Monster Hunter World doesn't explain how to increase Hunter Rank in the game, but there are some important things to know in order to unlock higher level hunts. By Anthony Taormina Feb 18, 2018. Monster Hunter World has simplified the Upgrade System that the franchise had in the previous iterations. However, it is still very extensive and difficult for a new player to figure out.
Check this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne guide on how to level up Master Rank fast. Including methods on Master Rank level farming, how to unlock Master Rank limit & more.
Table of Contents
Check Out What To Do After Iceborne Story!How To Raise Master Rank Levels Fast
Farm At The Guiding Lands
Monsters in the Guiding Lands are the best way for you to farm for Master Rank levels. Investigation Quests reward you with more points, making it a great way to farm for Master Rank levels!
Rathalos: The Guiding Lands
Tempered Rathalos: Investigation Quest
Rathalos: Optional Quest
Hunt Elder Dragon Monsters
Elder Dragons reward you with a ton of Master Rank points, allowing you to level up faster. Aside from this, they can also reward you with Elder Dragon Gems that let you craft strong equipment!
Shara Ishvalda Takes Some Time To Defeat
The Monster Shara Ishvalda rewards you with the most Master Rank points out of all the monsters in the game. However, it takes quite a bit of time to defeat. If you want to do this quest, make sure to equip the Partbreaker skill to finish faster!
Check Out How To Beat Shara Ishvalda Here!Hunt Monsters In The Guiding Lands
When you hunt & defeat monsters in the Guiding Lands, you will get a surge of points that can increase your Master Rank levels fast. If you want to grind points for Master Rank, the Guiding Lands is the best place to do it.
Report To Handler After Defeating Each Monster
After successfully hunting a monster, head back to base and talk to Handler. She will give you the hunt rewards & you will automatically receive Hunter & Master Rank Points, among other end-of-quest rewards.
Join Event Quests With Bonus Master Rank Points
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne has a heavy rotation of event quests that provide better rewards once completed. Always check the event quest roster to see which ones specifically reward Master Rank points.
Check Out Master Rank Event Schedule!How To Unlock Master Rank Limit
Beat Iceborne's Final Boss
To unlock the Master Rank limit in Iceborne, you need to beat the expansion's final boss. This means going through the main story & getting to the very end of it.
Master Rank Cap Is Removed After MR 23
You will break the Master Rank limit when you hit Master Rank 23, after you beat the game's final boss. Any hunt after this part of the game will continuously increase your Master Rank.
Why Raise Master Rank Levels?
Raise Region Level Cap In Guiding Lands
The upper limit of region levels in the Guiding Lands is locked behind your Master Rank. To raise region levels higher, you also need to raise your Master Rank.
Region Level Master Rank Limits
| Master Rank | Region Level |
|---|---|
| MR 24 - 49 | Region Level 4 |
| MR 50 - 69 | Region Level 5 |
| MR 70 - 99 | Region Level 6 |
| MR100 - | Region Level 7 |
Unlock More Monsters In Guiding Lands
When you raise your Master Rank, you'll also be able to spawn more challenging monsters in the Guiding Lands. These monsters are extremely powerful and are usually at the top of the food chain.
Region Level Needed Per Monster
| Monster | Region Level |
|---|---|
| Zinogre | Forest Region Level 3 |
| Yian Garuga | Forest Region Level 3 |
| Scarred Yian Garuga | Forest Region Level 5 |
| Gold Rathian | Desert Region Level 5 |
| Silver Rathalos | Coral Region Level 5 |
| Brute Tigrex | Rotten Region Level 5 |
Unlock More Optional Quests In-Game
When your Master Rank is higher, you will also be able to unlock more Optional quests in Iceborne. These can lead to further upgrades or new specialized tools.
Check Out All Iceborne Master Rank Optional Quest Here!Monster Hunter World Increase Slot Levels
Read this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne guide on Equipment Augmentation, how to unlock it, how to augment weapons and armor, requirements, & more!
Table of Contents
Currently Updating ICEBORNE Info!
| MHW: ICEBORNE Feature Articles | |
|---|---|
| Staring MR - Tips | MR Break Guide |
| All Monster List | Recommended MR Build |
What Is Augmenting Equipment?
Upgrading Weapons & Armor to Full Potential
Augmenting is a form of upgrade that allows you to further upgrade weapons & armor past their limits, further improving their stats.
Weapon Augments Adds Stat Boosts & Other Bonuses
For Weapon Augments, you can choose to boost stats such as Attack, Affinity & Defense or add an extra slot to the weapon. You can also add a Health Regen stat to your weapon.
Augmenting Armor Allows You To Upgrade More
Augmenting Armor removes the upgrade level cap, increasing the number of times you can upgrade the armor. This allows you to raise the defense stat past its default cap.
How To Unlock Equipment Augmentation
How To Unlock Augmentation Procedure
| No. | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Reach Hunter Rank (HR) 30 to unlock encounters with Tempered Monsters. |
| 2 | Collect Tempered Monster traces, defeat Tempered Monsters and obtain a 'Streamstone' |
| 3 | Talk to the Smithy which will trigger a dialogue to unlock 'Augment Equipment' |
Raise Your HR to At Least Level 30
Raising your HR to level 30 will unlock encounters with Tempered Monsters. The required item 'Streamstones' can only be found from Tempered Monsters.
How To Raise Hunter Rank After StoryHunt & Defeat a Threat Level 2-3 Tempered Monster
After raising your HR, launch a Tempered Investigation quest to hunt a monster with at least Threat Level 2. Streamstones will only drop from these types of monsters, & will be appraised to a 'Warrior Streamstone' or 'Hero Streamstone' after completing the quest.
What Is An Investigation Quest - Tips, Guide & RewardsWhy You Should Augment Equipment
Make Your Weapons Much More Powerful
At the end-game, you will fight far stronger monsters than before, and you'll need higher damaging weapons to quickly take them down. Augmentation greatly improves end-game viability of high rarity weapons!
Relevant Guides On Stats
| What Is Attack Power | What Is Affinity |
Strengthen Armor To Take On Challenging Hunts
At the end-game, monsters, especially Tempered & Arch Tempered forms, will hit harder, and are vastly more challenging than normal hunts. You'll need the best equipment as possible to take on these hunts.
How To Augment Weapons
Only Rarity Level 6 to 8 Can Be Augmented
Only Level 6 and above weapons can be augmented. As the weapon rarity increases, the less augmentation slots you get.
| Rarity | Augmentation Slots |
|---|---|
| Rarity 6 | 3 Slots |
| Rarity 7 | 2 Slots |
| Rarity 8 | 1 Slot |
Available Weapon Augment Options
| Augmentation | Description |
|---|---|
| Attack Increase | Increases attack power. Stacks with other upgrades. Increase in value depends on the weapon |
| Affinity Increase | Increases affinity by 10%. 2nd upgrade is 5% |
| Defense Increase | Increases defense by 10% and reduces the damage taken each time you receive damage |
| Slot Upgrade | Adds an extra Jewel Slot. Stack with another Slot Upgrade to increase the slot's level |
| Health Regen | Regain health as you land attacks |
Materials Needed For Weapon Augments
Augmentation requires rare materials & a lot of zenny to equip. Although Augmentations are not permanent and can be changed, the materials are rare and costly.
Streamstones Required
Report To Handler After Defeating Each Monster
After successfully hunting a monster, head back to base and talk to Handler. She will give you the hunt rewards & you will automatically receive Hunter & Master Rank Points, among other end-of-quest rewards.
Join Event Quests With Bonus Master Rank Points
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne has a heavy rotation of event quests that provide better rewards once completed. Always check the event quest roster to see which ones specifically reward Master Rank points.
Check Out Master Rank Event Schedule!How To Unlock Master Rank Limit
Beat Iceborne's Final Boss
To unlock the Master Rank limit in Iceborne, you need to beat the expansion's final boss. This means going through the main story & getting to the very end of it.
Check Out Master Rank Main Story Guide!Master Rank Cap Is Removed After MR 23
You will break the Master Rank limit when you hit Master Rank 23, after you beat the game's final boss. Any hunt after this part of the game will continuously increase your Master Rank.
Why Raise Master Rank Levels?
Raise Region Level Cap In Guiding Lands
The upper limit of region levels in the Guiding Lands is locked behind your Master Rank. To raise region levels higher, you also need to raise your Master Rank.
Region Level Master Rank Limits
| Master Rank | Region Level |
|---|---|
| MR 24 - 49 | Region Level 4 |
| MR 50 - 69 | Region Level 5 |
| MR 70 - 99 | Region Level 6 |
| MR100 - | Region Level 7 |
Unlock More Monsters In Guiding Lands
When you raise your Master Rank, you'll also be able to spawn more challenging monsters in the Guiding Lands. These monsters are extremely powerful and are usually at the top of the food chain.
Region Level Needed Per Monster
| Monster | Region Level |
|---|---|
| Zinogre | Forest Region Level 3 |
| Yian Garuga | Forest Region Level 3 |
| Scarred Yian Garuga | Forest Region Level 5 |
| Gold Rathian | Desert Region Level 5 |
| Silver Rathalos | Coral Region Level 5 |
| Brute Tigrex | Rotten Region Level 5 |
Unlock More Optional Quests In-Game
When your Master Rank is higher, you will also be able to unlock more Optional quests in Iceborne. These can lead to further upgrades or new specialized tools.
Check Out All Iceborne Master Rank Optional Quest Here!Monster Hunter World Increase Slot Levels
Read this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne guide on Equipment Augmentation, how to unlock it, how to augment weapons and armor, requirements, & more!
Table of Contents
Currently Updating ICEBORNE Info!
| MHW: ICEBORNE Feature Articles | |
|---|---|
| Staring MR - Tips | MR Break Guide |
| All Monster List | Recommended MR Build |
What Is Augmenting Equipment?
Upgrading Weapons & Armor to Full Potential
Augmenting is a form of upgrade that allows you to further upgrade weapons & armor past their limits, further improving their stats.
Weapon Augments Adds Stat Boosts & Other Bonuses
For Weapon Augments, you can choose to boost stats such as Attack, Affinity & Defense or add an extra slot to the weapon. You can also add a Health Regen stat to your weapon.
Augmenting Armor Allows You To Upgrade More
Augmenting Armor removes the upgrade level cap, increasing the number of times you can upgrade the armor. This allows you to raise the defense stat past its default cap.
How To Unlock Equipment Augmentation
How To Unlock Augmentation Procedure
| No. | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Reach Hunter Rank (HR) 30 to unlock encounters with Tempered Monsters. |
| 2 | Collect Tempered Monster traces, defeat Tempered Monsters and obtain a 'Streamstone' |
| 3 | Talk to the Smithy which will trigger a dialogue to unlock 'Augment Equipment' |
Raise Your HR to At Least Level 30
Raising your HR to level 30 will unlock encounters with Tempered Monsters. The required item 'Streamstones' can only be found from Tempered Monsters.
How To Raise Hunter Rank After StoryHunt & Defeat a Threat Level 2-3 Tempered Monster
After raising your HR, launch a Tempered Investigation quest to hunt a monster with at least Threat Level 2. Streamstones will only drop from these types of monsters, & will be appraised to a 'Warrior Streamstone' or 'Hero Streamstone' after completing the quest.
What Is An Investigation Quest - Tips, Guide & RewardsWhy You Should Augment Equipment
Make Your Weapons Much More Powerful
At the end-game, you will fight far stronger monsters than before, and you'll need higher damaging weapons to quickly take them down. Augmentation greatly improves end-game viability of high rarity weapons!
Relevant Guides On Stats
| What Is Attack Power | What Is Affinity |
Strengthen Armor To Take On Challenging Hunts
At the end-game, monsters, especially Tempered & Arch Tempered forms, will hit harder, and are vastly more challenging than normal hunts. You'll need the best equipment as possible to take on these hunts.
How To Augment Weapons
Only Rarity Level 6 to 8 Can Be Augmented
Only Level 6 and above weapons can be augmented. As the weapon rarity increases, the less augmentation slots you get.
| Rarity | Augmentation Slots |
|---|---|
| Rarity 6 | 3 Slots |
| Rarity 7 | 2 Slots |
| Rarity 8 | 1 Slot |
Available Weapon Augment Options
| Augmentation | Description |
|---|---|
| Attack Increase | Increases attack power. Stacks with other upgrades. Increase in value depends on the weapon |
| Affinity Increase | Increases affinity by 10%. 2nd upgrade is 5% |
| Defense Increase | Increases defense by 10% and reduces the damage taken each time you receive damage |
| Slot Upgrade | Adds an extra Jewel Slot. Stack with another Slot Upgrade to increase the slot's level |
| Health Regen | Regain health as you land attacks |
Materials Needed For Weapon Augments
Augmentation requires rare materials & a lot of zenny to equip. Although Augmentations are not permanent and can be changed, the materials are rare and costly.
Streamstones Required
| Rarity | Materials Required |
|---|---|
| Rarity 6 | Warrior's Streamstone x 1 Streamstone Shard x 3 |
| Rarity 7 | Warrior's Streamstone x 2 Streamstone x 3 |
| Rarity 8 | Hero's Streamstone x 1 Gleaming Streamstone x 3 |
Monster Hunter World Increase Slot Leveling
Monster Material Required
| Augment | Rarity 6 | Rarity 7 | Rarity 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack Increase | Rathalos Plate x2 | Rathalos Ruby x1 | Teostra Gem x1 |
| Affinity Increase | Odogaron Plate x2 | Odogaron Gem x1 | Daora Gem x1 |
| Defense Increase | Bird Wyvern Gem x2 | Wyvern Gem x1 | Elder Dragon Blood x2 |
| Slot Upgrade | Legiana Gem x2 | Legiana Gem x1 | Vaal Hazak Gem x1 |
| Health Regen | Anjanath Plate x2 | Anjanath Gem x1 | Nergigante Gem x1 |
How To Augment Armor
Augment Armor To Raise Upgrade Limit
Armor Augmentation allows you to raise the upgrade limit of your armor, further boosting its defense stat. At the Smithy, select an armor to Augment, and select 'Upgrade Limit Removal'.
Effect of Augmenting Armor
Removing the upgrade limit allows you to raise the armor level further. Unlike weapons, even low rarity armor can be augmented.
Materials Needed For Armor Augmentation
| Rarity | Materials Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | Streamstone Shard x1 Fucium Ore x3 | 3000 z |
| 5 | Streamstone Shard x1 Dragonbone Relic x1 | 5000 z |
| 6 | Streamstone Shard x1 Bird Wyvern Gem x1 | 10000 z |
| 7 | Streamstone x1 Wyvern Gem x1 | 20000 z |
| 8 | Gleaming Streamstone x1 Elder Dragon Bone x1 | 30000 z |
