Switch Axe guide for Monster Hunter Wilds. MHW Switch Axe Guide includes moves, balance changes, combos, how to use switch axe, attacks, and more!
All Weapon Types ListSwitch Axe - How To Use
Weapon Gauges & Modes
Gauge Details
| Gauges | Details |
|---|---|
 Switch Gauge | - Increases when attacking with Axe Mode - You can switch to Sword Mode when 30% is accumulated - Fills automatically when sheathed |
| Power Axe Mode | - Transition with Heavy Slam - Increases damage while in Axe Mode and increases the Switch Gauge fill rate per attack |
| Amp Gauge/Amped State | - Gauge fills by landing attacks in Sword Mode - Enters Amped State when Amp Gauge is completely filled - In Amped State, small explosions occur when attacking in Sword Mode dealing damage based on your current Phial. |
The most important thing to understand when using Switch Axe is the gauges. Familiarizing yourself with the buffs and effects of the Slash Gauge, Power Axe Mode, Amped Gauge, and Amped State will enable you to play your weapon effectively. Please refer to the table above for more details.
Axe & Sword Mode Features
| Modes | Features |
|---|---|
| Axe | - Faster Movement Speed - Slower Attack Speed - Longer reach - Fills Slash Gauge when attacking |
| Sword | - Slower Movement Speed - Faster Attack Speed - Has a deflect effect - Phial Effect occurs when in Amped State - Attacking consumes Slash Gauge |
Additionally, it is important to understand the differences between Axe and Sword modes. These include factors such as movement speed, attack speed, weapon deflection, and Phial attacks.
Fill the Switch Gauge with Axe Mode
| How to fill up the Switch Gauge |
|---|
In Axe Mode Overhead Slash ➡ Side Slash ➡ Rising Slash |
Aim to fill the Slash Gauge to near maximum by attacking in Axe Mode. Note that the gauge only fills when hitting an enemy, so be sure to land your attacks. This loop is recommended as it requires only three △ inputs to execute.
Gauge Fills Faster In Power Axe Mode
| How to enter Power Axe Mode |
|---|
In Axe Mode Tap Wild Swing ➡ Heavy Slam Hold+ Focus Morph Slash (Focus Strike) |
When performing a Heavy Slam or Focus Morph Slash to strengthen your axe, the amount of Switch Gauge filled will increase. Heavy Slam does not need to hit an enemy, so it can be enhanced before battle.
Switch To Sword Mode When Switch Gauge Is Filled
| How to switch to Sword Mode |
|---|
In Axe Mode Reload if Switch Gauge is insufficient. |
When the Switch Gauge is full, switch to Sword mode and attack to fill up the Amp Gauge. Once filled, you can activate Amped State to add a phial effect to your attacks in Sword Mode.
Attack When You See An Opening
| How to use special actions |
|---|
In Sword Mode + Element Discharge ➡ Tap Element Discharge Finisher ➡ ++ Compressed Slash ➡ In Amped State Hold Full Release Slash |
When the monster shows an opening, use the actions above to attack. Compression Release Slash and Full Release Slash share similar motions, but Full Release Slash is more powerful due to its explosive effect.
Zero Sum Discharge Allows To Stick Onto An Enemy
| Zero Sum Discharge Inputs |
|---|
In Amped State+Hold Zero Sum Discharge ➡ Tap Zero Sum Discharge Finisher |
When in Amped State and near a monster, press and hold △+◯ to perform a Zero Sum Discharge, which lets you latch onto a monster part and attack. Full Release Slash is more powerful due to its explosive effect.
Familiarize Yourself With Both Parrying Techniques
Axe Mode: Offset Rising Slash
| How to perform a Axe Mode Counter |
|---|
+ Offset Rising Slash ➡ When successful or Follow-up Heavy Slam ➡ When successful Follow-up Morph Slash |
In Axe Mode, you can perform a counter technique called Offset Rising Slash. If you successfully time your attack to intercept the enemy's strike, the counter will succeed. You can then strengthen your axe with a Follow-up Enhanced Slam or switch to Sword Mode with a Follow-up Morph Slash.
Sword Mode: Counter Rising Slash
| How to perform a Sword Mode Counter |
|---|
+ Counter Rising Slash ➡ When successful Heavenward Flurry |
In Sword Mode, you can perform a technique called Counter Rising Slash. If you are attacked while Counter Rising Slash is active, you will counterattack. This can be chained into Heavenward Flurry, a move that easily fills up the Awakening Gauge.
Switch Axe - Attacks & Moves
Basic Controls
Counter Rising Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Sword Mode+ |
| - Counter action in Sword Mode - Will perform a counter if attacked in this stance - If successful, press ◯ to do a follow-up - If unsuccessful, a single Rising Slash will be done |
Counter Rising Slash is a counter action that can be performed in Sword Mode. If you are attacked while in this stance, you can perform a counter attack and If successful, you can do a follow-up.
Offset Rising Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode + |
| - Counter in Axe Mode - If Offset Rising Slash hits the enemy's attack, it will be successful. |
The Offset Counter Slash is a counter action that can be performed in Axe Mode. If you can successfully hit the enemy's attack with the slash, it will be successful.
Compressed Slash & Full Release Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
++ Compressed SlashIn Amped StateHold++ Full Release Slash |
| - You can perform a Full Release Slash in Amped State - High damage but reduces Slash Gauge significantly - Full Release Slash has higher damage |
Compressed Slash & Full Release Slash have similar motions, but if you are in Amped State, you can perform Full Release Slash. Be mindful when using these attacks as Slash Gauge reduces significantly.
Overhead Slash & Forward Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode Overhead SlashIn Axe Mode Forward Slash |
The Overhead Slash propels you forward significantly, while the Forward Slash moves you forward slightly while attacking. Choose between them based on your distance from the enemy.
Focus Morph Slash (Focus Strike)
| Inputs |
|---|
Hold + |
| - Switch Axe's Focus Strike - Axe Mode becomes stronger - Press R2 to transform into Sword Mode and follow up with an Elemental Discharge into finisher |
Focus Morph Slash is a weak point attack for the Switch Axe. Finish the combo with a Heavy Slam to transition into Power Axe Mode. Additionally, pressing R2 will switch to Sword Mode, allowing you to follow up with an Elemental Discharge.
Spiral Burst Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode Overhead Slash ➡ Side Slash ➡ Spiral Burst Slash |
Spiral Burst Slash can be performed in Axe Mode by pressing △3 times and is mostly known for its large Switch Gauge recovery.
Switch Axe - Recommended Combos
| Combos | Recommendation Rating |
|---|---|
| ▼Switch Gauge Recovery Combo | ★★★ |
| ▼Axe Upgrade Combo | ★★★ |
| ▼Full Release Slash Loop | ★★★ |
| ▼Elemenatal Discharge → Full Release Slash | ★★・ |
Switch Gauge Recovery Combo
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode |
An easy to execute combo to restore Switch Gauge in Axe Mode. Just press △ three times in a row, then you can switch to Sword Mode with Morph Slash.
Axe Upgrade Combo
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode |
This combo activates Power Axe Mode, which boosts the damage of Axe Mode, and increases the rate at which the Slash Gauge fills. You can strengthen your axe even without hitting an enemy, so there is no reason not to do it before entering battle
Full Release Slash Loop
| Inputs |
|---|
Amped StateHold ++ Amped StateHold ++ |
This is a loopable combo that begins with Full Release Slash -> Spiral Burst Slash -> Morphed Double Slash -> Full Release Slash. While Full Release Slash consumes the Switch Gauge, Spiral Burst Slash effectively replenishes it,.
Elemenatal Discharge → Full Release Slash
| Inpuits |
|---|
In Sword Mode+ Hold |
An easy to understand combo that allows you to follow up a Elemental Discharge with a Full Release Slash. After the Full Release Slash, follow up with a Spiral Burst Slash.
Switch Axe - New Attacks
| Move | Inputs |
|---|---|
| ▼ Counter Rising Slash | In Sword Mode |
| ▼ Offset Rising Slash | In Axe Mode + |
| ▼ Compressed Slash & Full Release Slash | ++ AmpedHold++ |
| ▼Overhead Slash & Forward Slash | In Axe Mode In Axe Mode |
| ▼Focus Morph Slash | |
| ▼Spiral Burst Slash |
Counter Rising Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Sword Mode+ |
| ・Counter action in Sword Mode ・Will perform a counter if attacked in this stance ・If successful, press ◯ to do a follow-up ・If unsuccessful, a single Rising Slash will be executed |
Counter Rising Slash is a counter action that can be performed in Sword Mode. If you are attacked while in this stance, you can perform a counter attack and If successful, you can do a follow-up.
Offset Rising Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode + |
| ・Counter in Axe Mode ・If Offset Rising Slash hits the enemy's attack, it will be successful. |
The Offset Counter Slash is a counter action that can be performed in Axe Mode. If you can successfully hit the enemy's attack with the slash, it will be successful.
Compressed Slash & Full Release Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
++ Compressed SlashIn Amped StateHold++ Full Release Slash |
| ・You can perform a Full Release Slash in Amped State ・High damage but reduces Slash Gauge significantly ・Full Release Slash has higher damage |
Compressed Slash & Full Release Slash have similar motions, but if you are in Amped State, you can perform Full Release Slash. Be mindful when using these attacks as Slash Gauge reduces significantly.
Overhead Slash & Forward Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode Overhead SlashIn Axe Mode Forward Slash |
The Overhead Slash propels you forward significantly, while the Forward Slash moves you forward slightly while attacking. Choose between them based on your distance from the enemy.
Focus Morph Slash (Focus Strike)
| Inputs |
|---|
Hold + |
| ・Switch Axe's Focus Strike ・Axe Mode becomes stronger ・Press R2 to transform into Sword Mode and follow up with an Elemental Discharge into finisher |
Focus Morph Slash is a weak point attack for the Switch Axe. Finish the combo with a Heavy Slam to transition into Power Axe Mode. Additionally, pressing R2 will switch to Sword Mode, allowing you to follow up with an Elemental Discharge.
Spiral Burst Slash
| Inputs |
|---|
In Axe Mode Overhead Slash ➡ Side Slash ➡ Spiral Burst Slash |
Spiral Burst Slash can be performed in Axe Mode by pressing △3 times, and is mostly known for its large Switch Gauge recovery.
Switch Axe - Balance Adjustments
Switch Blade's damage & Gauge Accumulation Increased In Final Version
| ◆Adjustments have been made to make accumulating gauge in Axe Mode and switching to Sword Mode more comfortable ◆ Strong skills like Full Release Slash have been added ◆ Knockback immunity added to Full Release Slash |
In the Monster Hunter Wilds community update, it was revealed that the balance changes above will be applied to the Switch Axe
Improved Switch Gauge Accumalation & Sword Mode Damage
Changes have been made to make generating the Switch Gauge easier, while also adjusting the damage and feel of sword attacks to match the gauge consumption. In the video, the hit lag is more responsive, making attacking enemies more satisfying.
Increased The Damage Of Full Release Slash
It was also announced that Full Release Slash has had its damage buffed. It was also stated that knockback immunity will be added
Other Moves Have Also Been Updated
Minor adjustments have also been made, such as Counter Slash buffs and shortening the recovery time after Focus Strike. Moves that were difficult to execute before have also been improved.
Related Links
All Weapon Types List
