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!!!
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Related Article On Switch Axe
| How To Use | Best Builds |
| Best Skills | Endgame Tier List |
Switch Axe - Overview & Strengths
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
| +▶▶▶ |
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
| +▶ |
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
| ▶ |
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
| ▶▶▶▶+ |
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
| ▶▶▶▶ |
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
| ▶▶▶▶▶+▶ |
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
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
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
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
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 |
|---|---|
| | Basic Slash Attack |
| ++ | Slash Combo |
| (Continuous) | Wild Swing |
| + | Rising Slash |
| + | Forward Slash |
| + | Fade Slash |
| | Morph to Sword Mode |
Sword Mode - Basic Move List
| Button | Move |
|---|---|
| | Basic Slash Attack |
| ++ | Slash Combo |
| | Double Slash |
| + | Heavenward Flurry |
| + | Element Discharge |
| + | Forward Slash |
| + | Downward Fade Slash |
| | Morph to Axe Mode |
