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Monster Hunter World (MHW)

How To Use Sword and Shield

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This is a guide on how to use everyone's favorite well-rounded weapon in Monster Hunter World (MHW), the Sword and Shield. Read on more to learn about their controls and how to effectively use it.

List of Contents

Sword and Shield Basic Controls

Base Game Controls

Triangle button.png
 Standard Attacks
O button.png Strong Attacks
Forward + O button.png
 Shield Combo
Triangle button.png + O button.png after any attack
 Roundslash
Backward + O button.png
 Backstep
Release O button.png after backstep
 Perfect Rush Combo
Triangle button.png jumping off ledge
 Jumping Slash
Triangle button.png + O button.png while sheathed
 Advancing Slash
Triangle button.png after Advancing Slash
 Short Shield Bash
Triangle button.png + O button.png off ledge
 Jumping Advancing Slash Slash
Triangle button.png + O button.png against ledge
 Rising Advancing Slash
Triangle button.png + O button.png against special wall
 Helm Breaker
Triangle button.png + O button.png down slope
 Sliding Slash
R2.png Guard

Iceborne Exclusive

L2.png after evading
 Claw Uppercut
L2.png
 Ready Slinger
L2.png + R2.png
 Fire Slinger

Best Sword and Shield Combos

Basic Rushing Combo

This is the basic combo for Sword And Shield. After performing this combo, you can perform a backstep or change directions by using Spiral Slash.

Triangle button.png+ O button.png > O button.png> Triangle button.png + Triangle button.png > Triangle button.png > O button.png > O button.png
Basic Rushing Combo

Fixed Point Attack Combo

This combo is short and quick. It is best tot use on monsters that are temporarily stunned. The immidiacy of the combo allows for you to follow it up with an Evade or roll to dodge any monster attacks.

R2.png+ Triangle button.png > Triangle button.png > O button.png > O button.png
Fixed Point Attack Combo

Repositioning Combo

This combo allows you to change direction without decreasing you damage per second. Instead of repositioning after an attack, this combo will allow you to do it simultaneously.

Triangle button.png+ O button.png > O button.png> Move + Triangle button.png > Triangle button.png > O button.png
Repositioning Combo

Strong Attack Combo

The Strong Attack is a high damage combo that incorporates the Spiral Slash. This can weaken fatigued monsters further.

Triangle button.png > Move + Triangle button.png > Triangle button.png > O button.png > O button.png
Strong Attack Combo

Sword and Shield Unsheathed Actions

The Sword and Shield is set apart from other weapons in Monster Hunter World (MHW) due to the ability to use items while your weapon is unsheathed.

Consumables

Consumables are items that you drink or eat in-game. The utility of being able to drink a Potion, Mega Potion or Max Potion while unsheathed allows the hunter to have more mobility mid-battle. Though keep in mind, you may not sprint while consuming, but only walk.

This makes the Sword and Shield a more forgiving weapon in the game. Allowing you to forego the sheathing process to give you more time to set up your next move on the monster and instantly deal damage.

Bombs

You can place down bombs without sheathing you weapon as well! Though bombs are regularly used when the monster is asleep to deal the most damage possible. The ability of the Sword and Shield to utilize items quickly means that you can place the bomb down when a monster is downed. Most players do not do this because of the limited amount of time the monster stays down as well as the time is takes to go through the animation of unsheathing, placing the bomb down then sheathing their weapon. Being able to eliminate 2/3 of the process will greatly increase a Sword and Shield user's chance of dealing extra damage with a bomb mid-battle.

Slinger Ammo

Another unique item the Sword and Shield can use unsheathed is slinger ammo! This allows for quick reactions with Flashpods for your flying wyverns, Crystal Burst to stun monsters or whatever pod you can find to drop some rocks from the environment. Timing is everything when it comes to Slinger Ammo, and the dexterity the Sword and Shield allows makes those quick reactions effective in battle.

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Monster Hunter World Walkthrough Team
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