Mastering Monster Hunter World: A Comprehensive Guide to Weapons with Decoration Slots

In the realm of Monster Hunter World (MHW), where colossal beasts roam and valorous hunters embark on perilous expeditions, the choice of weaponry is paramount to success. Among the vast arsenal at their disposal, weapons with decoration slots stand out as the pinnacle of customization and power. This guide will delve into the intricacies of these specialized weapons, exploring their unique characteristics, unleashing their potential through strategic decoration choices, and providing invaluable tips to enhance your hunting prowess.

Types of Weapons with Decoration Slots

MHW boasts a diverse range of weapon classes, each with its own strengths and playstyles. Within each class, select weapons possess valuable decoration slots that allow for customization and augmentation. The following table categorizes the weapon types and their availability of decoration slots:

Unlocking Decoration Slots

Unlocking decoration slots on weapons requires Augmentation, a process available at the Smithy once you have progressed through the main story and reached Master Rank (MR). Augmentation allows you to enhance your weapons with materials obtained from challenging hunts. Each augmentation level unlocks an additional decoration slot, with a maximum of two slots available on most weapons.

Note: Not all weapons can be augmented. Check the weapon's description to confirm its upgrade potential.

Selecting the Right Decorations

The choice of decorations is crucial in maximizing your weapon's potential. Consider the following factors when selecting decorations:

• Weapon Class: Different weapon classes benefit from specific decorations that enhance their core mechanics or elemental damage.
• Playstyle: Adapt your decoration choices to your preferred playstyle. For example, if you favor aggressive melee combat, prioritize attack-boosting decorations.
• Monster Weaknesses: Refer to Monster Field Guides to identify a monster's elemental weaknesses and select decorations that exploit them.

Tips and Tricks

• Prioritize Attack Boost: This is a versatile decoration that increases your weapon's raw damage output, benefiting all playstyles.
• Maximize Elemental Effectiveness: Choose decorations that enhance the elemental attribute of your weapon to deal extra damage to monsters with corresponding weaknesses.
• Utilize Set Bonuses: Combinations of decorations that activate set bonuses, such as Attack Boost (Lv. 4) or Critical Eye (Lv. 7), can significantly boost your overall stats.
• Experiment with Specialized Decorations: Decorations like Free Element/Ammo Up and Shield Jewel can unlock new capabilities or enhance specific weapon features.

How-To: Step-by-Step Augmentation

1. Gather Materials: Each augmentation level requires a certain amount of materials, which vary depending on the weapon.
2. Unlock the Smithy Option: Once you have the required materials, visit the Smithy and select the "Augment Equipment" option.
3. Select Your Weapon: Choose the weapon you wish to augment and confirm the materials needed.
4. Review Augmentation Level: The Smithy will display the available augmentation levels and the number of decoration slots unlocked at each level.
5. Confirm Augmentation: Select the desired augmentation level and confirm the process.
6. Enjoy Enhanced Weapon: Your weapon will be augmented to the specified level, granting you access to additional decoration slots.

Pros and Cons of Weapon Slots

Pros:

• Customization: Decoration slots allow you to tailor your weapon to your preferred playstyle and specific monsters.
• Enhanced Damage Output: Strategic decoration choices can significantly increase your weapon's damage potential.
• Elemental Flexibility: Decorations can be swapped to exploit the elemental weaknesses of different monsters.

Cons:

• Resource-Intensive: Augmenting weapons can require substantial materials, which may be difficult to obtain early on.
• Limited Availability: Not all weapons have decoration slots, and the number of slots varies.
• RNG Factor: The materials needed for augmentation are often acquired through random drops, leading to potential delays or grinding.

Conclusion

Weapons with decoration slots in MHW empower hunters with unprecedented customization and power. By understanding the types of weapons available, the process of unlocking decoration slots, and the strategies for selecting optimal decorations, you can forge a weapon that perfectly complements your hunting style and conquers the most formidable beasts. Embrace the limitless possibilities of decoration slots and become a true master of Monster Hunter World.