Monster Hunter Wilds, launched on February 28, 2025, has taken the gaming world by storm, shattering records with over 8 million copies sold in its first three days and peaking at 1.3 million concurrent Steam players. This latest installment from Capcom plunges hunters into the treacherous Forbidden Lands, a sprawling open-world teeming with colossal beasts and endless crafting potential. At its heart lies the timeless Monster Hunter loop: slay monsters, harvest their parts, and forge gear that turns you into a walking arsenal. Upgrading your weapons and armor isn’t just a perk—it’s a necessity to survive the escalating threats. Whether you’re a grizzled veteran or a wide-eyed newbie, understanding how to enhance your equipment is key to thriving in this brutal ecosystem. Let’s break down the process, from unlocking upgrades to farming the materials that’ll keep you one step ahead of the hunt.

How To Unlock Weapon & Armor Upgrades

Reach Different Story Chapters

The journey to upgrading begins with Gemma, the game’s steadfast smithy, who’s your gateway to gear improvement. You’ll meet her early on, but don’t expect to start tinkering right away. Weapon upgrades unlock first, shortly after you topple your initial large monster, Quematrice, in the prologue. This fiery foe’s defeat opens the door to Rarity 2 weapons, setting the stage for a system that’s both familiar and refined. Armor upgrades, however, play hard to get—you won’t access them until Chapter 2, when you reach the Oilwell Basin. After completing the “Toward Fervent Fields” quest and slaying a Rompopolo, Gemma pulls you aside at base camp with a grin and a lesson: armor can now be bolstered with Armor Spheres. It’s a pivotal moment, marking your transition from scrappy survivor to calculated hunter. Progression through the story is your golden ticket, gradually unveiling Low Rank (up to Rarity 4) and High Rank (up to Rarity 7) upgrades as you go.

Best Weapon Upgrades

Follow The Path That Suits Your Build

Weapons in Wilds follow a branching tree system, a staple of the series that’s as daunting as it is rewarding. Picture it like a sprawling family tree, with each weapon type—be it Long Sword, Dual Blades, or Heavy Bowgun—offering multiple paths to power. Start with a basic Bone Switch Axe, and with the right materials, you could climb to the Rarity 7 Guardian Indomitable Perceval. To upgrade, head to Gemma, select “Forge/Upgrade Weapon,” and pick your poison. Early options might require simple Mystery Bones from Bonepiles (filter them on your map for easy hunting), but as you climb the tree, you’ll need rarer monster parts—think Quematrice claws or Rey Dau scales. Each new monster you defeat can unlock fresh branches, adding elemental affinities like Fire or status effects like Poison. X posts buzz with players debating their favorites, with some swearing by the Bone Tree’s accessibility for early-game dominance. The trick? Check your upgrade paths often—adding a desired weapon to your wishlist flags when you’ve got the goods to craft it.

Armor upgrades, by contrast, are a simpler beast. Once unlocked in Chapter 2, visit Gemma and choose “Upgrade From Box” under “Forge/Upgrade Armor.” Here, you’ll use Armor Spheres—small orbs earned from quests—to boost your gear’s defense. Three types exist: basic Armor Spheres (10 points), Armor Spheres+ (50 points), and Advanced Armor Spheres (200 points). Each piece of armor has a level cap, and higher levels demand more points, especially for rare sets. A low-rank Chatacabra helm might max out quickly, while a high-rank Arkveld chestpiece could soak up spheres like a sponge. Unlike weapons, armor doesn’t branch—it’s a straight climb to better stats. The catch is deciding which pieces are worth the investment. X users suggest hoarding spheres until High Rank, where Decoration Slots unlock and skills like Perfect Evade shine, but early upgrades can smooth out tough hunts if you’re struggling.

Best Armor Upgrades

Only Improve What Works For Your Build

Farming materials is where the real grind kicks in, and Wilds doesn’t pull punches. Weapon upgrades hinge on monster parts—carves, captures, and broken bits like horns or tails. A successful hunt might net you enough to jump from Rarity 3 to 4, but rarer items often mean targeting specific beasts. Armor Spheres drop from story missions and optional quests, with High Rank foes like Apex Uth Duna offering the juiciest rewards. Two late-game tricks up the ante: trade with Gawdydog in Scarlet Forest’s Wudwud hideout (post-Chapter 1) or smelt excess monster parts at Azuz’s Smelting Foundry (unlocked after Chapter 3). Smelting turns low-rank scraps into spheres, a godsend for stockpiling. Knowing what you want—say, a Lala Barina set or a Dual Blades tree—focuses your efforts. Team up with friends via SOS flares, and the grind feels less like a chore and more like a party.

What’s the payoff? Weapons evolve from blunt tools to elemental powerhouses, with skills like Attack & Guard leveling up as you upgrade (a new twist per X hype from @monsterhunter). A fully upgraded Bone Tree Hammer might not match an Arkveld Hammer’s sharpness, but it’ll carry you through midgame with brute force. Armor, meanwhile, bulks up your defense and resistances, letting you tank hits that’d flatten a novice. High Rank sets add Decoration Slots, turning you into a skill-stacking machine—think Demon Boost for Dual Blades or knockback resistance for lancers. There’s no “best” path; it’s about your playstyle. Love dodging? Pump spheres into agility-focused gear. Prefer raw power? Chase a weapon tree with max damage. Online chatter on Steam forums and X leans toward flexibility—mixing sets for skills beats chasing full-set bonuses early on.

How To Get Upgrade Materials

Complete Quests Without Failing

Veterans will feel at home with Wilds’ upgrade mechanics, which echo Monster Hunter World and Rise with smoother edges. Newbies might balk at the complexity, but the game eases you in. Early hunts don’t demand much beyond basic gear, giving you time to learn the ropes. Still, planning matters—wasting spheres on low-rank armor you’ll ditch post-credits is a rookie mistake. High Rank is where builds solidify, and that’s when the grind pays off. Posts on X from players like @SentaiNero highlight how early upgrades can ease the story, but the consensus tilts toward patience for armor until you hit the big leagues.

Monster Hunter Wilds thrives on this gear chase—it’s the pulse of every hunt. Whether you’re forging a fire-infused longsword or beefing up a chestplate, each upgrade feels like a victory. Start small, experiment with trees, and lean on the community for tips. The Forbidden Lands are unforgiving, but with the right gear, you’ll carve your legend. So, grab your Seikret, hit the smithy, and turn those monster parts into glory—one upgrade at a time.