Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

Switch Axe Builds and Best Armor

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Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise) - Switch Axe Builds and Best Equipment Guide

This is a guide to the best builds and equipment for Switch Axes in Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise): Sunbreak. Learn about the best Switch Axes for the Sunbreak expansion and the best Skills and Armor pieces to use with the Switch Axes for Low, High, and Master Rank.

All Switch Axe Guides
Switch Axe 1Trees & Full List Switch Axe 2How to Use Switch Axe 3Best Builds

If you have any suggestions or additional information, please comment them below!

Latest Sunbreak MR Build

Blood Awakening Elemental Switch Axe Build (BU)

Recommended Elemental Switch Axes

Weapon ATK DEF Affinity
Volcanic SwitchVolcanic Switch
Volcanic Switch Switch Axe Sharpness
320 0 0%
Element
/ Status
Slots Rampage Slots
Fire Image 78
③ーー
Phial Type Element
Decorations
Weapon ATK DEF Affinity
Void Bringer AxeVoid Bringer Axe
Void Bringer Axe Switch Axe Sharpness
320 0 0%
Element
/ Status
Slots Rampage Slots
Water Image 74
②①ー
Phial Type Element
Decorations
Weapon ATK DEF Affinity
ThunderclapThunderclap
Thunderclap Switch Axe Sharpness
310 0 0%
Element
/ Status
Slots Rampage Slots
Thunder Image 74
ーーー
Phial Type Element
Decorations
Weapon ATK DEF Affinity
Splitear WeissSplitear Weiss
Splitear Weiss Switch Axe Sharpness
330 0 0%
Element
/ Status
Slots Rampage Slots
Ice Image 54
③①ー
Phial Type Element
Decorations
Weapon ATK DEF Affinity
Silver SlasherSilver Slasher
Silver Slasher Switch Axe Sharpness
320 0 0%
Element
/ Status
Slots Rampage Slots
Dragon Image 49
④④④
Phial Type Element
Decorations

Recommended Armor Loadout

Armor Slots Skills
Risen Kushala GlareRisen Kushala Glare ③②①
Primordial MailPrimordial Mail ④④②
Burst Lv. 1
Primordial VambracesPrimordial Vambraces ④④②
Virtue / Prudence Coil Virtue / Prudence Coil ④②ー
Primordial GreavesPrimordial Greaves ④④ー
Talisman Attack Boost 3 with a ③②① slot
Rampage Decoration
Skills
Rampage Skill Element Exploit to increase elemental damage against each element
For the Thunder Build:
Swap between Wyvern Exploit, Anti-Aerial Species, Anti-Aquatic Species, or Fanged Exploit depending on the monster.
Element Attack Lv. 5 | Attack Boost Lv. 4
Weakness Exploit Lv. 3 | Element Exploit Lv. 3
Blood Rite Lv. 3 | Speed Sharpening Lv. 3
Partbreaker Lv. 3 | Wirebug Whisperer Lv. 3
Rapid Morph Lv. 3 | Protective Polish Lv. 2
Evade Extender Lv. 2 | Critical Boost Lv. 2
Intrepid Heart Lv. 1 | Power Prolonger Lv. 1
Frenzied Bloodlust Lv. 1 | Bloodlust Lv. 1
Burst Lv. 1 | Wind Mantle Lv. 1
For the Fire Build:
Protective Polish Lv. 3 | Teostra Blessing Lv.1
For the Water and Ice Build:
Protective Polish Lv. 3 | Kushala Blessing Lv.2
For Dragon Build:
Attack Boost Lv. 7 | Protective Polish Lv. 3
Coalescence Lv. 2

Build Merits and Augments

Weapon Augments
Armor Augments Armor Augments for this build are not necessary. However, feel free to add as you please once you get comfortable with your build! Generally, you'd want to get better skills and more slots for your armor.
For damage, aim for any of the following:
Powder Mantle
Coalescence
Teostra's Blessing
For comfort, aim for any of the following:
Power Prolonger
Wind Mantle
Protective Polish
Frenzied Bloodlust
Build Merits and Notes
Blood Awakening is a new aggressive comfort skill introduced in the Bonus Update. It pairs with Blood Rite and helps in dealing with large monsters that inflict Bloodblight.
For sharpness management, Speed Sharpening and Protective Polish are included. Among the above Switch Axes, only Thunderclap lacks a slot, allowing you only two levels of Protective Polish. However, this skill can be augmented on armor to compensate.
Since this build runs purely on Element Phials, you can have at least one level of Power Prolonger to extend your weapon's charged state.
Silver Slasher for the Dragon Build boosts health gain when you are afflicted with Bloodblight or from the skill Blood Rite. It also boasts three ④ slots, giving way to even more possible skills.
Intrepid Heart is helpful when receiving Bloodblight as it significantly reduces damage and negates knockback when filled. Use caution since the gauge can be wasted if you are caught in a monster's roar.

Master Rank Switch Axe Builds

High Rank Build

MH Rise - High Rank Switch Axe Builds

Gathering Hub HR 4 - HR 100+

Whether you're just breaking in the High Rank at HR 4 or are just looking for some new strategies at HR 100, we've got the best High Rank Switch Axe builds to spice up your hunts.

►High Rank Switch Axe Builds

Latest Builds Rank
3.0 Morphing Rampager Build HR 100+

Low Rank Build

MH Rise - Low Rank Switch Axe Builds

Village Quests - Low Rank Hub

Check out the best Switch Axe builds for Monster Hunter beginners or for speeding through Village Quests or Low Rank Gathering hub.

►Low Rank Switch Axe Builds

Latest Builds Rank
Razor Sharp Build Village Quest ★4 to ★6

Best Switch Axe Skills

Best Damage Skills

These skills make it possible to deal extra damage! Aim for these skills for maximum DPS to defeat those monsters easier and finish those quests faster!

Best Skills Explanation
Burst
★★★
Activate this skill with ease, thanks to the Switch Axe's continuous combos. This will help further improve the weapon's already-impressive DPS.
Available in Sunbreak Base Game
Element Attack
★★★
Sunbreak featured buffs for elemental damage, making elemental builds viable. Max out this skill to increase damage against monsters. Works best with Element Phial Switch Axes!
Fire | Water | Ice | Thunder | Dragon
Weakness Exploit
★★★
A staple skill for any meta builds. Use this skill to increase your DPS while attacking weakspots!
Attack Boost
★★★
Focusing on this skill increases attack values, which can contribute greatly to DPS! Max it out or get at least 4 levels if you can!
Element Exploit
★★
Amplify your elemental damage even more with this skill. A single point of it is enough to deal significant damage.
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 1
Status Trigger
★★
With the Switch Axe's continuous combos, this skill is ideal for Status Builds. Best paired with Evade Window.
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 1
Dragon Conversion
★★
When activated, this skill from the Risen Crimson Glow Valstrax Armor will benefit elemental builds, increasing DPS even further!
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 4
Powder Mantle
★★
This skill from the Risen Teostra Armor provides the Switch Axe with additional blast damage every time it activates, contributing greatly to DPS.
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 3
Dereliction
★★
Using the Red Scroll increases the Switch Axe's elemental values while using the Blue Scroll increases attack power, improving overall damage. Just be wary of your health!
Available in Sunbreak Base Game
Adrenaline Rush
A perfectly timed evade will give you boost in your damage. Works well with Evade Window equipped.
Buildup Boost
Increases your attack by 20%. Along with Status Trigger, this is an ideal skill to consider with Status Builds.
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 2
Stamina Thief
Ideal for Switch Axes with Exhaust Phials.

Best Comfort Skills

These are skills that make managing weapon mechanics a lot easier. Damage is only part of the equation - taking time to slot in comfort skills that increase consistency & comfort will also increase overall DPS!

Best Skills Explanation
Rapid Morph
★★★
A Switch Axe build is not complete without this skill. Rapid Morph speeds up morph speed and damage. This will let you combos more efficiently, which will contribute significantly to your DPS!
Evade Extender
★★★
More distance covered per dodge means you can easily get out of harms way or move to a better position faster to hit enemy weakspots.
Protective Polish
★★★
Switch Axe combos depletes sharpness fast. Always consider maxing this skill out to keep your sharpness high, up to a maximum of 90 seconds!
Wirebug Whisperer
★★★
Maxing this skill out makes your Wirebugs more readily available, allowing you to do more silkbind attacks with your Switch Axe.
Speed Sharpening
★★
Reduces a cycle for sharpening with each level. Synergizes well with the Protective Polish skill.
Wind Mantle
★★
This skill from the Risen Kushala Armor will recharge your Wirebugs faster, giving you more utility with your Switch Axe.
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 3
Defiance
★★
Three levels of this skill prevent most roars, tremors, and winds from interrupting your charged attacks. The Cornerstone Jewel is a level 1 decoration, so slot it in whenever possible!
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 1
Flinch Free
★★
Useful especially in multiplayer where minor attacks can interrupt your attacks, especially when trying to charge your weapon!
Power Prolonger
Makes the Amped State of your Switch Axe last longer. Only equip this skill when you're having a hard time doing the Elemental Burst Counter.
Evade Window
Longer invincibility frames greatly improves the Switch Axe's survivability since the Switch Axe can't guard and must only rely on evasion. The optimal level for this skill is 3, so only slot it in whenever you have the chance!
Handicraft
Increases sharpness. Slot this skill in only when necessary!
Intrepid Heart
Whenever the gauge above your health bar is full, this skill can be useful in preventing monster attacks from interrupting your combos, making it possible to pull off an extra charged attack before you can regroup.
Available in Sunbreak Free Title Update 2

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