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How To Use Switch Axe Guide - Recommended Combos & Tips

MHW: ICEBORNE | How To Use Switch Axe Guide - Recommended Combos & Tips

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Check out this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne guide & walkthrough on how to use the weapon - Switch Axe! Learn recommended combos, skills, play tips, and more!!!

How To Use Switch Axe Guide - Recommended Combos & Tips
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Switch Axe - Overview & Strengths

Flexible Weapon With Two Modes - Axe & Sword

Flexible Weapon With Two Modes - Axe & Sword

The Switch Axe in Monster Hunter World is basically two weapons in one. It has two modes, Axe & Sword, that make it a very flexible and dynamic weapon to use in the game.

Use Axe Mode For Mobility & Range

Use Axe Mode For Mobility & Range

The Switch Axe's Axe mode is extremely mobile & has a longer reach than the Sword, making it useful for breaking monster parts that are high up. Axe mode also lets you dodge faster, keeping you safe from monster attacks.

Sword Mode Can Do Heavy Damage

Sword Mode Can Do Heavy Damage

The Sword mode of the Switch Axe is really where the heavy firepower is. It does more damage than in Axe mode and can implement extra attack power or status effects.

Uses Phials For Extra Damage & Status Effects

Uses Phials For Extra Damage & Status Effects

The Switch Axe has a phial system that can deal extra raw or elemental damage and status effects. There are six different phials - Dragon, Exhaust, Paralysis, Poison, Power, & Power Elemental.

Has Switch Gauge To Moderate Modes

Has Switch Gauge To Moderate Modes

The Switch Axe has a Switch Gauge that moderates the time of use between Axe and Sword mode. Using the Axe mode refills this Switch Gauge while using the Sword Mode depletes the gauge. You cannot use Sword mode if your Switch Gauge is below 30%.

Fill Up Gauge To Morph To Sword Mode

Fill Up Gauge To Morph To Sword Mode

Your Switch Gauge needs to be green and above the line for you to be able to morph into Sword mode. The gauge fills up over time when you're in Axe mode.

Automatically Morph Back To Axe When Gauge Is Purple

Automatically Morph Back To Axe When Gauge Is Purple

When your gauge turns purple and falls behind the line, you will automatically morph back to Sword mode. Make sure to watch your gauge & carefully switch between modes to deal effective damage to the monster you're hunting.

Sword Mode's Amped State Boosts Attack

Sword Mode

When you deal enough damage in Sword mode, you can activate the Amped State which increases the damage you deal with your weapon. This is emphasized by your weapon's glow and loud crackling of every hit you land.

Check White Outline For Amped State

Check White Outline For Amped State

You'll know your weapon is in Amped State when the Switch Gauge is thickly outlined in white. In this state, you'll get an increase in weapon attack power and can dish out amazing damage to your target.

Lacks Guarding & Can Only Dodge

One of the major cons of the Switch Axe is its lack of defense by guarding. Evasion and dodging is key to surviving when fighting monsters with a Switch Axe.

Switch Axe - Recommended Combo List

Basic Axe Mode Slash Combo

  • 1. Axe: Forward Slash
  • 2. Axe: Side Slash
  • 3. Axe: Rising Slash
  • 4. Axe: Overhead Slash
L+TriangleTriangleTriangleTriangle

One of the most basic combos to use when in Axe mode. You can use this combo to accumulate your Switch Gauge while attacking monsters. Since the Axe mode has a longer reach, keep your distance from fellow hunters in multiplayer mode.

Axe Mode To Sword Mode Combo

  • 1. Axe: Forward Slash
  • 2. Axe: Morph Slash
L+TriangleR2

A great combo to use when rushing towards an enemy. This provides a smooth transition from Axe mode to Sword mode without a pause in dealing damage.

Swing Combo When Monster Is Stationary

  • 1. Axe: Wild Swing
  • 2. Axe: Morph Sweep
CircleR2

This combo is best used when the monster is not moving, when it is knocked down or trapped. It does 2 powerful Axe swings and then sweeps into Sword mode right after.

Elemental Discharge Thrust Combo

  • 1. Axe: Wild Swing
  • 2. Axe: Overhead Slash
  • 3. Axe: Morph Slash
  • 4. Sword: Double Slash
  • 5. Element Discharge
CircleTriangleR2CircleTriangle+Circle

This combo starts with Axe mode and smoothly morphs into Sword mode. It builds up the Switch Gauge slightly and finishes with an Element Discharge. This combo is perfect to use against an enemy's weak spot, allowing you to deal heavy damage to a fixed spot.

Sword Mode Combo For Amped State

  • 1. Sword: Double Slash
  • 2. Sword: Heavenward Flurry
  • 3. Sword: Right Rising Slash
  • 4. Sword: Double Slash
  • 5. Sword: Heavenward Flurry
CircleCircleTriangleCircleCircle

This combo allows you to build up to the Amped state with just a few moves. The Amped State allows your weapon to deal higher damage when hitting monsters.

High Firepower Sword Mode Combo

  • Sword: Overhead Slash
  • Sword: Right Rising Slash
  • Sword: Left Rising Slash
  • Sword: Double Slash
  • Sword: Heavenward Flurry
  • Sword: Element Discharge
  • Sword: Element Discharge Finisher
TriangleTriangleTriangleCircleCircleTriangle+CircleTriangle

A destructive combo in Sword mode that finishes off with an Element Discharge. To complete the combo, it's best to implement this when the monster is stationery and not moving.

Switch Axe - Recommended Skill List

Boost Damaging Power & Increase Evasion

Boost Damaging Power & Increase Evasion

When using the Switch Axe, it's best to equip damage boosting and increased evasion skills. This allows you to deal increased devastating damage to monsters while carefully avoiding their dangerous attacks with your improved evasion.

Recommended Skills To Boost Attack

Skill Effect
RECOMMENDED!
Attack Boost
Increases your raw attack power & increases affinity after Level 4
RECOMMENDED!
Weakness Exploit
When hitting a monster's weak spot, your affinity rate rises during that hit
Handicraft Increases weapon's sharpness gauge
Critical Boost Increases attack power of critical hits

Recommended Skills To Increase Evasion

Skill Effect
RECOMMENDED!
Evade Extender
Enlarges the distance of your evade / dodge
RECOMMENDED!
Evade Window
Increases time of invulnerabilty when you dodge
Quick Sheath Increases speed of sheathing your weapon
Earplugs Prevents stun from monster shouts

Switch Axe - Gameplay Tips & Tricks

Equip Evasion Skills For Sword Mode

 Equip Evasion Skills For Sword Mode

One of the major disadvantages of Switch Axe is its slow movement in Sword mode. You can counteract this by equipping effective evasion skills that will allow you to avoid getting hit by monster attacks.

Charge Switch Gauge With Axe Then Switch To Sword

Charge Switch Gauge With Axe Then Switch To Sword

When using the Switch Axe, you need to charge the Switch Gauge with the Axe mode. Once the gauge is full, morph into Sword mode to unleash its firepower until the Switch Gauge automatically transforms your weapon back to Axe mode.

Know The Moves That Refill Switch Gauge

Using Sword mode can heavily deplete your Switch gauge. You can refill the gauge by attacking the monster using your Axe. Then once the gauge is full once again, switch back to Sword mode.

Build Up Amped State In Sword Mode

Build Up Amped State In Sword Mode

When in Sword mode, you can activate the Amped State when you do enough damage. This can also be enhanced by the phial that you're using. When using Sword mode, the Double Slash & Heavenward Flurry are 2 good moves to build up to Amped State.

Be Careful Not To Hit Others In Multiplayer

You can do a powerful slash combo with your Axe when you press the △ button. But be aware of your surroundings and make sure you don't hit other players or you might mess up their combo in the end.

Switch Axe - Damage Per Move

Motion values are still being confirmed in-game and damage per move written below is based on the Training Area.

Weapon Move Damage
Morph Slash 108
Element Discharge Finisher: 87
Finisher (Early Release): 56
Sword: Element Discharge: 33
Sword: Element Discharge (Bash): 28
Sword: Heavenward Flurry 81
Sword: Double Slash 50
Sword: Downward Fade Slash 40
Axe: Jumping Slash 43
Axe: Overhead Slash 30
Axe: Jumping Morph Slash 35
Axe: Morph Slash 30
Sword: Overhead Slash 30
Axe: Rising Slash 22
Sword: Right Rising Slash 22
Axe: Fade Slash 21
Axe: Side Slash 20
Axe: Wild Swing 20
Sword: Morph Slash 20
Sword: Left Rising Slash 19
Axe: Forward Slash 17

Switch Axe - Basic Move List

Axe Mode - Basic Move List

Button Move
Triangle Basic Slash Attack
Triangle+Triangle+Triangle Slash Combo
Circle (Continuous) Wild Swing
Triangle+Circle Rising Slash
L+Triangle Forward Slash
L Down+Circle Fade Slash
R2 Morph to Sword Mode

Sword Mode - Basic Move List

Button Move
Triangle Basic Slash Attack
Triangle+Triangle+Triangle Slash Combo
Circle Double Slash
Circle+Circle Heavenward Flurry
Triangle+Circle Element Discharge
L+Triangle Forward Slash
L Down+R2 Downward Fade Slash
R2 Morph to Axe Mode

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Anonymous 2

Guide is missing some combos. Heavenward Flurry + Triangle

Just k 1

K

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