Hey there, fellow hunters! Are you just starting out in Monster Hunter Rise (MHR) and looking to dominate the early game with the longsword? Well, you've come to the right place! This guide is all about crafting the best low rank longsword builds that will have you slicing through monsters like butter. We'll dive deep into armor sets, skills, and weapons that'll make your hunts a breeze. Let's get started, shall we?

The Essence of a Great Low Rank Longsword Build

Before we jump into specific builds, let's chat about what makes a longsword build shine in the low ranks. You see, during the early stages of MHR, you're limited by the available resources, and the gear choices are pretty straightforward. The goal is to maximize your damage output while maintaining decent survivability. Here's a breakdown of the key elements:

• Weapon Choice: In the low rank, raw damage is king. Look for longswords with high raw attack power, a bit of sharpness, and maybe a small amount of elemental damage (though raw is the primary focus). Don't worry too much about elemental damage at this stage, but it's a nice bonus.
• Armor Skills: These are the backbone of any build. Focus on skills that boost your damage and survivability. In the low rank, key skills include Attack Boost (more damage), Defense Boost (staying alive), and Stamina Thief (to exhaust monsters, and make them easier to hit).
• Armor Sets: Choosing the right armor set is crucial. Often, you'll be mixing and matching pieces to get the best combination of skills. Look for sets that provide a good balance of attack and defense skills.
• Decorations (Jewels): Decorations aren't readily available in the low rank, but as you progress, you'll find decorations that can enhance specific skills. It is not something to be focused on in the early game.
• Item Usage: Don't forget your items! Potions, mega potions, antidotes, and other helpful items can be the difference between success and failure. Carry a good supply, and don't be afraid to use them.

Now, let's get into some specific build recommendations. Remember, these are just starting points, feel free to experiment and find what works best for your hunting style. Always keep in mind that the best low rank longsword build is the one you are most comfortable with!

Build 1: The Raw Damage Dealer (Early Game Focus)

This build prioritizes pure raw damage to take down monsters quickly. It's perfect for those just starting and wanting to learn the basics of the longsword.

Weapon: Iron Katana I/II/III

• Why? Accessible early on, good raw damage, and easy to upgrade.

Armor:

• Head: Alloy Helm (Attack Boost)
• Chest: Leather Mail (Defense Boost)
• Arms: Alloy Vambraces (Attack Boost)
• Waist: Hunter's Coil (Defense Boost)
• Legs: Hunter's Greaves (Defense Boost)

Key Skills:

• Attack Boost: Increases attack power.
• Defense Boost: Increases defense.
• Stamina Thief: Drains the monster's stamina, making them easier to stagger and more vulnerable.

Strategy:

Focus on landing critical strikes and using your Spirit Gauge to deal massive damage with Spirit Blade attacks. Keep a safe distance, use foresight slash when appropriate, and don't be afraid to reposition if you feel overwhelmed. This is a very basic build, but it will help you get through the early monsters in the game. Practice the timing for the foresight slash, that is a key element of the longsword gameplay. Always stay aware of your surroundings, and anticipate the monster's movements.

Build 2: The Balanced Build (Mid-Low Rank Progression)

This build offers a better balance of damage and survivability, ideal for tackling more challenging low-rank monsters.

Weapon: Bone Blade I/II/III

• Why? Better raw damage than the iron katana, and is a good progression weapon.

Armor:

• Head: Ingot Helm (Attack Boost)
• Chest: Leather Mail (Defense Boost)
• Arms: Ingot Vambraces (Attack Boost)
• Waist: Hunter's Coil (Defense Boost)
• Legs: Hunter's Greaves (Defense Boost)

Key Skills:

• Attack Boost: Increases attack power.
• Defense Boost: Increases defense.
• Stamina Thief: Drains the monster's stamina, making them easier to stagger and more vulnerable.

Strategy:

Similar to the previous build, but with a bit more focus on survivability. Use your Spirit Gauge often and try to land Spirit Blade attacks. This build will give you a better margin for error, allowing you to take on more complex hunts. The main difference with this build is the damage, but you should not feel the difference so much. The key is to be comfortable with the longsword and understand the monsters. Remember, you should always be improving your skills and learning new strategies.

Build 3: The Early Elemental Build (Optional)

This is a fun build to try if you enjoy elemental damage. It's not as effective as raw damage in the low rank, but it can be surprisingly effective against monsters with elemental weaknesses. This build should be considered as a mid-low rank build, because it relies on the monster's weaknesses.

Weapon: The appropriate elemental weapon.

• Why? Find the appropriate elemental weapon that matches the monster's weakness. The goal here is to optimize the damage according to the monster.

Armor:

• Focus on armor with elemental resistance, and Attack Boost

Key Skills:

• Attack Boost: Increases attack power.
• Elemental Resistance: Increases elemental defense.
• Stamina Thief: Drains the monster's stamina, making them easier to stagger and more vulnerable.

Strategy:

This build focuses on exploiting monster weaknesses. It’s more situational but can be highly effective when matched against the right monster. Focus on landing critical strikes and using your Spirit Gauge to deal massive damage with Spirit Blade attacks. Use the monster's elemental weaknesses to your advantage. Elemental builds are only viable for specific monsters, but can be fun and help you understand the game more.

General Tips for Longsword Hunters in Low Rank

Mastering the Spirit Gauge

The Spirit Gauge is the heart of the longsword. It's the key to your strongest attacks and damage output. Here's a quick refresher:

• Filling the Gauge: You fill the Spirit Gauge by landing attacks on monsters.
• Spirit Blade Attacks: Use R2 (or the equivalent button) to unleash Spirit Blade attacks. These consume your Spirit Gauge but deal significant damage.
• Spirit Level: Successfully landing Spirit Blade attacks increases your Spirit Level (yellow, white, then red). Higher Spirit Levels increase your attack power.
• Maintaining Spirit Level: Avoid taking damage to maintain your Spirit Level. If you get hit, your Spirit Level will drop.

Foresight Slash and Special Sheathe

• Foresight Slash: This is your get-out-of-jail-free card. If you time it correctly, you can evade monster attacks and counter them, filling your Spirit Gauge in the process. Practice the timing, because it is important, and can save you from a lot of damage.
• Special Sheathe: Allows you to perform a quick sheath, opening up opportunities for counters and quick attacks. Learning how to properly use this skill is paramount.

Positioning and Monster Knowledge

• Know Your Enemy: Learn the attack patterns of each monster. This will help you anticipate their moves and position yourself for counters and attacks.
• Positioning: Stay mobile and position yourself to avoid attacks while landing your own. Always be aware of your surroundings, and don't be greedy.

Item Management

• Stock Up: Always carry potions, mega potions, antidotes, and other helpful items. They can save your life in a pinch.
• Use Them: Don't be afraid to use your items. They're there to help you succeed!

Progressing from Low Rank

As you move through the low ranks, you'll eventually unlock the high rank. This is where the real fun begins! You'll gain access to new weapons, armor sets, and skills. When you reach the high rank, you need to understand that all of the low rank builds that you had created, are now useless. Always be prepared to adapt, and optimize your builds. Continue learning and improving your skills, and you'll become a master longsword hunter in no time!

Conclusion

So there you have it, guys! Some solid low rank longsword builds to get you started in MHR. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and experiment. Try out different builds, and see what works best for you. Happy hunting, and may your Spirit Blades always hit true!