How to avoid 1 shots?

[Pedro Picapiedra]

Started a new character with HBG and beat the game but now I am at a point where literally every single monster I fight can one shot me and don't really know where to go from here. I have 830 defense and health boost 3, and even when I die one stack of fortify is typically not enough to save me from one shots and I'm only really safe at the second stack where my armor is around 1040. Kulve breath attacks one shot me, Alatreon lightning strikes one shot me, Stygian Zinogre Jumps one shot me, Rajang dives one shot me, Nargacuga tail smash one shots me, and the list goes on. I know divine blessing is a thing but it isn't guaranteed to proc and I don't want to waste precious slots on a chance decoration. I beat the entire game including Fatalis with Charge Blade and Switch Axe before and it did not feel NEARLY as hard as HBG due to the defense reduction.

[Agoraphobic Meep]

Are you using the shield mod? That thing's basically a necessity on most HBG builds, equip it.

Also, 830 defense? At alatreon? What armor are you using? Because you should have at least 1k defense when you're fighting alatreon or stygian.

[Pedro Picapiedra]

Originally posted by Agoraphobic Meep:

Are you using the shield mod? That thing's basically a necessity on most HBG builds, equip it.

Also, 830 defense? At alatreon? What armor are you using? Because you should have at least 1k defense when you're fighting alatreon or stygian.

Mixed set with 3 Nargacuga pieces for the spare shot and I upgraded it as much as i could.

[Bobucles]

Check the augmentation system. Low level armors can have their level cap increased, to be much closer vs. top tier armors. There is also a trueshot necklace. It doesn't seem to have a recipe and is given after a quest line.

[Nikorasu]

Get a skill called divine blessing. it reduces monster attacks. if the skill isnt maxed out chance of activating is low. you get the skill if you use gold rathian armor or armor decorations. avoiding alatreons ultimate is impossible so better have a lot heals or have a teammate that can help you survive with their hunting horn. The reason why you get one shotted so easily because your defense is so low. you're almost at the end game boss. your defense should already be in the 1000s

[Agoraphobic Meep]

Originally posted by Pedro Picapiedra:

Originally posted by Agoraphobic Meep:

Are you using the shield mod? That thing's basically a necessity on most HBG builds, equip it.

Also, 830 defense? At alatreon? What armor are you using? Because you should have at least 1k defense when you're fighting alatreon or stygian.

Mixed set with 3 Nargacuga pieces for the spare shot and I upgraded it as much as i could.

Yeah, you should invest in the spare shot charm, and be running higher level gear than narg at your level. If you really want to hold onto 3 piece narg for spare shot and use your charm slot for ammo up or something, go 3 piece narg and 2 piece raging brachy, with brachy chest and gauntlets specifically. That should bump up your defense to over 1k so long as you upgrade.

[Tenz]

Originally posted by Pedro Picapiedra:

Started a new character with HBG and beat the game but now I am at a point where literally every single monster I fight can one shot me and don't really know where to go from here. I have 830 defense and health boost 3, and even when I die one stack of fortify is typically not enough to save me from one shots and I'm only really safe at the second stack where my armor is around 1040. Kulve breath attacks one shot me, Alatreon lightning strikes one shot me, Stygian Zinogre Jumps one shot me, Rajang dives one shot me, Nargacuga tail smash one shots me, and the list goes on. I know divine blessing is a thing but it isn't guaranteed to proc and I don't want to waste precious slots on a chance decoration. I beat the entire game including Fatalis with Charge Blade and Switch Axe before and it did not feel NEARLY as hard as HBG due to the defense reduction.

The digital battlefield sprawls before you, a labyrinth of menus, commands, and cryptic error messages. The boss looms, a pixelated leviathan whose attacks you barely understand. Your teammates rage in chat, frustration bubbling over like spilled potions. You glance at your inventory, a meager collection of skills and knowledge gathered through trial and error. This is it, the moment you prove yourself, the culmination of countless wipes and near victories. Doubt gnaws at you, the whispers of "noob" and "uninstall" echoing in your mind. But wait! Remember the countless hours spent deciphering guides, the late nights poring over forums, the small victories against lesser foes. Recall the thrill of finally landing that perfect combo, the surge of pride when you grasped a complex mechanic. You are not a novice, but a student, and every failure a lesson etched in code. Breathe. Focus. Channel your frustration into resolve, your fear into determination. This isn't just a game, it's a test of your spirit, a crucible that forges skill from struggle. So raise your weapon, adventurer, and charge into the fray. Let each defeat be a stepping stone, each setback a chance to refine your strategy. Remember, the greatest warriors aren't born, they're honed. They adapt, they learn, they Git Gud. Now go forth and conquer!

[SakitJiwa]

nice nice info

[IxianMace]

A shield mod on your Heavy Bowgun, Guard Up, and as much Guard as you can fit on your build should increase your survivability. As always, eat for 50 health and stamina at the canteen and drink your demondrug and armorskin potions. When in doubt, stand and block. This should be the safe(r) option in most cases.

For specialised tools, consider bringing the vitality and temporal mantles. A health booster should allow you to stand in the area of effect and regenerate chip damage when a monster is being relentlessly aggressive.

For your palico, bring the shieldspire gadget and have them deploy a shieldspire stooge. This is a very effective distraction that should help take attention off you.

[NotBer]

eat for Felyne Moxie

[SaltiestK]

1. Use the shield mod. Since HBG barely has any mobility and the dodges are super slow, guard 5 + shield is your best friend. Evade extender is great, but you have to anticipate the attack instead of reacting to it.
2. There are attacks you SHOULD NOT tank, like Kulve breath, Stygian jump and Alatreon lightning; all of those are "super/signature" attacks and are heavily telegraphed, roll out of the way or sheathe and run if necessary.
3. If/when you start using the shield, guard up is a very nice bonus, but there will still be attacks that deal huge damage through it. Just because you CAN block it doesn't mean you SHOULD block it.
4. Divine Blessing is busted, if you have a few spare slots or don't know what else to slot in, use DB, it's insanely strong

[Valentino]

as a bow user I can attest divine blessing is in fact ridiculous in the amount it procs. I tend to try to dodge as much as I can and be patient enough to pick my windows for damage and take fewer risks though.

Shieldspire gadget on a palico at level 15 with a decent level palico will maintain the aggro 80% of the fight. Whether through decoy or shield it will do some mighty fine removal of hate from you. Generally when I'm taking very aggressive critters I'll swap to this gadget if solo. It's utility is ridiculous.

[overmage]

Originally posted by Pedro Picapiedra:

Started a new character with HBG and beat the game but now I am at a point where literally every single monster I fight can one shot me and don't really know where to go from here. I have 830 defense and health boost 3, and even when I die one stack of fortify is typically not enough to save me from one shots and I'm only really safe at the second stack where my armor is around 1040. Kulve breath attacks one shot me, Alatreon lightning strikes one shot me, Stygian Zinogre Jumps one shot me, Rajang dives one shot me, Nargacuga tail smash one shots me, and the list goes on. I know divine blessing is a thing but it isn't guaranteed to proc and I don't want to waste precious slots on a chance decoration. I beat the entire game including Fatalis with Charge Blade and Switch Axe before and it did not feel NEARLY as hard as HBG due to the defense reduction.

830 defence is too low at endgame, you have not been upgrading your armors

[Smaugi]

Use evade extender 3 and maybe some evade window and get out of the way of the monster, upgrade your armor and augument it , use health boost and divine blessing and ditch shields its much better to learn playing without it on hbg and way less scrubby , also shields can fail you on some hunts so if you can't Play without their cheesyness you will be in a pickle.

[Mr. September]

Originally posted by Pedro Picapiedra:

Started a new character with HBG

Originally posted by Pedro Picapiedra:

I beat the entire game including Fatalis with Charge Blade and Switch Axe before and it did not feel NEARLY as hard as HBG due to the defense reduction.

There's your main problem. Ranged weapons cause you to take significantly more physical damage. Melee weapons get a penalty on elemental damage taken instead, but it's not even noticeable compared to the handicap the ranged weapons give you. Especially considering how even a fireball is mostly made out of physical damage for some reason.

Originally posted by Pedro Picapiedra:

-the part mentioning getting one-shotted by everything-

Did you invest in evasion skills? Did you invest in Divine Blessing? Did you learn monster movesets to the point where you can reliably use your evades, and especially the "superman dive" to survive their dangerous attacks?

Did you slot in 1 Defense Augment into your weapon? It works independently of Divine Blessing, and has a chance to reduce damage taken. It's basically a "hidden Divine Blessing", and the cost is one slot. Easily fits in after you get Affinity and Health augments.

Originally posted by Pedro Picapiedra:

I know divine blessing is a thing but it isn't guaranteed to proc and I don't want to waste precious slots on a chance decoration.

It's not guaranteed, but it procs often enough to make a difference. Especially when certain attacks guarantee faints, even if you are rocking top-tier gear. A good example is Fatalis' charged flameballs. I recall getting one-shotted by one when I had the Fireproof Mantle on, with 28 Fire Resistance. I get to survive it if DB procs, of course. Not that I get hit by it often, since I never risk it, but we all slip up sometimes.

The chance is 40% at level 5, by the way, and it reduces damage taken by a whopping 60%. Significant enough to make a difference, but not enough to rely on it all the time and slack with your positioning and evasion.

My final suggestion would be to learn and use all weapons over time. I never understood the folks who had like 5000 uses on any given weapon or played the entire game with only one weapon type. Sure, I did similar things and played most of the base game with Bow, but the game expects you to change your strategy if your strategy isn't working. Not doing so will only cause more issues for you.

[Tictactucrac]

The chance is 40% at level 5, by the way, and it reduces damage taken by a whopping 60%. Significant enough to make a difference, but not enough to rely on it all the time and slack with your positioning and evasion.

How do you get lvl 5 divine blessing ? It's only lvl 3 max, what is the armor that gives 2 more ? I'm midway through guiding lands and still haven't seen anything like it