Best MHW Hunting Horn Builds For Progression

Hey guys! So you're diving into Monster Hunter World and have chosen the magnificent Hunting Horn as your weapon of choice? Excellent! You’ve picked a weapon that’s not only powerful in combat but also brings incredible support to your team. However, progressing through the game with the Hunting Horn requires a strategic approach to your builds. Don't worry, I've got you covered! This guide will walk you through some of the best Hunting Horn builds for your MHW progression, ensuring you're always ready to face the next big challenge. We'll break down everything from early game setups to late-game powerhouses, focusing on what skills and horns will give you the most bang for your buck. So, let's get started and make some beautiful music while we hunt!

Understanding the Hunting Horn

Before we dive into specific builds, let's quickly recap why the Hunting Horn is such a unique and rewarding weapon. The Hunting Horn is a heavy weapon that excels in both dealing damage and providing buffs to the hunter and their team. It might seem complex at first, with its melodies and encore performances, but trust me, it’s incredibly satisfying once you get the hang of it. The key to mastering the Hunting Horn lies in understanding its songs. Each horn has a different set of melodies that, when played, grant powerful buffs like attack boosts, defense enhancements, health regeneration, and more. Knowing which horn to bring to a fight and when to play your songs can turn the tide of battle.

The Hunting Horn's versatility is one of its greatest strengths. You can stand toe-to-toe with monsters, dealing substantial damage with its powerful attacks, while simultaneously buffing yourself and your teammates. This dual role of damage dealer and support makes the Hunting Horn an invaluable asset in any hunt, especially in multiplayer. However, this versatility also means that your build needs to be well-rounded. You'll need to balance your offensive capabilities with your ability to support your team. This is where understanding skills and armor sets becomes crucial. We'll cover the essential skills to prioritize and how to mix and match armor pieces to create effective builds for each stage of the game. Whether you're just starting out in the Ancient Forest or facing Elder Dragons in the Guiding Lands, there's a Hunting Horn build that's perfect for you. So, let's get into the details and start crafting some epic sets!

Early Game Hunting Horn Builds (Low Rank)

In the early stages of Monster Hunter World, your main goal is to gather the basic armor and weapons that will carry you through the initial quests. For Hunting Horn users, this means prioritizing survivability and essential skills. You're likely still learning the weapon's moveset and how to effectively manage your songs, so focus on staying alive and contributing to hunts without getting overwhelmed. The Bone set is a fantastic starting point. It's easily accessible, providing decent defense and some useful skills like Health Boost, which is invaluable for staying in the fight longer. Health Boost increases your maximum health, giving you a larger buffer against monster attacks. This is especially important for newcomers who might be taking more hits than experienced hunters. Combine the Bone armor with a Hunting Horn that offers beneficial songs, such as attack or defense boosts, and you’ll be well-equipped for the early challenges.

Another set to consider early on is the Kulu set. This set not only offers good defense but also comes with the Marathon Runner skill, which reduces stamina depletion when dodging and performing other actions. This skill is particularly useful for Hunting Horn users, as it allows you to maintain your mobility and keep up with fast-moving monsters. Stamina management is crucial for Hunting Horn players, as you'll need it for both attacking and repositioning. The Kulu set's Marathon Runner skill can make a significant difference in your overall effectiveness. For early-game Hunting Horns, look for options like the Bone Horn or the Great Jagras Horn. These horns provide basic but effective songs that can boost your attack or defense, making them great choices for learning the weapon. Remember, the early game is all about experimentation and learning the fundamentals. Don't be afraid to try different combinations of armor and horns to see what works best for your playstyle. As you progress, you'll unlock more options and be able to fine-tune your builds to match your preferences and the challenges you face.

Mid-Game Hunting Horn Builds (High Rank)

As you progress into High Rank, the monsters become tougher, and your builds need to evolve to keep up. This is where you start to see a wider variety of armor and weapon options, allowing you to create more specialized sets. In the mid-game, you'll want to start focusing on skills that not only boost your survivability but also enhance your damage output. Skills like Attack Boost, Weakness Exploit, and Critical Eye become increasingly important as you face stronger monsters with higher health pools. A popular armor set for this stage is the Odogaron set. This set provides a good balance of offense and defense, with skills like Critical Eye and Speed Sharpening. Critical Eye increases your affinity (critical hit chance), while Speed Sharpening allows you to quickly sharpen your weapon mid-hunt. These skills are crucial for maintaining consistent damage output and staying in the fight without interruption. The Odogaron set also looks pretty cool, which is always a bonus!

Pairing the Odogaron armor with a Hunting Horn that offers powerful attack and defense buffs is a great strategy for the mid-game. Horns like the Bazelreid Rookslayer or the Rathian Horn can provide valuable buffs to your team while still allowing you to deal significant damage. The Bazelreid Rookslayer, in particular, is a fantastic choice due to its ability to provide both attack and defense boosts, making you a valuable asset in any hunt. Another armor set to consider is the Rathalos set. This set focuses on offensive skills like Attack Boost and Weakness Exploit, making it a strong choice for players who want to maximize their damage output. Weakness Exploit is a particularly potent skill, as it increases your affinity when attacking a monster's weak points. By combining the Rathalos set with a Hunting Horn that offers complementary buffs, you can create a build that excels in both damage dealing and support. Remember, the mid-game is all about refining your skills and experimenting with different builds to find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to mix and match armor pieces and Hunting Horns to create a set that perfectly suits your playstyle and the challenges you're facing.

Late-Game Hunting Horn Builds (Master Rank)

Once you reach Master Rank, the stakes are higher than ever. The monsters are incredibly powerful, and you'll need the best gear and skills to survive. This is where your builds truly come into their own. Late-game Hunting Horn builds focus on maximizing both your offensive and supportive capabilities, allowing you to deal significant damage while keeping your team alive and buffed. Skills like Critical Boost, Agitator, and Master's Touch become essential for maximizing your damage output. Critical Boost increases the damage dealt by critical hits, while Agitator boosts your attack and affinity when a monster is enraged. Master's Touch prevents your weapon from losing sharpness when landing critical hits, allowing you to maintain your sharpness for longer periods.

A popular armor set for late-game Hunting Horn users is the Teostra set. This set provides Master's Touch, along with other useful skills like Critical Eye and Weakness Exploit. Combining the Teostra set with armor pieces that offer additional offensive skills can create a truly formidable build. For example, the Raging Brachydios set is another excellent choice, providing skills like Agitator and Challenger. Pairing these sets together can give you a powerful combination of damage-boosting skills and survivability. When it comes to Hunting Horns, the Safi'jiiva Horns are among the best in the game. These horns offer a wide variety of songs and can be customized with different melodies, allowing you to tailor your horn to your specific needs. The Fatalis Horn is another top-tier option, boasting incredible raw damage and powerful songs. Choosing the right Hunting Horn for your build is crucial in the late game. You'll want to consider the songs it offers, as well as its raw damage and affinity. A horn that provides attack and defense boosts, along with additional utility songs like earplugs or wind pressure resistance, can be invaluable in challenging hunts.

Essential Skills for Hunting Horn Builds

Regardless of your progression stage, there are certain skills that are universally beneficial for Hunting Horn users. Prioritizing these skills in your builds will significantly enhance your effectiveness in hunts. Horn Maestro is arguably the most crucial skill for Hunting Horn players. This skill extends the duration of your songs, allowing you to maintain buffs for longer periods and spend less time replaying melodies. With Horn Maestro, you can focus more on attacking and supporting your team, rather than constantly worrying about your buffs expiring.

Health Boost is another essential skill, especially for newer players. This skill increases your maximum health, providing a larger buffer against monster attacks. Staying alive is the first step to contributing to a hunt, and Health Boost makes it much easier to survive powerful hits. Attack Boost is a fundamental skill for increasing your damage output. This skill provides a flat attack bonus and increases your affinity, making it a staple in most Hunting Horn builds. As you progress through the game, you'll want to stack Attack Boost to maximize your damage potential. Weakness Exploit is a potent skill that increases your affinity when attacking a monster's weak points. This skill rewards precise aiming and knowledge of monster weak spots, making it a great choice for experienced hunters. Critical Eye is another excellent skill for increasing your affinity. By boosting your critical hit chance, you'll deal more damage consistently, making it a valuable addition to any Hunting Horn build. These are just a few of the many skills that can benefit Hunting Horn users. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your playstyle and the challenges you're facing.

Tips and Tricks for Hunting Horn Players

Mastering the Hunting Horn takes practice and understanding of its unique mechanics. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you become a more effective Hunting Horn player:

• Learn your songs: Each Hunting Horn has a different set of melodies, and knowing what songs your horn can play is crucial. Memorize the song combinations and practice playing them efficiently during hunts.
• Prioritize buffs: Focus on maintaining your buffs during hunts. Keep an eye on the timer and replay your songs when necessary to keep your team empowered.
• Use the encore effectively: The encore is a powerful move that can extend the duration of your buffs or provide additional effects. Learn when to use the encore to maximize its benefits.
• Position yourself strategically: The Hunting Horn is a melee weapon, so you'll need to be up close and personal with the monster. However, you also need to be aware of your surroundings and position yourself to avoid taking unnecessary damage.
• Coordinate with your team: The Hunting Horn is a support weapon, so communication and coordination with your team are essential. Let your teammates know what buffs you're providing and work together to take down the monster.
• Practice your combos: The Hunting Horn has a variety of combos that can deal significant damage. Practice these combos to improve your damage output and become a more effective hunter.
• Experiment with different horns: Each Hunting Horn has its own unique songs and playstyle. Experiment with different horns to find the ones that best suit your preferences and the challenges you're facing.

Conclusion

The Hunting Horn is a fantastic weapon for progressing through Monster Hunter World. By understanding the weapon's mechanics, prioritizing essential skills, and building effective armor sets, you can become a valuable asset in any hunt. Whether you're just starting out or facing the toughest monsters in the game, there's a Hunting Horn build that's perfect for you. So, grab your horn, learn your songs, and get ready to make some beautiful music while you hunt! Happy hunting, guys!