Upgrading your weapons is one of the most important things you’ll need to do in Monster Hunter Outlanders. As you progress through the story, monsters become stronger, hunts become more challenging, and you’ll have less room for mistakes. If your weapon doesn’t deal enough damage, you might run out of time before defeating the monster, even if you’re playing carefully.
However, crafting and upgrading aren’t available right from the beginning. You’ll need to complete certain story quests before unlocking the Workshop features. You’ll also need to collect materials from monsters, gather Hunter’s Jade, and spend Zenny to improve your equipment.
If you’re unsure which weapon to craft first or where to find the materials required for upgrades, I’ve covered everything in this guide. I’ll explain how to unlock crafting, how the upgrade system works, which materials you’ll need, and how your Adventurer Rank affects your equipment progression.
I’ve also included my recommended starting weapons and the long-term weapon goals for all eight weapon types. This should help you avoid wasting materials on equipment that you’ll eventually replace.
Monster Hunter Outlanders Crafting Guide – Upgrade, Materials, Paths
You won’t have access to every Workshop feature immediately after starting Monster Hunter Outlanders. Crafting and upgrading are unlocked through story progression, so make sure you’re completing the main quests.
There are two important quests you need to finish:
| Feature | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|
| Weapon and Armor Crafting | Chapter 1 – Ready for Another Adventure! |
| Weapon and Armor Upgrading | Chapter 2 – Departure Preparations |
Once you complete the Chapter 1 quest, you’ll unlock crafting at the Workshop in Kulune. This allows you to create new weapons and armor using the materials you’ve collected.
Upgrading becomes available after completing Departure Preparations in Chapter 2. From this point onward, you can improve your existing equipment to increase its stats.
A useful tip: Once you unlock the Quick Forge invention, you won’t need to travel back to the Workshop every time you want to craft something. You can access crafting directly through the menu, which makes equipment management much more convenient.
Where to Craft and Upgrade Weapons
After unlocking the necessary features, you can access the crafting and upgrading menus from several locations.
I recommend using the Adventurer upgrade screen because it’s convenient and allows you to switch between different equipment upgrades without repeatedly visiting the Workshop.
Here are the available options:
| Location | How to Access |
|---|---|
| Workshop in Kulune | Talk to the Workshop staff |
| Adventurer Upgrade Screen | Open the upgrade menu and select your equipment |
| Item Pouch | Open the Equipment screen and select the third icon from the top |
| Quick Forge | Access crafting directly from the menu after unlocking the invention |
All these options provide access to the same crafting and upgrade functions.
When you open the equipment menu, you’ll see separate sections for different weapon types and armor. Select the equipment you want to craft or upgrade and check the required materials before confirming.
I recommend checking your available materials first, especially when you’re working toward a particular weapon. Some upgrades require materials from specific monsters, so planning ahead can save you unnecessary farming.
Materials Required for Weapon Crafting and Upgrades
Crafting and upgrading weapons requires a combination of monster materials, gathering materials, Hunter’s Jade, and Zenny.
You should get into the habit of collecting materials whenever you’re completing hunts because you’ll need plenty of them as your equipment progresses.
Here’s what you should know about the main requirements.
1. Hunter’s Jade
Hunter’s Jade is one of the most important materials for equipment progression. You’ll need it for both crafting and upgrading weapons.
There are different Hunter’s Jade tiers, including:
- Hunter’s Jade I
- Hunter’s Jade II
- Hunter’s Jade III
Higher equipment rarities generally require higher-tier Hunter’s Jade.
You can obtain Hunter’s Jade through several activities:
- Free Hunt
- Trial Expedition
- Research Points exchanges
- Co-op Hunt
I recommend collecting Hunter’s Jade whenever you have the opportunity. Running out of it can slow down your equipment progression, especially when you unlock several upgrades at once.
2. Monster Materials
Most weapons require materials obtained by hunting specific monsters.
For example, crafting and upgrading Blazing Hatchets requires Anjanath materials, while Girros Strongarm uses materials from Great Girros.
These materials can include monster hides, fangs, ridges, and other parts.
One thing I recommend is checking the weapon’s upgrade requirements before farming a monster. This way, you’ll know exactly which materials you’re missing instead of repeatedly hunting monsters without a clear objective.
3. Gathering Materials
Some weapons require materials that you can collect from the environment rather than obtaining directly from monsters.
Iron Ore and Monster Bone S are examples of materials used in early weapon crafting.
Make sure you’re collecting these resources during exploration because you’ll need them for several early upgrades.
4. Zenny
Zenny is the currency used for crafting equipment.
You’ll need to spend it alongside the required materials, so don’t forget to keep some available when planning multiple upgrades.
I recommend avoiding unnecessary crafting when you’re saving for an important weapon. Focus on equipment that helps you progress through the story rather than spending Zenny on every available option.
Weapon and Armor Upgrade Limits by Adventurer Rank
One important part of equipment progression is your Adventurer Rank.
Your rank determines the maximum rarity you can upgrade your weapons and armor to. This means collecting materials alone isn’t enough; you’ll also need to progress through the game to unlock higher upgrade limits.
Here’s the complete upgrade cap progression:
| Adventurer Rank | Maximum Equipment Rarity |
|---|---|
| 16 | Rarity 3 |
| 18 | Rarity 4 |
| 21 | Rarity 5 |
| 26 | Rarity 6 |
| 31 | Rarity 7 |
| 34 | Rarity 8 |
| 41 | Rarity 9 |
| 44 | Rarity 10 |
| 47 | Rarity 11 |
For example, reaching Adventurer Rank 21 allows you to upgrade your equipment up to Rarity 5. You’ll need to continue increasing your rank before you can push your equipment to the next rarity.
How to Increase Your Adventurer Rank
If you want to unlock higher equipment upgrades, focus on activities that increase your Adventurer Rank.
These include:
- Completing main story quests.
- Clearing Hunt Requests.
- Completing Free Hunts.
I recommend progressing through these activities regularly instead of spending all your time farming the same monster.
Another thing worth remembering is that armor can gain additional benefits at certain rarities. Some pieces unlock a new skill, while others improve an existing skill.
This can provide additional resistance to status ailments or increase the effectiveness of particular abilities, making armor upgrades useful beyond simply increasing defense.
What Should You Upgrade First?
If you’re just starting out, you might be tempted to craft every new weapon and armor piece as soon as it becomes available. I wouldn’t recommend doing that.
Your materials and Zenny are better spent on equipment that actually helps you progress.
Here’s the upgrade priority I would follow.
1. Prioritize Your Main Weapon
Your weapon should be the first thing you focus on upgrading.
The reason is simple: hunts have time limits. Even if you can survive a monster’s attacks, you won’t complete the encounter if your damage output is too low.
Increasing your weapon’s attack power makes it easier to defeat monsters within the available time.
You don’t need to upgrade every weapon you own. Instead, choose the weapon type you enjoy using and focus your resources on that equipment first.
For example, if you’re using the Long Sword, prioritize improving your main Long Sword rather than spending materials on weapons you rarely use.
2. Upgrade Armor When You’re Taking Too Much Damage
After improving your weapon, take a look at your armor.
If monsters are defeating you in just one or two attacks, it’s probably time to invest in better defensive equipment.
You can either upgrade your existing armor or craft a new piece with higher defense if one has become available.
I recommend paying attention to armor skills as well. Sometimes a piece with a useful skill can be a better choice for your build than simply selecting the armor with the highest defense.
3. Choose Armor Skills Based on Your Weapon
Armor isn’t just about defense. Different pieces provide skills that can improve particular weapon types.
For example:
- Capacity Boost: Useful for builds that benefit from additional capacity.
- Charged Power Shot: A useful skill for Bow-focused builds.
- Flash Draw: Suitable for melee weapons such as Long Sword and Great Sword.
Whenever you unlock a new armor piece, check its skills before deciding whether to craft it.
I would prioritize armor that complements your weapon rather than blindly upgrading every available piece.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Upgrade Equipment
You can dismantle certain equipment to recover some of the materials used in crafting and upgrading.
This means you don’t necessarily need to save every material forever out of fear that you’ll replace your weapon later.
However, dismantling isn’t completely reversible, and you won’t receive every material back.
Important: Dismantling Crimson Crest equipment doesn’t return materials. I recommend checking the dismantling screen carefully before confirming anything.
Best Starting Weapons and Long-Term Weapon Goals
If you’re unsure which weapon to craft first, I’ve put together a list of recommended starting weapons and the equipment you should eventually work toward.
The idea is to use an accessible early-game weapon while collecting materials for a stronger long-term option.
| Weapon Type | Recommended Starting Weapon | Long-Term Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Great Sword | Guild Crimson Crest Great Sword (Fire) I | Blacksteel Chopper II |
| Long Sword | Bone Shotel I | Wyvern Blade “Fall” II |
| Dual Blades | Blazing Hatchets I | Radiant Madness Pangas II |
| Lance | Iron Lance I | Blacksteel Lance II |
| Hammer | Carapace Sledge I | Guild Crimson Crest Hammer (Ice) III |
| Charge Blade | Girros Strongarm I | Radiant Kadachi Kaina III |
| Heavy Bowgun | Bone Shooter I | Radiant Datura Blaster III |
| Bow | Blazing Bow I | Radiant Kadachi Strikebow III |
I recommend starting with the weapon listed for your preferred weapon type and gradually working toward the long-term goal.
You don’t need to craft every weapon on this list. Focus on the one that matches your playstyle and build.
Weapon Upgrade Paths and Required Materials
Now let’s look at the individual weapon upgrade paths.
I’ve organized the requirements by weapon type so you can quickly find the materials needed for your preferred equipment.
The attack values below show how the weapon’s attack increases as you progress through its listed upgrade stages.
Great Sword – Guild Crimson Crest Great Sword (Fire)
The Guild Crimson Crest Great Sword is a good starting option if you prefer heavy attacks and high damage.
Its early upgrades mainly require Iron Ore and Hunter’s Jade, making it relatively straightforward to develop.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Craft | 24 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
| 2 | Upgrade | 52 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
| 3 | Upgrade | 75 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 107 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
| 5 | Upgrade to II | 149 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Iron Ore ×2 |
| 6 | Upgrade | 199 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Iron Ore ×2 |
| 7 | Upgrade to III | 259 | Hunter’s Jade III ×2, Iron Ore ×3 |
My recommendation: Start with the Guild Crimson Crest Great Sword and use it while collecting materials for Blacksteel Chopper II, your long-term weapon goal.
Long Sword – Bone Shotel
If you prefer the Long Sword, Bone Shotel I is your recommended starting weapon.
Unlike some of the other early weapons, it starts at Rarity 3 and uses Monster Bone S for its crafting and upgrade requirements.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Craft | 101 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Monster Bone S ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 144 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Monster Bone S ×1 |
| 5 | Upgrade | 200 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Monster Bone S ×2 |
My recommendation: Bone Shotel is a straightforward starting option. Keep upgrading it as you progress, but work toward Wyvern Blade “Fall” II for your longer-term Long Sword build.
Dual Blades – Blazing Hatchets
Blazing Hatchets I is the recommended starting weapon for Dual Blades users.
You’ll need Anjanath materials for this weapon, so make sure you’re collecting its Pelts and Fangs whenever you’re hunting Anjanath.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Craft | 79 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Anjanath Pelt I ×1, Anjanath Fang I ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 113 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Anjanath Pelt I ×1, Anjanath Fang I ×1 |
| 5 | Upgrade | 157 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Anjanath Pelt I ×2, Anjanath Fang I ×2 |
| 6 | Upgrade to II | 211 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Anjanath Pelt II ×2, Anjanath Fang II ×2 |
| 7 | Upgrade | 274 | Hunter’s Jade III ×2, Anjanath Pelt II ×3, Anjanath Fang II ×3 |
My recommendation: Blazing Hatchets are a useful starting choice for fast-paced combat. Keep farming Anjanath materials as you work toward Radiant Madness Pangas II.
Lance – Iron Lance
Iron Lance I is the starting weapon for Lance users.
Its early crafting requirements are simple because you’ll mainly need Iron Ore and Hunter’s Jade.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Craft | 52 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
| 2 | Upgrade | 69 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
| 3 | Upgrade | 99 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 141 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Iron Ore ×1 |
My recommendation: Iron Lance is a practical early weapon because its materials are relatively easy to obtain. You can use it while collecting what you need for Blacksteel Lance II.
Hammer – Carapace Sledge
For Hammer users, Carapace Sledge I is the recommended starting weapon.
You’ll need materials from Barroth, including Barroth Ridge and Barroth Scalp. Make sure you’re collecting these parts during your hunts.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Craft | 70 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Barroth Ridge I ×1, Barroth Scalp I ×1 |
| 3 | Upgrade | 101 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Barroth Ridge I ×1, Barroth Scalp I ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 145 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Barroth Ridge I ×1, Barroth Scalp I ×1 |
| 5 | Upgrade to II | 200 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Barroth Ridge II ×2, Barroth Scalp II ×2 |
| 6 | Upgrade | 269 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Barroth Ridge II ×2, Barroth Scalp II ×2 |
My recommendation: Carapace Sledge is a good early option for Hammer players. Continue improving it as you collect higher-tier Barroth materials, and eventually work toward Guild Crimson Crest Hammer (Ice) III.
Charge Blade – Girros Strongarm
Girros Strongarm I is the recommended starting weapon for Charge Blade users.
This weapon requires materials from Great Girros, including its Hide and Fang. You’ll need higher-tier versions of these materials for later upgrades.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Craft | 67 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Great Girros Hide I ×1, Great Girros Fang I ×1 |
| 3 | Upgrade | 96 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Great Girros Hide I ×1, Great Girros Fang I ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 138 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Great Girros Hide I ×1, Great Girros Fang I ×1 |
| 5 | Upgrade to II | 191 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Great Girros Hide II ×2, Great Girros Fang II ×2 |
| 6 | Upgrade | 256 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Great Girros Hide II ×2, Great Girros Fang II ×2 |
My recommendation: Girros Strongarm is a solid starting point if you want to learn Charge Blade. Keep collecting Great Girros materials as you work toward Radiant Kadachi Kaina III.
Heavy Bowgun – Bone Shooter
Bone Shooter I is the recommended starting option for Heavy Bowgun users.
Its upgrade path is relatively simple and mainly requires Monster Bone S and Hunter’s Jade.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Craft | 78 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Monster Bone S ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 111 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Monster Bone S ×1 |
| 5 | Upgrade | 154 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Monster Bone S ×2 |
My recommendation: Bone Shooter is a good early ranged weapon. It doesn’t require complicated monster farming at the beginning, allowing you to focus on progressing through the story while collecting materials for Radiant Datura Blaster III.
Bow – Blazing Bow
Blazing Bow I is the recommended starting weapon if you prefer using the Bow.
Like Dual Blades, this weapon requires Anjanath materials, so you’ll need to collect Pelts and Fangs while hunting the monster.
| Rarity | Upgrade | Attack | Required Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Craft | 79 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Anjanath Pelt I ×1, Anjanath Fang I ×1 |
| 4 | Upgrade | 113 | Hunter’s Jade I ×1, Anjanath Pelt I ×1, Anjanath Fang I ×1 |
| 5 | Upgrade | 157 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Anjanath Pelt I ×2, Anjanath Fang I ×2 |
| 6 | Upgrade to II | 211 | Hunter’s Jade II ×1, Anjanath Pelt II ×2, Anjanath Fang II ×2 |
| 7 | Upgrade | 274 | Hunter’s Jade III ×2, Anjanath Pelt II ×3, Anjanath Fang II ×3 |
My recommendation: Blazing Bow is a practical starting weapon for ranged players. I would keep upgrading it while collecting the materials required for Radiant Kadachi Strikebow III.
How to Farm Upgrade Materials More Efficiently
Weapon upgrades can become expensive as you reach higher rarities. Instead of farming randomly, I recommend following a simple routine.
Complete Free Hunts Regularly
Free Hunts are one of the activities where you can obtain Hunter’s Jade.
Make them part of your regular progression rather than waiting until you run out of materials.
Use Co-op Hunts for Material Farming
Co-op Hunts are another useful way to collect the materials needed for equipment progression.
If you’re missing specific monster parts, focus on hunting the monsters associated with your weapon’s upgrade path.
Exchange Research Points
Don’t forget about the Research Points exchange. You can use it to obtain Hunter’s Jade, making it another useful source when you need additional upgrade materials.
Check the Workshop After Defeating New Monsters
A new weapon or armor piece can become available after you defeat a monster for the first time.
I recommend visiting the Workshop after every new monster encounter to check whether you’ve unlocked equipment that better suits your build.
This is especially useful when progressing through the story because a newly unlocked weapon might offer better stats or a skill that complements your playstyle.
Weapon crafting and upgrading are essential parts of progressing through Monster Hunter Outlanders. As you unlock stronger monsters and reach higher Adventurer Ranks, you’ll need to keep improving your equipment to maintain enough damage and survivability.
My biggest recommendation is to focus on one main weapon first instead of spreading your materials across every weapon type. Choose something that matches your playstyle, upgrade it regularly, and collect the materials needed for your long-term weapon goal.
Don’t forget about armor, either. Once your weapon is performing well, start investing in defensive equipment and skills that complement your build.
If you follow the upgrade progression and plan your material farming ahead of time, you’ll have a much easier time preparing for stronger monsters without wasting valuable resources.