Monster Hunter World (MHW)

Best Switch Axe of Each Element

★ 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 list of the best Switch Axe for the highest potential elemental damage in Monster Hunter World (MHW) Iceborne. The Safi'jiiva, Kjarr, Alatreon and Fatalis weapons dominate each category with its potential in their respective element brackets. Read on to learn more!

Elemental Damage

Each monster in Monster Hunter World (MHW) has elemental weaknesses and resistances that will allow you to hunt more efficiently. The best way to find out what a monster is weak to is through the Monster Field Guide.

Elemental Damage can be found in certain weapons. Note that not all weapons have elemental damage.

Dragon.png Dragon
Fire.png Fire
Ice.png Ice
Thunder.png Thunder
Water.png Water

Best Elemental Weapons

Elemental Builds are the most efficient when equipping the Safi'jiiva or Kjarr weapons while being paired with the Safi'jiiva armor set. This armor set effect is activated by wearing 3 pieces of Safi'jiiva armor for the maximum output.

Though, if only the weapon's elemental effect is to be considered, the Kjarr weapon will win more often than not. With the exception of the dragon element where Alatreon weapons dominate.

Safi'jiiva Weapons

This is a collection of weapons that can be obtained during the Safi'jiiva Siege. By using Awakened Materials, these weapons have Awakened Abilities.

You can increase elemental damage of Safi'jiiva weapons with awakened abilities. Though, awakening weapons does take time and requires a good amount of grinding. at Awakened Level 23, a weapon is considered fully awakened and the weapon begins to change in appearance.

Kjarr and Taroth Weapons

This is a collection of weapons that can be obtained during the Fury of El Dorado Event Quest.

Kjarr and rank 8/12 Taroth weapons have one of three possible weapons skills; Critical Element which increases elemental damage, as well as Critical Status Effects and Kulve Taroth Essense.

Alatreon Weapons

Alatreon weapon stats have high dragon element ratings. They also naturally have purple sharpness and average Elderseal which is why it beats out the Kjarr and Taroth weapons in the Dragon Elemental Damage category.

Where the Kjarr and Taroth weapons fall short in sharpness, the Alatreon weapons dominate from the outset.

Fatalis Weapons

Another note-worthy mention for the Dragon Elemental Damage are the Fatalis Weapons. They strong base stats though their elemental rating is not remarkable, they make up for it with good sharpness, high Elderseal and two level four slots.

Best Switch Axe of Each Element

Best Ice Element Switch Axe

Kjarr Axe "Stream"
 Weapon Image
Rarity Attack Affinity Elem.
12 945 15 Ice 510
Def. Elderseal Slots
20 - ーーー
Phial Type Power Element
Skill Critical Element
Sharpness  Kjarr Axe "Stream" sharpness

Best Water Element Switch Axe

Kjarr Axe "Water"
 Weapon Image
Rarity Attack Affinity Elem.
12 1015 15 Water 540
Def. Elderseal Slots
20 - ーーー
Phial Type Power Element
Skill Critical Element
Sharpness  Kjarr Axe "Water" sharpness

Best Fire Element Switch Axe

Kjarr Axe "King"
 Weapon Image
Rarity Attack Affinity Elem.
12 1015 20 Fire 480
Def. Elderseal Slots
20 - ①ーー
Phial Type Power Element
Skill Critical Element
Sharpness  Kjarr Axe "King" sharpness

Best Thunder Element Switch Axe

Kjarr Axe "Thunder"
 Weapon Image
Rarity Attack Affinity Elem.
12 945 15 Thunder 510
Def. Elderseal Slots
20 - ーーー
Phial Type Power Element
Skill Critical Element
Sharpness  Kjarr Axe "Thunder" sharpness

Best Dragon Element Switch Axe

Black Harvest
 Weapon Image
Rarity Attack Affinity Elem.
12 980 0 Dragon 660
Def. Elderseal Custom Slots
- Low - ②②ー
Phial Type Power Element Phial
Sharpness
 Sharpness

Related Links

Melee Weapons
Great Sword Icon.jpegGreat 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 Sword Icon.jpegLong 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
Sword & Shield Icon.jpegSwords 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 Icon.jpegDual 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
Hammer Icon.jpegHammers Trees & Full List How to Use
Overall Best List Best Skills
Layered Weapon Augments
Best Hammer for Each Element
Best Hammers for Iceborne
Hunting Horn Icon.jpegHunting 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
Lance Icon.jpegLances Trees & Full List How to Use
Overall Best List Best Skills
Layered Weapon Augments
Best Lance for Each Element
Best Lance for Iceborne
Gunlance Icon.jpegGunlances 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 Icon.jpegSwitch 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 Icon.jpegCharge 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 Icon.jpegInsect 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
Kinsect Icon.pngKinsects Kinsect Tree and Complete Kinsect List Best and Recommended Kinsects
Ranged Weapons
Bow Icon.jpegBows Trees & Full List How to Use
Overall Best List Best Skills
Layered Weapon Augments
Best Bow for Each Element
Light Bowgun Icon.jpegLight Bowguns Trees & Full List How to Use
Overall Best List Best Skills
Layered Weapon Augments
Best Light Bowgun for Each Element
Heavy Bowgun Icon.jpegHeavy Bowguns Trees & Full List How to Use
Overall Best List Best Skills
Layered Weapon Augments
Best Heavy Bowgun for Each Element

Author

    Walkthrough Menu

    All rights reserved