This is a guide to the Great Sword, a weapon in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (MH Rise). Read on to learn about new Great Sword controls and combos, how to use Great Sword charged attacks, the Great Sword Power Sheathe as well as details on Great Sword Switch Skills.

All Great Sword Guides
Trees & Full List	How to Use	Best Builds

Great Sword Balance Changes

Update 15.0

Great Sword Balance Changes and Fixes (Update 15.0)
・Increased the power and elemental correction value for the great sword's Falling Slash, Vortex Slash, and Rising Slash in the Surge Slash Combo. ・Increased the power of the great sword's Adamant Charged Slash. ・Reduced the amount of damage taken while charging the Great Sword's Rage Slash.

Weapon Changes in Sunbreak

Great Sword New Sunbreak Attacks and Moves

Official Great Sword Preview Video

Silkbind Attack: Strongarm Stance

Using Strongarm Stance, the hunter reinforces their arms and their weapon to fend off attacks. This move works like a counter, where getting hit in this stance while charging causes the hunter to quickly charge the Great Sword, allowing you to punish the monster!

Strongarm Stance Skips a Charge Level

Successfully executing Strongarm Stance skips one (1) Great Sword charge level so using it after the first charge will get you straight to True Charge Slash!

Switch Skill: Surge Slash Combo

This Switch Skill trades the traditional charging playstyle of the Great Sword for one that deals a combo of hits. In addition, the Surge Slash Combo needs proper footwork. But when done right, you can string together a large number of combos!

Silkbind Attack: Backslide

Backslide was not announce in any trailer but is included in the Sunbreak expansion. This move gives the Great Sword mobility options while maintaining aggressiveness as using this move preserve the charge level on your Great Sword!

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
Release Date and New Monsters

How Good is the Great Sword?

Tier List Ranking

MHRise Ranking	→	Sunbreak Ranking
(S - A - B) 3 Level Tier		(SS - S - A) 3 Level Tier

The Great Sword improved drastically in Sunbreak with the addition of Strongarm Stance that takes you straight to True Charged Slash. It is also as mobile as ever with the addition of Surge Slash Combo and Backslide. Try out the Great Sword and you won't be disappointed!

Weapon Tier List

Great Sword Strengths

Single-hit attack damage is unrivaled by other weapons. Hit-and-Run is a viable gameplay style so it is very safe. The Great Sword can guard. Strong counter-attack move added in Sunbreak

Top Tier Single-Hit Weapon

The Great Sword is unrivaled by other weapons when it comes to single-hit attack damage. Using the Great Sword requires precise timing because that single attack needs to hit to effectively deal damage.

Hit-and-Run is a Viable Technique

Because of its high single-hit attack damage, the Hit-and-Run style of play is very viable for the Great Sword. With the introduction of Strongarm Stance in Sunbreak, this playstyle more relevant than ever before.

The Great Sword Can Guard

The Great Sword can guard against attacks from monsters. However, this depletes the sharpness of the Great Sword so just use this during emergencies.

Strong Counterattack Move

The addition of Strongarm Stance greatly improved the capability of the Great Sword to go toe-to-toe with any monster while dishing big damage. When done successfully while charging, you can counterattack with a quick-charged True Charged Slash!

Great Sword Weaknesses

Poor mobility makes continuous attacks difficult to execute. Guarding consumes sharpness.

Poor Mobility

The introduction of various mobility silkbind moves and options gives the Great Sword the much needed mobility boost from Base MHRise. This mitigated one of the most pressing weakness it has - poor mobility.

Guarding Consumes Sharpness

Guarding using the Great Sword consumes sharpness. Take note, the sharpness it loses is greater than when attacking so only guard during emergencies!

Great Sword Builds

Great Sword Controls

Controls		Action
PC Left Click	PS Triangle	Overhead Slash
Switch X	Xbox Y
PC Hold Left Click	PS Hold Triangle	Charged Slash
Switch Hold X	Xbox Hold Y
PC Right Click	PS Circle	Wide Sweep
Switch A	Xbox B
PC + Left Click + Right Click	PS + Triangle + Circle	Rising Slash
Switch + X + A	Xbox + Y + B
PC While Charging, Right Click	PS While Charging, Circle	Tackle
Switch While Charging, A	Xbox While Charging, B
PC MB4	PS R2	Guard
Switch zR	Xbox RT
PC While Mid-air, MB4	PS While Mid-air, R2	Plunging Thrust
Switch While Mid-air, zR	Xbox While Mid-air, RT
PC + Middle Click + Left Click	PS + L2 + Triangle	Hunting Edge
Switch + zL + X	Xbox + LT + Y
PC + Middle Click + Right Click	PS + L2 + Triangle	Power Sheathe
Switch + zL + A	Xbox + LT + B

Useful Combos

True Charged Slash Combo
Charged Slash	Strong Charged Slash	Strong Wide Slash	True Charged Slash
Hold, X	Hold, X	A	Hold, X
Hold, Left Click	Hold, + Directional Button + Left Click	Right Click	Hold, Left Click
Hold, Triangle	Hold, + Left Stick + Triangle	Circle	Hold, Triangle
Hold, Y	Hold, + Left Stick + Y	B	Hold, Y

Forward Lunging Attack Combo
Wide Sweep	Tackle	Leaping Wide Slash
A	A	A
Right Click	Right Click	Right Click
Circle	Circle	Circle
B	B	B

Stationary Combo
Wide Sweep	Tackle	Leaping Wide Slash
A	+ X + A	A
Right Click	+ Left Click + Right Click	Right Click
Circle	+ Triangle + Circle	Circle
B	+ Y + B	B

Great Sword Silkbind Attacks

Hunting Edge

Switch Controls	＋ zL + X
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Left Click
PS Controls	+ L2 + Triangle
Xbox Controls	+ LT + Y

Hunting Edge is a Silkbind Attack that launches the hunter upward and can be followed up with charged attacks. This is similar to the charging attack while airborne in Aerial Style from Monster Hunter Generations. This moves also requires two Wirebugs.

Strongarm Stance

Switch Controls	＋ zL + X
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Left Click
PS Controls	+ L2 + Triangle
Xbox Controls	+ LT + Y

This move can be switched out with Hunting Edge. The hunter consumes two Wirebugs and goes into a stance where they glow blue for a second. While they're in this stance, they can counter any attack. If they successfully counter an attack, they can quickly charge up their Great Sword for a devastating blow.

Adamant Charged Slash

Switch Controls	＋ zL + X
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Left Click
PS Controls	+ L2 + Triangle
Xbox Controls	+ LT + Y

Adamant Charged Slash is a newly-announced Silkbind Attack that was not featured in the January Switch Demo.

This attack can be switched out with Hunting Edge. The hunter uses the Wirebug to dash straight ahead, then unleashes a Strong Charged Slash.

Adamant Charged Slash also has the advantage of withstanding knockdown attacks while the attack is being executed. Take note that this only offers knockback protection and not damage immunity.

Power Sheathe

Switch Controls	＋ zL + A
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Right Click
PS Controls	+ L2 + Circle
Xbox Controls	+ LT + B

Power Sheathe sends you forward in the direction you're facing and then sheathes your weapon. This also temporarily increases your attack power for the next few seconds, indicated by a blue glow. Power Sheathe works well with this weapon because hunters usually sheath the Great Sword for better mobility.

Backslide

Switch Controls	＋ zL + A
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Right Click
PS Controls	+ L2 + Circle
Xbox Controls	+ LT + B

Backslide was not announce in any trailer but is included in the Sunbreak expansion. This move gives the Great Sword mobility options while maintaining aggressiveness as using this move preserve the charge level on your Great Sword!

Great Sword Switch Skills

Switch Skills are unlocked with different conditions as you progress in the game. Base game MHRise provides Hunters with three (3) slots of Switch Skills, with the Sunbreak expansion adding two (2) more.

Note: Skills in red are exclusive to the Sunbreak expansion.

Skill Slot	Switch Skill Choices
1	・Tackle ・Guard Tackle
2	・True Charge Slash ・Rage Slash
3	・Charged Slash Combo ・Surge Slash Combo
4	・Hunting Edge ・Adamant Charged Slash ・Strongarm Stance
5	・Power Sheath ・Backslide

Switch Skills Guide: How to Unlock Switch Skills

Guard Tackle

Switched With
Tackle
Description
A forward-dashing attack using the flat side of the blade. More cumbersome than your standard Tackle but strong and allows you to guard.
Controls
While charging, or or or While charging, A, Right Click, Circle, or B

A shoulder thrust move that allows you to withstand more powerful attacks than the usual Tackle. This allows you to charge more properly while tanking attacks that are bound to throw you off. The downside with this one is the longer tackle time, so you have to recalibrate your timings.

Rage Slash

Switched With
True Charged Slash
Description
Strike from a unique stance. Not as powerful as the True Charged Slash, but when met with an attack, Rage Slash will increase its damage.
Controls
+ Left Stick + X + Directional Button + Left Click + Left Stick + Triangle + Left Stick + Y

Rage Slash is an improvement over the True Charged Slash so we recommend slotting it in when you get it. It absorbs some damage and uses them to strengthen the charge attack which is always good for the Great Sword!

Surge Slash Combo

Switched With
Charging Slash Combo
Description
An offensive style that combines speed with the weight of the weapon to unleash a stream of powerful slashes. Proper footwork is required, but allows for a large number of combos.
Controls
→ → + X → A → X + A Afterwards, hold Analog + X to perform a Strong Charged Slash → → + Left Click → Right Click → Left Click + Right Click Afterwards, hold Directional + Left Click to perform a Strong Charged Slash → → + Triangle → Circle → Triangle + Circle Afterwards, hold Analog + Triangle to perform a Strong Charged Slash → → + Y → B → Y + B Afterwards, hold Analog + Y to perform a Strong Charged Slash

A replacement to the usual Charged Combo that Great Sword users love, this opens up the Great Sword to sniping gamestyles due to its fast, sweeping attacks that actually deal tons of damage per hit.

Adamant Charged Slash

Switched With
Hunting Edge
Description
Uses a Wirebug to dash forward, and deliver a Strong Charged Slash. Has knockback protection as you dash forth. Wirebug Gauge Recovery Speed: Medium Wirebug Cost: 1
Controls
+ zL + X + Middle Click + Left Click + L2 + Triangle + LT + Y

Uses a Wirebug to dash forward to deliver a Strong Charged Slash. This move has knockback protection while dashing but will not negate all damage. Only use this for attacks you know you can survive.

Strongarm Stance

Switched With
Power Sheathe
Description
A technique that reinforces your arms with ironsilk, enabling you to fend off attack and let loose a devastating counterattack. Wirebug Gauge Recovery Speed: Fast Wirebug Cost: 2
Controls
+ or While charging + zL + X or While charging + zL + or While charging + Middle Click + Left Click or While charging + Middle Click + or While charging + L2 + Triangle or While charging + L2 + or While charging + LT + Y or While charging + LT

This move can be switched out with Hunting Edge. The hunter consumes two Wirebugs and goes into a stance where they glow blue for a second. While they're in this stance, they can counter any attack. If they successfully counter an attack, they can quickly charge up their Great Sword for a devastating blow.

Backslide

Switched With
Power Sheathe
Description
A quick evasive maneuver using a Wirebug. Maintains charge if using Surge Slash or and increases level while charging, making it an amazing repositioning tool. Wirebug Gauge Recovery Speed: Fast Wirebug Cost: 1
Controls
+ zL + A + Middle Click + Right Click + L2 + Circle + LT + B

This is purely an evasive maneuver using Wirebugs. Can also be used while charging as it retains charge levels while charging your Great Sword - balancing safety and aggressiveness perfectly. Use this whenever you're up against a really mobile monster.

Great Sword Attacks and Moves

True Charged Slash

Switch Controls	Hold + (x3) Hold X + Left Stick (x3)
PC Controls	Hold + (x3) Hold Left Click + Directional Button (x3)
PS Controls	Hold + (x3) Hold X + Left Stick (x3)
Xbox Controls	Hold + (x3) Hold Y + Left Stick (x3)

The True Charged Slash makes a return in Monster Hunter Rise! It's the strongest hitting move of the Great Sword and utilizing it properly is the key to mastering the Great Sword.

The True Charged Slash is the 3rd charging attack on the sequence (Charged Slash → Strong Charged Slash → True Charged Slash). Both Charged Slash and Strong Charged Slash can be canceled using a tackle, so it is not necessary to fully charge all these to use the True Charged Slash.

Wide Sweep and Leaping Wide Slash

Switch Controls	+ + A + A + A
PC Controls	+ + Right Click + Right Click + Right Click
PS Controls	+ + Circle + Circle + Circle
Xbox Controls	+ + B + B + B

The Wide Sweep and Leaping Wide Slash attacks return in Monster Hunter Rise! These moves can hit a wide area (hence the name) and apply ailments on multiple monsters! Leaping Wide Slash has also been changed to deal multiple hits if done after tackling out of charged attacks.

Recommended Combos for the Great Sword

Barrel Bomb Strongarm Slash

Switch Controls	Place Small Barrel Bomb on the ground then, Quickly hold then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
PC Controls	Place Small Barrel Bomb on the ground then, Quickly hold then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
PS Controls	Place Small Barrel Bomb on the ground then, Quickly hold then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
Xbox Controls	Place Small Barrel Bomb on the ground then, Quickly hold then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
Required Switch Skills	Charged Slash Combo → Strongarm Stance

This combo purposely initiates a self-inflicted damage using a Small Barrel Bomb to proc Strongarm Stance and deliver a devastating True Charged Slash. This is perfect for waking monsters up!

Charging Strongarm Counter

Switch Controls	Hold to charge then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
PC Controls	Hold to charge then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
PS Controls	Hold to charge then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
Xbox Controls	Hold to charge then, to execute Strongarm Stance.
Required Switch Skills	Charged Slash Combo → Strongarm Stance

This combo primarily makes use of Strongarm Stance anytime while charging. The move goes straight to True Charged Slash to deal maximum damage!

Fastest Tackle-Dodge True Charged Slash

Switch Controls	→ → → Hold → Hold
PC Controls	→ → → Hold → Hold
PS Controls	→ → → Hold → Hold
Xbox Controls	→ → → Hold → Hold
Required Switch Skills	Block → Dodge → Tackle → Charge → Tackle → True Charged Slash

A combo that allows players to get to True Charged Slash at the fastest time even when the weapon in sheathed. Useful for when the monster is down or you only have a small opening.

Guard Tackle to Rage Slash Combo

Switch Controls	Tackle by pressing while charging → Hold Press A while charging hold X
PC Controls	Tackle by pressing while charging → Hold Press Right Click while charging hold Left Click
PS Controls	Tackle by pressing while charging → Hold Press Circle while charging hold Triangle
Xbox Controls	Tackle by pressing while charging → Hold Press B while charging hold Y
Required Switch Skills	Tackle → Guard Tackle True Charged Slash → Rage Slash

This combo uses two Switch Skills with Super Armor to tank some enemy attacks. We recommend using this combo during enemy roars. If you are attacked while you have Super Armor, you will only receive reduced damage so you can use this on powerful enemy attacks as well. Be careful with chaining moves though as the Super Armor can only negate knockback for one move.

Fast True Charged Slash Combo

Switch Controls	Press then → Press while → Hold Press X then A (x2) → hold X
PC Controls	Press then → Press while → Hold Press Left Click then Right Click (x2) → hold Left Click
PS Controls	Press then → Press while → Hold Press Triangle then Circle (x2) → hold Triangle
Xbox Controls	Press then → Press while → Hold Press Y then B (x2) → hold Y

Using this combo is one of the fastest ways to get to the True Charged Slash. It works by canceling both Charged Slash and Strong Charged Slash with tackles.

Max Charged Slash

Switch Controls	+ (x2) → → + Left Stick + X (x2) → A → Left Stick + X
PC Controls	+ (x2)→ → + Directional Buttons + Left Click (x2) → Right Click → Directional Button + Left Click
PS Controls	+ (x2) → → + Left Stick + Triangle (x2) → Circle → Left Stick + Triangle
Xbox Controls	+ (x2) → → + Left Stick + Y (x2) → B → Left Stick + Y

This combo is similar to the Fastest Slash Combo—except you charge up your final hit to its strongest form. It's better to use this combo when the monster you are hunting is down on the ground, suitable for a punisher.

Jump Slash to True Charged Slash

Switch Controls	Hold while jumping → → Hold Hold X while jumping → A → hold X
PC Controls	Hold while jumping → → Hold Hold Left Click while jumping → Right Click → hold Left Click
PS Controls	Hold while jumping → → Hold Hold Triangle while jumping → Circle → hold Triangle
Xbox Controls	Hold while jumping → → Hold Hold Y while jumping → B → hold Y

This combo allows you to utilize Wirebugs as you go in with a Jumping Slash and then end it with a True Charged Slash, doing a large amount of damage.

Adamant Rage Slash Combo

Switch Controls	+ Hold → + zL + hold X → Left Stick + X
PC Controls	+ Hold → + Middle Click + hold Left Click → Directional Button + Left Click
PS Controls	+ Hold → + L2 + hold Triangle → Left Stick + Triangle
Xbox Controls	+ Hold → + LT + hold Y → Left Stick + Y

This combo utilizes the two Switch Skills for the Great Sword Adamant Charged Slash and Rage Slash. Since these provide knockback protection and Super Armor, respectively, this combo can tank even multi-hit monster attacks while dishing out tons of damage at the same time!

Tips on How to Use the Great Sword

Aim for the True Charged Slash Use Wirebugs for extra mobility Use Power Sheath to increase your attack Use Palamute Jump + Dismount for a full aerial charge slash Hunting Edge can be chained into a Charged Slash Avoid using Hunting Edge against small monsters Only use Adamant Charged Slash on weak monster moves

Aim for the True Charged Slash

The True Charged Slash has the highest damage number in a single blow for the Great Sword. Achieving True Charged Slash requires certain combos so make sure that when you fully charge it, it hits the monster!

The Tackle is Back!

The Tackle from Monster Hunter World is back in Monster Hunter Rise! Use tackles to enter a Super Armor state and tank monster hits. Remember, tackles are also a viable bridge move to achieve True Charged Slash!

Use Wirebugs for Extra Mobility

The Great Sword is very slow, but the introduction of Wirebugs in Monster Hunter Rise has made the Great Sword very mobile. Use Wire Dashes effectively for devastatingly great swordplay!

Use Power Sheath To Increase Your Attack!

When drawn out, the Great Sword slows down your hunter to a crawl which leaves you open to monster attacks. Always try to sheath your weapon when looking for an opening, as this allows you to sprint and better position yourself!

Also, with the introduction of the new Silkbind Attack Power Sheathe, it is a great idea to get used to sheathing your Great Swords!

Hit-and-Run Play

The Great Sword has very slow attack animations, so beware of this whenever you try the hit-and-run style. Only try hitting the monster when there is an opening!

Use Palamute Jump + Dismount For Full Aerial Charged Slash

It missed.

When fighting monsters, it's better to initiate the fight by mounting the Palamute, jumping then dismounting into a Full Charged Slash. This allows you to squeeze more damage than a draw attack.

The Hunting Edge Can Be Chained Into a Charged Slash

Charged Slashes are where most of the Great Sword's damage comes from. It can easily topple large monsters and if the monster is large enough, chaining the new Hunting Edge move can make for one of the deadliest combos in the game!

Avoid Using Hunting Edge Against Small Foes

It hit... The Palico's healing bubble.

Hunting Edge's range can be hard to learn for players that are just starting to learn the biggest sword in the game. Trying to use it on small monsters will further increase its difficulty. If you wish to use Silkbind Attacks, it's better to use the Wirebug's mobility or Power Sheathe against smaller monsters instead.

Only Use Adamant Charged Slash On Weak Monster Moves

Monsters have moves that differ in damage dealt. If you're using the Switch Skill Adamant Charged Slash, only tank monster moves that do not deal significant damage. Adamant Charged Slash only gives knockback protection, not damage immunity.

Changes from MHW: Iceborne

No Super Armor at the start of a slash attack Added a new way to bridge Strong Charge and True Charged Slashes Added a Charged Plunging Thrust

Removed the Super Armor

The Super Armor present at the start of a slash attack has been removed. Because of this, you can now be knocked back by tripping attacks from your allies using a Long Sword, Gunlance, or Bowguns.

New Way to Bridge Strong Charged Slash and True Charged Slash

There is a new possible way in MH Rise to connect a Strong Charged Slash and True Charged Slash. This combo is part of the Useful Combos so check that out!

Charged Plunging Thrust

While the Plunging Thrust can be performed after sliding in Monster Hunter World, a charged version of this can be done mid-air after hitting a monster with Hunting Edge.

Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise) Related Guides

Weapon Type Guides
Weapons and Weapon Types	Weapon Type Tier List	Builds for Each Weapon Type

Melee Weapon Guides

Melee Weapons
Great Sword Guide | Weapon Tree	Long Sword Guide | Weapon Tree	Sword and Shield Guide | Weapon Tree
Dual Blades Guide | Weapon Tree	Lance Guide | Weapon Tree	Gunlance Guide | Weapon Tree
Hammer Guide | Weapon Tree	Hunting Horn Guide | Weapon Tree | Melodies	Switch Axe Guide | Weapon Tree
Charge Blade Guide | Weapon Tree	Insect Glaive Guide | Weapon Tree | Kinsects

Ranged Weapon Guides

Ranged Weapons
Light Bowgun Guide | Weapon Tree	Heavy Bowgun Guide | Weapon Tree	Bow Guide | Weapon Tree