Monster Hunter Wilds' Sword & Shield is a versatile weapon that can attack quickly, guard, and use items while unsheathed. Find out what the new moves for the Sword & Shield are, how to use it, its controls, and its pre-launch update in this guide.

Sword and Shield Adjustments (December 19, 2024)

Improved Rising Slash, More Mobility, and Better Responsiveness

Numerous changes were made to Sword and Shield. For starters, Rising Slash is now usable while guarding, giving players more options for combos. The responsiveness for numerous moves have also been improved. This applies to the Chop and Side Slash combo, as well as the Guard Slash and Perfect Rush.

The effectiveness of the evasion from Backstep and Sliding Swipe have also been improved, giving players more mobility and evasion.

Lastly, the parameters of various attacks were improved, especially Normal Attacks and Perfect Rush.

Sword & Shield New Moves

Charged Chop

Platform	Move Input
PC	+ (Hold)
PS5	+ (Hold)
Xbox	+ (Hold)

The Charged Chop is a powerful move that can be easily slotted into your standard combo rotations. If it hits a soft spot on the monster, it will transition into a carving attack that deals multiple instances of damage.

How to Use the Sword & Shield

Sword & Shield Gameplay Tips
A Balanced and Versatile Weapon Stun Monsters with Shield Bash Use Perfect Rush for Massive Damage Dodge Attacks with Backstep Use Items Without Sheathing

A Balanced and Versatile Weapon

The Sword & Shield is a versatile weapon that's fast and strong, plus it can block attacks. This makes it a great weapon for beginners since it's very well-balanced and teaches the basics of hunting before you swap to a different weapon.

Stun Monsters with Shield Bash

One of the Sword & Shield's moves, Shield Bash, can stun monsters if you hit them on the head. Look to do this in between your combo rotations so that you can knock down a monster and get free attacks off while it's down.

Use Perfect Rush for Massive Damage

Whenever you have a large opening to attack, like when a monster's been knocked down, use Perfect Rush to deal a ton of damage to the enemy. Time it when the hunter's body glows red to chain your onslaught of attacks.

Dodge Attacks with Backstep

Since the Sword & Shield's blocks are weaker than other weapons, you should look to use Backstep to dodge enemy attacks. This move has a lot of invincibility frames but requires some practice for beginners to perfectly time it.

Use Items Without Sheathing

The unique feature of a Sword & Shield is that you can use items without sheathing your weapon first! This means you can quickly use an item and go back on the offensive straight away.

This is also extremely useful in multiplayer since you can take on a more supportive role, being able to assist your team at a moment's notice!

List of All Items and Materials

Sword & Shield Controls

Basic Controls

Action	PC	PS5	Xbox
Chop
Lateral Slash
Advancing Slash	+	+	+
Guard Slash	+	+	+
Sliding Swipe	+	+	+
Use Item	+	+	+

Combo Actions

Action	PC	PS5	Xbox
Round Slash	+	+	+
Charged Chop	+ (Hold)	+ (Hold)	+ (Hold)
Backstep ▼ Perfect Rush	+ ▼	+ ▼	+ ▼
Charged Slash ▼ Jumping Slash	+ (Hold) ▼	+ (Hold) ▼	+ (Hold) ▼
Charged Slash ▼ Falling Bash	+ (Hold) ▼	+ (Hold) ▼	+ (Hold) ▼

All these actions must be performed during a combo.

Recommended Sword & Shield Combos

List of Sword & Shield Combos
Quick Damage Combo Charged Chop Element Damage Combo Shield Bash Combo Perfect Rush Combo Sword & Shield Combo Flexibility

Quick Damage Combo

Platform	Combo Input
PC	→ →
PS5	→ →
Xbox	→ →

The Lateral Slash Combo is a simple and quick, but versatile combo. Players can extend the combo by opening with an Advancing Slash to close the distance, or ending with a Roundslash for more damage.

Charged Chop Element Damage Combo

Platform	Combo Input
PC	→ → → → (Hold) +
PS5	→ → → → (Hold) +
Xbox	→ → → → (Hold) +

Using the Chop Combo followed by the new Charged Chop becomes effective when paired with elemental damage due to this string's high hit count. The combo itself is also relatively quick to execute.

Shield Bash Combo

Platform	Combo Input
PC	(Keep Holding W) + → + → +
PS5	(Keep Tilting the Left Stick Forwards) + → + → +
Xbox	(Keep Tilting the Left Stick Forwards) + → + → +

The Shield part of the weapon can also be used in combos, and deals stun damage. Aiming to land Shield hits on the monster's head every so often can lead into a knockdown, meaning a bigger opportunity to do damage.

Perfect Rush Combo

Platform	Combo Input
PC	(Hold S) + → → → → → or
PS5	(Tilt the Left Stick Backwards) + → → → → → or
Xbox	(Tilt the Left Stick Backwards) + → → → → → or

Note: This combo is only accessible after a basic attack input.

The Perfect Rush remains the Sword & Shield's most damaging attack. Players must remember that it can only be performed after a Basic Attack input, and that succceeding inputs for the rush must be timed for max damage.

Sword & Shield Combo Flexibility

One benefit that the Sword & Shield possesses is that many of its moves flow seamlessly into one another. For example, players can perform one Chop, followed instantly by a Backstep into Perfect Rush to deal lots of damage quickly.

Another example is that players can string together a Backstep and Rising Slash into a dodge roll to quickly create distance. Players may experiment with chaining the weapon's moves to find rotations they are comfy with.

Monster Hunter Wilds Related Guides

All Weapons and Guides

All Weapon Guides

All Weapon Types
Great Sword		Long Sword		Sword & Shield
Dual Blades		Hammer		Hunting Horn
Lance		Gunlance		Switch Axe
Charge Blade		Insect Glaive		Light Bowgun
Heavy Bowgun			Bow