Best Solo Builds for Monster Hunter: Wilds – Survive Without a Squad

Going solo in Monster Hunter: Wilds isn’t for the faint of heart. Without teammates to fall back on, every movement, every potion, and every strike must be perfectly timed.

The world is unforgiving, teeming with beasts that hit harder and think smarter. But with the right build, you don’t need a squad — just skill, strategy, and the right tools to carve a path through the wilds.

Whether you're a veteran hunter looking to test your mettle alone or a new player learning how to survive without relying on multiplayer, this guide breaks down the best solo builds in Monster Hunter: Wilds. Each loadout is tailored for survivability, self-sufficiency, and raw power.

Why Build Specifically for Solo Play?

Playing solo changes everything. There’s no Palico to revive you, no fellow hunters to distract the monster. You’re responsible for all damage output, dodging, healing, and support actions.

A solo build must:

• Maximize uptime and damage per second (DPS) without relying on others.
• Prioritize self-healing, evasion, and stamina management.
• Feature versatile weapons that balance damage, defense, and control.

Let’s dive into the best weapons and armor setups for true lone wolves.

1. Great Sword Survivalist Build – Raw Power, Patient Execution

Ideal For: Experienced players with strong positioning and timing.

The Great Sword remains a top pick for solo hunters due to its unmatched burst damage. In Monster Hunter: Wilds, the addition of seamless terrain transitions and unpredictable monster behaviors makes charging attacks trickier — but also more rewarding.

Key Traits:

• Devastating charged hits.
• Can sever tails and break parts efficiently.
• Requires precise timing but rewards with massive damage windows.

Build Focus:

• Weapon: High raw damage great sword with affinity boost.
• Armor Skills: Focus (charge time reduction), Quick Sheath, Evade Window, Health Regen (via augments).
• Talisman: Offensive Guard or Weakness Exploit, depending on your comfort with positioning.

Playstyle Tip: Stay behind or to the side of the monster. Fully charge your swings during knockdowns or stagger windows. Sheathe frequently to remain mobile.

2. Long Sword Ronin Build – Flow and Fluidity

Ideal For: Players who like movement, counterplay, and flair.

The Long Sword has evolved into a deadly solo weapon in Wilds. With new Spirit Slash chains and upgraded counter mechanics, it thrives in one-on-one engagements where it can freely build its Spirit Gauge and unleash the devastating Spirit Helm Breaker.

Key Traits:

• Agile, stylish, and rewarding.
• Counters allow aggressive play while staying safe.
• Scales well into endgame.

Build Focus:

• Weapon: Long sword with high affinity and elemental bonus.
• Armor Skills: Quick Sheath, Critical Eye, Protective Polish, Wirebug Whisperer (to enable frequent counters).
• Talisman: Counterstrike or Critical Boost.

Playstyle Tip: Use the counter to avoid knockdowns, then immediately transition into a Spirit combo. Constant movement is the key to survival — never stand still unless you’re finishing a combo.

3. Sword and Shield Utility Build – The Balanced Survivor

Ideal For: Players who value versatility and safety.

If you’re going in solo and don’t know what monster you’ll face, Sword and Shield is your best bet. Its quick attacks, shield blocks, and item usage flexibility (even with your weapon drawn) make it perfect for survival.

Key Traits:

• Can heal, trap, and buff without sheathing.
• Fast, consistent DPS.
• High utility with elemental builds.

Build Focus:

• Weapon: Element-based sword and shield (tailored to monster weakness).
• Armor Skills: Speed Eating, Divine Blessing, Stun Resistance, Element Attack Boost, and Wide Range (if using support items).
• Talisman: Recovery Up or Constitution.

Playstyle Tip: Use traps, bombs, and items freely. Dodge, shield, or reposition as needed. In solo play, your ability to control the pace of combat with items makes this weapon shine.

4. Light Bowgun Solo Slinger Build – Mobility Meets Ranged Control

Ideal For: Players who like kiting, positioning, and status effects.

The Light Bowgun offers unmatched agility in Monster Hunter: Wilds. When you’re solo, that speed is your lifeline. You’ll stay far from danger while constantly applying pressure with slicing rounds, status ammo, or elemental bullets.

Key Traits:

• High mobility while aiming and firing.
• Can inflict paralysis, sleep, or poison quickly.
• Excellent for breaking parts and exploiting weak zones.

Build Focus:

• Weapon: Custom modded LBG with recoil and reload upgrades.
• Armor Skills: Reload Speed, Ammo Up, Recoil Down, Evade Extender, and Elemental Attack.
• Talisman: Pierce Up or Normal Shot Up (depending on ammo type focus).

Playstyle Tip: Learn the terrain. Stay mobile and out of range, circle the monster constantly. Use traps and status ammo to control the battlefield.

5. Insect Glaive Aerial Hunter Build – Constant Motion, Constant Pressure

Ideal For: Aggressive players who want to control the sky.

The Insect Glaive gives you freedom that few other weapons can. Solo hunters benefit from the weapon’s ability to stay airborne, avoid most ground attacks, and control Kinsects for buffs and healing.

Key Traits:

• Incredible mobility.
• Access to aerial combos and mounted attacks.
• It can buff itself with Kinsect extracts.

Build Focus:

• Weapon: Glaive with high sharpness and elemental bonus.
• Armor Skills: Airborne, Stamina Surge, Evade Extender, Constitution, and Power Prolonger.
• Talisman: Element Boost or Kinsect Boost.

Playstyle Tip: Master the timing of vault attacks to stay above danger. Use your Kinsect to stagger enemies and trigger heals. This build turns the battlefield into a playground.

Picking the Right Solo Build

The best solo build isn’t just about raw damage. Survivability, flexibility, and comfort with your weapon are what really determine success in Monster Hunter: Wilds.

Choose a loadout that matches your style. If you like calculated risk and high payoff, go with Great Sword. If you're a fan of speed and control, Light Bowgun or Sword and Shield might be a better fit.

Remember: every monster behaves differently when you’re alone. They’re faster, more aggressive, and harder to trick. So pick a build that gives you room to breathe, options to adapt, and the power to finish the job without backup.

Because out there in the Wilds, the only thing between you and the grave is your gear, and how well you use it.

Ready to Hunt Alone?

Whether you're prepping for a solo campaign or just tired of waiting for matchmaking, these builds are your blueprint for survival. Master them, tweak them, and own the hunt.