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The Switch Axe is a versatile weapon that swaps between Axe and Sword Mode in Monster Hunter Wilds. Learn all the new moves for the Switch Axe, how to use it, as well as its controls.
List of Contents
Platform | Combo Input |
---|---|
PC |
+ + (During Amped State) (Hold) + + (During Amped State)
|
PS5 |
+ + (During Amped State) (Hold)+ + (During Amped State)
|
Xbox |
+ + (During Amped State) (Hold)+ + (During Amped State)
|
The Unbridled Slash and Full Release Slash are new moves that execute a series of powerful sword swings, but are only available when both in Sword Mode and the Amped State.
Switch Axe Gameplay Tips |
---|
|
Gauge Name | Explanation |
---|---|
Switch Gauge | Can morph into Sword Mode once it reaches 30%. Attacks in this form will consume the gauge. |
Amp Gauge + Amped State | Gets filled when you land attacks in Sword Mode. Enter the Amped State once the Amp Gauge is full. |
The Switch Axe comes a three-segment indicator to manage while fighting with it. The Switch Gauge (1) charges when landing attacks in Axe Mode, or when reloading, and is consumed when attacking in Sword Mode.
The Amp Gauge (2) fills up when landing attacks in Sword Mode. Filling the Amp Gauge causes Hunters to enter the Amped Stat, adding phial explosions to their Sword Mode attacks and enabling new moves.
The last segment is the Power Axe Mode (3) indicator. It shows that Axe Mode currently deals more damage and charges the Switch Gauge faster. Power Axe Mode activates with certain attacks, like the Heavy Slam.
The weapon's Axe Mode boasts greater reach with its sweeping attacks. This is perfect for hitting enemies with tall bodies, or hard to hit body parts that you need to aim for, like tails.
Axe Mode is also necessary to enable the more close-range, but stronger and faster Sword Mode. Be sure to swap back to Axe Mode when the Switch Gauge is low to refill it for more Sword Mode uptime.
Sword Mode's attacks decrease the Switch Gauge on-hit, but are faster and do more damage. It performs better than Axe Mode against faster enemies, and charges the Amp Gauge that unlocks the weapon's true power.
Filling the Amp Gauge grants access to stronger moves, like the Zero Sum Discharge, and entering the Amped State enables the Full Release Slash. Sword attacks in the Amped State also cause phial explosions on-hit.
Using Morph Slash in combos is key to having a fluid combat experience while using the Switch Axe. Morph Slash allows for a quick transition between modes, while also doing damage and filling up the weapon's gauges.
Phial Type | Phial Effects |
---|---|
Power Phial | Does Raw Damage |
Element Phial | Does Elemental Damage |
Status Effect Phial | Inflicts Status Buildup |
Switch Axes come with different Phial types that affect the explosions that appear during Amped State attacks. Using a weapon with the right phial to target a monster's weakness can give hunters the upper hand in the fight.
Action | PC | PS5 | Xbox |
---|---|---|---|
Overhead Slash | |||
Wild Swing | (Tap)
↓ |
(Tap)
↓ |
(Tap)
↓ |
Heavy Slam | |||
Offset Rising Slash |
+
|
+
|
+
|
Follow-up Heavy Slam | + (On a Perfect Offset) |
or (On a Perfect Offset) |
+ (On a Perfect Offset) |
Follow-up Morph Slam | (On a Perfect Offset) | (On a Perfect Offset) | (On a Perfect Offset) |
Fade Slash | + |
↓ + |
↓ + |
Reload / Morph Reload activates if the switch gauge is under 30%
|
|||
Focus Mode: Morph Combination | + ↓ |
+ ↓ |
+ ↓ |
Elemental Discharge Finisher |
Action | PC | PS5 | Xbox |
---|---|---|---|
Overhead Slash | |||
Double Slash | |||
Counter Rising Slash | +
↓(On a Successful Counter) |
+
↓(On a Successful Counter) |
+
↓(On a Successful Counter) |
Heavenward Flurry | |||
Element Discharge | +
↓(Tap) |
+
↓(Tap) |
+
↓(Tap) |
Element Discharge Finisher | |||
Zero Sum Discharge | (Hold) + (Hold)
↓(Tap) |
(Hold) + (Hold)
↓(Tap) |
(Hold) + (Hold)
↓(Tap) |
Zero Sum Discharge Finisher | |||
Unbridled Slash |
+ + |
+ + |
+ + |
Full Release Slash |
(Hold) + + |
(Hold) + + |
(Hold) + + |
List of Recommended Combos |
---|
|
Platform | Combo Input |
---|---|
PC |
→
→
|
PS5 |
→
→
|
Xbox |
→
→
|
This is the simplest Axe Mode combo that can be used against monsters while there is no opening for more extended attacks. Be sure to use Fade Slash or a dodge to reposition according to the situation.
Platform | Combo Input |
---|---|
PC | Repeatedly Tap → |
PS5 | Repeatedly Tap → |
Xbox | Repeatedly Tap + |
For longer openings, attacking with Axe Mode's Wild Swing and finishing with a Heavy Slam is a good way to generate Switch Gauge charge.
Platform | Combo Input |
---|---|
PC |
→
→
→
|
PS5 | → → → |
Xbox |
→
→
→
|
Use this combo when the Switch Gauge is sufficiently full to quickly transform into Sword Mode. Note that the Morph Slash can be followed-up with further Sword Mode attacks, should opportunities present themselves.
Platform | Combo Input |
---|---|
PC |
→
→
→
|
PS5 | → → → |
Xbox |
→
→
→
|
This is a flexible Sword Mode combo that can be used for brief attacks. Players can opt not to commit to the Circle input at the end, and can even execute an earlier Circle button press to get quicker ending attacks for the string.
Using Morph Slash during the combo string to swap back to Axe Mode is also recommended, if players find that the Switch Gauge is running low.
Platform | Combo Input |
---|---|
PC | → → → → → + → Repeatedly Tap |
PS5 | → → → → → + → Repeatedly Tap |
Xbox | → → → → → + → Repeatedly Tap |
This is one of the highest damaging strings that the Switch Axe has access to, at the cost of using up a lot of the Switch Gauge. Use this attack when the monster is immobilized to inflict high damage with Zero Sum Discharge.
Platform | Combo Input |
---|---|
PC | → → → → → + → (Hold) + + |
PS5 | → → → → → + → (Hold)+ + |
Xbox | → → → → → + → (Hold)+ + |
Players can also opt to use the Full Release Slash as another strong final attack in the combo. It does not require multiple taps to charge, and instead has players hold down the required buttons as an input.
The attack also has less recovery time after executing, allowing players to quickly move to their next course of action after unleashing it.
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 |
Switch Axe Weapon Guide and New Moves
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