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MHW Guard Up skill tool

Monster Hunter Wilds Guard Up Tool

Not sure which monster attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds you can actually block using Guard Up? This tool breaks it down. We’ve compiled a detailed list of monster attacks that are either totally unblockable or blockable with Guard Up. For those that are unblockable, we’ve provided an option to avoid the attack when using a Lance build. This tool was built with data compiled by Afrofreestyle.

Monster Hunter Wilds Guard Up Reference

Find out where Guard Up matters, which attacks remain unblockable, and how to avoid them without Guard Up.

What does Guard Up do?
Most attacks can already be guarded normally. Guard Up allows certain normally unblockable attacks to be guarded. Some special attacks still cannot be blocked even with Guard Up.

✓ No Guard Up needed ◆ Guard Up required ✕ Cannot be blocked
Click an attack to show details.
No matching monsters found.
Community reference based on testing and gameplay observations. Mechanics can change with game updates.

Just type in a monster name to find out:

  • Which of its moves are completely unblockable
  • Which require Guard Up to block
  • Which are blockable but cause high knockback, even with Guard

You’ll also see:

  • Color-coded threat levels (Red = Needs Guard Up, Purple = Unblockable, Green = Blockable with knockback)
  • Click the thumb nail for related content about each Monster

What Does Monster Hunter Wilds Guard Actually Do?

The Guard skill reduces knockback and stamina drain when blocking. At higher levels, it also reduces chip damage from most attacks. But here’s the catch—SnS and similar weapons have very low guard thresholds, meaning that even with maxed-out Guard, many powerful attacks still break through with heavy knockback.

So if you’re wondering, “Does Guard even work with Sword and Shield in Wilds?”—the answer is technically yes, but in practice, it often doesn’t make much difference. You’ll still take big knockback and chip unless you perfect guard or play a weapon with stronger innate block values.

What Does Monster Hunter Wilds Guard Up Do?

Capcom Bans Monster Hunter Wilds Modders, But Not for Ruining the Multiplayer Experience
Image source: Capcom

In MHW, Guard Up allows you to block unblockable attacks—things like Gravios’ poison clouds or Jin Dahaad’s explosions. Without Guard Up, these moves bypass your shield entirely. With it, you can at least absorb the hit (though usually with heavy chip damage). It’s essential for Lance or Gunlance users who prefer to tank everything. But for highly mobile weapons like SnS, it’s often better to dodge instead.

  • Use Guard Up if you’re blocking unblockables (especially with Lance or Gunlance).
  • Guard can help reduce chip and knockback—but may feel useless on SnS or similar weapons.
  • Most unblockables still hurt, even with Guard Up—this skill doesn’t make them harmless, just survivable.

So there you have it. Hopefully, you found our MHW Guard Up tool useful.