What is the Guardian Armor in Monster Hunter: World?

The Guardian Armor set in Monster Hunter: World is a special pre-order bonus set designed to give players, especially newcomers, a significant boost in the early game. It’s essentially an overpowered starting set that allows you to power through the base game’s story with relative ease. However, this comes with a trade-off; it’s not designed for the long-term progression that is so integral to the Monster Hunter experience. This set aims to reduce the initial learning curve, making it easier for players to become accustomed to the game’s mechanics without being bogged down by early game armor limitations. It’s intended to provide a smoother transition into the world, and for veteran players, an opportunity to quickly start the Iceborne expansion with solid, readily available gear.

Is the Guardian Armor Right For You?

The Guardian Armor’s primary purpose is expediting your progression through the main story of Monster Hunter: World. Its high defense and skills make early game monsters less challenging. However, this expedited pace can hinder new players from learning critical aspects of the game, such as the importance of armor skills and the upgrade system.

Pros of Using Guardian Armor

• High Initial Defense: The base stats are considerably higher than most early game armors, offering excellent protection.
• Useful Skills: The set typically comes with valuable skills that boost your survivability and combat effectiveness early on.
• Ease of Access: It is immediately available to players who have it, without the need for farming early-game monster parts.
• Speedy Progression: Allows for a faster playthrough of the main story, which is appealing to returning players wanting to reach the Iceborne content quickly.

Cons of Using Guardian Armor

• Lack of Customization: The Guardian set cannot be upgraded or reinforced, limiting its long-term viability.
• Detrimental for Learning: Reliance on the overpowered stats can prevent new players from learning essential combat mechanics and armor skills.
• Not Optimal for Late Game: It quickly becomes obsolete as you progress into High Rank and Master Rank content and won’t be able to compete with armor from Iceborne.
• Prevents Early Familiarity Using guardian armor can prevent players from having to engage with the game’s crafting and upgrade systems, depriving players of the full game experience.

When Should You Use It?

The ideal scenario for using Guardian armor is if you are a returning player who wants to quickly get through the base game and jump into the Iceborne expansion or if you want to play the main game again with increased survivability. For new players, it is strongly recommended to use regular armor sets to get a feel for the combat and upgrade systems, and learn about monster weaknesses and strategy.

Moving On From Guardian Armor

Once you’ve completed the base game or reached High Rank quests, it’s crucial to switch to other armor sets that can be upgraded and customized. Zorah Magdaros armor is a good starting point for High Rank, providing a solid foundation for further armor progression. Ultimately, players should strive to obtain armor sets from Master Rank such as the Teostra Beta+ set, Yian Garuga Beta+ set, or the Velkhana set in Iceborne.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Guardian Armor

1. Is the Guardian Armor Set Really That Overpowered?

Yes, for early-game content, the Guardian armor is significantly more powerful than most starting options. It provides high defense, which reduces the challenge of early quests.

2. Can I Upgrade or Enhance the Guardian Armor?

No, the Guardian Armor set cannot be upgraded or reinforced. This means that it quickly becomes outclassed by High Rank and Master Rank armor sets.

3. Is Guardian Armor a Good Choice for Beginners?

While it can help beginners initially, the Guardian Armor’s overpowered nature can impede learning essential gameplay mechanics. It’s better for new players to use regular armors and engage with the progression system.

4. What Are the Best Armor Sets after Guardian Armor?

After using the Guardian Armor, Zorah Magdaros armor is a good starting point in High Rank. Progress to Master Rank sets such as the Teostra Beta+, Yian Garuga Beta+, or the Velkhana set in Iceborne.

5. How Does the Guardian Armor Help Veteran Players?

For veteran players, it offers a quick and efficient way to play through the base game’s story, allowing them to reach Iceborne content faster.

6. How Do I Obtain the Guardian Armor?

The Guardian Armor is typically included as a pre-order bonus or as part of a special edition of the game. It is available from the start when you launch a new game if you have it.

7. Does the Guardian Armor Affect My Ability to Craft Other Armor?

No, the Guardian Armor does not impede your ability to craft or obtain any other armors in the game.

8. Does the Armor Matter in Monster Hunter: World?

Absolutely. A good armor set is crucial in Monster Hunter: World, affecting your survivability, damage output, and overall combat effectiveness through skills.

9. Can I Hide My Armor in Monster Hunter: World?

Yes, you can choose to hide your head armor in the game’s settings without impacting the stats it provides. Layered armor sets also allow to change the appearance of your armor without affecting your equipped properties.

10. What Weapon Should I Start With In Monster Hunter: World?

Many recommend weapons like Sword and Shield, Longsword, or Dual Blades for beginners due to their faster attacks. But ultimately, choose the weapon that resonates with your playstyle.

11. What’s the Most Powerful Armor in Monster Hunter: World?

For Master Rank, the Teostra Beta+ set is considered one of the most powerful due to its synergy with the Latent Power skill, but there are other top-tier options such as Yian Garuga Beta+, Drachen Alpha+, and Nargacuga Beta+.

12. Where Can I Find the Best Armor in Monster Hunter: World?

Top-tier armor pieces are generally crafted from materials obtained by hunting high-level monsters, particularly those in Master Rank in Iceborne.

13. Is Rarity Important When Choosing Armor?

Rarity indicates how difficult it is to obtain the materials for that armor. While higher rarity often correlates with better stats, focus primarily on the armor’s defense value and skills for your play style.

14. What is the Hardest Monster in Monster Hunter: World?

Extreme Behemoth is widely regarded as one of the most challenging monsters to defeat in the game, requiring a high level of skill and strategy.

15. What Hunter Rank Do I Need to Reach Before Iceborne?

You must reach Hunter Rank 16 after completing the base game’s main story to start Iceborne, which will allow you to access Master Rank.

In conclusion, the Guardian Armor set serves as a convenient boost, especially for players wishing to accelerate their progress through the base game. However, it’s crucial for new players to transition away from it to fully appreciate the depth of Monster Hunter: World and prepare for the challenges of Iceborne. Engaging with the game’s full upgrade system and crafting is part of the experience, and it is recommended that players experience the game’s progression systems naturally.