Character Skills - Monster Hunter: World

Character Skills Guide for Monster Hunter: World

This guide covers all skills available in Monster Hunter: World (including the Iceborne expansion). Unlike traditional RPGs, there are no playable character classes or unique character skill trees. Instead, Skills are granted by equipping armor pieces, decorations (jewels), and charms. Each skill has multiple levels (typically 1 to 7) that increase its effectiveness. Additionally, each of the 14 weapon types has its own unique moveset, which includes special attacks and combos. This guide details every armor skill (with effects, max level, acquisition, synergies, and recommended builds) and every weapon’s key abilities and special moves.

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1. Armor Skills Overview

Armor skills are divided into categories: Offensive, Defensive, Utility, Elemental/Status, and Set Bonuses. Below is a comprehensive list of every skill in the game (base + Iceborne). Each entry includes: Skill Name, Max Level, Effect per level, How to obtain (representative armor pieces / decorations / charms), Synergies, and When to use.

> Note: Some skills have multiple levels that unlock additional effects. Always check the in-game description for exact values.

1.1 Offensive Skills

Skill	Max Lv	Effect	Key Sources	Synergies	Use Cases
Attack Boost	7	Increases base attack (+3 per lv, +5% affinity at Lv4, +10% affinity at Lv7)	Dober armor, Attack Jewel	Crit Eye, Weakness Exploit, Agitator	Pure damage builds, early game
Critical Eye	7	Increases affinity (+5% per lv, +40% at Lv7)	Rathalos armor, Critical Jewel	Attack Boost, Weakness Exploit, Master’s Touch	Reaching 100% affinity
Weakness Exploit	3	+50% affinity on weak spots at Lv3	Rathalos armor, Tenderizer Jewel	Critical Eye, Agitator, Crit Boost	Essential for most melee builds
Critical Boost	3	Increases critical hit damage (1.3/1.35/1.4 multiplier)	Dragonking Eyepatch, Critical Jewel	Any high affinity build	Maximizes damage output
Agitator	5	When monster is enraged: +attack and +affinity (Lv5: +20 attack, +15% affinity)	Nergigante armor, Agitator Jewel	Weakness Exploit, Resentment	Enrage-heavy fights like Diablos
Peak Performance	3	+5/10/20 attack when health is full	Vaal Hazak armor, Refresh Jewel	Health Boost, Recovery Speed	Safe play with health augments
Resentment	5	+5/10/15/20/25 attack when using Red Health	Diablos armor, Resentment Jewel	Health Augment, Resentment builds	Builds that self-damage (e.g., Berserker)
Maximum Might	5	+10/20/30/40/50% affinity when stamina is full	Kushala Daora armor, Mighty Jewel	Critical Eye, Stamina management	Bow / DB builds (stamina regen)
Heroics	5	+10/15/20/30/40% attack when health ≤ 35%	Rathian armor, Heroics Jewel	Fortify, Survival skills	Speedruns or challenge runs
Resuscitate	1	+20 true raw when affected by a blight	Various gear	Resentment, Coalescence	Niche blight builds (e.g., Fire Resentment)
Coalescence	3	+15/18/21 attack and +10/15/25 elemental for 90s after recovering from a blight	Odogaron armor, Elemental Jewel	Resuscitate, Blight Resistance	Elemental builds vs. blight-heavy monsters
Elemental Attack (each element)	6	Increases elemental attack (+30/60/100/150/200/250 true element)	Appropriate armor / jewel	Crit Element, True Crit Element, Elemental weapons	Must for Bow, DB, LBG elemental builds
Critical Element (Velkhana set bonus)	1	Elemental critical damage 1.35x	Velkhana armor set bonus	Elemental Attack, High affinity	Elemental crit builds
True Critical Element (Silver Rathalos)	1	1.55x elemental crit	Silver Rathalos set bonus	Same as above	Endgame elemental meta
Artillery	5	Increases explosive damage (1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4/1.5x)	Uragaan armor, Bombardier Jewel	Gunlance, Charge Blade (Phial), Stickies	Explosive weapon builds
Special Ammo Boost	2	+10/20% damage for Wyvernheart/Wyvernsnipe, etc.	Rajang armor, Special Ammo Jewel	HBG, LBG special ammo	HBG/LBG endgame
Normal/Spread/Pierce Shots	2	+10/20% damage for respective shot types	Lavasioth (Normal), Legiana (Spread), Uragaan (Pierce)	Ballistics, Ammo Up	Bowgun builds
Bow Charge Plus	1	Adds one charge level to Bow	Mighty Bow Jewel, Legiana set bonus	Crit Element, Elemental Attack	Essential for Bow DPS
Power Prolonger	3	Extends weapon buff duration (1.2x/1.3x/1.4x)	Odogaron armor, Sharp Jewel	Charge Blade, Switch Axe, Insect Glaive	Maintains weapon states
Capacity Boost	1	+1 shell capacity for Gunlance, +1 phial for Charge Blade	Dodogama armor, Magazine Jewel	Artillery, Focus	Critical for Gunlance/CB
Focus	3	Speeds up charge attacks (1.1/1.2/1.3x speed)	Diablos Nero armor, Focus Jewel	Great Sword, Hammer, Longsword, Charge Blade	Faster charge times
Quick Sheath	3	Increases sheathing speed (moderate)	Odo armor, Sheath Jewel	Great Sword, Lance, Longsword	Sheath-heavy weapons
Slugger	5	Increases stun damage (1.2/1.3/1.4/1.5/1.6x)	Diablos armor, KO Jewel	Hammer, Hunting Horn, Sticky Ammo	KO-focused builds
Stamina Thief	3	Increases exhaust damage (1.2/1.3/1.4x)	Kadachi armor, Exhaust Jewel	Hammer, Bow, DB	Exhausting monsters
Marathon Runner	3	Reduces stamina drain when sprinting (20/40/50%)	Ingot armor, Runner Jewel	Bow, Dual Blades, Lance	Stamina-heavy weapons
Constitution	5	Reduces stamina consumption of dodging, attacking (10/20/30/40/50%)	Legiana armor, Constitution Jewel	Bow, DB, Lance	Stamina management
Stamina Surge	3	Increases stamina recovery rate (10/20/30%)	Tobi-Kadachi armor, Refresh Jewel	Constitution, Marathon Runner	Sustained stamina use
Evade Window	5	Increases invincibility frames on evade (frames +X per level)	Nergigante armor, Evasion Jewel	Evade Extender, Evasion Mantle	Survival / i-frame dodging
Evade Extender	3	Increases evade distance (moderate)	Kushala armor, Evade Jewel	Evade Window, Mobility	Lance, Gunlance, HBG
Guard	5	Reduces knockback and stamina drain when guarding (levels reduce chip damage)	Barroth armor, Guard Jewel	Guard Up, Guard skills	Lance, Gunlance, Charge Blade, SnS
Guard Up	1	Allows blocking of normally unblockable attacks (e.g., Teostra nova)	Uragaan set bonus, Shield Jewel	Guard, any shield weapon	Essential for tank builds
Offensive Guard	3	+10/20/30% attack for 12s after a successful guard (timing matters)	Diablos armor, Offensive Guard Jewel	Guard, Counter-style weapons	Lance, Charge Blade, Gunlance
Flinch Free	3	Prevents flinching from small attacks (Lv1: wind up resistance)	Vaal Hazak armor, Brace Jewel	Teammate protection / multiplayer	Multiplayer / cluster bombs
Tremor Resistance	3	Negates tremors (Lv3: full immunity)	Radobaan armor, Tremor Res Jewel	Versus monsters that cause tremors (e.g., Uragaan)	Situational
Windproof	5	Reduces wind pressure effects	Kushala Daora armor, Wind Resist Jewel	Versus wind monsters (Kushala, Legiana)	Kushala Daora fights
Earplugs	5	Negates roars (Lv5: all roars)	Bazelgeuse armor, Earplug Jewel	Any weapon that hates interruptions	General QoL; great for glaive, GS
Stun Resistance	3	Reduces stun duration / prevents stun	Rathian armor, Stun Resist Jewel	Combat recovery	Prevent stunlock deaths
Paralysis Resistance	3	Reduces paralysis duration / immunity at Lv3	Hornetaur armor, Paralyzer Jewel	Versus paralysis monsters (e.g., Great Girros)	Situational
Sleep Resistance	3	Reduces sleep duration / immunity at Lv3	Radobaan armor, Sleep Resist Jewel	Versus sleep monsters (e.g., Radobaan)	Situational
Blast Resistance	3	Prevents blastblight	Anjanath armor, Blast Resist Jewel	Tempered Bazelgeuse	Versus blast monsters
Fire/Ice/Water/Thunder/Dragon Resistance	3	Increases elemental resistance, reduces blight buildup/infliction	Respective armor, Elemental Resist Jewel	Builds vs. specific element monsters	Always good to have 20+ to negate blight
Effluvia Resistance	3	Negates effluvia (Vaal Hazak’s health drain)	Vaal Hazak armor, Effluvia Res Jewel	Health Boost, Recovery Speed	Vs Vaal Hazak
Poison Resistance	3	Prevents poison buildup / immunity at Lv3	Pukei-Pukei armor, Antidote Jewel	Versus poison monsters	Situational
Blight Resistance	3	Prevents all elemental blights at Lv3	Namielle armor, Blight Res Jewel	General defense	Useful against multiple elements
Recovery Up	3	Increases healing from items and skills (1.1/1.2/1.3x)	Odogaron armor, Recovery Jewel	Health Augment, Wide Range	Supports, aggressive healers
Recovery Speed	3	Increases natural health recovery speed (2x/3x/4x)	Vaal Hazak armor, Recover Jewel	Health Augment, Peak Performance	Passive healing builds
Health Boost	3	+15/30/50 max health (stacks with food)	Anjanath armor, Vitality Jewel	Defense Boost, Survival	Essential for survivability
Defense Boost	7	Increases defense (+10 per lv, +5% at Lv7)	Ingot armor, Defense Jewel	Health Boost, Divine Blessing	General survival, early game
Divine Blessing	5	Chance to reduce damage taken by 30/50/60% (trigger % per level)	Legiana armor, Protection Jewel	Health Boost, Defense	Excellent survival skill
Fortify	2	+10% attack and +15% defense per cart (up to 2 times)	Gajau armor, Fortify Jewel	Heroics, Survival	Solo harder hunts, multi-cart runs
Botany	4	Increases herb yield, etc.	Various	---	Gathering
Geologist	3	Extra gather from bonepiles, etc.	Various	---	Expeditions
Honey Hunter	1	Gets honey from beehives	---	---	Free honey
Pro Transporter	2	Faster item transport	---	---	Cargo missions
Forager’s Luck	--	More rare gathering	---	---	Endemic life

1.5 Set Bonus Skills

Some armors provide set bonuses when wearing 2, 3, or more pieces. These are not stand-alone skills but active when the set condition is met.

Bonus	Required Pieces	Effect	Example Armor
Master’s Touch	3	Critical hits don’t consume sharpness	Teostra
True Master’s Touch	4	Same, higher trigger? (Iceborne)	Teostra Essence? Actually from Teostra Gamma?
Element Acceleration	3	Increases elemental damage over time	Namielle
Critical Element	3 (Velkhana)	Elemental crits	Velkhana
True Critical Element	4 (Silver Rathalos)	Higher elemental crit	Silver Rathalos
Garuga Greaves not a set
Spare Shot	3 (Xeno’jiiva)	20% chance to not consume ammo	Xeno
True Spare Shot	5 (Safi’jiiva)	30% chance?	Safi
Razor Sharp	2 (Drachen for IG?)	Halves sharpness loss (not in base)	Drachen set from Behemoth
Safi’jiiva Set	3/5	Drain HP for affinity	Safi’jiiva
Frostcraft	4	Charge gauge that boosts attack when sheathed	Velkhana

| Resentment is not a set bonus but a skill.

> Set bonuses are vast; for a full list see in-game armor set details.

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2. Weapon-Specific Moves (Special Abilities)

Each weapon has unique moves and combos that are effectively its skills. Below is a concise breakdown for each of the 14 weapons.

2.1 Great Sword

Charged Slash: Hold Triangle to charge; levels 1-3 cause more damage. Use on openings.

Tackle: Circle during charge to cancel with hyper armor. Great for ignoring roars.

True Charged Slash: After two charged slashes or a shoulder tackle, follow up with a massive TCS. Highest single-hit damage in game.

Slinger Burst: Aim slinger while weapon drawn to stagger monster and follow up with a fast TCS.

Combos: Tackle > TCS, or Charged Slash > Strong Charged Slash > TCS.

2.2 Longsword

Spirit Blade: Triangle sequence builds Spirit Gauge.

Foresight Slash: RT + B (R2+O). Evade with precise timing to counter and raise gauge.

Spirit Helm Breaker: After reaching Red Spirit Gauge, use RT+B to leap and slash. Consumes gauge but deals high damage.

Special Sheathe: (Iceborne) Hold RT after a move to sheathe, then use RT for Iai Slash (timed counter) or RT+R2 for Iai Spirit Slash (damage).

Combos: Foresight > Spirit Blade > Helm Breaker, Iai counter loops.

2.3 Sword & Shield

Perfect Rush: (Iceborne) After a Backstep, press Y+B to perform a combo with iframes. Deals massive damage if timing is perfect.

Falling Bash: After a jumping slash or backstep, press Y to perform a shield bash that can stun.

Clawryuken: Slinger burst while weapon drawn to clutch claw.

Combos: Triangle > Circle > Backstep > Perfect Rush is main DPS.

2.4 Dual Blades

Demon Mode: R2 (RT) activates demon gauge. Attacks use stamina but deal more damage and grant new moves.

Archdemon Mode: When demon gauge fills, you enter a state with enhanced moves even outside Demon Mode.

Demon Flurry: In Demon Mode, mash Triangle for rapid slashing.

Spinning Slash: Circle after certain moves to spin and close distance.

Combos: Demon Flurry > Heavenly Blade Dance (when gauge full with R2+B) or Triangle+Circle for a lunging attack.

2.5 Hammer

Charge Attack: Hold R2 to charge; moves have different properties at levels 1-3.

Big Bang: After a charged stop, press Circle 5 times for a massive combo.

Spinning Bludgeon: Level 2 charge moving attack that can be followed with a powerful slam.

Sliding Attack: While sliding, press Y to perform a sliding hammer spin that can mount.

Combos: Level 3 charge (golf swing) is good for KO; Big Bang on downed monsters.

2.6 Hunting Horn

Perform/Encore: R2 to play a note sequence (three notes max). Press R2 again to play a melody; press again for encore that extends effects.

Recital: While weapon drawn, press R2 to play stored songs.

Self-Improvement: One song gives movement speed up and mind’s eye (no bounce).

Echo Note: (Iceborne) L2+Triangle/Circle for different damage songs.

Combos: Rotate notes for desired buffs (Attack Up XL, Defense Up, etc.). Use Perform on monster head for KO.

2.7 Lance

Charge: R2+Triangle+X to sprint with weapon forward; can jump.

Counter Thrust: Hold R2 and press Triangle after taking a hit to counter.

Power Guard: R2 + B then R2 again to enter a stronger guard that can pivot.

Clutch Counter: (Iceborne) During a guard, press L2 to clutch claws and counter.

Combos: Triangle x3 triple thrust, then hop; countering monster attacks.

2.8 Gunlance

Shelling: Press Circle to fire shells (ignore armor, fixed damage). Options: Normal (more shells), Long (range), Wide (damage).

Wyrmstake Blast: (Iceborne) R2+Triangle+Circle after a shell to attach a stake that explodes with further attacks.

Wyvernfire: R2+Triangle+Circle when not out. High damage, long cooldown.

Full Burst: After a slam attack, press Triangle+Circle to fire all loaded shells.

Combos: Shell > Shell > Wyrmstake > Full Burst > Wyvernfire.

2.9 Switch Axe

Sword Mode: R2 to morph from axe to sword. Sword has phial effects (power, element, exhaust).

Zero Sum Discharge: (Iceborne) When in sword mode, press Circle+B to latch onto monster and discharge phials.

Element Discharge: Triangle+Circle in sword mode to discharge (consumes phials).

Combos: Axe: Triangle x3 or Circle for wild swing; Morph to sword, use sword combos, then discharge.

2.10 Charge Blade

Phial Management: Store phials (Circle in sword mode), then transfer to shield (R2+Triangle).

Super Amped Element Discharge (SAED): When shield is charged with phials, press R2+Triangle+Circle to unleash massive explosion.

Axe Hopper: (Iceborne) In axe mode, press R2+Circle to leap and strike, can mount.

Guard Points: Certain sword-to-axe morphs have guard points that allow counter with SAED.

Combos: Sword: Triangle x3, store phials, morph to axe, SAED.

2.11 Insect Glaive

Kinsect: L2 to aim, R2 to send kinsect. Extract buffs from monster body parts (Red: attack, Orange: defense, White: speed, Green: heal).

Vault: R2+X to jump, can dodge and attack mid-air.

Air Combos: Triangle mid-air for slashes, Circle for a descending thrust.

Diving Wyvern: (Iceborne) While jumping, press Triangle+Circle to plunge down with massive damage.

Combos: Ground combo: Triangle x3, then Circle for a tornado slash. Air: Vault > Triangle > Diving Wyvern.

2.12 Light Bowgun

Wyvernblast: Place mines on ground that explode when hit by attacks.

Special Ammo: Some guns have Wyvernblast, others have other specials.

Rapid Fire: Some guns fire multiple shots per bullet.

Slide Reload: (Iceborne) While sliding, press reload to reload and keep moving.

Combos: Use normal/pierce/spread ammos, place mines, keep distance.

2.13 Heavy Bowgun

Wyvernheart: Continuous rapid fire (spread).

Wyvernsnipe: Single piercing shot that hits multiple times.

Wyvern Ammo: Single high-damage explosive shot.

Shield Mod: Equip shield mod to auto-block some attacks.

Combos: Use spread/cluster/sticky, deploy wyvernsnipe, reload with evade reload (Iceborne).

2.14 Bow

Charging: Hold R2 to charge arrows; three charge levels.

Power Shot: After a charged shot, press Circle for a stronger shot costing stamina.

Dragon Piercer: R2+Circle for a long-range piercing shot (slow).

Thousand Dragons: (Iceborne) L2+Circle after equipping slinger ammo to fire a spread of arrows with ammo.

Combos: Charge > Power Shot > Power Shot (spread), or charge > Dragon Piercer on long openings.

3. Recommended Skill Builds

3.1 All-Purpose Melee DPS

Key Skills: Attack Boost 7, Critical Eye 7, Weakness Exploit 3, Critical Boost 3, Agitator 5, Health Boost 3.

Weapons: Any melee with high raw.

Set Example: Teostra Head/Body/Arms (Master’s Touch), Garuga Legs, and a combo piece.

3.2 Elemental Bow Build

Key Skills: Elemental Attack 6 of chosen element, Critical Element (Silver Rath set), Critical Eye 7, Weakness Exploit 3, Bow Charge Plus, Constitution 3-5, Stamina Surge.

Weapon: Bow of that element.

3.3 Tank/Lance Build

Key Skills: Guard 5, Guard Up, health Boost 3, Divine Blessing, Offensive Guard.

Weapon: Lance or Gunlance.

3.4 Support Horn Build

Key Skills: Wide Range 5, Speed Eating, Free Meal, Mushroommancer (if using mushrooms), Horn Maestro (for Hunting Horn).

Weapon: Hunting Horn with Attack Up L.

3.5 Status/Sleep Build

Key Skills: Sleep Attack 3, Status Trigger (for Bowguns), etc.

4. When to Use Each Skill

Offensive skills: Always prioritize if you are comfortable with monster.

Defensive skills (Health Boost, Divine Blessing): Recommended for learning fights or difficult content.

Utility skills (Earplugs, Stun Resistance): Use when specific monster behaviors hinder your play.

Elemental skills: Essential for elemental weapons (Bow, DB, LBG, elemental CB).

Set bonuses: Plan builds around set bonuses like Master’s Touch for sharpness management.

> Finally: Skills in Monster Hunter: World are highly customizable. Experiment with different combinations to suit your playstyle and the monster you face. Use the in-game armor set builder or online tools to optimize.

This guide covers all available skills and weapon moves. Happy hunting!