Best Switch Axes | Recommended Switch Axes

This is a guide to Game8's recommended Switch Axes in Monster Hunter World (MHW) and MHW Iceborne! Read on to find out which Switch Axes we think are the best and our explanations as to why!

Best Switch Axe: Monster Hunter World

Before the arrival of the Iceborne Expansion, two Switch Axes shared the title as the Best Switch Axes in Monster Hunter: World. Both of them only had slight advantages over the other in multiple aspects of the Swtich Axe's core gameplay that it ultimately boiled down to the hunter's jewel decorations and preference to determine which was better overall.

Axe of Demons

Axe of Demons
	Rarity	Attack	Affinity	Elem.
	8	805	-30	Ice 180
	Def.	Elderseal	Custom	Slots
	15	-	1 time	①ーー
Hidden Element	This weapon's element is Hidden and will require the Free Elem/Ammo Up skill to unlock.
Phial Type	Power Phial
Sharpness

The Axe of Demons dominated over the other Switch Axes for the majority of Monster Hunter World's base game. Hosting an attack rating of 805 and equpped with power phials, hunters who could offset its -30% affinity and low blue sharpness with the right skills would witness Phial Discharge damage levels that would rival even the Diablos Tyrannis II Charge Blade.

Its biggest strength, however, lies in the fact that its element is hidden. This enabled the Non-Elemental Boost Skill to take its damage even further.

These factors cemented the Axe of Demons as one of the best all-purpose Switch Axe pre-Iceborne Expansion.

Terror Tyrannos

Terror Tyrannos
	Rarity	Attack	Affinity	Elem.
	7	770	-25	Dragon 180
	Def.	Elderseal	Custom	Slots
	-	High	2 times	ーーー
Phial Type	Power Phial
Sharpness

Monster Hunter World's first Free Title Update introduced the Deviljho to the scene. With it came the Terror Tyrannos, a Switch Axe so strong that it challenged the Axe of Demons' position at the top of the totem pole. With stats that are mostly on-par with the Axe of Demons, the Terror Tyrannos' could potentially go pound-for-pound in damage output.

It has -25% affinity and two augment slots compared to the Axe of Demons' -30% affinity and one augment slot. While the stats seem like an irrelevant comparison now, these gaps were huge at the time and allowed hunters to build around the Terror Tyrannos easier and reach damage levels that rival the Axe of Demons even though it is unable to utilize Non-Elemental Boost.

Ultimately, it is this very convenience that elevated the Terror Tyrannos' status and thus shared the top spot alongside the Axe of Demons as the two best all-purpose Switch Axes Pre-Iceborne Expansion.

Best Switch Axe: MHW Iceborne

True Fatalis End
	Rarity	Attack	Affinity	Elem.
	12	1225	-30	Dragon 150
	Def.	Elderseal	Custom	Slots
	-	High	-	④④ー
Phial Type	Power Phial
Sharpness

The Final Free Update for MHW: Iceborne saw the arrival of Fatalis. With it came the True Fatalis End that easily took the top spot as the Best All-Purpose Switch Axe.

The True Fatalis End boasts the highest base attack of any Switch Axe at a whopping 1225. If built around with the right skills and augments, hunters could easily offset its -30% affinity boost and improve its purple sharpness.

These factors make the True Fatalis End the absolute best Switch Axe for almost every scenario.

Monster Hunter World (MHW) Related Guides

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