“Monster Hunter World” (MHW), developed by Capcom, has captivated millions of players worldwide since its release in January 2018. One of the game’s most significant and intricate systems is its armor, which not only provides essential protection but also enhances the player’s abilities, offering a wealth of customization options. This review delves into the various aspects of the armor system in MHW, exploring its design, functionality, and impact on gameplay.
Table of Contents
Overview of Armor in Monster Hunter World
Armor in MHW is divided into five main parts: head, chest, arms, waist, and legs. Each piece can be crafted from materials gathered from monsters and the environment. The armor is categorized by rarity, indicating its overall power and the strength of the abilities it provides. Players can mix and match pieces from different sets to create a customized build that suits their playstyle.
Armor Categories and Rarity
Armor in MHW is classified into different categories based on the materials used to craft them and the type of monsters they are derived from. The primary categories include:
- Low Rank Armor: This armor is accessible early in the game and provides basic protection and skills. It’s crafted from materials obtained from low-rank monsters and quests.
- High Rank Armor: Unlocked as players progress, this armor offers better defense and more powerful skills. It requires materials from high-rank monsters and advanced quests.
- Master Rank Armor: Introduced with the “Iceborne” expansion, Master Rank armor provides the highest defense and most potent skills, requiring materials from the toughest monsters in the game.
The rarity of armor ranges from one to twelve stars, with higher rarity indicating better overall stats and more complex skills. As players progress through the game, they aim to acquire higher rarity armor to tackle increasingly difficult challenges.
Armor Skills and Customization
One of the defining features of armor in MHW is the skill system. Each armor piece comes with specific skills that enhance various aspects of gameplay, such as attack power, defense, elemental resistance, and utility skills like faster healing or better item usage. Skills are categorized into levels, with higher levels providing more significant benefits.
Players can further customize their armor using decorations and charms. Decorations are gems that can be slotted into armor pieces, adding additional skills or enhancing existing ones. Charms are accessories worn by the hunter that provide unique skills or stat boosts. This system allows for a high degree of customization, enabling players to fine-tune their builds to suit specific monsters or playstyles.
Aesthetic and Design
The aesthetic design of the armor in MHW is one of its most celebrated aspects. Each armor set is meticulously designed to reflect the characteristics of the monster it is crafted from. For example, the armor crafted from the Rathalos, a fire-breathing wyvern, features scales and a fiery motif, while the armor from the Nergigante, an elder dragon known for its aggressive nature, has a rugged, spiked appearance.
Visual Appeal
The visual appeal of the armor sets in MHW is a significant draw for players. The designers have paid great attention to detail, ensuring that each piece is not only functional but also visually striking. The armor sets often incorporate elements from the monster they are made from, creating a sense of continuity and immersion. The variety in design also allows players to express their personal style, as they can choose armor that not only fits their needs but also looks appealing to them.
Armor Sets and Themes
The game features a plethora of armor sets, each with its unique theme and design. Some notable sets include:
- Anjanath Armor: Inspired by the ferocious Anjanath, this armor set features a rugged and primal design with a focus on strength and brute force.
- Kirin Armor: Crafted from the materials of the mystical Kirin, this armor has an elegant, ethereal design with a focus on lightning resistance and agility.
- Teostra Armor: Derived from the elder dragon Teostra, this set features a regal, flame-themed design with a focus on fire resistance and explosive power.
Each armor set not only provides specific bonuses and skills but also tells a story about the monster it came from, adding a layer of depth and lore to the game.
Functionality and Gameplay Impact
The functionality of armor in MHW extends beyond its protective capabilities. The skills and bonuses provided by armor sets can significantly impact gameplay, influencing a player’s strategy and approach to hunts.
Defense and Resistances
At its core, armor provides defense against physical attacks and elemental resistances. Different monsters have different attack patterns and elemental affinities, making it crucial for players to choose armor that offers appropriate resistances. For example, fighting a fire-breathing monster like Teostra would require armor with high fire resistance to mitigate damage.
Skills and Playstyle
Armor skills play a pivotal role in defining a player’s playstyle. Some skills enhance offensive capabilities, such as increasing attack power or critical hit chance, while others focus on defense, like boosting health regeneration or providing damage reduction. There are also utility skills that improve item usage, stamina management, or gathering efficiency.
The ability to mix and match armor pieces allows players to create hybrid builds that cater to their specific needs. For instance, a player might combine pieces from different sets to balance offensive and defensive skills, or to exploit a particular monster’s weakness.
Endgame Customization
As players reach the endgame content, the focus shifts towards fine-tuning their armor sets to tackle the most challenging monsters. This often involves farming specific monsters for rare materials needed to craft and upgrade the best armor pieces. The endgame armor sets, particularly those from elder dragons and the toughest monsters in the game, offer the most powerful skills and highest defense stats.
Decorations and charms become crucial at this stage, allowing players to further optimize their builds. The pursuit of the perfect set of armor becomes a significant part of the endgame experience, driving players to continue hunting and improving their gear.
Community and Meta
The MHW community is highly engaged in discussing and analyzing the armor system. Players often share their builds and strategies, helping each other optimize their gear for various hunts. Online forums, social media groups, and dedicated websites are filled with discussions about the best armor combinations, effective skill synergies, and efficient farming methods.
Meta Builds
In any game with deep customization, certain builds rise to prominence as the “meta.” These builds are considered the most effective for particular roles or challenges. In MHW, meta builds often revolve around maximizing damage output while maintaining survivability. Players analyze the game’s mechanics and monster behaviors to determine the most efficient combinations of armor, skills, and weapons.
Diversity and Flexibility
Despite the existence of meta builds, MHW encourages diversity and flexibility. The wide range of available skills and armor sets allows players to experiment and find builds that suit their personal preferences. While some players might prefer high-damage, glass-cannon builds, others might focus on tanky, defensive setups. The game’s design supports multiple playstyles, ensuring that no single build dominates the landscape.
Expansions and Updates
Since its release, MHW has received several updates and expansions that have introduced new monsters, armor sets, and gameplay features. The most significant expansion, “Iceborne,” added Master Rank content, pushing the boundaries of what players could achieve with their armor.
Iceborne Expansion
“Iceborne” brought a wealth of new content, including a higher tier of armor known as Master Rank. These armor sets feature even higher defense and more powerful skills, catering to the new, more challenging monsters introduced in the expansion. The new armor sets maintain the high standard of design and customization, providing players with fresh options and strategies.
Event Quests and Crossover Content
MHW has also featured numerous event quests and crossover content with other popular franchises. These events often introduce unique armor sets inspired by characters and creatures from other games, movies, and TV shows. For example, players have had the opportunity to craft armor sets based on characters from “The Witcher,” “Street Fighter,” and “Horizon Zero Dawn.”
These crossover events not only provide new and exciting armor options but also add a layer of novelty and fun to the game. They often come with special quests that challenge players in unique ways, further enriching the MHW experience.
Conclusion
The armor system in “Monster Hunter World” is a cornerstone of the game’s appeal, offering a blend of aesthetic beauty, functional depth, and strategic complexity. The variety of armor sets, skills, and customization options allows players to tailor their builds to their preferences and needs, ensuring a highly personalized gameplay experience. The detailed and thematic design of each armor set adds to the immersion and enjoyment, making every hunt feel rewarding and engaging.
Whether you are a new player just starting your journey or a seasoned hunter tackling the toughest monsters, the armor system in MHW provides endless opportunities for growth, experimentation, and satisfaction. The continuous updates and expansions keep the game fresh, ensuring that there is always something new to strive for. In summary, the armor system in “Monster Hunter World” exemplifies the game’s dedication to providing a rich, engaging, and visually stunning experience for its players.