TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Greatsword
- Longsword
- Dual Blades
- Hammer
- Hunting Horn
- Lance
- Gunlance
- Switch Axe
- Charge Blade
- Insect Glaive
- Bow
- Light Bowgun
- Heavy Bowgun
INTRODUCTION
This page offers progression guides for all weapons in Iceborne from the beginning of Master Rank up to the early endgame. For further progression through the endgame (R. Brachy/Kulve/Safi > Fatalis), please report to the meta compilations linked at the end of each guide.
All the builds in this page are “poverty”, i.e. they strive to only make use of craftable gear and decos. The main exception to this are decos that grant the Critical Eye skill, because they are both important for the builds and relatively easy to find.
Please read the Farming Tips page for more information on how to get decorations and festival gear.
If you want to farm Expert decos, my recommandation are the Event Quests “Flora Frostbite” and “Duffel Duty”. They are M1* gathering quests that can be completed very quickly and give you one guaranteed Ancient Feystone + 25% additional chance of get more. Every Ancient Feystone has a 5.6% chance of giving you an Expert Jewel 1 or an x/Expert Jewel 4, both of which give one level of Critical Eye. Alternatively, Steel Melding Tickets (available through Steamworks during festivals) are a good source of both Expert and Tenderizer decos.
I suggest getting at least 3 or 4 of them for all of your build purposes.
GREATSWORD
Please read the introduction first!
1*/4* – Defender Great Sword V
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
Once you reach 3*, replace the weapon with Beo Slasher II.
5* – Guild Palace Blade
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
Note: the weapon in the image is a placeholder because Guild Palace Blade wasn’t available in the builder.
6* – Royal Venus Blade
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
6* – Jagras Deathclaw II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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LONGSWORD
Please read the introduction first!
1*/3* – Defender Katana V
The set can be used through all MR as long as you upgrade your weapon ● Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
You can replace with Crimson Viperfang I once you reach 2* if you prefer a para weapon.
1*/3* – Defender Katana V (Drachen)
Significantly stronger than the previous one, but requires to farm Behemoth ● The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you’re skilled and you upgrade your weapon ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
You can replace with Crimson Viperfang I once you reach 2* if you prefer a para weapon.
4* – Wyvern Blade “Blossom”+
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
5* – Wyvern Blade “Blossom”+
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
6* – Royal Captain Rapier
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
6* – Blinding Blaze II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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SWORD AND SHIELD
Please read the introduction first!
1*/3* – Defender Warhatchet V
The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you upgrade your weapon ● Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
1*/3* – Defender Warhatchet V (Drachen)
Significantly stronger than the previous one, but requires to farm Behemoth ● The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you’re skilled and you upgrade your weapon ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
4* – Rose Highness
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
5* – Rose Highness
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
6* – Royal Nova Sword
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
6* – Saber’s Gullet II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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DUAL BLADES
Please check the excellent DB Progression Guide by Pilgrim.
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HAMMER
Please read the introduction first!
1*/3* – Baan Gavel I
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
4*/5* – Makhlab al-Nasr II
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
Note: You can get a guaranteed Attack deco by finishing the Pukei-Pukei subquest in the Witcher solo quest.
6* – Royal Cross Mace
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
6* – Makhlab al-Nasr II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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HUNTING HORN
Please read the introduction first!
1*/2* – Gama Chorus I
The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you upgrade your weapon ● Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
1*/2* – Gama Chorus I (Drachen)
Significantly stronger than the previous one, but requires to farm Behemoth ● The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you’re skilled and you upgrade your weapon.
4* – Gama Chorus II
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
5* – Gama Chorus II
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
6* – Royal Song Symphony
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Kulve Taroth/Frostfang Barioth/Alatreon > Fatalis.
6* – Gama Chorus II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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LANCE
Please read the introduction first!
1*/2* – Minqar al-Nasr I
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● You can replace Guardian/Attack with any Guardian or Guardian/x deco you have.
3*/5* – Minqar al-Nasr II
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● You can replace Guardian/Attack with any Guardian or Guardian/x deco you have.
6* – Royal Grace Pike
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
6* – Minqar al-Nasr II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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GUNLANCE
Please read the introduction first!
1*/3* – Defender Gunlance V (Wide)
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
You can replace with Chrome Halberd I if you prefer Normal shelling.
4*/5* – Highness’s Fury (Normal)
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
6* – Deathlance Vaal Spysa (Long)
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Handicraft deco instead of the recommended ones ● Use Azure Age Sleeve α+ if you don’t have a Charger deco.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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SWITCH AXE
Please read the introduction first!
1*/3* – Defender Switch Axe V
The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you upgrade your weapon ● Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
1*/3* – Defender Switch Axe V (Drachen)
Significantly stronger than the previous one, but requires to farm Behemoth ● The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you’re skilled and you upgrade your weapon ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
You can replace with Nyx Smasher I once you reach 2* if you prefer a sleep weapon.
4* – Dragonmaiden Axe+
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
5* – Dragonmaiden Axe+
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
6* – Royal Titan Axe
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
6* – Saber’s Bite II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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CHARGE BLADE
Please check the excellent CB Progression Guide by BoardwalkHotel.
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INSECT GLAIVE
Please read the introduction first!
1*/3* – Defender Glaive V
The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you upgrade your weapon ● Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
You can replace with Kadachi Vipertail I as soon as you reach 2* for a damage upgrade + paralysis.
1*/3* – Defender Glaive V (Drachen)
Significantly tronger than the previous one, but requires to farm Behemoth ● The set can be used through all MR story campaign as long as you’re skilled and you upgrade your weapon ● If you unlocked HR augments, use Affinity + Health.
You can replace with Kadachi Vipertail I as soon as you reach 2* for a damage upgrade + paralysis.
4* – Kadachi Vipertail II
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
5* – Kadachi Vipertail II
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
6* – Royal March Banner
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
6* – Diving Destroyer II (MR50)
Health augment alternative to the previous set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Raging Brachydios > Fatalis.
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BOW
Please check the excellent Bow Progression Guide by Elpsyodey.
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LIGHT BOWGUN
Please read the introduction first!
1*/2* – Defender Light Bowgun V (RF Normal 2)
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
3*/5* – Defender Light Bowgun V (RF Normal 2)
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have.
6* – Blackwing Bowgun I (Sticky 3)
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Attack deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Next Goals: Safi’jiiva > Frostfang Barioth/Alatreon > Fatalis.
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HEAVY BOWGUN
Please read the introduction first!
1*/3* – Gluttonous Fangcannon+ (Spread 2)
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● Replace Special Scope mod with Close Range mod if you’re not comfortable with the scope.
4*/5* – Gluttonous Direcannon (Spread 2)
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● Replace Special Scope mod with Close Range mod if you’re not comfortable with the scope.
4*/5* – Crimson Kadachi Lion II (Pierce 3)
Replace Crisis/Expert with any Expert or x/Expert deco you have ● Replace Special Scope mod with Close Range mod if you’re not comfortable with the scope.
6* – Mightning+ (Spread 3)
Early Guiding Lands farming set ● You can use any x/Expert deco instead of the recommended ones ● Fortify is highly recommended for a free damage boost.
Shield version: Replace 2x Close+1x Special mods with 3x Shield mods and Brachydios Helm β+ with Demonlord Hair α+.
Next Goals: Safi’jiiva > Raging Brachydios/Furious Rajang > Fatalis.
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