x Rathalos Ruby

Zinogre S

The Zinogre S Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

Speaking of tough enemies, the Zinorge is one of the earlier ones players have to face in Monster Hunter Rise. The fanged wyvern does some serious electricity damage but is weak against water and ice. This is reflected in the armor set players can forge with its part, with the High Rank version granting up to 20 points of thunder resistance.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 310
  • Fire: 0
  • Water: -5
  • Thunder: 20
  • Ice: -20
  • Dragon: -5
  • Latent Power Lv. 5
  • Weakness Exploit Lv. 2
  • Constitution Lv. 3
  • 4x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 1x Lv. 2 Decoration slot
  • 1x Lv. 3 Decoration slot

Required materials to forge:

  • 45,000 Zenny
  • 2x Zinogre Horn+
  • 9x Zinogre Electrofur
  • 3x Fulgurbug
  • 2x Bishaten Fur+
  • 10x Zinogre Carapace
  • 5x Zinogre Claw+
  • 1x Zinogre Plate
  • 6x Zinogre Shocker+
  • 3x Thunderbug
  • 1x Zinogre Tail
  • 1x Zinogre Jasper

Diablos S

The Diablos S Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Diablos S is the High Rank version of the Diablos armor set, which is unlocked after hunting or capturing the Diablos, a flying wyvern in Monster Hunter Rise. It offers decent fire resistance (15 points) but it is also susceptible to water, ice, thunder, and dragon.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 320
  • Fire: 15
  • Water: -5
  • Thunder: -5
  • Ice: -3
  • Dragon: -5
  • Guard Lv. 4
  • Stamina Surge Lv. 2
  • Offensive Guard Lv. 3
  • 4x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 2x Lv. 2 Decoration slots

Required materials to forge:

  • 50,000 Zenny
  • 9x Diablos Carapace
  • 4x Diablos Fang
  • 3x Majestic Horn
  • 1x Wyvern Gem
  • 1x Diablos Medulla
  • 2x Kestodon Caracape
  • 9x Diablos Ridge +
  • 4x Monster Hardbone
  • 1x Diablos Marrow
  • 2x Diablos Tailcase
  • 2x Monster Keenbone

Sinister S

The Sinister S Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Sinister armor set is unlocked once players beat the flagship monster in Monster Hunter Rise, Magnamalo. Defeating him opens up the endgame portion of the game. The High Rank version of the armor set players can forge with its monster parts has a base defense of 320 and some good fire resistance.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 320
  • Fire: 15
  • Water: -15
  • Thunder: -10
  • Ice: 5
  • Dragon: 5
  • Resentment Lv. 3
  • Handicraft Lv. 3
  • Flinch Free Lv. 2
  • Hellfire Cloak Lv. 4
  • 2x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 1x Lv. 2 Decoration slot
  • 1x Lv. 3 Decoration slot

Required materials to forge:

  • 50,000 Zenny
  • 2x Magnamalo Horn+
  • 11x Magnamalo Shell+
  • 9x Magnamalo Scale+
  • 1x Great Izuchi Tail+
  • 3x Magnamalo Scute+
  • 4x Magnamalo Soulprism
  • 2x Monster Hardbone
  • 5x Magnamalo Blade+
  • 1x Purple Magna Orb
  • 1x Magnamalo Tail
  • 1x Magnamalo Plate
  • 1x Narga Razor

Ibushi

The Ibushi Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Ibushi set is an endgame armor set with no elemental buffs. On the flip side, it is susceptible to both fire and dragon. What it does offer though is a base defense of 330, which maxes out at 401 points, making it strong enough to complete Hunter Rank 7 even while playing solo.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 330
  • Fire: -5
  • Water: 0
  • Thunder: 0
  • Ice: 0
  • Dragon: -10
  • Wind Alignment Lv. 5
  • Focus Lv. 1
  • Evade Extender Lv. 1
  • Guard Lv. 1
  • Flinch Free Lv. 1
  • Constitution Lv. 1
  • Stamina Surge Lv. 1
  • Power Prolonger Lv. 1
  • Evade Window Lv. 1
  • Slugger Lv. 1
  • Guard Up Lv. 1

Required materials to forge:

  • 70,000 Zenny
  • 2x Ibushi Horn+
  • 3x Ibushi Carapace
  • 5x Ibushi Bluespike
  • 6x Rathian Webbing
  • 2x Ibushi Windsac
  • 10x Ibushi Hide+
  • 4x Ibushi Claw+
  • 1x Wind Serpent Orb

Rakna-Kadaki

The Rakna-Kadaki Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The Rakna-Kadaki armor set is another one with good fire resistance (20 points). This also makes it weak against water and ice, but it makes up for that with a base defense of 330. It is unlocked by defeating or capturing the Rakna-Kadaki, a large spider monster found in the Lava Caverns.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 330
  • Fire: 20
  • Water: -10
  • Thunder: -5
  • Ice: -15
  • Dragon: 0
  • Spread Up Lv. 3
  • Reload Speed Lv. 2
  • Constitution Lv. 4
  • Stamina Surge Lv. 3
  • 3x Lv. 1 Decoration slots
  • 4x Lv. 2 Decoration slots

Required materials to forge:

  • 50,000 Zenny
  • 12x Rakna-Kadaki Silk
  • 13x Rakna-Kadaki Carapace
  • 9x Rakna-Kadaki Sharpclaw
  • 4x Rachnoid Silk
  • 3x Monster Broth
  • 2x Rakna-Kadaki Spike
  • 2x Rakna-Kadaki Glowgut

Narwa

The Narma Armor Set in Monster Hunter Rise

The thunder serpent Narwa is the final boss in the endgame portion of Monster Hunter Rise. Once defeated, players are rewarded with the ability to forge the powerful Narwa armor set. With a base damage of 380, it is currently considered the strongest armor set in the game.

Defense values, Armor skills & Decoration slots:

  • Defense: 380
  • Fire: 10
  • Water: 5
  • Thunder: 10
  • Ice: -15
  • Dragon: -20
  • Thunder Alignment Lv. 5
  • Rapid Morph Lv. 1
  • Offensive Guard Lv. 1
  • Constitution Lv. 1
  • Critical Draw Lv. 1
  • Guard Lv. 2
  • Partbreaker Lv. 1
  • Artillery Lv. 1
  • Evade Window Lv. 1
  • Marathon Runner Lv. 1

Required materials to forge:

  • 70,000 Zenny
  • 2x Narwa Horn+
  • 13x Narwa Carapace
  • 6x Narwa Tentacle
  • 1x Thunder Serpent Orb
  • 3x Narwa Sparksac
  • 9x Narwa Hide+
  • 2x Zinogre Electrofur
  • 5x Narwa Tentacle
  • 5x Narwa Claw+
  • 3x Thunder Sac
  • 2x Tobi-Kadachi Electrode+
  • 2x Elder Dragon Bone

NEXT: Monster Hunter Rise Complete Guide And Walkthrough