Highlights

• Craft powerful armor sets by hunting monsters, such as the Flaming Espinas, to improve your skills and abilities in Monster Hunter Rise.
• The Tempest Set offers classic armor for veteran players with skills like Evade Window and Critical Boost, perfect for skilled hunters.
• The Primordial Set, made from materials of the Elder Dragon Malzeno, offers a unique skill called Blood Awakening for a powerful attack boost.

Hunt, carve, craft, and repeat. This is the tried-and-true formula of the Monster Hunter franchise, first released in 2004. In the latest installment, Monster Hunter Rise for Nintendo Switch, old and new players alike can dive into the expansive, creature-filled world from the comfort of their homes, or on the go.

Fighting monsters allows players to craft stronger weapons and armor. For newcomers, it may be difficult to discern which armor sets will benefit them the most as hunts get bigger. It'd be worthwhile to look at the armor sets that serious players should have their eyes on as they advance into the hardest fights of the game.

Updated October 23, 2023, by Blaise Santi: It's been almost two years since Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak was released, adding an entirely new story campaign to the Nintendo Switch original. Meanwhile, Capcom has also released frequent updates, adding in new monsters, variants of old ones, and new armor sets, Monster Hunter Rise has also been ported to PC, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles. With Monster Hunter Wilds on the horizon, new and old fans alike might be interested in exploring Sunbreak more before trying out the new game. As such, more armor sets have been included to this article to provide a broader view of Monster Hunter Rise's available gear.

22 Flaming Espinas Set

Hunt Like A True Frontiersman

The Flaming Espinas is a variant of the Espinas, a monster originally introduced in Monster Hunter Frontier Season 2. What makes Flaming Espinas stand out is its focus on fiery attacks, which is reflected in its armor set's high resistance to fire. Its skills, however, incorporate a lot of useful abilities that hunters of any weapon type can benefit from.

With skills including Attack Boost, Marathon Runner, and Razor Sharp, most Blademaster weapon users will reap huge rewards from this powerful armor set. Even Gunner types will get some benefit with two levels of Spare Shot, which gives a 10% chance of not using ammo or coatings. The only downside is having to take down a Flaming Espinas to craft it.

21 Tempest Set

This Armor Set Is Heavenly

The Tempest Set is a classic armor set for skilled veterans of the Monster Hunter franchise. It's made entirely out of Amatsu materials, with some rare pieces from Zinogre and Mizutsune as well. Despite being an Elder Dragon's Armor, its skill selection is small but worthwhile, on top of its other perks including tons of armor slots, water resistance, and regal style.

Aside from the five levels of Evade Window from the helmet alone, as well as three levels of Critical Boost and five levels of Latent Power, the Tempest Set comes with the unique skill Heaven-Sent. This skill gives a multitude of benefits if players go a long time during a hunt without being hit, including nullifying stamina and sharpness consumption, which is an incredibly powerful ability.

20 Primordial Set

For The Most Vampiric Of Monster Hunters

Malzeno is a new Elder Dragon introduced as the mascot of Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. If it wasn't a difficult enough fight on its own, an update introduced a terrifying variant in the Primordial Malzeno. Its skill selection is very close to the standard Malzeno's Master Rank armor set, including Blood Rite and Partbreaker, as well as skills like Critical Boost and Burst.

The Primordial Set also includes a new unique skill: Blood Awakening. With Blood Awakening, players will receive an attack boost depending on the health they regain from attacking a monster. While the entire set is incredibly powerful, it probably isn't enough to outdo the Attack Boost from the regular Malzeno's armor set.

19 Lucent Narga Set

Stay Sharp With This Armor

The Lucent Nargacuga made its series debut in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate before finally returning in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. The monster became available via the first free update for the expansion, posing a much greater threat than the regular Nargacuga. However, with its higher difficulty also come better rewards for those who craft its armor.

One of the Lucent Narga Set's skills is level 5 Handicraft, increasing the sharpness of blademaster weapons. It also contains skills like Agitator, which increases attack and affinity when large monsters become enraged. It bears similarity to the regular Narga Set with its skills in Evade Extender as well, making it overall an improvement over its variant.

18 Silver Sol Set

This Armor Is Far From Second Place

Hunters in Monster Hunter Rise already know how much of a pain in the butt the Rathalos can be when enraged. However, that fury pales in comparison to its variant, the Silver Rathalos. The Silver Rathalos is prone to much more powerful enraged modes, as well as more impenetrable skin that can be damaging to a weapon's sharpness.

Although conquering the Silver Rathalos is no easy feat once, besting it several times will allow access to its incredibly powerful armor set, known as the Silver Sol Set. Some of its skills include Critical Boost and Critical Element, as well as Elemental Exploit. Other useful skills are Windproof, Constitution, and Redirection, which would help any type of hunter.

17 Lunagaron Set

Live Out Metroid Power Suit Fantasies

The Lunagaron is a brand-new monster in Sunbreak, resembling the Nargacuga and Tobi-Kadachi in movement. However, it's a much greater threat than either monster, though it makes up for its difficulty with its simple yet effective armor set. It possesses a few points towards the Critical Eye skill, increasing affinity for any type of Blademaster.

The Lunagaron Set also includes the previously-mentioned Agitator, giving it even more Affinity potential, as does Latent Power during longer hunts. With a few additional Decorations for the Critical Eye skill and certain conditions met, the Lunagaron Set could provide hunters with near 100% affinity, making every attack of theirs a critical hit.

16 Seregios Set

Be Steeled For Battle

The Seregios finally returns to the Monster Hunter franchise after its debut in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. The monster is notable for its weapons, which feature very high sharpness levels, even for Blunt weapons like Hammer. Thankfully, for Sharpness-obsessed hunters, the Armor set has similar qualities.

The Seregios Set armor includes skills like Handicraft, which increases sharpness levels on weapons without full sharpness. It also has generally useful skills for movement while hunting, like Constitution and Evade Window. It also has a unique skill called Bladescale Hone, which recovers sharpness after successfully dodging an attack.

15 Pyre-Kadaki Set

Pyromaniacs Will Love This Armor

This armor set requires materials from the new variant of the Rakna-Kadaki, the Pyre Rakna-Kadaki. In fashion with the variant's use of Blast attacks, the Pyre-Kadaki Set is perfect for hunters with Blast weapons, since it has both Blast Attack and Blast Resistance skills. It also features Rapid Morph, making it useful to Switch Axe or Charge Blade users.

Its other skills, however, are common to many Armor sets in Monster Hunter Rise. The Wirebug Whisperer skill increases wirebug recovery speed, while Peak Performance and Maximum Might increase attack and affinity with full health and stamina, benefiting players who keep out of harm's way.

14 Malzeno Set

Become More Bloodthirsty Than The Monsters Themselves

The flagship monster of Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is the Malzeno, an Elder Dragon with vampiric qualities. Predictably, its Master Rank armor set is quite valuable, as it proves that a player wearing it has conquered the vicious beast many times over. It also features a whopping six different skills to benefit hunters.

One of these skills, Blood Rite, is unique to Malzeno armor, and recovers a player's health when attacking a broken monster part. This pairs well with Attack Boost, Weakness Exploit, and Partbreaker, meaning that players will deal incredible damage to near-death monsters. It also features Blight Resistance for some added protection.

13 Grand Mizuha Set

It's Worth Fighting 50 Chameleos For This

The Chameleos is one of the most frustrating monsters to fight in the entire Monster Hunter franchise. However, some players might find the process of farming it worthwhile in order to obtain that Grand Mizuha Set. This set contains some pretty useful skills, such as Peak Performance (which increases attack at full health).

However, this Armor set also grants players a unique skill known as "Chameleos Blessing." If all five pieces of this armor are equipped, players will see increased effects of certain endemic life, negated wind pressure, and extended poison effect on monsters. Ironically, this set may be perfect for fighting Chameleos in succession.

12 Bazelgeuse Set

Charge Into A Hunt With This Armor

There aren't many Armor sets that are perfect for Gunlance users. However, the Bazelgeuse Set may be the perfect option due to its variety of skills. Like any good Lance set, the Bazel set contains Guard and Guard Up, which will increase the usefulness of the Gunlance's blocking capabilities.

The Bazel Armor set also includes Artillery, Agitator, Razor Sharp, and Load Shells. Artillery strengthens explosive attacks, which is perfect for weapons like Gunlance or Charge Blade. Load Shells increases the gunlance's shell capacity, while Agitator draws monsters' attention. Meanwhile, the Seething Bazelgeuse Armor set makes a perfect set for blunt weapon users.

11 Sinister Demon Set

Magnamalo's Armor Brings The Hellfire

The Magnamalo is the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Rise and has some of the best selections of weapons in the game. Additionally, the Magnamalo's Armor set, called the "Sinister" set, boasts some pretty powerful skills. Among them is Handicraft, one of the best skills in the series, which increases sharpness levels.

Additionally, the Sinister Demon Set contains the skills Resentment (which increases attack while recovering damage), Earplugs, and Flinch Free (which prevents small damage knockbacks). Finally, this Armor set has the unique skill Hellfire Cloak, which grants resistance to the hellfire status effect and adds explosive powers to all attacks.

10 Damascus Set

High-Level Monsters Blended Together

Gathering enough High-Rank Elder Dragon materials will allow players to craft Damascus Set. With this armor, players are granted tremor protection, increased sharpness, and roar resistance. The Master Rank version also has the skill Blight Resistance, offering increased protection from elemental attacks.

The only downside is its difficulty to obtain. While most sets require farming materials from one specific monster, this set incorporates materials from several Elder Dragons, some of the strongest monsters in the game. Still, the ability to join other players online while boasting the Damascus Set might be a worthwhile reward.

9 Crimson Valstrax - Epoch Set

Go, Go, Power Ranger

This Valstrax Set is the perfect armor for players who get too cocky while fighting Large Monsters. Crafted from materials of the Crimson Glow Valstrax, which was added to the game via an update in May 2021, this set's skills activate under certain conditions, such as having low health or suffering from an abnormal status effect.

For weapons like Dual Blades that prioritize quick and powerful damage, this armor set promises increased attack and affinity with nearly all of its skills. However, much like the Damascus Set, it'll be a tough few rounds of hunting to gather all the necessary Valstrax materials.

8 Rathalos Set

A Brutal Armor For A Brutal Series Legend

It's no surprise that the Rathalos, one of the flagship monsters of the series, is a worthwhile fight. With the completed Rathalos Set, players obtain a simple yet useful selection of armor skills, including Attack Boost, Partbreaker (which breaks monster parts easier), Windproof (which reduces wind knockback), and Critical Boost.

This set also includes a whopping seven armor slots, which players can adorn with Decorations of their favorite skills. Suffice it to say, the Rathalos Set allows players the customization options to make it an incredibly useful and powerful late-game set. However, it may be best utilized for farming Elder Dragons to obtain their armor sets.

7 Tobi-Kadachi Set

Shock Other Hunters To Their Core

For eccentric weapons like Insect Glaive, the Tobi-Kadachi Set might be the perfect choice for monster-hunting entomophiles. With the Jump Master skill, Insect Glaive users will become resistant to knockback while in midair, which is useful for players who always find themselves vulnerable in the middle of a combo.

This set also grants Constitution (which decreases stamina depletion), Mind's Eye (which makes attacks deflect less), Critical Eye (which increases affinity), and Critical Element (which powers elemental attacks). These skills make this a useful set for any Blademaster, but Gunners may have difficulty finding something to appreciate here.

6 Tigrex Set

Hear Roars No More

With the Tigrex Set, heavy weapon users (such as Hammer or Great Sword) may find a perfect match. Skills like Bludgeoner (which increases attack when sharpness is low) and Mind's Eye are perfect for hunters who can't afford to miss a swing. These two skills allow players to deal damage against tough-skinned Monsters.

In addition, the Tigrex Set also grants Earplugs (which nullifies Large Monster roars) and Speed Eating (which increases eating speed), allowing for fully-charged attacks without having to fear being interrupted. Unfortunately, some users may find this set too basic for the more complicated weapons like Insect Glaive or Switch Axe.

5 Nargacuga Set

Be The Greatest Monster Hunting Ninja Around

Whereas the Tigrex Set is designed for heavier weapon types, the Nargacuga Set provides great benefits for faster weapons like Long Sword and Dual Blades. Like the Nargacuga itself, this set makes players hard to catch, with skills that increase invulnerability while evading as well as allowing for a longer evasion distance.

Long Sword users especially will find a home in the Nargacuga Set with its boosted affinity thanks to the skill Critical Eye, an essential skill for all types of Blademasters. However, like the Tigrex Set, certain weapon types like Lance won't find much use out of a set designed for quick-moving Blademasters.

4 Diablos Set

Wear The Scourge Of The Desert

The Diablos Set is an essential choice for shield users like Lance, Charge Blade, and Sword and Shield. With the handy Guard skill, shield-using players will gain reduced knockback and stamina depletion when blocking attacks. In addition, a perfectly-timed guard will activate the Offensive Guard skill, increasing attack power.

What makes this set especially good for Lance users is the Stamina Surge skill, which speeds up Stamina recovery, and Tremor Resistance. A solid Lance weapon paired with this Armor will make any Lance user a brick wall against monsters. However, if the player's weapon of choice cannot guard or block, they may not find much use here.

3 Kaiser Set

Armor Fit For A King

The Kaiser Set is an ideal late-game armor set, especially for Blademasters drawn to weapons with status effects, like Dual Blades and Sword and Shield. Crafted from the Elder Dragon Teostra, this set not only boosts affinity but also increases critical hit damage and offers a possibility of no sharpness decrease when attacking.

What makes the Teostra's armor stand out is its unique skill, Teostra Blessing, which boosts Fire and Blast attack power, while also preventing the Poison status effect and negating Theft. Pair this armor set with a Blast weapon to unleash the full extent of its power. Gunners will be thankful to not have to farm the Teostra to obtain it.