Captain LagbeardMonster Hunter Wilds: Upgrading Armor So You Stop Getting Smacked!
If you’re spending more time unconscious on the battlefield than actually hunting monsters, it’s time for an armor upgrade.
Luckily, Monster Hunter Wilds has a system that lets you beef up your gear, so you don’t get swatted like a fly every five seconds.
The secret? Armor Spheres—special items you can earn from hunts and use to fortify your gear at the smithy. Think of it as giving your armor a well-deserved protein shake.
When Can You Start Upgrading Armor?
Armor upgrades don’t just magically unlock from the start—you’ve got to earn them. Your first armor spheres come into play during Chapter 2-1: “Toward Fervent Fields.”
While you’re busy tracking down Maki and facing off against your first Rompopolo, you’ll stumble upon these precious little upgrade tokens.
Once you return to the village—hopefully still in one piece—Gemma will pull you aside at the smithy and drop some wisdom on you: “If you’re fainting left and right, maybe upgrade your armor.” (Translation: Stop being a weakling and get some defense.)
How to Upgrade Your Armor Like a Pro
Now that you have armor spheres, it’s time to put them to good use. Here’s how to upgrade your gear and finally stop embarrassing yourself:
- Head to the Smithy – Navigate to the Forge/Upgrade Armor section.
- Pick an Existing Armor Piece – Anything with a red chest icon (meaning it’s in your inventory) or a yellow checkmark (you’re wearing it) is fair game.
- Hit the Upgrade Button – A fancy new menu will pop up with all your armor sphere details.
- Spend Those Spheres! – Armor spheres convert into upgrade points, which help push your armor to the next level.
Understanding Armor Spheres (And Why You Need A Lot of Them)
Not all armor spheres are created equal. Some are tiny, some are beefy, and some make you question why you ever spent your early ones so recklessly. Here’s how they stack up:
- Regular Armor Spheres – Worth 10 points (starter pack level, don’t expect miracles).
- Armor Spheres+ – Worth 50 points (now we’re talking!).
- Advanced Armor Spheres – Worth 200 points (for when you’re serious about surviving).
At first, upgrades are cheap, but as you level up, the cost skyrockets. So, if you thought you’d max out your entire armor set by spamming spheres early on, think again!
What Actually Changes? (Spoiler: Not Everything)
Armor upgrades only increase defense—so don’t expect to suddenly get fire resistance just because you threw some spheres at your chest plate.
Skills and resistances remain unchanged, meaning your set bonuses and elemental buffs won’t magically improve.
However, higher defense does mean you’ll survive longer, giving you more time to land that perfect hit instead of fainting like a rookie.
Should You Upgrade Everything?
It’s tempting to go all out and max every piece of armor you own, but that’s not always the smartest move. Here’s the best strategy:
🔹 Upgrade just enough to survive – If a hunt is crushing you, level up your current gear just enough to make it through. Don’t waste armor spheres on beginner sets you’ll replace soon.
🔹 Save big upgrades for late-game armor – As you progress, better armor sets become available. Maxing out early-game gear is like modding a bicycle when you’ll soon be riding a motorcycle.
🔹 Be selective – If you’re using a set that you know you’ll keep for a while, that’s the one to invest in. Dumping resources into every piece of armor you craft is a great way to run out of spheres fast.
Final Verdict: Upgrade Smart, Hunt Smarter!
In Monster Hunter Wilds, upgrading your armor isn’t just about feeling fancy—it’s about not getting wrecked by monsters every time you step into battle. With armor spheres in hand, you can turn your weak gear into a respectable defense machine.
So, next time you’re wondering why that giant wyvern keeps one-shotting you, ask yourself: Have I upgraded my armor? If the answer is no, well… enjoy your next faint.
