How to Upgrade Defender Weapons in MHW?
Monster Hunter: World (MHW) offers a vast array of Defender Weapons, each with its unique abilities and upgrade potential. Upgrading your Defender Weapons is crucial to boost their performance and overcome increasingly challenging monsters. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to upgrade Defender Weapons in MHW, from the basics to advanced tips and strategies.
Defender Weapon Basics
Before diving into the upgrade process, it’s essential to understand the basics of Defender Weapons. Defender Weapons are special weapons that are bound to a specific weapon and can only be upgraded at the Smithy using Smithing Stones. These weapons have unique abilities and requirements, which are highlighted in the weapon’s description. Defender Weapons require a specific amount of ore and materials to craft or upgrade, which can be obtained by completing quests, exploring the world, and defeating monsters.
Gathering Materials
The first step in upgrading Defender Weapons is gathering the required materials. Ore, Gemstones, Augmentations, and Other Materials are essential for upgrading your weapons. You can obtain these materials by:
• Completing quests and missions
• Exploring the world, including caves, ruins, and other areas
• Defeating monsters and gathering rewards
• Trading with NPCs and other players
Here’s a table highlighting some of the common materials you’ll need:
| Material | Uses | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Ore | Required for crafting and upgrading weapons | Complete quests, explore caves, and defeat monsters |
| Gemstones | Increases weapon stats, provides abilities | Found in caves, ruins, and from rewarded monsters |
| Augmentations | Enhances weapon abilities | Crafted with specific materials, or found as rewards |
| Other Materials | Used for crafting specific items | Found in treasures, or crafted with Ore and other materials |
Upgrading Defender Weapons
Now that you have gathered the required materials, you can start upgrading your Defender Weapons. Defender Weapons can be upgraded in two ways: En Grade and Augmentation. En Grade upgrades enhance your weapon’s base stats, while Augmentation adds special abilities and effects.
- En Grade Upgrade: Requires Ore, Gemstones, and Other Materials to upgrade your weapon’s base stats. You can use the Smithy’s Upgrade Menu to see the available upgrade paths for your weapon.
- Augmentation: Requires specific Augmentations, Ore, and Gemstones to add special abilities to your weapon. You can see the available Augmentation slots for your weapon by inspecting it at the Smithy.
Tips and Strategies
- Prioritize Upgrade Order: Focus on upgrading the most critical stats or abilities first, such as crit chance, crit damage, or elemental resistance.
- Use Augmentations Wisely: Consider the available Augmentation slots on your weapon and prioritize them based on your playstyle and the monster’s strengths.
- Experiment with Combos: Try different combination of En Grade upgrades and Augmentations to create unique weapon builds.
- Save Your Materials: Plan ahead and save your most valuable materials for later, as you never know what new weapons or upgrade paths might become available.
- Join a Hunt Team: Join a group with experienced hunters to get a feel for different playstyles, strategies, and weapon builds.
- Keep Your Shield Up: Don’t underestimate the importance of shield buffs and debuffs; using the right shield at the right time can greatly affect the outcome of a fight.
Conclusion
Upgrading Defender Weapons in MHW requires a combination of skill, strategy, and luck. By understanding the basic mechanics, gathering materials, and experimenting with different builds, you can unlock your weapon’s full potential. Remember to prioritize upgrade order, use Augmentations wisely, and stay patient as you progress through the game. With time and practice, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master of defense in the world of MHW.
