How To Use Sword and Shield

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.

Sword and Shield Basic Controls

Base Game Controls

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

Iceborne Exclusive

after evading	Claw Uppercut
	Ready Slinger
+	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.

+ > > + > > >
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.

+ > > >
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.

+ > > Move + > >
Repositioning Combo

Strong Attack Combo

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

> Move + > > >
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.

Related Links

Melee Weapons
Great Swords	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Great Sword for Each Element
	Best Great Sword for Iceborne
Long Swords	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Long Sword for Each Element
	Best Long Sword for Iceborne
Swords and Shields	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Sword and Shield for Each Element
	Best Sword and Shield for Iceborne
Dual Blades	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Dual Blades for Each Element
	Best Dual Blades for Iceborne
Hammers	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Hammer for Each Element
	Best Hammers for Iceborne
Hunting Horns	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Hunting Horn for Each Element
	Best Hunting Horn for Iceborne
	Hunting Horn Notes and Effects
Lances	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Lance for Each Element
	Best Lance for Iceborne
Gunlances	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Gunlance for Each Element
	Best Gunlance for Iceborne
Switch Axe	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Switch Axe for Each Element
	Best Switch Axe for Iceborne
Charge Blade	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Charge Blade for Each Element
	Best Charge Blades for Iceborne
Insect Glaive	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Insect Glaive for Each Element
	Best Insect Glaive for Iceborne

Kinsects
Kinsects	Kinsect Tree and Complete Kinsect List	Best and Recommended Kinsects

Ranged Weapons
Bows	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Bow for Each Element
Light Bowguns	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Light Bowgun for Each Element
Heavy Bowguns	Trees & Full List	How to Use
	Overall Best List	Best Skills
	Layered Weapon Augments
	Best Heavy Bowgun for Each Element