Monster Hunter World (MHW)

How To Use Switch Axe

Monster Hunter World Walkthrough Team

Last updated on: October 29, 2020 10:40 PM

★ Monster Hunter Rise and its expansion MHRise: Sunbreak is out now for the Nintendo Switch & PC, then for PlayStation, XBox, & Game Pass on January 20, 2023!

Head on over to our MHRise Wiki for the latest guides and strategies about all things MHRise!

This is a guide on how to use everyone's favorite transforming explosive 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

Switch Axe Basic Controls
Axe Form Controls
Sword Form Controls
Both Form Controls
Axe and Sword Form
Axe Form
Sword Form
Switch Axe Phials and Series
Related Links

Switch Axe Basic Controls

Axe Form Controls

	Standard Attacks
	Wild Swing
+	Rising Slash
Forward +	Forward Slash
	Morph Slash
without Sword gauge	Reload

Sword Form Controls

	Standard Attack
	Strong Attack
+	Element Discharge
Amped +	Zero Sum Discharge
	Morph Slash
Forward +	Downward Fade Slash

Both Form Controls

	Morph
off ledge	Jumping Slash
off ledge	Jumping Morph Slash
+ off ledge	Jumping Element Discharge
sliding	Jumping Sweep
sliding	Jumping Rising Slash

Axe and Sword Form

The Switch Axe is a two-in-one weapon with offensive versitility. This weapon has an Axe form and a Sword form that has different utilities when attacking.

Axe Form

The Axe form has higher mobility and range than the sword. The movement speed and ability to dodge with this form out is an advantage against faster monsters.

Sword Form

The Sword form is where the real damage lies. The heavy hitting sword form can deal extra attack power or status effects.

Switch Axe Phials and Series

These Phails add damage or status effects to specific weapons.

Phial	Effect
Elemental Phial	Increase the elemental damage a weapon does. The Switch Axe must have a natural element of status effect for this to be effective.
Dragon Phial	Gives a fixed amount of Dragon Element in Sword Form.
Power Phial	Boots the raw damage of the Switch Axe.
Paralysis Phial	May be added to raw Switch Axes to add a paralysis effect in Sword mode.
Exhaust Phial	Allows the Switch Axe to drain monsters stamina with certain attacks. This will make the monster more prone to exhaustion and increase the chances of stunning them.