What is the best armor set for the Great Sword?

Gore Greaves β (legs) shows up in 2 of 3 recorded Great Sword sets — the safest piece to craft first.

Which skills should I prioritise on the Great Sword?

Antivirus Lv3 is the most repeated skill (2/3 sets). Build your decoration plan around it, then fill with Focus Lv3 and Agitator Lv2.

Do the Great Sword armor pieces overlap between builds?

Yes: Gore Greaves β carry over between stages.

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Great Sword · melee · burst

Great Sword Best Armor Sets & Skills

Across every recorded Great Sword set, the most repeated armor pieces are Gore Greaves β, G. Doshaguma Braces α, Dahaad Shardbraces β. Antivirus Lv3 appears in 2 of 3 sets, which makes it the skill to plan decorations around.

early

Weakness Exploit (HR 9-34)

HR 9–34

Weapon

Quematrice Espada III

Charm

Exploiter Charm I

Armor

Head: G. Rathalos Helm β
Chest: G. Rathalos Mail β
Arms: G. Doshaguma Braces α
Waist: Ajarakan Coil β
Legs: G. Rathalos Greaves β

Activated Skills

Weakness Exploit Lv4Punishing Draw Lv2Iron Skin Lv2Part Breaker Lv2Heroics Lv1

Damage profile from Weakness Exploit Lv4: approximately 1× raw, or 1.05× against weak points (approximate model, white sharpness assumed).

mid

Dahaad/Gore Hybrid (HR 34-41+)

HR 34–41

Weapon

Stalwart Lamorak

Charm

Exploiter Charm II

Decorations

Handicraft Jewel I, Critical Jewel II, Sheath Jewel I, Sane Jewel I

Armor

Head: Dahaad Shardhelm α
Chest: Gore Mail α
Arms: Dahaad Shardbraces β
Waist: Arkvulcan Coil β
Legs: Gore Greaves β

Activated Skills

Weakness Exploit Lv5Antivirus Lv3Focus Lv3Critical Boost Lv2Agitator Lv2

Damage profile from Weakness Exploit Lv5, Critical Boost Lv2: approximately 1× raw, or 1.078× against weak points (approximate model, white sharpness assumed).

endgame

Maximum Might (Endgame)

Weapon

Artian Great Sword Varianza

Decorations

Critical Jewel II/III, Focus Jewel III, Counter Jewel II, Mighty Jewel II, Tenderizer Jewel III, Chain Jewel III, Sane Jewel I

Armor

Head: G. Fulgur Helm β
Chest: Arkvulcan Mail β
Arms: G. Fulgur Vambraces β
Waist: Gore Coil β
Legs: Gore Greaves β

Activated Skills

Critical Boost Lv5Agitator Lv5Focus Lv3Counterstrike Lv3Maximum Might Lv3Antivirus Lv3Weakness Exploit Lv2

Damage profile from Critical Boost Lv5, Weakness Exploit Lv2: approximately 1× raw, or 1.04× against weak points (approximate model, white sharpness assumed).

Core Skills Across These Sets

Skill	Appears in	Share of sets
Antivirus Lv3	2 / 3	67%
Focus Lv3	2 / 3	67%
Agitator Lv2	1 / 3	33%
Agitator Lv5	1 / 3	33%
Counterstrike Lv3	1 / 3	33%
Critical Boost Lv2	1 / 3	33%
Critical Boost Lv5	1 / 3	33%
Heroics Lv1	1 / 3	33%
Iron Skin Lv2	1 / 3	33%
Maximum Might Lv3	1 / 3	33%
Part Breaker Lv2	1 / 3	33%
Punishing Draw Lv2	1 / 3	33%
Weakness Exploit Lv2	1 / 3	33%
Weakness Exploit Lv4	1 / 3	33%
Weakness Exploit Lv5	1 / 3	33%

Most Reused Armor Pieces

Slot	Piece	Used in
Legs	Gore Greaves β	2 / 3
Arms	G. Doshaguma Braces α	1 / 3
Arms	Dahaad Shardbraces β	1 / 3
Arms	G. Fulgur Vambraces β	1 / 3
Chest	G. Rathalos Mail β	1 / 3
Chest	Gore Mail α	1 / 3
Chest	Arkvulcan Mail β	1 / 3
Head	G. Rathalos Helm β	1 / 3
Head	Dahaad Shardhelm α	1 / 3
Head	G. Fulgur Helm β	1 / 3
Legs	G. Rathalos Greaves β	1 / 3
Waist	Ajarakan Coil β	1 / 3
Waist	Arkvulcan Coil β	1 / 3
Waist	Gore Coil β	1 / 3

Great Sword Armor & Skills FAQ

What is the best armor set for the Great Sword?: Gore Greaves β (legs) shows up in 2 of 3 recorded Great Sword sets — the safest piece to craft first.
Which skills should I prioritise on the Great Sword?: Antivirus Lv3 is the most repeated skill (2/3 sets). Build your decoration plan around it, then fill with Focus Lv3 and Agitator Lv2.
Do the Great Sword armor pieces overlap between builds?: Yes: Gore Greaves β carry over between stages.