Best starting armor to use in Monster Hunter Wilds

Whether you’re new to the Monster Hunter series or returning, understanding its complex armor system can be quite challenging. So, if you need some tips on choosing the right gear, here are the best starting armor you can use in Monster Hunter Wilds.

What are the best early Armor Sets in Monster Hunter Wilds?

When you first begin your journey into Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll be introduced to various types of armor, including Hope, Leather, and Chainmail. Although they offer some pretty decent buffs, you can do a lot better with specific upgrades. Let’s break down what starter Armor Sets are the best.

Chatacabra Armor Set

• Defense: 6
• Fire Res: 1
• Water Res: 2
• Thunder Res: -3
• Ice Res: -1
• Dragon Res: 1

The Chapter 1-1 quest, Desert Trotters, pits you against the 🅷deadly Chatacabra monster. Bring them down to unlock Chatacabra materials at the Smithy, providing you with much more defense. Each piece offers a substantial +6 Defense and resistance to specific elements, such as Water and Fire. Some materials also include a Speed Eating buff that moderately increases eating speed.

Chatacabra Required Materials

Quematrice Armor Set

• Defense: 6
• Fire Res: 2
• Water Res: -3
• Thunder Res: 0
• Ice Res: -1
• Dragon Res: 0

By Chapter 1-2, you’ll discover another large monster, the Quematrice. Like the Chatacabra, it provides +6 Defense with its distinct Helm, Mail, Braces, Coil, and Greaves. Items such as the Quematrice Braces and Helm harness a Flinch Free skill, which reduces the risk of knockbacks from enemies. Quematric Armor Sets are great for fiery fiends, as most materials offer Fire Resistance.

Quematrice Required Materials

Alloy Armor Set

• Defense: 6
• Fire Res: -2
• Water Res: 1
• Thunder Res: -2
• Ice Res: -2
• Dragon Res: 1

If y💦ou want to break from monster hunting, you can collect ore to make the Alloy 🀅Armor Set. This gear boosts your sheathing speed and nullifies ground tremors caused by monsters. The Alloy set also has a unique metal look differing from the furry and reptilian designs of creatures.

Alloy Required Materials

Conga Armor Set

• Defense: 8
• Fire Res: -3
• Water Res: 1
• Thunder Res: 1
• Ice Res: -1
• Dragon Res: 2

When you unlock the Scarlet Forest region, you’ll encounter the Congalala monster. It’ll offer slightly more defense than the Chatacabra, Quematrice, and Alloy sets. The Conga Greaves and Helm provide the Mushroomance skill, allowing you to ingest blue mushrooms and toadstools. Other materials also include Stench Resistance to reduce stench duration by 50 percent.

Conga Required Materials

Barina Armor Set

• Defense: 8
• Fire Res: -3
• Water Res: 3
• Thunder Res: 0
• Ice Res: 0
• Dragon Res: 3

As you progress through Forest Findings Chapter 1-3, you’ll encounter Lala Barina. Defeating it will reward you with two powerful armor buffs: Paralysis Resistance and Recovery Up. The first skill reduces paralysis duration by 30 percent, while the second increases the amount of health you’ll receive when recovering.

Barina Required Materials

Balahara Armor Set

• Defense: 12
• Fire Res: -1
• Water Res: 2
• Thunder Res: -3
• Ice Res: 1
• Dragon Res: 1

A Hunter’s Pride Chapter 1-4 introduces the Balahara monster, unlocking a sleek black Armor Set. One of the biggest takeaways from this gear is the Hunger Resistance perk, which gradually reduces your maximum stamina depletion. Plus, it’ll enhance your evade distance to help you survive longer.

Balahara Required Materials

Doshaguma Armor Set

• Defense: 16
• Fire Res: -3
• Water Res: 2
• Thunder Res: -1
• Ice Res: -1
• Dragon Res: 4

In addition to the Balahara, you’ll encounter the frightful Doshaguma beast. Its distinct Armor Set grants you one of the highest early defense and dragon resistance stats. You’ll also gain the Free Meal and Item Prolonger skills to increase your chances of earning free food and extend item effect durations.

Doshaguma Required Materials

Uth Duna Armor Set

• Defense: 26
• Fire Res: -1
• Water Res: 4
• Thunder Res: -3
• Ice Res: 0
• Dragon Res: 0

The Uth Duna Armor Set is quite possibly the best gear you can unlock early on, earning you a substantial 26 Defense. You’ll find this creature during the Beyond the Deluge Chapter 1-5. The Armor Set’s skill, Peak Performace, gives you three additional points for the Attack stat and shortens your recharge time by 10 percent with Tool Specialist.

Uth Duna Required Materials