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Almost every weapon inMonster Hunter Wildshas more going for it than it seems like at face value. There are mechanics that propel most of the weapons into much more effective territory than they would go if they simply swung and hit monsters.
The Switch Axe is one of the weapons with themost going on mechanically. But despite this, the mechanics of the Switch Axe aren’t too hard to pick up, making for a weapon that has both a very high floor, and a very high ceiling. It can put out remarkable damage, with very little in the way of downside.
you may see the specific Switch Axe controls for your platform by going into Settings > Info > Play Guide > Weapon Controls > Switch Axe.
Switch Axe Overview
The Switch Axe is essentiallytwo different weapons masquerading as one: an Axe, and a particularly thick Sword.Both of these modes have different combos and different strengths, but what truly propels the Switch Axe forward is that when used in combination with each other, both of these modes make the other shine.
Switch Gauge
The Switch Gauge is one of the two primary mechanics that you’re going to need to pay attention to with the Switch Axe. TheSwitch Gauge is a bar displayed on the top-left of your screen, just under your stamina.
When youland attacks in Axe Mode, your Switch Gauge is going to fill. When you attack in Sword Mode, your Switch Gauge is going to empty.
As long as the Switch Gauge is at 30 percent, you’ll be able to transform into Sword Mode.
Amp Gauge
TheAmp Gauge fills when you land attacks in Sword Mode. Once the Amp Gauge is completely full, you’ll enter Amped State.
The Amp Gauge is the second smaller gauge, on the right side of the icon.
In Amped State, yourSword attacks are going to deal additional damage, and the damage type is going to be determined by the phial type on your Switch Axe. You will also haveunique combo opportunities.
Phial Type
Different Switch Axes have different phial types, and the phial type is going to be shown on your weapon’s statistics.
Exhaust
This is going tobuild up stun and exhauston a monster.
There are going to be instances where each of these types is going to be valuable, andthe more you learn about each monster,the more you’ll be able to prepareand bring the right phial type.
Power Axe Mode
Power Axe Mode is the final type of attack mode the Switch Axe has.
The Power Axe Mode Gause is the smaller gauge at the bottom left of the icon.
Power Axe Mode is going toincrease the charge your Axe attacks apply to the Switch Gauge.
Switch Axe Combos And Tips
By and large, the Switch Axe iscapable of some of the most impressive damageof any weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds, alongsideproviding an extra phial effectthat can push the weapon even further.
On the downside, the Switch Axe can be a weapon thatsuffers from longer animations. It’s a large and unwieldy weapon, and your Hunter can get caught flailing it around when you need to dodge, forcing you to absorb a heavy attack.
Axe Mode (Basic Combos)
The Axe Mode has access to two different Basic Combos: Overhead Slash and Wild Swing. TheOverhead Slash combo is followed by two side-attacks, while theWild Swing can be infinitely chained, stamina permitting.
Wild Swinging twice and following it up with the alternate Basic Attack unleashes a Heavy Slam and is one of the ways to transition your Axe into Power Axe Mode.
Axe Mode (Offset Rising Slash)
Pressing both Basic Attack buttons at the same time will activate Offset Rising Slash, which is essentially anuppercut with your Switch Axe that can knock monsters backwhile they’re attacking.
If this attackdoes knock a monster back, you canfollow it up with either Heavy Slam, which will transition you into Power Axe Mode,or Morph Slash, which will transition you into Sword Mode.
If you have the timing down on a monster’s attack, this is a fantastic way to punish them and create a window of opportunity for some extra damage.
Axe Mode (Fade Slash)
Fade Slashmoves your Hunter backa couple of steps, whileslashing their Switch Axe upward. There isn’t too much going on with this move mechanically, but it can bean elegant way to gain a little bit of separationand still maintain some damage.
Sword Mode (Basic Combos)
The Sword Mode has two different Basic Combos: Overhead Slash and Double Slash.Overhead Slashchains into a three-hit combo,attacking from three different directions, whileDouble Slashis a two-hit combo, withboth attacks hitting multiple timesand filling up the Amp Gauge considerably.
Neither of these combos are particularly fast, and the Double Slash combo can lock you in an animation for a lengthy time. However, when these moves land, they do considerable damage and make quick work of charging the Amp Gauge.
Sword Mode (Counter Rising Slash)
Counter Rising Slash fills a similar role as Offset Rising Slash in the Axe Mode, just to a slightly lesser degree. Hitting a monster that’s attacking with this won’t stagger the monster, but itwill prevent you from being staggeredand willautomatically chain this into a multiple-hit attack.
You can chain directly into the second half of the Double Slash combo after this attack, which will lock you in a longer animation but does deal considerable damage.
Sword Mode (Element Discharge)
Hitting both Basic Attack buttons at the same time will thrust your Sword forward;continue hitting the Basic Attack button to deal constant damage to the monster, eventually creating an elemental explosion. Thisdeals heavy damagealtogether and switches your Switch Axe back into Axe Mode.
InAmped State, this is essentially going to do the same thing, just on amore powerfulscale.
Because this attack locks you in place, it shouldn’t be used when a monster is facing you and could attack. But, when you have an opportunity to attack with little chance of repercussion, this can deal significant damage.
Sword Mode (Unbridled Slash)
Unbridled Slash is a sweeping attack that willhit most targets inside 180 degrees in front of youand deal damage multiple times.If you’re inAmped State, it’s going todeal increased damage.
After using Unbridled Slash, you’lltransition back into Axe Mode.
This is a fantastic ability in most situations and aperfect way to transition into Axe Mode. It’s particularly effective against monsters that might be more difficult to hit, and against groups of smaller monsters.
Sword Mode (Full Release Slash)
This attack isonly usable when in Amped Mode, and deals ludicrous damage. It can bechained into from Elemental Dischargeas well, acting as a huge damage finisher to that chain and a momentous way to transition into Axe Mode.
Focus Assault (Axe And Sword)
The Focus Assault, which is an attack variation that is used against enemy wounds, isslightly different for both modes.
Despite finishing with the opposite weapon’s attack in the variation to Focus Assault, your weapon will retain its original mode after the attack finishes.
