Best Hunting Horn Build MHW: Dominate Monster Hunter!

Hey guys! Ready to become a maestro of mayhem in Monster Hunter: World? Then you've come to the right place! We're diving deep into crafting the absolute best Hunting Horn build to not only smack monsters silly but also buff your team into a frenzy. Forget just dealing damage; we're talking about harmonious destruction and support! So, grab your favorite horn, and let's get this show on the road!

Understanding the Hunting Horn

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of builds, let's quickly recap what makes the Hunting Horn so awesome. It's not just a weapon; it's a support system disguised as a giant musical instrument. You're not just hitting monsters; you're playing songs that buff your team's attack, defense, and more. The Hunting Horn is unique in that it can provide buffs to itself and allies, making it a valuable asset in any hunting party. Each horn has a different set of songs, indicated by the notes displayed on the weapon. By performing specific sequences of attacks, you can queue up and play these songs, granting powerful buffs to your party. Understanding the different songs and their effects is crucial for maximizing the Hunting Horn's potential. The Hunting Horn's moveset includes a variety of attacks, such as the forward slam, back slam, and the performance attack. Mastering these attacks is essential for effectively dealing damage and building up your song queue. Additionally, the Hunting Horn has a unique mechanic called the Encore, which allows you to replay the last song you performed for an even stronger effect. Timing your Encores correctly can provide a significant boost to your party's stats and survivability. The Hunting Horn is a versatile weapon that can be adapted to different playstyles and monster matchups. Whether you prefer to focus on dealing damage, providing support, or a combination of both, the Hunting Horn can be tailored to suit your needs. By understanding its mechanics and mastering its moveset, you can become a valuable asset to any hunting party.

Key Skills for a Hunting Horn Build

Okay, so what skills do we need to prioritize for our Hunting Horn build? Here's the lowdown:

• Attack Boost: This is a no-brainer. More attack means more damage, plain and simple. Max this out if possible.
• Critical Eye/Weakness Exploit: Critical hits are your friend. Critical Eye boosts your affinity (critical hit chance), while Weakness Exploit gives you extra affinity when hitting weak spots. Stack 'em up!
• Horn Maestro: This is absolutely essential. It extends the duration of your song buffs, letting you spend more time fighting and less time re-buffing.
• Health Boost: Staying alive is kind of important, right? Health Boost gives you extra HP, making you less likely to get one-shotted by those pesky monsters.
• Stamina Skills (Stamina Surge, Marathon Runner): This can help with dodging and maintaining your performance attacks. Stamina Surge increases the speed at which your stamina recovers, while Marathon Runner reduces the stamina consumption of certain actions. These skills are particularly useful for aggressive Hunting Horn players who frequently use dodging and performance attacks to maintain their momentum in battle. By managing your stamina effectively, you can stay on the offensive and keep the pressure on the monster.
• Earplugs: Roars are annoying, especially when they interrupt your song performances. Earplugs nullify roars, allowing you to keep the buffs flowing.
• Agitator: When the monster gets enraged, you get stronger. Agitator boosts your attack and affinity when the monster is enraged, making it a valuable skill for aggressive players who like to capitalize on the monster's weakened state.

The Ultimate Hunting Horn Build (Example)

Alright, let's get to the fun part: the build itself! This is just an example, and you can tweak it based on your decorations and playstyle. Remember, experimentation is key!

• Weapon: Bazel Valhalla. This horn has great raw damage, decent sharpness, and, most importantly, amazing songs. It provides Attack Up XL, Defense Up XL, and Health Boost, which are all incredibly useful for both you and your team.
• Head: Kulve Taroth's Rage α. This gives you Critical Eye and some decoration slots.
• Chest: Rathalos Mail B. Weakness Exploit is a must-have, and this piece provides it.
• Arms: Teostra Vambraces α. More Weakness Exploit and a decoration slot? Yes, please!
• Waist: Nergigante Coil B. Attack Boost and a decoration slot. Perfect!
• Legs: Rathalos Greaves B. More Weakness Exploit to maximize your affinity.
• Charm: Horn Maestro Charm III. You need that extended buff duration!

Decorations: Fill those decoration slots with Attack Jewels, Critical Jewels, Health Boost Jewels, and whatever else you need to shore up your defenses or boost your damage.

Alternatives and Variations

• Different Horns: Don't like the Bazel Valhalla? The *Empress Shell