Rise Charge Blade Builds (PC and Switch Current Patch)

Update History

1/29/2022: (Re)added Thunder build.

1/24/2022: Added Skaltecore (Dragon Element) builds.

1/16/2022: Added Rajang Ultra Counter (Better Charm) build.

1/12/2022: Added some pre-HR40 builds as a stepping stone for players that are lategame Hub but can't make Tenderizer/Critical decorations.

5/27/2021: Added Nargacuga Dragonheart Spinning Axe build.

5/4/2021: Added Araknablade build.

4/30/2021: Added Tigrex Axe Hopper and Ultra Counter builds.

4/29/2021: Updated builds for 2.0. Split Impact builds into All Purpose, Spinning Axe, and Ultra Counter builds. Ele builds pending.

4/16/2021: Added Thunder and Fire builds.

4/7/2021: Replaced Goss Harag all-purpose build with Narga all-purpose. Added some enhanced builds using Weakness Exploit 2 talismans.

4/5/2021: Added Dragonsong build

4/4/2021: Changed Spinning Axe to use Attack Boost 7

4/1/2021: Added Bludgeoner Rajang builds

3/30/2021: Created page and added progression builds and some basic endgame builds. More builds soon.

Previous Revisions

FAQ

Q: What does "2-2-0 or equivalent" mean for talisman?

A: This means that the build can be created using any talisman with 2 level 2 slots (or 1 level 3 and 1 level 2). Additionally, you can use any talisman where decorations in the build can be substituted by skill levels on the talisman. For example, if the build needs 2 or more Attack jewel and 2 or more Blunt jewel, your talisman could be 2-2-0, or Attack Boost 1 2-0-0, or Attack Boost 2 0-0-0, or Bludgeoner 2 0-0-0, or Attack Boost 1 Bludgeoner 1 0-0-0, etc.

Q: I can't find X armor at the blacksmith

A: Some armor pieces have different names depending on your character's gender. These include Utsushi/Channeler and Skalda/Spio as the most commonly used.

Q: I still can't find Skalda/Spio armor at the blacksmith

A: You need to get Quality Stomach from Altaroth (small monster) in HR. Also, you need a Toxic Kumori to craft it which is a random bonus material from Argosy Buddy Trading while trading for Herbs or other items with a fish icon next to them.

Q: Why Rapid Morph?

A: Rapid Morph speeds up ALL actions that involve changing from Sword or Axe or Axe to Sword. Notably, this includes Condensed Spinning Slash and the first half of AED/SAED (up to when the shield is behind the character's head). It doesn't increase the damage of AED/SAED. It's a quality-of-life skill for all CB builds, but is not a required/core skill for CB. See here for a video showing the exact speed difference for RM3 vs RM0.

Q: Why Load Shells?

A: Load Shells is basically the replacement for Focus in World. At level 2 Load Shells, it functions like Load Up in MHGU, meaning reloading at yellow phial outlines fills all your phials. This is a good choice for CB builds besides those using Condensed Spinning Slash or Counter Peak Performance extensively.

Q: How much Guard should I use?

A: (Updated 4/8/2021) In the current state of the game I recommend running 0 or 1 Guard, 0 being the default. If monsters' attacks deal too much knockback, you can use Counter Peak Performance or simply super armor with Advancing Morph, or fade back and counter with Axe Hopper, etc. Some monsters I would recommend Guard 1 for are Zinogre, Diablos, and Magnamalo.

Q: Do Offensive Guard and Rapid Morph work with Counter Peak Performance?

A: Yes, a well-timed CPP will activate Offensive Guard, and morphing follow-ups from CPP will benefit from Rapid Morph.

Q: Does Counter Peak Performance let you block unblockable moves?

A: No, you still need Guard Up if you want to block unblockable moves (some lasers, gas, etc).

Q: Which level 1 decorations should I use?

A: Speed Sharpening, Flinch Free, Free Meal, Stun Resistance are all fine choices. For elemental builds, the corresponding element attack decorations should be used.

Q: Does Bombardier affect phial damage?

A: The armor skill "Bombardier" does not, but the Dango skill "Dango Bombardier" does, for Impact Phials only.

Progression Builds

Early Low Rank

Weapon

Wind Thief Sickle I/II

(Izuchi tree)

Switch Skills

Anything works

Skills

Critical Eye 4

Artillery 1

Armor

Izuchi

Izuchi

Rhenoplos

Izuchi

Lagombi

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Mid-Late Low Rank

Weapon

Regas Hyper / Elite Blade I

(Ore tree)

Switch Skills

Anything works

Skills

Critical Eye 5

Artillery 1

Attack Boost 1

Armor

Zinogre

Zinogre

Rhenoplos

Barioth

Ingot

Substitutions

Kadachi and Nargacuga torso armor can also be used.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Early High Rank

Weapon

Elite Blade II

(Ore tree)

Switch Skills

Anything works

Skills

Critical Eye 5

Weakness Exploit 2

Artillery 2

Attack Boost 2

Armor

Izuchi S

Izuchi S

Rhenoplos S

Skalda S

Ingot S

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Mid-Late High Rank

Weapon

Kaiser Blade

(Ore tree)

Switch Skills

Anything works

Skills

Critical Eye 4

Weakness Exploit 3

Artillery 2

Attack Boost 2

Armor

Zinogre S

Izuchi S

Rhenoplos S

Skalda S

Ingot S

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Nargacuga Pre-HR40

Weapon

Scream in the Night

(Nargacuga tree)

Rampage Skill

Attack Up

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Attack Boost 4

Weakness Exploit 3

Artillery 2

Critical Boost 2

Rapid Morph 2

Load Shells 2

Latent Power 1

Armor

Almudron S

Vaik S

Rhenoplos S

Skalda S

Golden

Talisman

Weakness Exploit 1

Decorations

Attack x4

Magazine x2

Any level 1 decoration x4

Substitutions

You can use Barroth S torso and Rathalos S arms to craft fewer Attack decorations (and more Artillery decos) but this loses two small slots.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Rajang Pre-HR40

Weapon

Undying Blade II

(Rajang tree)

Rampage Skill

Dulling Strike

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Attack Boost 7

Artillery 3

Bludgeoner 3

Load Shells 2

Guard 3

Guard Up 1

Armor

Bazelgeuse

Barroth S

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

2-2-0 or equivalent

Decorations

Attack x6

Blunt x3

Any level 1 decoration x1

Substitutions

Since Attack jewels are difficult to farm feel free to substitute for Slugger or Mind's Eye for now.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

All-Purpose / Axe Hopper Builds

Axe Hopper builds can double as all-purpose builds since they are basically fine for all playstyles: spinning axe, counter + SAED spam, and of course Axe Hopper. If you want to focus harder on spinning axe or grounded SAED damage, check the sections for those builds.

Nargacuga All-Purpose

4/29/2021

Weapon

Scream in the Night

(Nargacuga tree)

Rampage Skill

Attack Up

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Attack Boost 4

Weakness Exploit 3

Artillery 3

Critical Boost 3

Rapid Morph 2

Load Shells 2

Guard 1

Guard Up 1

Armor

Almudron S

Vaik S

Bazelgeuse

Anja S

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

Weakness Exploit 1

Decorations

Attack x2

Tenderizer x2

Critical x3

Magazine x1

Artillery x1

Any level 1 decoration x3

Substitutions

Talisman is extremely flexible, it can have any of the skills you are filling using decorations. Higher skill level talismans allow adding more Attack Boost.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Nargacuga All-Purpose Guard 3

4/29/2021

Weapon

Scream in the Night

(Nargacuga tree)

Rampage Skill

Attack Up

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Attack Boost 4

Weakness Exploit 3

Artillery 3

Critical Boost 3

Load Shells 2

Guard 3

Guard Up 1

Armor

Bazelgeuse

Vaik S

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

Weakness Exploit 1

Decorations

Attack x4

Tenderizer x2

Critical x3

Any level 1 decoration x1

Substitutions

Higher skill level talismans allow adding more Attack Boost.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Rajang Axe Hopper

5/27/2021

Weapon

Ikaji Immortal

(Rajang tree)

Rampage Skill

Dulling Strike

Switch Skills

Either

Counter Morph Slash

Axe Hopper

Skills

Attack Boost 4

Weakness Exploit 3

Artillery 3

Bludgeoner 3

Load Shells 2

Guard 3

Guard Up 1

Armor

Bazelgeuse

Vaik S

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

2-2-0 or equivalent

Decorations

Attack x4

Tenderizer x3

Blunt x3

Any level 1 decoration x1

Notes

Compared to Narga, about 28% more phial damage for about 9% less physical damage (also you basically never need to sharpen).

Substitutions

Higher skill level talismans allow adding more Attack Boost. If desired, you can drop Weakness Exploit or some Attack Boost for Mind's Eye 3 which can be good against some monsters. If using Mind's Eye 3, use Tigrex S arms instead of Bazelgeuse (you will lose Guard Up 1).

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Tigrex All-Purpose

5/27/2021

Weapon

Tigrex Blade

(Tigrex tree)

Rampage Skill

Silkbind Boost

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Attack Boost 4

Critical Eye 4

Weakness Exploit 3

Artillery 3

Load Shells 2

Guard 1

Guard Up 1

Armor

Flame Seal

Vaik S

Bazelgeuse

Anja S

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

Weakness Exploit 1

Decorations

Attack x2

Tenderizer x2

Magazine x1

Artillery x1

Any level 1 decoration x4

Notes

Compared to Narga, about 10% more phial damage and about the same physical damage on Axe Hopper (i.e with Silkbind Boost). However, it's a bit weaker outside of Axe Hopper and it reaches green sharpness much more easily than Narga.

Substitutions

Higher skill level talismans allow adding more Attack Boost.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Spinning Axe Builds

Spinning Axe builds get rid of everything that is not physical damage to maximize Condensed Spinning Slash damage, which you should keep active basically at all times. This playstyle is good for monsters with high physical hitzones or those that seem like they don't have openings large enough for Axe Hopper / SAED.

Nargacuga Spinning Axe

5/27/2021

Weapon

Scream in the Night

(Nargacuga tree)

Rampage Skill

Any

Switch Skills

Condensed Spinning Slash

Either

Counter Peak Performance

Skills

Attack Boost 6

Weakness Exploit 3

Critical Boost 3

Master's Touch 3

Critical Eye 2

Rapid Morph 2

Armor

Almudron S

Vaik S

Rathalos S

Anja S

Ingot S

Talisman

2-2-0 or equivalent

Decorations

Tenderizer x3

Critical x3

Mastery x3

Any level 1 decoration x4

Notes

The decorations for this build are pretty demanding so you may want to check out the Pre-HR40 Nargacuga build.

Substitutions

At HR100, you can replace Rathalos S arms with Valstrax for more defense and Dragonheart 1.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Nargacuga Dragonheart

5/27/2021

Weapon

Scream in the Night

(Nargacuga tree)

Rampage Skill

Attack Up or Affinity Up

Switch Skills

Condensed Spinning Slash

Either

Counter Peak Performance

Skills

Dragonheart 5

Attack Boost 4

Resuscitate 3

Resentment 3

Weakness Exploit 3

Master's Touch 3

Critical Boost 2

Armor

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Talisman

Attack Boost 3

Decorations

Mastery x3

Critical x2

Attack x1

Any level 1 decoration x3

Notes

Extremely high damage output when all the conditional skills are active. Being below 80% hp will activate Dragonheart and Resuscitate, and Resentment will be active while you have red HP damage. Not recommended for multiplayer or if you have pets with healing skills.

Substitutions

Better talisman allows getting the 3rd point of Critical Boost. With a worse talisman, you may want to drop Master's Touch and use Protective Polish, or drop Attack Boost instead of Critical Boost.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Ultra Counter Builds

This playstyle focuses on countering and punishing monster's attacks using SAED and AED. Phial damage is maximized using Artillery, Offensive Guard, and Counter Morph Slash. This isn't suitable for all monsters as it requires a decent window of time to perform the counter without being punished yourself.

Rajang Ultra Counter

5/27/2021

Weapon

Ikaji Immortal

(Rajang tree)

Rampage Skill

Dulling Strike

Switch Skills

Condensed Element Slash

Counter Morph Slash

Counter Peak Performance

Skills

Attack Boost 7

Offensive Guard 3

Artillery 3

Bludgeoner 3

Guard 1

Defense Boost 1

Armor

Barroth S

Vaik S

Rathalos S

Anja S

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

Bludgeoner 2

Decorations

Attack x2

Guardian x2

Artillery x1

Blunt x1

Any level 1 decoration x4

Substitutions

Rapid Morph instead of some points of Attack can be considered.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Rajang Ultra Counter (Better Charm)

1/16/2022

Weapon

Ikaji Immortal

(Rajang tree)

Rampage Skill

Dulling Strike

Switch Skills

Condensed Element Slash

Counter Morph Slash

Counter Peak Performance

Skills

Attack Boost 5

Offensive Guard 3

Artillery 3

Bludgeoner 3

Rapid Morph 3

Load Shells 2

Guard 1

Guard Up 1

Armor

Almudron

Vaik S

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

Bludgeoner 2, 3-2-0

Decorations

Attack x5

Guardian x3

Artillery x1

Blunt x1

Quickswitch x1

Any level 1 decoration x1

Substitutions

With an even better charm, try getting to 7 Attack Boost.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Tigrex Ultra Counter

4/30/2021

Weapon

Tigrex Blade

(Tigrex tree)

Rampage Skill

Attack up

Switch Skills

Either

Counter Morph Slash

Counter Peak Performance

Skills

Attack Boost 6

Weakness Exploit 3

Offensive Guard 3

Artillery 3

Guard 1

Defense Boost 1

Armor

Barroth S

Vaik S

Rathalos S

Anja S

Bazelgeuse

Talisman

Weakness Exploit 1

Decorations

Guardian x2

Tenderizer x2

Attack x1

Artillery x1

Any level 1 decoration x5

Substitutions

With a god charm (ex. Bludgeoner 3, 2-0-0) you could consider picking up Weakness Exploit 3.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Endgame Elemental Builds

Araknablade

5/4/2021

Weapon

Araknablade

(Rakna-Kadaki tree)

Rampage Skill

Attack up or Fire up

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Fire Attack 5

Attack Boost 4

Critical Eye 4

Weakness Exploit 3

Critical Boost 3

Master's Touch 3

Teostra Blessing 2

Rapid Morph 2

Armor

Almudron S

Kaiser

Kaiser

Anja S

Ingot S

Talisman

2-2-0 or equivalent

Decorations

Blaze x5

Critical x2

Tenderizer x3

Mastery x2

Any level 1 decoration x1

Notes

Compared to Tigrex, about 12% less physical damage for 9% more phial damage.

Substitutions

Levels of Critical and Mastery can be swapped for Protective Polish, Guard, Load Shells, etc.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Skaltecore

1/24/2022

Weapon

Skaltecore

(Valstrax tree)

Rampage Skill

Wyvern Exploit

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Critical Eye 7

Attack Boost 6

Dragon Attack 5

Weakness Exploit 3

Critical Boost 3

Dragonheart 1

Critical Element 1

Armor

Kaiser

Rhopessa S

Crimson Valstrax

Anja S

Ingot S

Talisman

2-2-0 or equivalent

Decorations

Dragon x4

Critical x2

Attack x2

Tenderizer x1

Notes

Compared to Tigrex, about 12% less physical damage for 9% more phial damage.

Substitutions

Levels of Critical and Mastery can be swapped for Protective Polish, Guard, Load Shells, etc.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Skaltecore Dragonheart

1/24/2022

Weapon

Skaltecore

(Valstrax tree)

Rampage Skill

Valstrax Soul

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Dragonheart 5

Dragon Attack 5

Critical Eye 3

Resuscitate 3

Resentment 3

Weakness Exploit 3

Critical Boost 3

Armor

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Crimson Valstrax

Talisman

2-2-0 or equivalent

Decorations

Dragon x5

Critical x3

Expert x3

Notes

Compared to Tigrex, about 12% less physical damage for 9% more phial damage.

Substitutions

Levels of Critical and Mastery can be swapped for Protective Polish, Guard, Load Shells, etc.

Copy build card to clipboard as image

Thunder

1/29/2022

Weapon

Despot's Thundergale

(Zinogre tree)

Rampage Skill

Thunder Boost II

Switch Skills

Pick your favorites

Skills

Critical Eye 7

Attack Boost 6

Thunder Attack 5

Weakness Exploit 3

Critical Boost 3

Armor

Kaiser

Vaik S

Rathalos S

Anja S

Ingot S

Talisman

2-2-0 or equivalent

Decorations

Bolt x5

Tenderizer x3

Critical x2

Expert x2

Notes

Compared to Tigrex, about 12% less physical damage for 9% more phial damage.

Substitutions

Weapon can be changed to Die Walküre for more elemental damage but less physical damage. You can also use Anti-aquatic Rampage Skill vs some monsters like Somnacanth.

Copy build card to clipboard as image