A practical all-round starting choice in Monster Hunter Wilds is a mixed set: Chainmail Headgear, Chainmail Vest, Chainmail Gloves, Leather Belt, and Hope Greaves. PC Gamer’s recommendation combines early gathering skills with a modest amount of damage mitigation. It is a useful default—not a universally best set. Choose more defense, a preferred look, or weapon-focused skills instead if those matter more to you.
Which starting armor should you choose?
Use the mixed set if you want a balance of gathering utility and basic protection:
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Monster Hunter Wilds Steelbook | $34.62 | Buy on Amazon |
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Monster Hunter Wilds Standard Edition for Playstation 5 | $24.05 | Buy on Amazon |
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Monster Hunter Wilds | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X|S Digital | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Chainmail Headgear
- Chainmail Vest
- Chainmail Gloves
- Leather Belt
- Hope Greaves
PC Gamer says this combination provides Geologist level three, Botanist level one, and Divine Blessing level one. Geologist and Botanist support gathering, while Divine Blessing offers some damage mitigation. The recommendation is editorial guidance, not an official Capcom best-in-slot ruling. PC Gamer’s armor guide has the underlying piece and skill details.
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Choose based on what you need most
If you want more help gathering
Stick with the mixed set. Its gathering skills can be useful while you collect materials for crafting, and it still includes Divine Blessing level one.
#1 Best Overall
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Players can also now ride atop the Seikret, an agile new mount enabling hunters to traverse difficult terrain, perform actions like sharpening weapons on the move, and switch between two weapons while out on hunts!
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
If staying alive is your priority
PC Gamer describes a more defensive alternative: Hope Mail, Hope Vambraces, and Hope Greaves for three levels of Divine Blessing, paired with Chainmail Headgear and a Leather Belt for Geologist and Botanist. This trades the mixed set’s balance for a stronger emphasis on Divine Blessing; it does not establish a specific numerical reduction in damage.
If appearance matters more
Pick the early pieces you like. Starting armor is temporary, and the cited guide treats looks as a reasonable priority while performance demands are modest. You do not need to delay the campaign to craft a complete matching set.
Rank #2
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
How much should you craft before moving on?
Keep the early investment modest. PlayStation’s Monster Hunter Wilds Starter’s Guide notes that one hunt rarely supplies every resource needed for additional armor sets and weapon upgrades. That is a reason to gather more when you want a particular upgrade—not a requirement to grind before continuing.
Recommended Free Tools
- After clearing an Assignment, check Alma’s quest board for Optional Quests against the same monster if you need more of its materials.
- Collect resources during hunts and use them in the crafting menu. Materials in storage are available there when you are in a tent.
- Craft only the pieces that address an immediate need; revisit your armor as new monsters and materials become available.
Why later armor advice may not fit a new hunter
Armor priorities change as you progress. GameSpot’s February 28, 2025 guide recommends Guardian Ebony and Guardian Arkveld as later Low Rank options, after Guardian-type monsters enter the campaign. Its examples include Guardian Ebony’s Burst skill and four-piece set bonus, and Guardian Arkveld’s Flayer skill and wound-related healing benefits. These are progression choices, not starting armor. See GameSpot’s armor guide for that later-stage context.
Builds can also depend on your weapon. Icy Veins’ Low Rank Great Sword example uses Doshaguma pieces with a Chatacabra Coil and skills including Free Meal and Critical Draw. That illustrates why weapon-specific build advice should not automatically be treated as a universal beginner set. Icy Veins’ Great Sword build guide is aimed at that weapon, not every new hunter.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
A quick decision guide
- Want a balanced start: Chainmail Headgear, Chainmail Vest, Chainmail Gloves, Leather Belt, and Hope Greaves.
- Want to emphasize Divine Blessing: Hope Mail, Hope Vambraces, and Hope Greaves, plus Chainmail Headgear and Leather Belt.
- Prefer a different look: choose the early armor you like and replace it as your needs change.
- Following a weapon build: check that it is intended for your weapon and your stage of progression.
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