Among the many weapons available in *Monster Hunter Now*, few stand out quite like the Great Sword. This massive weapon delivers powerful, high-impact strikes capable of dealing heavy damage to even the toughest monsters. However, its size and slower attack speed mean it requires careful timing and strategy to wield effectively.

To build a strong Great Sword setup in *Monster Hunter Now*, you’ll want to focus on crowd control—specifically, putting your enemies to sleep. Thanks to updates since launch, crafting sleep-based weapons has become viable, allowing players to exploit a monster’s vulnerable state for maximum effect. To make this work, you'll also need the right skills that increase your chances of inducing sleep. Here's how to build the best Great Sword loadout in *Monster Hunter Now*.

Best Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build

Unlike the Long Sword, which thrives with poison effects, the Great Sword excels when built around sleep status. While you’ll need to hunt a somewhat rare monster to complete this build, most of the gear can be obtained from more common foes.

Full Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Build Overview

Weapon – Frilled Blade

The Frilled Blade is one of the few effective sleep-element Great Swords available in *Monster Hunter Now*. In addition to granting the Sleep element, it also includes the Evade Extender skill at Grade 8, giving you extra distance after dodging an attack—an extremely useful trait for a slower weapon like the Great Sword. You’ll need to hunt Somnacanth to obtain the materials needed to craft this weapon.

Helmet & Greaves – Nightmare Paolumu Set

A large portion of this build relies on gear crafted from Nightmare Paolumu, a monster introduced during the first paid event. The set grants access to all three levels of Rude Awakener, which boosts damage by 100% on your first hit against a sleeping enemy—a major boon for maximizing output. Although Nightmare Paolumu was once hard to find, it now appears more frequently during events and as a rare spawn in later seasons.

Mail, Vambraces, & Coil – Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Set

These armor pieces are designed to boost your Status Sneak Attack skill. By maxing this stat, you significantly increase your chance of triggering sleep buildup when attacking from behind. Additionally, you gain support skills like Evade Extender and Artful Dodger, both of which improve mobility and survivability. Fortunately, Tzitzi-Ya-Ku is much easier to track down thanks to the paintball tracker system.

Best Monster Hunter Now Great Sword Driftstone Slots

This build benefits from relatively accessible Driftstone slot requirements. Ideally, you should aim for five slots focused on Sleep Attack to maximize your ability to put monsters to sleep. Alternatively, you can invest in other key skills like Sneak Attack, Artful Dodger, or Evade Extender depending on your playstyle and combat needs.

• Sleep Attack – Increases weapon sleep buildup value. Rank 1 gives +50, Rank 5 gives +150. (Azure Driftstone only)
• Sneak Attack – Boosts damage dealt from behind by 10% at Rank 1 and up to 30% at Rank 5. (Pale Driftstone only)
• Artful Dodger – Makes evading smoother and easier. Noticeable improvement at Rank 1, significant at Rank 5. (Azure Driftstone only)
• Evade Extender – Increases evasion distance. Slight at Rank 1, substantial at Rank 5. (Pale Driftstone only)