In the vast arsenal of *Monster Hunter Now*, the Great Sword stands out as a devastating force, capable of unleashing colossal damage with each swing. However, its size presents a challenge. To maximize its potential, a strategic build is key, focusing on controlling the battlefield and exploiting enemy vulnerabilities.
Recent updates have introduced sleep-inducing weapons, revolutionizing Great Sword strategies. This build leverages these additions, combining powerful equipment with crucial skills to consistently put monsters to sleep and deliver devastating blows.
Best Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build

Unlike the poison-focused Long Sword, the Great Sword excels with sleep-inducing attacks. While this build requires materials from a relatively rare monster, the majority of components are obtainable from more common creatures.
Full Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Weapon: Frilled Blade | - Element: Sleep - Evade Extender I (Grade 8) |
| Helmet: Nightshade Paolumu Helmet | - Rude Awakener I (Grade 5) - Rude Awakener II (Grade 8) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 8) |
| Mail: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Mail | - Status Sneak Attack (Grade 2) - Artful Dodger (Grade 4) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
| Vambraces: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Vambraces | - Status Sneak Attack I (Grade 2) - Status Sneak Attack II (Grade 4) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
| Coil: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Coil | - Evade Extender (Grade 2) - Status Sneak Attack (Grade 4) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
| Greaves: Nightshade Paolumu Greaves | - Rude Awakener (Grade 5) - Status Sneak Attack (Grade 6) - Driftstone Slot (Grade 5) |
Weapon: Frilled Blade
The Frilled Blade is the optimal sleep-based Great Sword. Its Evade Extender skill enhances mobility, crucial for maneuvering around the Great Sword's unwieldy nature. While not strictly essential, it significantly improves defensive capabilities. Hunting Somnacanth yields the necessary materials.

Helmet & Greaves: Nightshade Paolumu
The Nightmare Paolumu, introduced in a paid event, provides key components. Its materials unlock the Rude Awakener skill (all three levels), boosting damage dealt to sleeping monsters by 100% on the first hit. While initially event-exclusive, Nightmare Paolumu appearances have become more frequent.
Mail, Vambraces, & Coil: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku
The remaining pieces focus on maximizing Status Sneak Attack, guaranteeing sleep buildup with attacks from behind. Additional points in Evade Extender and Artful Dodger further enhance survivability. The Tzitzi-Ya-Ku, easily tracked via paintballs, provides these components.
Best Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Driftstone Slots

This build offers a significant advantage: readily available Driftstone slots. Five slots are ideal for maximizing Sleep Attack. Alternatively, invest in Artful Dodger, Evade Extender, or Sneak Attack to further enhance your combat prowess.
- Sleep Attack (Azure): Increases sleep buildup (50 at rank 1, 150 at rank 5).
- Sneak Attack (Pale): Boosts damage from behind (10% at rank 1, 30% at rank 5).
- Artful Dodger (Azure): Improves evasion ease.
- Evade Extender (Pale): Increases evasion distance.
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