You're scrolling through the smithy menu in Monster Hunter Wilds, looking for that one specific piece of gear to finish Gemma's side quest, and it’s just... not there. Honestly, it’s frustrating. You’ve hunted the flagship monsters, you’ve carved enough scales to cover a house, yet the MH Wilds Clerk Vembraces remain a total mystery. It’s not because you haven’t progressed far enough in the story, and it’s definitely not a bug.
Basically, you’re looking in the wrong place.
Most players assume everything worth wearing comes from a giant, fire-breathing wyvern out in the Forbidden Lands. The Clerk set is different. It’s "civilian" gear—specifically, it's the uniform worn by the Grand Hub handlers. To get your hands on it, you have to stop playing the game like a standard hunter and start playing like a specialist.
Why the Clerk Vambraces Won't Show Up
If you can't see the MH Wilds Clerk Vembraces at the smithy, it’s usually because you haven’t touched the Arena. In Wilds, certain armor sets are strictly "Arena-gated." This means they won't even appear as a craftable option until you have at least one of the specific coins required in your inventory.
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You need to head over to the Grand Hub. Look for Ricardo at the Arena Quest Counter. He's usually standing right next to the standard quest desk. If you’ve been ignoring him because Arena quests with preset loadouts aren't "your thing," well, that’s why you’re missing the gear.
The Clerk Vembraces are a specific requirement for the "New Fashion, Old Feelings" quest given by Gemma. She’s basically running a fashion contest, and she wants you to look the part. If you’re a completionist or just want that layered armor look, you’re going to have to bite the bullet and jump into the pit.
The Shopping List: Materials You Actually Need
Crafting these isn't about luck or RNG rare drops like plates or rubies. It’s about performance. You need specific coins that only drop from Arena challenges.
- Rathian Coin x2: You get these from the Arena: Rathian quest. It's a classic fight, but the preset gear can make it feel a bit clunky if you aren't used to the provided weapons.
- Chata Coin x1: Earned by beating the Arena: Chatacabra quest.
- Pinnacle Coin x1: This is the one that trips people up. You don't just get this for finishing; you usually need to hit at least a B-Rank or better in the Arena quests.
- Blangonga Pelt+ x2: Finally, some "normal" materials. You'll find these in the Iceshard Cliffs by hunting High Rank Blangongas.
One thing that is super important: Check the icons. There’s a masculine version (look for the green circle icon) and a feminine version. If you’re doing Gemma’s quest, pay attention to which one she specifically asked for. I’ve seen way too many hunters craft the wrong version, spend the coins, and then wonder why the quest marker won't clear. It’s a small detail, but it’ll save you a second trip to fight Rathian.
Skills and Why You’d Actually Wear Them
Let’s be real—you’re probably crafting the MH Wilds Clerk Vembraces for the layered armor or the quest completion. But are they actually good?
The stats are... okay. They offer around 48 base defense and a flat +2 resistance across all elements. It’s incredibly balanced, which is another way of saying it doesn't excel at anything. However, the skills are interesting for a very specific type of player.
The Vembraces come with Tool Specialist Lv. 2, Palico Rally Lv. 1, and Survival Expert Lv. 1.
If you are a solo player who relies heavily on your Palico and specialized tools (like mantles or boosters), these actually have some niche value. Tool Specialist reduces the cooldown on your gadgets, which is huge in longer High Rank fights. The Glory’s Favor set bonus is the real draw, though. If you wear enough pieces, it boosts your Luck, meaning more rewards at the end of a quest. It’s basically the "grinding set."
Breaking the Arena Barrier
A lot of people hate the Arena because it takes away your custom-honed builds. It feels restrictive. But for the Clerk set, you don't need to be a speedrunner. You just need to finish.
If you're struggling to get that Pinnacle Coin, try the Chatacabra Arena quest with a weapon that has high mobility. Since you're dealing with High Rank stats but limited gear, playing defensively and just chipping away is usually enough to snag a B-Rank.
Once you have the materials, head back to any smithy. The "Clerk" tab should now be visible under the High Rank armor section.
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Actionable Steps for the "New Fashion" Quest
If you’re here specifically to finish Gemma’s side mission, follow this exact sequence to avoid wasting time:
- Check your gender icon: Verify if you need the masculine (Green) or feminine (Orange) version for the quest.
- Clear the Rathian Arena: Aim for at least one run to get the 2 coins.
- Clear the Chatacabra Arena: This should net you the Chata and Pinnacle coins in one go if you’re decent.
- Farm Iceshard Cliffs: Kill two or three Blangongas to get the Pelts.
- Craft and Layer: You don't have to wear the "real" armor for Gemma if you don't want to lose your current build's stats. Just craft the pieces, go to the Layered Armor menu, and put them on.
Talking to Gemma in the Windward Plains after you’ve equipped them will finally clear the quest from your log. You'll get some decent rewards, and more importantly, you’ll unlock the ability to use the Clerk look whenever you want without sacrificing your actual defense stats. It’s a bit of a detour from the main hunt, but for the completionist, it’s a necessary one.