Switch Axe Guide: Combos, Controls and Moveset | Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

This is a guide to the Switch Axe, a weapon in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (MH Rise). Read on to learn about new Switch Axe controls and combos, how to use Switch Axe discharge, Switch Axe Phials as well as details on Switch Axe Switch Skills.

All Switch Axe Guides
Trees & Full List	How to Use	Best Builds

Switch Axe New Sunbreak Attack and Moves

Official Switch Axe Preview Video

Silkbind Attack: Elemental Burst Counter

Elemental Burst Counter is a new Silkbind Attack for the Switch Axe in Sunbreak. This move acts as a counter-attack that uses up the Switch Axe's energy and releases an Elemental Burst right after.

If you manage to land the burst right as a monster attacks, you'll be able to perform a Power Finisher and will automatically put your Switch Axe into an Amped State.

Can Be Used Against Monster Roars

As this move is a counter, it can be used to bypass monster roars and launch an attack instead of being deafened if used at the right time.

Switch Skill: 2-Staged Morph Slash Combo

2-Staged Morph Slash Combo is a new Switch Skill for the Switch Axe added in Sunbreak.

This two-staged combo is performed after Wild Swings wherein the weapon morphs into Sword Mode and into Axe Mode.

While under this combo, Sword Mode attacks are more powerful, while attacks in Axe Mode will fill the Switch Gauge faster.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak
Release Date and New Monsters

Switch Axe Sunbreak Changes

Fast Switch Gauge Charge with Elemental Burst Counter

Successfully countering a move with Elemental Burst Counter will quickly fill up the weapon's Switch Gauge. Using this move and timing it right against a monster's roar will immediately charge up the Switch Axe, which can be very useful when facing tough monsters as it will quickly allow you to effectively engage with Sword Mode!

Weapon Changes and Balance Predictions

How Good is the Switch Axe?

Tier List Ranking

Rank

The damage output of the Switch Axe is one of the highest among all the weapons. Before, the weapon is difficult to maintain due to how long it takes to charge the Switch Gauge and lacks a counterattack move. However, with the arrival of Sunbreak, the Switch Axe has received the boosts it needed to become as viable as possible.

The weapon is better with skill and experience, so the Switch Axe's power will highly depend on the hunter.

Weapon Tier List

Switch Axe Strengths

Element discharge Sword Mode superiority Long reach Counter option in Sunbreak

Element Discharge

An attack unique to the Switch Axe wherein you can make a high damage attack using a large portion of the energy stored in the Switch Gauge.

Sword Mode Superiority

The Sword in Sword Mode uses the effects of a Switch Axe's phial which makes the attacks harder to deflect. Oftentimes, the Sword Mode is used to target tough body parts.

Long Reach

In Axe Form, the Switch Axe has incredible reach. Even going so far as to hit enemies while they are up in the air.

Counter Option in Sunbreak

The Switch Axe has reeived its badly-needed counter move in Sunbreak, in the form of Elemental Burst Counter.

Switch Axe Weaknesses

Sword Mode Consumes Gauge and Can Throw You off if You're Not Mindful Cannot Guard Low mobility Constantly uses Wirebugs

Sword Mode Consumes Gauge and Can Throw You off if You're Not Mindful

Pay close attention to your switch gauge whenever you use your Sword since attacking in Sword Mode consumes the Switch Gauge. Always try to play for an element discharge.

Cannot Guard

The Switch Axe cannot guard hits. Added to this is your slower movement speed when using this weapon. It's also a weapon not blessed with any new counterattack move.

Low Mobility

Attacking with this weapon is mostly taking huge swings at an enemy monster, which carries you forward and makes use of the momentum you have while you are doing attack combos. Having Evade Extender and Evade Window would be huge.

Constantly Uses Wirebugs

With the arrival of Switch Skill Swap, the Switch Axe can now have access to offensive and defensive kits anytime.

This, however, requires constant use of Wirebugs, and there may be a moment where a hunter will run out of charges to use to evade attacks as it has been previously used to execute Silkbind Attacks.

Switch Axe Controls

Axe Controls

Switch	PC	Action
X	Left Click	Overhead Slash
(Rapidly Press) A	Right Click	Wild Swing
+ X + A	+ Left Click + Right Click	Rising Slash
+ Left Stick + X	+ Directional Button + Left Click	Forward Slash
zR	MB4	Morph/Reload
+ zL + X	+ Middle Click + Left Click	Invincible Gambit
+ zL + A	+ Middle Click + Right Click	Switch Charger

Sword Controls

Switch	PC	Action
X	Left Click	Overhead Slash
A	Right Click	Double Slash
+ X + A	+ Left Click + Right Click	Element Discharge
zR	MB4	Morph

Useful Combos

Axe: Basic Combo
Axe: Forward Slash	Axe: Overhead Slash	Axe: Side Slash	Axe: Rising Slash
+ Up + X + W + Left Click	X Left Click	X Left Click	X Left Click

Axe: Combo into Sword Mode
Axe: Wild Swing	Axe: Heavy Slam	Axe: Morph Rising Double Slash	Sword: Triple Slash
Rapidly press, A Rapidly press, Right Click	X Left Click	zR MB4 Click	A Right Click

Sword: Combo During an Opening
X Slash Combo	A Slash Combo	Element Discharge	Element Discharge Finisher
(x3) X (x3) Left Click	(x2) A (x2) Right Click	+ X + A + Left Click + Right Click	Rapidly press X Rapidly press, Left Click

Switch Axe Silkbind Attacks

Official Switch Axe Preview Video

List of Silkbind Attacks

Elemental Charge Counter

Switch Controls	+ zL + A For Elemental Burst, press zR
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Right Click For Elemental Burst, press MB5

The Elemental Charge Counter Silkbind Attack can be used in the Sunbreak demo and replaces Switch Charger. The weapon compresses its energy charge and releases an Elemental Burst with an input. This move is used as a counter and will keep using the Switch Axe's energy gauge until it is depleted.

If you manage to land the Burst right as a monster attacks, you'll be able to perform a Power Finisher and will automatically put your Switch Axe into an Amped State.

This move costs two Wirebug charges and has a fast recovery speed. The Wirebug gauge will recover even if you are still holding the charge.

Switch Charger

Switch Controls	+ zL + A
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Right Click

You are launched forward with the help of a Wirebug as you quickly regenerate your Switch Gauge. This move also negates Switch Gauge usage for a short period of time so feel free to go ham in Sword Mode for a bit!

Invincible Gambit

Switch Controls	+ zL + X
PC Controls	+ Middle Click + Left Click

Invincible Gambit is a forward dashing move consisting of three slashes that has knockback protection during its duration. Use this to tank hits without getting thrown off!

Soaring Wyvern Blade

Sword Rush is a new Silkbind Attack that can be switched out with Invincible Gambit.

The attacks lead with a slash upwards with the Wirebug, culminating in a targeted Forward Slash to a foe.

On top of that, landing the Forward Slash successfully also fills up the Activation Gauge and creates a large explosion.

Switch Axe Switch Skills and Best Setup

Switch Skills are unlocked as you progress in the game. The very first one is obtained after finishing the ★3 Village Urgent Quest, Feathered Frenzy.

The best Switch Skills we recommend for each slot are marked in red.

Controls	Original Skill	⇔	Switch Skill
L Analog + X W + Left Click	Forward Slash	⇔	Forward Overhead Slash
zL + X Middle Click + Left Click	Invincible Gambit Wirebug Recovery Speed: Medium Wirebug Cost: 1	⇔	Soaring Wyvern Blade Wirebug Recovery Speed: Medium Wirebug Cost: 1

Switch Skills Guide: How to Unlock Switch Skills

Forward Overhead Slash

Switched With	Controls
Forward Slash	+ Up + X + W + Left Click
Description
A lunging attack performed by winding up the axe and smashing it down. Difficult to pull off but delivers good damage. A subsequent Sword Mode attack will turn into a Double Slash.

This changes your first Axe attack into an Overhead Slash which can hit monster parts high on the ground. The subsequent Sword Morph attack will also change to a Double Slash so there is no reason not to switch to this Skill when acquired.

Compressed Finishing Discharge

Switched With	Controls
Finishing Discharge	or after Finishing Discharge X or Left Click
Description
Puts you in a knockdown-resistant state and delivers a swift strike accompanied by an elemental explosion. The Activation Gauge has no effect on this action.

If you like integrating elemental explosions in your Switch Axe combos, use this Switch Skill. This also has a rocksteady effect so you won't have to worry about getting knocked back.

Soaring Wyvern Blade

Switched With	Controls
Invincible Gambit	+ or + After jumping up, press X or Left Click to perform a Forward Slash. zl + X or Middlie Click + Left Click
Description
Launches you in the air while ending with a Forward Slash in midair. If Forward Slash connects, an explosion occurs. Wirebug Recovery Speed: Medium Wirebug Cost: 1

Using this one over Invincible Gambit is entirely by choice. Invincible Gambit has an innate Rocksteady effect that prevents knockback while dashing while Soaring Wyvern Blade deals immense damage! For general usage, we suggest going for Soaring Wyvern Blade.

Switch Axe Attacks and Moves

Wild Swing

Switch Controls	Rapidly Press X
PC Controls	Rapidly press Right Click

Unlimited Wild Swing makes a return to Monster Hunter Rise. It's an unlimited slash attack that you can use until your stamina runs out. It doesn't deal the best damage but it's DPS is good to use if Sword Form is unavailable and the monster gets downed.

Heavy Slam

Switch Controls	After two or more Wild Swings, X
PC Controls	After two or more Wild Swings, Left Click

The follow-up move to Wild Swing also makes a triumphant return. It's a high damage move that powers up your Axe which makes it an ideal combo finisher for Wild Swing.

Fade Slash

Switch Controls	After Heavy Slam, + Down + A
PC Controls	After Heavy Slam, + Right Click

A follow-up move to the Heavy Slam finisher. It's an evasive attack that allows you to make a distance from your target. It can be pretty helpful if your stamina gets depleted by Wild Swing's stamina consumption.

Morph

Switch Controls	zR
PC Controls	MB4

Allows the Switch Axe to change to its alternate form. E.g. Axe to Sword and vice versa.

Reload

Switch Controls	zR
PC Controls	MB4

While in Axe Form, the hunter can execute a very lengthy reload to restore the Switch Gauge allowing the Switch Axe to morph to its Sword Form. This only happens when your Switch Gauge is below the line so you don't want to do this whenever your Switch Gauge runs out. Always recharge your Switch Gauge in Axe Mode!

Element Discharge

Switch Controls	In Sword Form, + X + A
PC Controls	In Sword Form, + Left Click + Right Click

While in Sword Form, you can use Elemental Discharge to unleash a strong attack with a strong finisher. You will be unable to move during this period so only use it against monsters that are vulnerable or those that are not actively targeting you.

Zero Sum Elemental Discharge

Switch Controls	In Sword Form and with max gauge, + X + A
PC Controls	In Sword Form and with max gauge, + Left Click + Right Click

If you manage to max out the Sword Gauge while in Sword Form, the Elemental Discharge move will immediately latch you onto the monster. This is called a Zero Sum Elemental Discharge.

Zero Sum Discharge Is Harder to Execute

With the removal of the Clutch Claw and mantles, executing the Zero Sum Discharge is now harder. It is now a prerequisite to identify the monster's attack patterns to know if their attack can cancel your Zero Sum Elemental Discharge. While the Invincibility Gambit makes it easy to do, it's an overall nerf compared to Monster Hunter World.

Switch Axe Phial Types and Progression

Phials are special features of the Switch Axe that changes the way it deals and maximizes damage. Every Switch Axe along a specific tree will have unique phial types so you might want to keep an eye out for the ones you need!

Here we explain the different phial types and their effects:

Phial	Effect
Elemental Phial	Increase the elemental damage a weapon does. The Switch Axe must have a natural element of element/status effect for this to be effective.
Dragon Phial	Gives an amount of Dragon Element.
Power Phial	Boosts the raw damage of the Switch Axe.
Paralysis Phial	Adds a paralysis effect.
Exhaust Phial	Allows the Switch Axe to drain monsters' stamina with certain attacks. This will make the monster more prone to exhaustion and increase the chances of stunning them.

Switch Axe Tree: List of All Switch Axes

Recommended Switch Axe Combos

Standard Sword Mode Combo Loop for General Use

Switch Controls	In Sword Form, → → → ... A → X → A → X...
PC Controls	In Sword Form, → → → ... Right Click → Left Click → Right Click → Left Click...

This is a combo that you can easily do anytime. It's also versatile and can flow easily into other combos.

It's recommended to start with Double Slash at the start rather than the end, as it is quite slow and leaves you open to attacks.

High Damage Combo For When the Monster is Down

Switch Controls	In Sword Form, → Axe Form → Sword Form → ... A → zR axe form → zR sword form → A...
PC Controls	In Sword Form, → to Axe Form → to Sword Form → ... Right click → MB4 axe form → MB4 sword form → Right Click...

When you down the monster but you're not in the Amped State, this is a combo that utilizes two Double Slashes with two Morphs in between. You can also use the Element Discharge after a Double Slash.

Quick Element Discharge Combo

Switch Controls	In Sword Form, → + → ↓ + → ( + ) A → X + A → Down + X → (zL + A)
PC Controls	In Sword Form, → + → + → ( + ) Right Click → Left Click + Right CLick → S + Left Click → (Middle Click + Right Click)

With this combo, you can hit a fast Element Discharge from a Double Slash. This is useful for monsters with hard skin.

A downside of this combo is that it quickly consumes your Switch Axe Gauge, but you can easily recover it with a Switch Charger.

Heavy Slam Combo

Switch Controls
In Sword Form, → () → → → → () A → zR → A (x2) → X → (zR)	In Axe Form, → → → → → () A (x2) → X → zR → A → (zR)
PC Controls
In Sword Form, → → → → → () Right Click → MB4 → Right Click (x2) → Left Click → (MB4)	In Axe Form, → → → → → () Right Click (x2) → Left Click → MB4 → Right Click → (MB4)

This combo is useful when neither the Power Axe mode nor the Amped State is active. You easily can boost your damage with the Heavy Slam.

Tips on How to Use the Switch Axe

Keep attacking! Learn how to use the Switch Axe gauge Learn the Different Phial Types and Effects Utilize Invincible Gambit Use Elemental Discharges Aim for Zero Sum Discharge

Keep Attacking!

Switch Axe requires that you attack all the time to keep all the gauges at full. The basic combo is to accumulate various Switch Axe gauges by continuously attacking the monster. Once you stop attacking, the gauge will cease to accumulate and even lose its charges.

Learn How to Use the Switch Axe Gauge

	Description
Switch Gauge	This gauge is needed to be maintained above the line to allow transformation to Sword Mode. If the accumulated charge goes below the line, you won't be able to transform to Sword Mode unless you charge by attacking or reloading.
Awakening Gauge	When accumulated to maximum, Sword Mode attacks will start to discharge Phials. Attack in Sword Mode to activate. The gauge will disappear over time.
Strengthened Axe State	An icon that indicates that Axe Mode will charge the Awakening Gauge faster. It is also easier to flinch monsters in this state. Do this by executing a Wild Swing thrice (A x3 or Right Click x3) then pressing X or Left Click to do an Overhead Slam. This will disappear after around 1 minute or when you fill up the Awakening Gauge.

Learn the Different Phial Types

Like in Monster Hunter World, Switch Axes in MH Rise have different Phial Types that are unleashed when you reach the Awakening state of the Switch Axe. Each phial has its effects so know how and when to use them in hunts!

Master the Art of Switching

Axe Mode	Sword Mode
Enlarge	Enlarge

The Switch Axe can be switched between Sword Mode and Axe Mode with both modes coexisting perfectly with each other.

Axe Mode charges the gauge that allows you to switch to Sword Mode. Sword Mode charges the Awakening gauge to put phial attacks on both modes. Knowing this basic gameplay loop can get you started with using the Switch Axe.

In addition, you can put Rapid Morph in your builds to make switching attacks smooth like butter!

Switch Axe Builds and Best Equipment

Utilize Invincible Gambit or Soaring Wyvern Blade

Since you cannot guard with the Switch Axe, you are better off releasing an unrelenting flurry of blows against a monster. With the help of the new silkbind attack called Invincible Gambit, you are immune to flinches and knockbacks. Essentially making you a force of nature to be reckoned with.

If you are DPS-heavy, we suggest getting Soaring Wyvern Blade! This attack imbues phials on your downward dash while also dashing across in the air. Not to mention, it looks very cool too!

Use Elemental Discharges

You enter an Amped State once you land enough hits with the Sword Mode, which in turn also fills up your Switch Axe gauge. You can release a high damage blow in exchange for a large portion of energy.

Aim for Zero Sum Discharge

This is Switch Axe's most damaging move where you attack a monster and unload all your phial charges. As a Switch Axe user, you should always aim for this whenever an opportunity arises. This also provides Super Armor in MH Rise which won't throw you off whenever you use it so just go ahead and do it!

Changes from MHW: Iceborne

Wild Swing now has a larger evade window Axe Strengthened State now charges the Awakening Gauge faster Amped state is also now in Axe Mode Zero Sum Discharge grants super armor to prevent falling off Zero Sum Discharge ignores monster armor Power Phial Switch Axes take much longer to charge.

Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise) Related Links

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