Best mid-game armor to grind for?

[Cringe2death]

at the moment the best thing I Can almost craft is a full Dante set. I have not finished the story yet (at the 3 elder dragons part) but I need something better than my Halloween set :X

[lexilogo]

Especially at this point in the game, it's generally best not to think of armor as sets but as pieces. Mixing and matching minimises grindtime and makes for far more varied and effective builds.

Anyway, Rathalos/Azure Rathalos has some good pieces. Any other recommendations would probably require information on your weapon preferences.

[mewlynx]

Rathalos b chest for weakness exploit is a pretty safe pick, anything with attack up to 4 (Nerg waist, rath helm, etc), if you want survival, anything with health boost on it. Really just depends what skills you're after.

[Xilo The Odd]

as mentioned, full sets are often not worth it, you'll be mixing and matching mid game to end game for either maximum damage or for survivability against the harder things or a mix of the two.

skills to NOT focus on, defense up, attack up. attack up 4 points is okay if its in the armor naturally for that 5% affinity, but beyond that attack up 7 isnt worth it and often doesnt give the kind of damage increase one would expect.

skills to focus on, vitality, divine prot, crit eye, weakness exploit, max might, agitator, crit boost, elemental skills if applicable to your weapon, otherwise non ele boost. these will be in basically any average build unless your using a special damage weapon like gunlance or impact charge blade where you'll be adding magazine boost and artillery to potential skills for those weapons.

there are a lot of guides online that show decent end game builds, and a lot of them will use pieces you can acquire mid game.

[Mhblis]

As people have said think more about what weapons you prefer, what decos you have and what skills you want.

Now mix and match. By the time you reach HR 50 it becomes much more about player skill than actual gear unless you are speed running.

[Mephisto-Luzifer]

You dont need good or the best armor if the monsters dont hurt you. Means: Learn their attacks -> get less damage -> play fashion hunter -> profit.

[Cringe2death]

wow this is really confusing for a noobie like me. errr i may have to just find a guide online to follow. just some stuff is too hard to farm/solo for me I spent 40mins trying to take down one of the elder dragons (the wind one) and nah, I just cant

[Cringe2death]

anyway someone can type me up a nice set of armor that will last me till end game? the highest I can craft is some Azure Starlord? well its at the bottom of the list. I still have 2 elder dragons to take down

[I'mASnek]

well, for me it's a bit complicated because different monster properties. So i made 3 builds, a normal go to build focussing on balance between survival and damage, the alternative build for status effect for me it's para SA, the third would be more on 30% att and 70% survival.

With this in mind, it's easier to build for me atleast. Maybe you could use this as a guide on what to search skills for the build. Like some said, avoid atk boost 7 because the boost isn't worth it. So mainly put atk boost up to 4 below 7, crit eye (if you have any), and some support skill fitting to your weapon, armor, target monster. For the support skills try to prioritize decos for flexibility, unless you don't have the skills you need.

[Cringe2death]

Originally posted by I'mASnek:

well, for me it's a bit complicated because different monster properties. So i made 3 builds, a normal go to build focussing on balance between survival and damage, the alternative build for status effect for me it's para SA, the third would be more on 30% att and 70% survival.

With this in mind, it's easier to build for me atleast. Maybe you could use this as a guide on what to search skills for the build. Like some said, avoid atk boost 7 because the boost isn't worth it. So mainly put atk boost up to 4 below 7, crit eye (if you have any), and some support skill fitting to your weapon, armor, target monster. For the support skills try to prioritize decos for flexibility, unless you don't have the skills you need.

yes i think i would go for a very balanced build . it seems more my style then trying to make a lot of sets for each monster or w/e

[J.M.]

Find armor pieces with weakness exploit, multiple levels of attack or critical eye, critical boost, maximum might, focus, anything that has very good deco slots and skills.

[a7wingedsheep]

What weapon are you using btw? it might influence some decisions.

Pretty sure i never took off my Dragonking eyepatch (head armor) for the weakness exploit+2 for the most part.

Mid-game seems like a blur to me, i was mostly getting by with Legiana gear for the Evade Window+5 or something, and the good luck bonus on rewards.. I don't really recommend it as the set is weak to fire and a lot of the fire endgame content will hurt if you miss your evades.

I found myself using Lunastra armor soon after for the health boost and wide range, and peak performance.. but i think that's a little over the hill for you yet.

[Cringe2death]

Originally posted by a7wingedsheep:

What weapon are you using btw? it might influence some decisions.

Pretty sure i never took off my Dragonking eyepatch (head armor) for the weakness exploit+2 for the most part.

Mid-game seems like a blur to me, i was mostly getting by with Legiana gear for the Evade Window+5 or something, and the good luck bonus on rewards.. I don't really recommend it as the set is weak to fire and a lot of the fire endgame content will hurt if you miss your evades.

I found myself using Lunastra armor soon after for the health boost and wide range, and peak performance.. but i think that's a little over the hill for you yet.

so far I really enjoy insect glaive, but I also like bow/SS and Charge Blade . but am slowly disliking bow.

[Cringe2death]

Originally posted by SuckSmurfing:

Find armor pieces with weakness exploit, multiple levels of attack or critical eye, critical boost, maximum might, focus, anything that has very good deco slots and skills.

i think for my casual self id like to just use some pre-made build someone can suggest while I work my way up to endgame and collecting crafting mats

[a7wingedsheep]

Originally posted by Zombie Suicide:

so far I really enjoy insect glaive, but I also like bow/SS and Charge Blade . but am slowly disliking bow.

Oh right!!.. i went through a phase when i was using Bazelgeuse armor for the hearing protect +5 and the Guts ability (prevents you from carting once with the barest of hp remaining, like Felyne Moxie). maybe that'd serve you well too?

keep in mind you should also cater your loadout to whatever you're fighting.. e.g. you don't wanna fight a fire monster with -20 fire resist if at all possible.. that's like slathering yourself in petroleum jelly and taking +20% fire damage.