The Switch Axe - Combos & Control Changes in Monster Hunter Rise (Switch) is a guide including its combos, changes in controls, gameplay trailers and Silkbind attacks in MH Rise!
Table Of Contents
Switch Axe Controls - Axe Mode
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
 →︎→︎ | 1st: Weak Slash 2nd: Side Slash 3rd: Forward Slash |
| ▼Overhead Slash |
| Rapidly press | ▼Wild Swing |
| After 3 Wild Swings | Heavy Axe Slam |
| Press X, Then Hold Down + | Downward Slash |
| After Wild Swing | Knee Split |
| + | ▼Rising Slash |
| + | ▼Forward Slash |
| ▼Morph / Reload |
| →︎→→︎→︎→→︎→→ After Knee Split Step → | Morph Slash |
| →︎ After Heavy Axe Slam | 2 Overhead Slashes Then Morph |
| + | ▼Invincible Gambit |
| + | ▼Switch Charger |
Overhead Slash
| Command | |
|---|
Swing down your axe vertically. Relatively slow attacking motion.
Wild Swing
| Command | Rapidly press |
|---|
Swings around your axe repeatedly. Can attack an enemy in front of you without moving. Consumes your stamina each time you swing an axe.
Follow Up Moves 1
| After 3rd Wild Swing | Action |
|---|---|
| Heavy Slam |
After performing Wild Swing 3 times, press X to perform a Heavy Slam. This move will often prime you to reach Maximum Potency.
Follow Up Moves 2
| After Wild Swing | Action |
|---|---|
| Sweeping Slash |
After performing Wild Swing, press ZR to use the high damaging sweeping slash. Press ZR again after this move to morph to Sword mode and perform an attack.
Rising Slash
| Command | + |
|---|
This move can reach enemies overhead. Careful not to knock down your allies near you while playing multiplayer mode.
Forward Slash
| Command | + |
|---|
Good move to initiate your attack. Press A after Forward Slash to perform a Wild Swing and press X to reach Maximum Potency.
Morph / Reload
| Command | |
|---|
Switches from Axe mode to Sword mode. Press ZR after certain attack motions to morph and attack simultaneously.
Switch Axe Controls - Sword Mode
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
| ▼Overhead Slash |
| →︎→︎ | 1st: Weak Slash 2nd: Side Slash 3rd: Forward Slash |
| →︎Hold Down + | Morph Downward Slash |
| ▼Double Slash |
| +→︎ Repeatedly Press | Element Discharge Thrust |
| 【Powered State】+→︎ Repeatedly Press | Zero Sum Discharge |
| While Using Element Discharge Thrust, Hold Down + | Finishing Discharge |
| While Midair | Jump Slash |
| While Midair | Midair Morph Slash |
| + | ▼Element Discharge |
| ▼Morph / Reload |
| →︎→︎→︎→→︎→→ Step → | Morph Slash |
| →→→ | Sword Wild Swing & Morph Slash |
| + | ▼Invincible Gambit |
| + | ▼Switch Charger |
Overhead Slash
| Command | |
|---|
Swing down your sword vertically. Relatively slow attacking motion.
Double Slash
| Command | |
|---|
Great move to fill Switch Gauge. You'll be invulnerable to attacks from enemies while performing this move, so use this when you see an opening to attack.
Element Discharge
| Command | While Switch Gauge Is Full, + |
|---|
Element Discharge is the strongest move of the Switch Axe. If the sword gauge is full, you can stick close to the enemy and blast an Element Discharge from a close distance.
Morph / Reload
| Command | |
|---|
Switches from Sword mode to Axe mode. Press ZR after certain attack motions to morph and attack simultaneously.
New Silkbind Attacks Of Switch Axe
Invincible Gambit
| Command | + |
|---|
Moves forward while performing a spinning attack. You'll be immune to flinching or being knocked back while this move is active.
Switch Charger
| Command | + |
|---|
Uses a Wirebug to launch you forward while quickly regenerating your Switch Gauge. Recommended combo is to use this move after Element Discharge to go back to attack motion instantly.
Recommended Combos Of Switch Axe
Heavy Slam Combo
| Command |
|---|
| Axe Mode →→→→→ |
A combo using Heavy Axe Slam repeatedly. You can sharpen your axe even without landing hits, so this is a recommended move to strengthen your axe before the battle begins. Aim while your oppenent is down.
Switch Gauge Combo
| Command |
|---|
| Sword Mode →→Repeat |
Deal damage while recharging your Switch Gauge. Deals sufficient amount of damage while in Powered State. This move gives you good mobility while hitting with consecutive strikes.
Wild Swing & Morph Combo
| Command |
|---|
| Sword Mode→→→ |
Deals a powerful attack as it utilizes both Wild Swing and Morph. Aim while your enemy is down. This move is useful because your gauge will recover through Morph. You can loop this combo by pressing「A→ZR→ZR」in succession.
Zero Sum Discharge Combo
| Command |
|---|
| Sword Mode→→+→Hold Down+ |
A combo that deals highly damaging blows. Since this combo has a high gauge consumption, make sure to use this with a gauge charging move as well. Note that when in Powered State, this move turns into Zero Sum Discharge.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Switch Axe
Strengths of Switch Axe
| ・Both Axe & Sword Are Powerful ・Axe Can Push Enemies Forward ・Switch Charger Is Useful For Gauge Management |
When the Switch Axe is in a Powered State, attacks utilize both the sword and axe which deals heavy damage on your foes. Its Silkbind attacks are excellent and has an ability to push enemies forward with its attacks. The Switch Charger move is also useful as it helps you maintain your gauge levels.
Demo Evaluation
In comparison with all other weapons in the demo, the Switch Axe is difficult to operate but is strong enough to make up for it. It's an even more threatening weapon when paired with its Silkbind techniques and its gauge management capabilities.
See The Best Weapon Types Tier ListWeaknesses of Switch Axe
| ・Must Maintain Powered State ・Too Many Elements To Manage ・High Offense With Low Defense |
You will need to maintain your Powered State to ensure that the attacks you deal will be powerful enough. Aside from that, you will need to manage many elements such as sharpening the axe and watching your gauge. Also, given its focus on high offense moves, mobility is lowered with little chances to guard, thereby lowering your defense against attacks.
Tips On How To Use Switch Axe
Characteristics Of The Switch Axe
| 1 | Powerful Axe & Sword Mode |
|---|---|
| 2 | Axe Mode Has A Longer Reach |
| 3 | Maintain Maximum Potency |
| 4 | Sword Mode Prevents Attacks From Being Deflected |
| 5 | Use Element Discharge With Sword Mode |
| 6 | Sword Mode Requires Switch Gauge |
| 7 | Slow Movement |
| 8 | Can't Guard Against Attacks |
Powerful Axe & Sword Mode
The Axe mode's attack & usability improved significantly compared to the previous Monster Hunter World game. Now, you can deal heavy damage using both the Sword and Axe mode.
Axe Mode Has A Longer Reach
Compared to Dual Blades and Hammer, the Axe mode of the Switch Axe has a longer reach. With this longer reach, you can cut the tail of the monster easily.
Maintain Maximum Potency
The Axe mode can enter Maximum Potency. In this status, you can charge the sword gauge more quickly. Maintain this status during the combat to quickly fill the gauge.
Sword Mode Prevents Attacks From Being Deflected
While in Sword mode, your attacks won't be deflected just like the skill called Mind's Eye.
Slow Movement
The attack speed and the movement speed while the weapon is unsheathed is extremely slow. Use moves like Invincible Gambit to compensate for its low mobility.
Can't Guard Against Attacks
The Switch Axe doesn't have a guarding motion. In the previous Monster Hunter World game, you could compensate for this weakness by equipping a skill called Evade Window.
Gauges & States Of Switch Axe
| ★ | Essential Info On Gauges & States |
|---|---|
| 1 | Strengthen Axe By Using Slam Attacks |
| 2 | Fill Up Switch Gauge For Amped State |
| 3 | Deal Damage With Sword During Amped State |
| 4 | Note Your Slash Gauge |
| 5 | Utilize The Switch Charger |
| 6 | Compensate For Mobility With Step & Axe |
Essential Info On Gauges & States
| Gauge | Info |
|---|---|
| Switch Gauge | ・The outer border of the sword icon ・Accumulates with every sword attack ・Deals powerful blows when full |
| Slash Gauge | ・Consumed with sword attacks ・Recover with Axe Mode/Morph/Switch Charger |
| State | Info |
| Amped State | ・Occurs when Switch Gauge is full ・Will automatically attack with both axe and sword ・Effective for 45 seconds |
| Power Axe State | ・Occurs when Axe attacks with slam ・Fills up the Switch Gauge ・Effects last for 1 minute |
The Switch Axe is most powerful during its Amped State. To achieve this state, you will have to attack and fill up your gauges, so make sure to monitor all these aspects to make the most out of this weapon.
Strengthen Axe By Using Slam Attacks
The axe gets strengthened with every hit, and this effect is maximized once the gauge is full. Make sure to use your axe for this gauge to fill up. The effect lasts for 1 minute.
Does Note Occur With Amped State
This state does not happen while you are in Amped State since the your attacking power is higher already.
Fill Up Switch Gauge To Achieve Amped State
The Switch Gauge fills up with every sword attack. Once this fills up, Amped State occurs wherein you will start to attack with both sword and axe simultaneously. The damage and power will increase significantly in this state.
Note Your Slash Gauge
Although powerful, sword attacks consume the slash gauge. Note that if you empty this gauge, you will be forced to use the axe instead. Attacks using the axe mode will refill this gauge. You may also use your Switch Charger to fill this gauge up quickly.
Deal Damage With Sword During Amped State
The damage of the sword is particularly high during the Amped State. Start with using A & X to utilize your sword moves. Then, if you need to move more quickly, switch to the axe since offers more mobility.
Utilize The Switch Charger
The Switch Charger is a skill that enables you to recover and maintain the Switch Gauge. This move is critical to fully utilize the Switch Axe.
Compensate Mobility Issues With Step & Axe
One of the weak points of the Switch Axe is its weight, making moving quickly quite difficult. You may move quicker with combos, however, doing this every time will prove to be difficult. In this case, we suggest 1) utilizing Step to avoid attacks and 2) switching to Axe mode because it offers more mobility compared to Sword mode.
