Switch Axe Guide - Combos, Changes, and New Moves

Switch Axe guide for Monster Hunter Wilds. MHW Switch Axe Guide includes moves, balance changes, combos, how to use switch axe, attacks, and more!

Switch 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 - Only on released version.
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 Switch Gauge, Power Axe Mode, Amp 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

Additionally, it is important to understand the differences between Axe and Sword modes. These include factors such as movement speed, attack speed, weapon deflection immunity, and Phial attacks.

Fill the Switch Gauge With Axe Mode

Aim to fill the Switch 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

When performing a Heavy Slam or Focus Assault: Morph Combination 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 the battle.

Switch to Sword Mode When Switch Gauge is Filled

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

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 on to an Enemy

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.

Familiarize Yourself With Both Parrying Techniques

Axe Mode: Offset Rising 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

In Sword Mode, you can perform a technique called Counter Rising Slash. If you take an attack while in the Rising Slash stance, it reduces damage and allows for a counterattack..

▼ In the Full Version, You can Counterattack Roars

In the Full Version, a perfect parry mechanic is added, and if successful, it increases the damage reduction rate. Additionally, Roars can also be countered.

Switch Axe - Attacks & Moves

*In Final Version, Heavy Slam becomes ◯→◯→△

Basic Controls

Axe Mode Sword Mode

➡

➡

Overhead Slash ➡ Side Slash ➡ Spiral Burst Slash

➡

➡

➡

➡

Wild Swing ➡ Heavy Slam ➡ Morph Double Slash

---

＋

➡

➡

Forward Slash ➡ Side Slash ➡ Spiral Burst Slash

＋

➡

➡

Forward Overhead Slash ➡ Side Slash ➡ Spiral Burst Slash

---

＋

Offset Rising Slash

➡

Upon Perfect Offset or

Follow-up Heavy Slam

➡

Upon Perfect Offset

Follow-up Morph Slash

---

Morph to Sword Mode

Lacking Switch Gauge

Reload

Mid-air

Aerial Morph Slash

Hold

Focus Mode

Hold ＋

Focus Assault: Morph Combination

➡

During Multi-hit Attack

Element Discharge Finisher

---

During Combo

➡

＋

Fade Slash

During Combo

➡

＋

Morph Fade Slash

➡

➡

Overhead Slash ➡ Right Slash ➡ Left Slash

---

➡

Double Slash ➡ Heavenward Flurry

---

＋

➡

When Successful

Counter Rising Slash ➡ Heavenward Flurry

---

＋

Element Discharge

➡

Tap

Element Discharge Finisher

　➡

＋

Finishing Discharge

　➡

＋ ＋

Unbridled Slash

　➡

Hold In Amped State

Full Release Slash

---

Hold ＋ In Amped State

Zero Sum Discharge

➡

Tap

Zero Sum Discharge Finisher

---

＋ ＋

Unbridled Slash

In Amped State Hold ＋ ＋

Full Release Slash

---

Morph to Axe Mode

Mid-air

Aerial Morph Slash

Hold

Focus Mode

Hold ＋

Focus Assault: Morph Combination

➡

During Mult-hit Attack

Power Axe Finisher

---

During Combo

➡

＋

Fade Slash

During Combo

➡

＋

Morph Fade Slash

Counter Rising Slash

Counter Rising Slash is a counteraction available in Sword Mode. When you receive an attack while in stance, you will counterattack. If successful, you can follow up with Heavenward Flurry.

Offset Rising Slash

Offset Rising Slash is a counteraction available in Axe Mode. If you successfully land Rising Slash against an enemy's attack detection, the counter will be successful.

Unbridled Slash & Full Release Slash

Unbridled Slash & Full Release Slash have similar motions, but if you are in Amped State, you can perform Full Release Slash. However, using it significantly depletes the Switch Gauge, so be mindful when executing it.

Overhead Slash & Forward Slash

How to Do
In Axe Mode Overhead Slash In 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 Assault: Morph Combination

Focus Assault: Morph Combination is Switch Axe's Focus Strike. It finishes the combo with a Heavy Slam and transitions into Power Axe Mode. Additionally, pressing R2 will switch to Sword Mode, allowing you to follow up with an Element Discharge Finisher.

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

Switch Gauge Recovery Combo

An easy to execute combo to restore Switch Gauge in Axe Mode. Just press △ 3 times in a row, then you can switch to Sword Mode with Morph Slash.

Power Axe Mode Combo

In the Full Version, the Command in Axe Mode Becomes ◯→◯→△

This combo activates Power Axe Mode, which boosts the damage of Axe Mode, and increases the Switch Gauge fill rate. You can enter Power Axe Mode without hitting an enemy, so it’s a good practice to do this as a pre-fight ritual.

Full Release Slash Loop

This is a loopable powerful combo: Full Release Slash → Spiral Burst Slash → Morph Double Slash → Full Release Slash. Full Release Slash consumes the Switch Gauge, but you can recover quickly with Spiral Burst Slash.

Element Discharge → Full Release Slash

This is an easy-to-follow Fire power combo that transitions from Element Discharge to Full Release Slash. After Full Release Slash, you can follow up with Spiral Burst Slash by pressing △, among other options.

Switch Axe - New Attacks

Counter Rising Slash

Counter Rising Slash is a counteraction available in Sword Mode. When you receive an attack while in stance, you will counterattack. If successful, you can follow up with Heavenward Flurry.

Offset Rising Slash

Offset Rising Slash is a counteraction available in Axe Mode. If you successfully land Rising Slash against an enemy's attack detection, the counter will be successful.

Unbridled Slash & Full Release Slash

Unbridled Slash & Full Release Slash have similar motions, but if you are in Amped State, you can perform Full Release Slash. However, using it significantly depletes the Switch Gauge, so be mindful when executing it.

Overhead Slash & Forward Slash

How to Do
In Axe Mode Overhead Slash In 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 Assault: Morph Combination

Focus Assault: Morph Combination is Switch Axe's Focus Strike. It finishes the combo with a Heavy Slam and transitions into Power Axe Mode. Additionally, pressing R2 will switch to Sword Mode, allowing you to follow up with an Element Discharge Finisher.

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

Damage & Gauge Accumulation to be Increased

In the Monster Hunter Wilds community update, it was revealed that the balance changes above will be applied to the Switch Axe.

Increase Gauge Charge & Sword Mode Damage

The Switch Axe will have its difficulty in charging the gauge with the Axe Mode eased, while the Sword Mode's attacks will be adjusted to match the gauge consumption with appropriate power and impact. In the videos, you can see a noticeable hit stop, which suggests that landing hits will feel more satisfying and impactful.

Damage of Full Release Slash Increased

Full Release Slash's power and impact have been enhanced, making it a fitting finishing move for the Switch Axe. The move will also feature the added effect of "Knockback Negated." Expect it to play a key role in high-powered attacks!

Other Moves Have Also Been Updated

There will be improvements to the usability of counter slashes, as well as reductions in the recovery time after Focus Strike. These fine adjustments aim to enhance the ease of use for actions that were previously difficult to handle, making them more enjoyable to play.

The Skill 'Rapid Morph' Also Appears

It has been confirmed that the skill 'Rapid Morph' will appear in Wilds as well. Its effects seem to be the same as in the previous Monster Hunter Rise.

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