In Monster Hunter Outlanders, how far you can upgrade weapons and armor depends on your Adventurer Rank, and gear you no longer need can be dismantled to get materials back. This guide covers the upgrade limit at each rank, how to raise it, what dismantling returns, and which gear is safe to dismantle. Information as of October 31, 2026.
Weapon and Armor Upgrade Limits
Weapon and armor upgrades unlock once you clear the chapter 2 quest "Departure Preparations". After that, your Adventurer Rank sets the highest rarity you can upgrade gear to: Rarity 3 at Adventurer Rank 16, up to Rarity 11 at Adventurer Rank 47.
| Adventurer Rank | Upgrade cap |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Armor Skills Improve at Certain Rarities
When armor reaches certain rarities, it either gains a new skill or strengthens one it already has. That can add resistance to more status ailments or boost a skill's effect, so raising the limit pays off for armor too.
How to Raise the Upgrade Limit
Raise Your Adventurer Rank
The only way to raise the upgrade limit is to raise your Adventurer Rank. It goes up as you progress quests and clear Hunt Requests and Free Hunts. Each time you reach a rank in the table, upgrade your gear to the new limit.
Stock Up on Upgrade Materials
Upgrades cost monster materials and Hunter's Jade, and Hunter's Jade is needed in large amounts. Collect it from Free Hunt, Trial Expedition, and Research Points exchanges so you can upgrade as soon as a new limit unlocks. Dismantling unused gear also gives some back.
Upgrade Your Weapon First
When a new limit unlocks, upgrade your weapon first. Quests have a time limit, and without enough damage you won't finish the hunt in time. Upgrade armor when monsters take you down in one or two hits.
How to Dismantle Gear
Dismantle gear from the Workshop: choose the dismantle option next to weapon and armor crafting, select the gear you want to break down, check the materials shown at the bottom, and confirm. You get back part of the materials used to craft it.
Dismantle in Bulk with Quick Select
On the dismantle screen, the quick select button at the bottom left lets you pick gear by rarity. Once the story has moved on, it's an easy way to clear out low-rarity gear in one go.
Before You Dismantle
- Zenny isn't returned. Only part of the materials comes back.
- Dismantling can't be undone. To use the gear again, you have to craft it from scratch.
- Equipped gear can't be dismantled. Unequip it first.
- Guild Crimson Crest gear gives no materials back, so there's no reason to dismantle it.
What Dismantling Gives You
Dismantling returns part of the materials used to craft the gear, including Hunter's Jade and monster materials. Hunter's Jade is needed for every craft and upgrade, so regularly breaking down gear you don't use makes your next weapon or armor easier to build.
Apex Weapons Return All Their Materials
Apex Weapons are the exception: dismantling one returns every material used to craft and upgrade it, so you can remake it in another weapon type or element. Awakening materials are not returned.
A Smaller Gear Box Is Easier to Manage
With fewer pieces in your box, it's easier to see what you have, swap weapons to match a monster's weakness, and change armor.
Which Gear Is Safe to Dismantle
Dismantling only returns part of what you spent, so break down gear you won't use again and keep the rest. In order of priority:
| Gear | Dismantle? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons of a type you don't use | Dismantle first | You get Hunter's Jade and other materials back for the gear you actually use. |
| Gear outclassed by something you can now make | Dismantle | Gear with the same effects but lower attack or defense won't be used again. |
| Low-rarity gear later in the story | Dismantle | Use quick select to pick it all by rarity and dismantle it in one go. |
| An Apex Weapon you want in another element | OK to dismantle | Its crafting and upgrade materials all come back, so you can remake it. Awakening materials don't. |
| Guild Crimson Crest gear | No need | It gives no materials back. |
| Gear you use, including gear you swap for monster weaknesses | Keep | Dismantling can't be undone, and remaking it costs the full price again. |
| High-rarity gear | Keep | Only part of the materials comes back, and using it again means crafting it from scratch. |
Upgrade Freely, Then Dismantle Later
Because dismantling gives materials back, you can upgrade the gear you need for the story without worrying. When something better comes along, dismantle the old piece and put its materials into the new one.
The screenshots are from the Japanese version of the game.