Gearing up in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections is one of the most satisfying parts of the experience. With dozens of armor sets spread across six elemental categories, knowing what to hunt and when to hunt it can save you hours of trial and error. Whether you're just starting out with default Ranger or Leather armor, or pushing toward end-game pieces like Tentacle or Rimeguard, this guide covers every set, its defense value, skills, and exactly how to unlock it.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 Guide: All Armor Recipes & How to Unlock Them
How Does Armor Work in Monster Hunter Stories 3?
Armor in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections provides Defense Values and passive Skills that directly influence your survivability and combat performance. Unlike the mainline Monster Hunter series, you're playing as a Rider rather than a Hunter, but the equipment depth is still significant. Each armor set belongs to one of six elemental categories: Normal, Fire, Water, Ice, Thunder, and Dragon. Matching your armor to the threats you face can make a real difference in tougher fights.
Skill tiers follow a size notation: (S) is small, (M) is medium, (L) is large, and (XL) is the most powerful version of a given skill. Prioritizing armor with XL-tier skills is a strong strategy for late-game progression.
What Are All the Normal Element Armors?
Normal element armors are a mixed bag of early-to-mid-game options with broad utility skills.
| Name | Defense | How to Unlock | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arzuros | 82 | Defeat an Arzuros | All-Elem Def Boost (M), Item Saver (S) |
| Alloy | 68 | Treasure Chest recipe | Critical (S), Water Atk Boost (S) |
| Barroth | 122 | Defeat a Barroth | Potential (M), Instigator (M) |
| Gravios U | 170 | Defeat a Black Gravios | Potential (L), Antiburn (L), Dragon Buster (M) |
Gravios U stands out here with a 170 defense value and a powerful combination of Potential (L) and Dragon Buster (M), making it one of the strongest normal-element options in the game.
What Are All the Fire Element Armors?
Fire element has the largest armor roster in the game, offering everything from beginner sets to some of the most sought-after end-game pieces.
Rathalos armor stats screen
| Name | Defense | How to Unlock | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger | 52 | Default | Den Protector (S) |
| Kut-Kn | 62 | Defeat a Yian Kut-Kn | Fire Def Boost (S), Antiburn (S) |
| Kut-Kn U | 68 | Defeat a Blue Yian Kut-Kn | Fire Atk Boost (S), Critical (S) |
| Izuchi | N/A | Defeat a Great Izuchi | Critical (S), Stamina Boost (S), Quick (S) |
| Anja | 82 | Defeat an Anjanath | Fire Def Boost (M), Vicious (S) |
| Aknosom | 100 | Defeat an Aknosom | Fire Atk Boost (M), Dancer (S) |
| Rath Heart | 108 | Defeat an Azure Rathalos | Self-Heal (M), Crit-Heal (M) |
| Azure | 116 | Treasure Chest recipe | All-Elem Def Boost (M), Panacea (M), Potential (M) |
| Odogaron | 124 | Defeat an Odogaron | Antibleed (L), Stamina Boost (S), Stamina Surge (S) |
| Ajakaran | 128 | Defeat an Ajakaran | Bombardier (M), Blightproof (M), Partbreaker (S) |
| Garuga | 132 | Defeat a Yian Garuga | Vicious (M), Inflict Rate Up (M), Antivenom (S) |
| Tigrex | 136 | Defeat a Tigrex | HtH Master (M), Potential (M), Dragon Buster (S) |
| Bishaten U | 138 | Defeat a Blood Orange Bishaten | Fire Def Boost (M), Antiburn (M), Vigilance (M) |
| Diablos | 140 | Defeat a Diablos | Potential (L), Heroics (M), Vigilance (M) |
| Gravios | 144 | Defeat a Gravios | All-Elem Def Boost (L), Insomniac (L), Instigator (L) |
| Glavenus | 148 | Defeat a Glavenus (standard only) | Elemental Breaker (L), Elemental Assault (M) |
| Espinas | 150 | Defeat an Espinas | Inflict Rate Up (L), Salt In Wound (M), Partbreaker (S) |
| Rathalos | 150 | Defeat a Rathalos | Partbreaker (L), Fire Atk Boost (L), Soul Kinship (M) |
| Brachydios | 150 | Defeat a Brachydios | Bombardier (L), Vicious (M), Tenacity (S) |
| Astalos | 150 | See Thunder table | — |
| Sinister | 162 | Defeat Magnamalo (non-story) | HtH Master (XL), Blightproof (L), Fortify (M) |
| Diablos Nero | 162 | Defeat a Black Diablos | Slugger (L), Partbreaker (M), Dragon Buster (M) |
| Regios | 164 | Defeat a Seregios | Critical (L), Antibleed (L), Evasion Ability (M) |
| Barioth U | 164 | Defeat a Sand Barioth | Darkness Resistance (L), Evasion Instinct (L), Evasion Ability (L) |
| Tigrex U | 168 | Defeat a Brute Tigrex | Non-Elem Atk Boost (L), Kinship Skill+ (L), Fortify (L) |
| Rath Soul | 168 | Defeat a Pink Rathian | Critical (XL), Critical Kinship (L), All-Out (L) |
| Arkvulcan | 170 | Defeat an Arkveld (non-story) | Synchronize (XL), Stamina Surge (L), Tenacity (M) |
Rath Soul and Arkvulcan are the crown jewels of the Fire category. Rath Soul brings Critical (XL) paired with Critical Kinship (L) and All-Out (L), making it exceptional for damage-focused Riders. Arkvulcan counters with Synchronize (XL) and solid defensive utility.
What Are All the Water Element Armors?
| Name | Defense | How to Unlock | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather | 54 | Default | Synchronize (S) |
| Lumu | 62 | Defeat a Paolumu | Divine Blessing (S), Stamina Surge (S) |
| Ludroth | 62 | Defeat a Ludroth | Water Def Boost (S), Sealbreaker (S) |
| Pukei-Pukei | 82 | Defeat a Pukei-Pukei | Antivenom (M), Inflict Rate Up (M), Item Saver (S) |
| Edel | 82 | Treasure Chest | Antivenom (M), Item Saver (M), Elemental Assault (XL) |
| Tetranadon | 82 | Defeat a Tetranadon | Stamina Boost (M), Stamina Surge (S), Water Atk Boost (S) |
| Somnacanth | 100 | Defeat a Somnacanth | Inflict Rate Up (M), Insomniac (M), Salt In Wound (S) |
| Ludroth U | 108 | Defeat a Purple Royal Ludroth | Antivenom (L), Salt In Wound (M), Water Atk Boost (S) |
| Almudron | 118 | Defeat an Almudron (non-story) | Elemental Assault (M), Elemental Breaker (M) |
| Plesioth | 102 | Defeat a Plesioth | All-Out (M), Water Def Boost (M), Den Protector (S) |
| Plesioth U | 132 | Defeat a Green Plesioth | Water Atk Boost (M), Synchronize (M), Stamina Boost (S) |
| Golm | 134 | Defeat a Garangolm | All-Out (L), All-Elem Def Boost (M) |
| Mizutsune | 138 | Defeat a Mizutsune | Dancer (M), Evasion Ability (M), Water Atk Boost (M) |
| Damascus | 164 | Treasure Chest | All-Elem Def Boost (L), Panacea (M), Tenacity (S) |
| Malzeno | 170 | Defeat a Malzeno | Self-Heal (XL), Weak Point (L), Crit-Heal (M) |
| Tentacle | 174 | Acquire any Namielle material | All-Out (XL), Stamina Boost (L), Stamina Surge (L) |
Tentacle armor (tied to Namielle materials) hits 174 defense and carries All-Out (XL) alongside Stamina Boost (L) and Stamina Surge (L), making it one of the highest-defense options in the entire game. Malzeno is another standout with Self-Heal (XL) for players who prefer sustain over raw offense.
What Are All the Ice Element Armors?
| Name | Defense | How to Unlock | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter | 54 | Default | Non-Elem Def Boost (S) |
| Kululu | 118 | Defeat a Kulu-Ya-Ku | Slugger (M), Critical (S) |
| Blango | 138 | Defeat a Blango | Ice Def Boost (L), Elemental Breaker (M) |
| High Metal | 138 | Treasure Chest | Health Boost (L), Anti 1-Hit KO (M) |
| Somnacanth U | 108 | Defeat a Somnacanth | Ice Atk Boost (M), Soul Kinship (M), Elemental Assault (S) |
| Nargacuga | 132 | Defeat a Nargacuga | Evasion Ability (L), Critical (M), Quick (S) |
| Nargacuga U | 154 | Defeat a Nargacuga | Evasion Instinct (L), Quick (L), Stamina Surge (M) |
| Barroth U | 154 | Defeat a Jade Barroth | Anti 1-Hit KO (L), Slugger (M), Potential (M) |
| Legiana | 160 | Defeat a Legiana | Quick (L), Ice Atk Boost (L), Divine Blessing (M) |
| Barioth | 160 | Defeat a Barioth | Sealbreaker (L), Critical (L), Partbreaker (M) |
| Lunagaron | 162 | Defeat a Lunagaron | Vigilance (L), Evasion Instinct (L), Heroics (M) |
| Goss Harag | 164 | Defeat a Goss Harag | Heroics (L), Dragon Buster (L), Health Boost (M) |
| Rimeguard | 174 | Defeat a Velkhana (any material) | Kinship Skill+ (XL), Panacea (L), Divine Blessing (L) |
Rimeguard armor, unlocked by defeating a Velkhana, ties with Tentacle at 174 defense and tops the Ice category with Kinship Skill+ (XL). This is a must-have for Riders who heavily rely on Kinship Skills in combat.
What Are All the Thunder Element Armors?
| Name | Defense | How to Unlock | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone | 54 | Default | Non-Elem Atk Boost (S) |
| Gypceros | 62 | Defeat a Gypceros | Antivenom (S), Darkness Resistance (S), Thunder Def Boost (S) |
| Kadachi | 64 | Defeat a Tobi-Kadachi | Thunder Atk Boost (M), Evasion Ability (S) |
| Gypceros U | 68 | Defeat a Gypceros | Vigilance (S), Fortify (S) |
| Khezu | 100 | Defeat a Khezu | Thunder Def Boost (M), Self-Heal (M), Antiparalysis (S) |
| Khezu U | 108 | Defeat a Khezu | Antiparalysis (M), Crit-Heal (M) |
| Lagiacrus | 110 | Defeat a Lagiacrus | Thunder Def Boost (M), Soul Kinship (M), Kinship Skill+ (M) |
| Astalos | 150 | Defeat an Astalos | Elemental Assault (L), Stamina Surge (M), Antiparalysis (M) |
| Fulgur Anja | 150 | Defeat an Anjanath | Item Saver (L), Thunder Atk Boost (L), Weak Point (M) |
| Rey Dau | 150 | Defeat a Rey Dau | Vicious (L), All-Out (M), Elemental Assault (M) |
| Zinogre | 150 | Defeat a Zinogre | Partner (L), Vigilance (M), Weak Point (S) |
| Lagiacrus U | 150 | Defeat a Lagiacrus | Thunder Atk Boost (L), All-Elem Def Boost (M), Partbreaker (M) |
What Are All the Dragon Element Armors?
Zinogre U dragon armor skills
| Name | Defense | How to Unlock | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bnahabra | 62 | Defeat a Bnahabra | Inflict Rate Up (S), Dragon Def Boost (S) |
| Chatacabra | 62 | Defeat a Chatacabra | Health Boost (S), Item Saver (S), Instigator (S) |
| Nescylla | 64 | Defeat a Nerscylla | Insomniac (S), Inflict Rate Up (M), Anti 1-Hit KO (S) |
| Bishaten | 82 | Defeat a Bishaten | Item Saver (M), All-Out (S) |
| Ceanataur | 118 | Defeat a Ceanataur | Dancer (M), Partner (M) |
| Nerscylla U | 138 | Defeat a Nerscylla | Panacea (M), Evasion Ability (S), Critical (S) |
| Zinogre U | 168 | Defeat a Zinogre | Dragon Atk Boost (XL), Dancer (L), Partner (M) |
Zinogre U is the standout here, packing Dragon Atk Boost (XL) for players building around Dragon element offense. At 168 defense, it's also one of the sturdier options in this category.
Which Armors Are Available by Default?
Four armor sets are available from the start of the game without any unlocking requirements:
- Ranger (Fire, 52 defense) with Den Protector (S)
- Leather (Water, 54 defense) with Synchronize (S)
- Hunter (Ice, 54 defense) with Non-Elem Def Boost (S)
- Bone (Thunder, 54 defense) with Non-Elem Atk Boost (S)
These starter sets are purely for early exploration. Replace them as soon as you've cleared your first few monsters.
Which Armors Have the Highest Defense Values?
If raw survivability is your priority, here are the top-tier defense options across all elements:
| Armor | Element | Defense | Standout Skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tentacle | Water | 174 | All-Out (XL) |
| Rimeguard | Ice | 174 | Kinship Skill+ (XL) |
| Malzeno | Water | 170 | Self-Heal (XL) |
| Gravios U | Normal | 170 | Potential (L) |
| Arkvulcan | Fire | 170 | Synchronize (XL) |
Tentacle and Rimeguard share the highest defense value in the game at 174. Your choice between them comes down to playstyle: Tentacle rewards aggressive stamina-heavy Riders, while Rimeguard supports Kinship-focused builds.
