HBG armor: Xeno a or b?

[JohnJSal]

Hi guys. I'm wanting to try out HBG, and I'm working on an armor set for it. I'm using a website that has good endgame builds for all weapons, and for most HBGs (except Pierce for whatever reason) it recommends the Xeno head b, Xeno hands a, and Xeno waist b.

But I'm torn between following this guide (made by people who know what they're doing and have tested these things) and doing the exact opposite!

The Xeno head and waist a pieces each have a point of Special Ammo Boost, so I'm tempted to make those instead for that extra skill.

Likewise, the Xeno hands b loses a point in Critical Boost, but I have this decoration anyway, so I figure maybe I can just slot it in.

I know these pieces are mainly there for the set bonus, but I want to capitalize on using them.

But I don't want to regret my decision later! Thoughts or advice?

Thanks!

[!?!]

Y.

[IrisMachina]

whatever you are using as a guide for endgame builds are outdated.

here is the endgame builds for the current state of the game
https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHunterWorld/comments/blbmjc/pcconsole_the_ultimate_meta_build_compilation/

also these videos are worth checking out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_35HOVucM0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWjEahLxE3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU0laMfNQ7k

[JohnJSal]

Originally posted by OVERDRIVE!:

whatever you are using as a guide for endgame builds are outdated.

here is the endgame builds for the current state of the game
https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHunterWorld/comments/blbmjc/pcconsole_the_ultimate_meta_build_compilation/

That's the guide I'm using, but I'm using the "High Rank Starter Builds" link rather than the true endgame meta builds, because I haven't even tried farming KT or Behemoth much.

Also, I'm not too concerned with y armor right now either. I just want a decent set to try out the weapon and still be strong enough for most things.

So my original question still stands. I want to ignore arch tempered gear for now.

[Greb]

Pretty much always b, except in rare circumstances. The slot bonus is usually better and more flexible for you than whatever crap bonus skill the a version gets bundled with.

Xeno'jiiva basic armour is pretty terrible if I recall, packing stuff like Blight Resistance and Flinch Free. If you're looking to wear three pieces of Xeno gear to trigger the set bonus though, just pick the pieces that have the most slots or relevant skills on them, that don't replace other better pieces of armour you could wear in your remaining two slots, etc.

Slotting in Crit Boost vs using armour that has it already with no two sized slot is probably an irrelevant decision, although use b anyway incase you want the extra slot for something else in the future.

Special Ammo boost is good, but it's not essential - it's really good to have on a Light Bowgun, sure - it's really good to see explosions of 150x3 damage when you set up a triple stack of Wyvernblast, but it's not mega essential if you're going to skip over something like Maximum Might, Peak Performance, or Weakness Exploit etc, anyway. Wyvernheart on a HBG takes a long time to recharge, and Wyvernsnipe is pretty powerful even without Special Ammo Boost, but it's also very situational and prone to misfiring, so...eh. That's just my opinion, though.

Better yet, join some Lunastra missions such as the current event "SDF: Silent, Deadly and Fierce" which lets you skip the entire Lunastra assignment and start killing her, and get yourself a Lunastra "Styx" weapon, since it has Spare Shot / Razor Sharp, the Xeno'jiiva armour set bonus, baked into it.

[IrisMachina]

Originally posted by JohnJSal:

Originally posted by OVERDRIVE!:

whatever you are using as a guide for endgame builds are outdated.

here is the endgame builds for the current state of the game
https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHunterWorld/comments/blbmjc/pcconsole_the_ultimate_meta_build_compilation/

That's the guide I'm using, but I'm using the "High Rank Starter Builds" link rather than the true endgame meta builds, because I haven't even tried farming KT or Behemoth much.

Also, I'm not too concerned with y armor right now either. I just want a decent set to try out the weapon and still be strong enough for most things.

So my original question still stands. I want to ignore arch tempered gear for now.

oh ok my mistake. since you mention xeno a/b i thought you were using a guide before arch tempered monsters existed.
your build also depends on which gun you are using. there is no good one build fits all HBG.

[Corrupt-nz]

D

[JohnJSal]

Originally posted by OVERDRIVE!:

Originally posted by JohnJSal:

That's the guide I'm using, but I'm using the "High Rank Starter Builds" link rather than the true endgame meta builds, because I haven't even tried farming KT or Behemoth much.

Also, I'm not too concerned with y armor right now either. I just want a decent set to try out the weapon and still be strong enough for most things.

So my original question still stands. I want to ignore arch tempered gear for now.

oh ok my mistake. since you mention xeno a/b i thought you were using a guide before arch tempered monsters existed.
your build also depends on which gun you are using. there is no good one build fits all HBG.

Well, the recommend builds for cluster, spread, and normal all use those three pieces of armor, so I figure I could use them no matter which bowgun I choose. The pierce build doesn't use them though.

Maybe just to experiment I might make the Power Shooter II, since it seems easy to make. Perhaps the Nerg gun as well, and Jho and Legiana.

[IrisMachina]

Originally posted by JohnJSal:

Originally posted by OVERDRIVE!:

oh ok my mistake. since you mention xeno a/b i thought you were using a guide before arch tempered monsters existed.
your build also depends on which gun you are using. there is no good one build fits all HBG.

Well, the recommend builds for cluster, spread, and normal all use those three pieces of armor, so I figure I could use them no matter which bowgun I choose. The pierce build doesn't use them though.

Maybe just to experiment I might make the Power Shooter II, since it seems easy to make. Perhaps the Nerg gun as well, and Jho and Legiana.

cluster bomb build is the only decent option you have if you are lacking gear and decos.
but its a cheesy build which rips through tempered elders in like 1-2mins. so you won't get better at hunting if you rely on this build too much.

this video is worth checking out for cluster bomb.
contains build in there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgpVCG_BYfA

[JohnJSal]

Thanks guys! Very helpful!