In the diverse 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 makes it a less agile weapon. To build a truly effective Great Sword, you'll need to strategize around controlling the monster's movements. Recent updates have introduced sleep-inducing weapons, crafted from specific monster materials. This guide outlines the optimal gear and skills for a potent sleep-based Great Sword build.

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Best Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build

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

Full Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build

Weapon: Frilled Blade

The Frilled Blade is the optimal sleep-based Great Sword. Its Evade Extender skill provides crucial distance after dodging, enhancing survivability. While not essential, it significantly improves Great Sword maneuverability. Hunting Somnacanth yields the necessary materials.

Helmet & Greaves: Nightshade Paolumu

The core of this build utilizes Nightmare Paolumu materials, introduced in an early paid event. These provide crucial skills, including all three levels of Rude Awakener, boosting damage by 100% on the first hit against a sleeping monster. While rarer, Nightmare Paolumu are more accessible now through events and occasional spawns.

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

The remaining pieces focus on maximizing Status Sneak Attack, guaranteeing sleep buildup with rear attacks. Points in Evade Extender and Artful Dodger further enhance evasiveness. Tzitzi-Ya-Ku is a more common monster, simplifying material acquisition.

Best Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Driftstone Slots

This build offers a significant advantage with readily available Driftstone slots. Five slots dedicated to Sleep Attack are ideal. Alternatively, slots can enhance dodging (Artful Dodger and Evade Extender) or increase rear-attack damage (Sneak Attack).

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