Master the Monster Hunter Now Great Sword: A Sleep-Focused Build Guide
The Great Sword in Monster Hunter Now is a powerful weapon capable of devastating blows, but its size can make it unwieldy. This guide details a build maximizing sleep effects for massive damage.
To effectively utilize this build, you'll need to reliably put monsters to sleep. Recent updates have introduced sleep-inducing weapons, but you'll also need the right skills.
Optimal Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build
Unlike the poison-centric Long Sword, the Great Sword excels with sleep. This build requires materials from a relatively rare monster, but the majority of equipment comes from more common hunts.
Complete Great Sword Build
Item |
Effect |
Weapon |
Frilled Blade (Sleep element, Evade Extender I) |
Helmet |
Nightshade Paolumu Helmet (Rude Awakener I/II) |
Mail |
Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Mail (Status Sneak Attack, Artful Dodger) |
Vambraces |
Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Vambraces (Status Sneak Attack I/II) |
Coil |
Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Coil (Evade Extender, Status Sneak Attack) |
Greaves |
Nightshade Paolumu Greaves (Rude Awakener, Status Sneak Attack) |
Weapon Choice: Frilled Blade
The Frilled Blade is the optimal sleep-based Great Sword. Its Evade Extender skill enhances defensive maneuvers, improving survivability. Somnacanth is the source for this weapon's materials.

Helmet & Greaves: Nightshade Paolumu
These pieces, crafted from Nightmare Paolumu (introduced in a paid event), are crucial. They provide all three levels of Rude Awakener, significantly boosting damage against sleeping monsters. While less common, they appear in events and as rare spawns.
Mail, Vambraces, & Coil: Tzitzi-Ya-Ku
These components maximize Status Sneak Attack, guaranteeing sleep buildup with rear attacks. They also contribute to Evade Extender and Artful Dodger, further enhancing survivability. Tzitzi-Ya-Ku is a more readily available target.
Optimizing Driftsmelt Slots
This build offers a good number of Driftsmelt slots. Prioritize Sleep Attack (Azure) for increased sleep buildup. Alternatively, enhance dodging (Artful Dodger and Evade Extender, Azure) or rear-attack damage (Sneak Attack, Pale).
- Sleep Attack (Azure): Increases sleep buildup (50 at rank 1, 150 at rank 5).
- Sneak Attack (Pale): Increases damage from rear attacks (10% at rank 1, 30% at rank 5).
- Artful Dodger (Azure): Improves evasion.
- Evade Extender (Pale): Extends evasion distance.
This build transforms the Great Sword into a sleep-inducing powerhouse. Combine strategic positioning with devastating attacks for exceptional results.