I hope new and veteran Hunters alike have a great time with Monster Hunter World and you give Switch Axe a try! Be sure to let me know of any questions you may have! And feedback is always welcome! Happy Hunting!
I would like to suggest that you compress everything you have shown in 1 or 2 pictures, its hard to remember everything without rewatching all parts of the video. For example: Do this combo at combat start (button presses). Do this combo when this gauge is there. Do this when gauge is maxed. Repeat. Thanks for the great video overall
I have over 2000 hours on World already and Switch Axe is my second most used weapon behind Hunting Horn. Very good video, would love to see more Switch Axe content.
Thank you for your service as a hunting horn main and your comment! I'll be making more content for sure. Might do guides on specific monsters a lot of people seem to struggle against like Rajang, Raging Brachy or Safi. Thanks again!
This is one of the best switch axe guides I've seen, the only thing i would add is make sure you gem in 1 ear plugs, when you do your amped discharge it gives you max ear plugs so you aren't roared off the monster
This is genuinely the best weapon guide video for MHW I've seen. Immediate info, no unnecessary numbers, no unnecessary filler, just straight up RELEVANT INFO without being 30 minutes long. Thank you, looking forward to more switch axe videos, always wanted to get into it but could never grasp it fully
Thank you so much for your comment and your feedback! I try to value my viewer's time as much as I can and convey information as accessible and efficient as possible.
He missed a few important things though. Quick aerial manual reload, doing a manual reload just before getting hit if you can't avoid it and... the 2x (maybe 3x) wild swing into heavy slam. Doing that last thing activates power axe mode which adds a temporary partbreaker buff to all axe moves and the best thing is that it stacks with the partbreaker skill (or perhaps multiplies, I forget exact specifics).
@@thenonexistinghero you're right about the reloads but I do talk about Heavy Slam. In the beginning about the basic axe chains, right before the morph sweep. ^^
@@BloodyWyverian You do mention the heavy slam, but not that it comes with a powered up state that makes breaking parts easier. Combine that with wild swing and partbreaker and you'll have a very easy time breaking parts.
The fact that this video didn't start with 3 minutes of youtube preamble instantly makes it one of the best guides I've ever seen. The fact that it still taught me some new things despite SA being one of my most played weapons in World just elevates it to the best guide I've ever seen haha
The best guide out there BY FAR! I have been so annoyed with other switch axe guides lacking different things, but this one has everything I wanted in it! Perfect timing too
I'm beginning my journey to learn the Switch Axe. I've seen a lot of videos.. a lot. But this is the one that finally clicked for me. Can't wait for you to make more c:
6:25 - One thing that you forgot to mention is that Axe Mode has really good partbreak. It's a viable playstyle if you need to either get specific resources by breaking body parts, are learning the monster's move-set, *or need to keep the monster tripped, flinched, and otherwise CC'd*, in addition to being more mobile.
I did mention it towards the beginning of the video where I talk about axe mode attacks but yes, the playstyle is more explained in another video where I talk about 4 distinct playstyles of Switch Axe. Thank you for sharing the details of power axe!
Things to add about sidehop is that you can do it without any attack first by aiming slinger when you unsheate your weapon. I discovered it while watching AT Velkhana speedrun. This move is really handy when you are in sword mode and want to maximize your offensive without losing much positioning while evading monster's attack
Oh hell yes I saw that too recently on a AT Velkhana speedrun, I'm practicing it at the moment and it comes in really handy for attacks that hit twice very quickly like Ruiners spike pounces and so on. Super cool and crazy technique!
Powerful explanation. You also can do double ZSD. One impailing and canceling the final explosion then slinger + ZSD (full explosion of the short one you mentioned at the end of the video)
I've been playing monster hunter series all the way since 3U, exclusively with switch axe (I know) and I think the guide is really on point. Now that I've returned to the series and replaying world, it actually helped me get back into the flow and pace of the weapon, thank you.
Lovely dedication. I started with MH tri for the Wii and was blown away by the concept of switch axe and have been a SA main ever since. Thank you very much for the feedback and nice to hear that it helps even such dedicated Switch Axe mains as yourself!
I'm 100 hours into my world playthrough with switchaxe and this is the first video that really stepped up my game past what I was capable of before. From my previous weapons I was so used to sheathing for safety and then getting in my draw slash and getting back out, but since I've been keeping the axe out and using the mobility built into the moveset it has really started clicking and my hunts go so much faster
as a returning players who has forgotten everything this guide is easily the best ive seen. To the point, clear and concise. Thanks! Look forward to your other guides.
I was actually shocked seeing that the main point of the video starts at the 3 second mark. Perfect time to get this video honestly, I'm a Lance main and I'm too used to not caring too much about positioning for survival so was looking for something else to pick up.
I wish I saw this video years ago. Back when I played switch axe the biggest issue was knowing what to use when, because it isn't intuitive to figure that out yourself.
Thanks for this, Swaxe was the only melee weapon i didn't know how to play yet. Finished IB on Xbox and PC in the past and decided to do a fresh playthrough with Swaxe on PS5 to get ready for wild. I love the fact that this guide is compact and doesn't waste time!
Good video to introduce to a beginner, but I'd want to point out something, your fastest way to amp the sword mode works... for every phial that isnt power phial, for this one, you have to immediately follow up with a stab after the heavenly slash (top and right face buttons or both mouse click) that you immediately cancel into a clutch claw thrust (rift trigger or c by default on keyboard), it has even the advantage to allow you to tenderize immediately, which is supremely useful if for example you are doing after initiating the fight with a wallbang. I hope that'll help you ^^
Thank you for your comment and the tip! And yes after the heavenward flurry you aren't amped with power phial and you can either go into the discharge startup or you can try to get back to double sideway slash by doing a rising slash after heavenward flurry. It of course depends on how long your opening is. Thanks for sharing your tip!
After bickering around with different weapons and struggling to find a good Switch Axe guide, i finally came upon this chad of a video. Thank you so much for teaching the basics as well as some more advanced stuff, this was literally what I was looking for! You got yourself a new subscriber, and I'll be sure to keep watching your content (already checked out some of the other videos). Great work!
@@BloodyWyverian Thank you! I'm just generally trying to learn when to poke and when to dodge/evade. It's not super easy but I'll get there when I get some more practice in for sure. Brachydios is literally my nemesis right now though, it's super hard to find opening so any tips on that one would be much appreciated. Really liked your "how to hunt your first Barroth" video so fingers crossed you'll make more of those in the future :)
@@TheRealCidd awesome, just keep at it! Brachydios is an absolute menace and I am actually currently learning how to effectively counter him but it is rough... I'll certainly do a video on him eventually!
@@BloodyWyverian Quick question. Which mantles do you recommend using? From what I've gathered I should use Rocksteady Mantle and Temporal Mantle right? Just as a general loadout. And if yes, should I start the fight with Rocksteady and then use Temporal later and then just rince repeat/use what I need based on the situation? Thanks again!
I can tell you have a ton of experience with the weapon and I appreciate the simplified guide so much. I've always played mechanically simple weapons like GS, Hammer, and lance that dont have added systems because every time I watch a tutorial for them it feels so daunting. I've tried SA before and it never clicked. I just came back to the game after taking a couple years off and you made this somewhat complex weapon feel so simple. I really cant figure out why i struggled with it so much before. I appreciate you saving the more complex tech for other videos. I'll save those videos for once i have a firm grasp of the basics so i dont try to learn too much at once. Now play a thousand hours of charge blade so you can help me figure out that weapon too 😅.
I love the video it is a lot more straightforward than many I have found and gives a lot of great information. Thanks a lot even with 120 hours on the weapon I still am learning every day it seems.
the beauty of the SA is it doesnt have a defensive option other than evading moves and dodges. it makes it both easy to pick up and devastating in the hands of a master
nice video, im jumping on mhw since a break from 2 years and this video sums up every aspect of the SwaggAxe in 10 min, i wasnt remembering quite well the amped state but now im ready to go! thanks
Excellent video! Simply getting into it, showing all combos on screen, slow motion and explaining everything in detail. I can now see what I did wrong (first time switch axe playthrough). I didn't switch back to axe mode while in sword mode to refill the gauge to then again switch to sword mode. I now actually get what this weapon is about. Thanks!
@@BloodyWyverian That Instant-ZSD charge you showed off at 5:31 is getting practiced right NOW, been trying to figure out an instant clutch ZSD combo for the last few days!
@@BloodyWyverian Easily one of the, if not *the* best guide for a returning Swag Axe player I've found. Short, concise, to the point and full of exactly the kind of combos I want to do.
Or u can use fighting game system, that ppl been using for decades now, instead of that weird “upfce downface” bs lol. Square/X = 1 Triangle/Y = 2 Cross/A = 3 Circle/B = 4
I like this weapon in this game, especially with how useful Power Axe Mode is for fucking up parts. It's difficult to find where the perfect combos and options during any particular moment are sometimes. Nice Guide.
Very well timed, my dude! My gf and I were thinking of hopping back into World soon once we finish up with Gen, and I wanted to give Switch Axe more of a try! It's always been one of my favorite weapons (ESPECIALLY in Rise) ever since 3U, but I never used it a whole lot in World. Definitely wanna get back into it! Also glad to see Axe+Sword chains, since I always hated the old style that never used morphs or Axe Mode at all unless filling the gauge lol ;; That's part of why I love Rise SA so much. Both modes are fun!
I've played around 400 hours of Switch Axe, looked at a few guides, but always got lost. This is fantastic, I would highly recommend this for any new and experienced S/A player, within the first 5 minutes I already have information I can use to better my playstyle
Thanks a ton for the video, super helpful! Just started a new character returning to world after playing rise and wanted to try out something I never have before. Really nice starting point!
@@BloodyWyverian btw you forgot about one little tech that require training: 2 swings into power axe slam it's a frame perfect input and has to be started from the left hand side :P
@@BloodyWyverian yeah, the group of MH players i'm in found out about it a few days ago too and are still training it, you mostly do it after rising slash, idk if there's any other string leading into left side wild swing yet, i could send u a vid showing it
Sure thing, I wanted to make the guide as accesible as possible for everyone... just gotta get the Playstation prompts properly for the future as well...
ty for these tips, i still use them in every new switch axe playthrough! and I feel like some of these tips works for mhr too especially cuz of the dodging and rolling aspect
fox invictus got some video on wether focus is worth it or not and...it isnt The big advantage of not releasing the zsd early is that the final explosion is stronger. And that can be important if one is aiming for partbreaks since in a zsd only the last explosion got a good pb modifier. So if you e.g. want to break fattys face...aim for a full zsd if the window allows it
@@yoshisaidit7250 I run pb3 with zsd on a safi tail cut built. The tail is notoriously hard to hit and with zsd you very easily hit it. Against safi chest poweraxe makes more sense. Also interesting: The partbreak bonus of poweraxe and partbreaker skill dont add up, they multiply Slugger doesnt do much on switchaxe unless you run a exhaust phial and/or impact mantle
After testing other moves, I've come to the conclusion that the wide swing is not the most damaging move for switch axe. It's actually the standing Elemental Discharge, then Axe: Heavy Slam, then the second hit of the Morph Sweep. Even if the Morph Sweep hits the sweet spot, it still only does as much as the Axe: Heavy Slam without sweet spot.
Main SA here, very nice guide ! A few things I'd like to add, purely by ego because BloodyWyvarian covered everything truly important -While ZSD you get earplug lvl 4, so if you get one extra point you'll never be canceled by monster's roars. -Element phials give you +45% elemental damage that scales MULTIPLICATIVELY with elements skills (Safi/jewels), you can easily get over 1000 element late game. -I did it for fun, but going full elemental is counterproductive considering how elemental damage is not affected by motion values and since SA's MV are relatively high, it gets more often that not overstepped by full raw or hybrid builds. -If you disregard what I said right above (and you should) know that ZSD has nerfed elemental damages, it would seem logical that small instances of damages are where elemental damages thrive, but capcom also thought so and nerfed it. -Power prolonger is maybe not the best of the best dps wise, but it is the comfiest. -With superarmor mantle, health regen augment (late game) and ZSD, you can tank more than a lance user (allegedly). -You can get amped state on dead monsters if I remember well. -The secondary hits of amp state are bugged (don't tell me it was intended) as such as it procs on allies and deal small aoe damage, if you get stacked with allies and adversaries, you'll deal tons of secondary hits and tons of DPS. This is the only weapon that give you an advantage to focusing the same part as your pals. Go screw your hammer user friend on the head. -He lied about you best combo, use the axe rising slash on your friends to send them flying on the back of monsters to trigger a mount, THAT is your best move.
Switch axe is my main weapon! When I picked it up in World; yes its my first Monster Hunter. I fell in love with it! If im struggling with a monster while using any other weapon, I can always rely on the swaxe to pull me through. Swaxe Insect Glaive Gun Lance Hammer Long Sword The weapons im most comfortable using, and have the most fun with. Also why'd I watch this video if I'm already good with swaxe? Theres always room for improvement! So good video!
Thank you for the compliment! For poking I often use whatever is available after a dodge and the fading slashes to get back to safety or to reposition. Since I always run evade window and try to be close to the monster as much as possible it really depends which dodge and which mode I have available. Fading slashes are really underrated especially with power axe mode!
Normally, I mainly play Longsword. Recently, I've been doing a challenge that requires me to use Switch Axe. I've been experimenting and trying things out, and I honestly thought I had become a pretty decent Switch Axe player. That is, until I watched your video. Now, I feel like I'm way below standard. The video helped a lot, though, especially because it’s so hard to dodge when you’re used to countering every attack as a Longsword player!
Good luck with your chsllenge! Yes, Longsword and Switch Axe are two different worlds when it comes to defensive options. Evade window really is the key for me personally! And thank you for your feedback!
thats what I like about Switch axe, the highest dps isnt anything complicated. Its basically activate sword, cut them down. It has all these interesting axe moves, wild swing, heavy slam, and zsd clutch, or plain ol sword zsd and switch moves..., which new players may not really discover right away, but ending up doing the best is very simple. Even if you dont get that exact chain, like sword mode A spam, or sword mode Y spam, it will still do very high dmg. Its quite similar to dual blades( thats even more simple and begginer friendly). I came from being frustrated w greatsword, 20 minute hunts, not always landing the super move... to 15 immediately, then 10 min soon enough, w a weapon change.
It's really amazing that Switch axe can be a very simple weapon or a complexe weapon depending on how you want to approach the fight, the best of both worlds really!
nearly 2 thousand hours in world and I didn't know that optimal DPS AXE mode combo. Thanks for the tip. I knew everything else though. I'm a MHFU vet btw, switch axe is just the most stylish and fun, I hope they bring back the counter in MHWilds. My second favorite Switch axe is striker style switch axe, basic as hell moveset, but your 3 boosting Hunter art make all your attacks murder in sword mode with unlimited guage.
I love this weapon. Started using it in 3 ultimate on Wii U and I’m never gonna stop. I love especially what they did with it in rise. I hope Wilds retains a lot of that design.
I'm quite sure that heavy slam actually has more motion value than the 2nd hit of the morph sweep, it's also easy to aim for the 2nd hit of heavy slam (About the same distance as aiming a hammer wakeup) and if you miss there's no third hit to mess up the wakeup and you can just do it again.
I'd like to check again but the highest MV is within the morph sweep I'm sure, but I'll check later. And the forward momentum of the heavy slam isn't really that much, is it? But I mean both will work and hurt like hell! lol Thank you for the comment and the tip!
Well, if you can pull it off to hit the monster with the actual heavy slam, than you will do even more damage. The morph sweep is just way easier to hit in my opinion! I am still trying to get consistent hits with Heavy slam but the sweep is just so much more convenient lol
Wow I’m unbelievably happy I stumbled upon this video. I’ve been playing through Iceborne and wasn’t vibing with any of the weapons I’d tried so far. Swaxe looked super cool but I needed some sort of direction to start using it properly. This guide was on point and I’m looking forward to future ones. Also I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought this weapon felt way better with Evade Window lmao
Great vid, just switched to switch axe from longsword after maining it through rise and base MHW and am really liking it, thinking about trying gunlance or charge blade once I finish my Switch axe build, or maybe hunting horn. 🤔
Awesome, hope you enjoy hunting with Swaxe. Personally I'd recommend charge blade next but in terms of complexity it is more complicated than switch axe. Hunting horn will make you beloved by the entire community lol
@@BloodyWyverian It’s completely changed the way I play SA, I was struggling at the beginning of Iceborne and now knowing specific combos i’m steamrolling :D still a lot to learn and put together but this has been a huuuge help, thanks again man
@@polyphoniphilia that's awesome! Really makes me happy to see that my guide helps you out so much! ^^ This week I hope to release a video on 4 different playstyles of Swaxe! Maybe you find something for yourself as well. Happy Hunting!
Focus is really broken with a power phial ZsD builds, trust me. (Its also comboed a lot within the 4+ Deco´s so ur not really missing out on slots most of the time. I get top Dps within 90% of my hunts)
Ok I have a question about the highest damage hit being the one from the axe>sword morph combo. I keep seeing this mentioned everywhere, but when hitting targets in the training area, the big slam after wild swings is doing more damage. Am i missing something or not understanding how it works?
Alright I have to be honest I haven't been too clear about it up until now I guess and I just checked all the numbers... I might do a quick video about it as well: Heavy slam has a higher motion value then the second hit of morph sweep. Heavy slam has a MV of 72 and morph sweep has 70. The problem is, when waking up monsters, only the VERY FIRST SINGULAR HIT that connects with the monster, is doubled in damage. And Heavy Slam has so little forward momentum that you will almost always hit the smaller hit first and then the actual heavy slam. Morph sweep has quite a lot of forward momentum on the second swing which makes it preferable and more reliable than heavy slam. Here are the top 3 hits of Switch Axe with the highest MV: 1: Jumping Sweep = 74MV (sliding down a hill and performing an axe attack) 2: Heavy Slam = 72MV 3: Morph Sweep (second hit) = 70MV I hope that this helps and if there are any more questions be sure to let me know!^^
@@BloodyWyverian Ok great, that makes sense. Since when sleeping you have lots of time, i haven't had problems lining up the slam, but the extra reach from the morph would make things easier. TY! Only other question i have is are there any good combos for axe/sword together to make the most use of amped mode? Feels like you use most of your sword charge getting into amped mode, get like one high dps combo and then have to go back to axe and just wait for it to recharge?
You can only use the clutch claw to boost the amped meter while you are doing the discharge move. While you are standing on the ground and building up the discharge, you have to press the button to aim your slinger, that results in the claw shot. I don't know which button it is exactly I'd have to check.
@@BloodyWyverian Thank you for this insane trick. WildSwings into Morph into DoubleSlash into Discharge into Claw is so fluid. Deals tons of damage and im instant in ampd mode. WTF!
The manual reload is actually pretty good in a few circumstances. > If you do manual reload in the air it takes a lot less time. > If an enemy is about to hit you with something you can't really avoid, you can do a manual reload just before getting hit. The reload happens near the start of the animation and the enemy will just hit you out of it. > Speaking about aerial moves, you can do the elemental discharge straight from axe mode into sword mode (same button combination but in air). If amped state is active, you can go straight into a zero sum discharge (and a faster one too since it latches on instantly and starts up faster). Now that last one isn't all that useful to be honet. It can be useful if you're fight near the edge with an unsheathed weapon. But most of the time your weapon is probably sheathed if you're in a situation when you can jump an enemy. Honestly no idea why Capcom didn't just allow players to do it straight from sheathed state and they didn't fix this in Rise either. They allow the GS to just jump from sheathed straight into a charged aerial, yet not this. It's a good move if you ever get the opportunity to use it, but Capcom basically designed to the move in such a way you'll rarely have a chance to use it.
Thank you for the tips! The reloads are certainly situational and I personally think they should be avoided if possible but definitely is an inportant mechanic.
@@BloodyWyverian They are definitely situational, but I've had quite a bit of use for it. Not that I use it all the time, but it definitely helps every now and then if you remember this is a thing.
Power elemental phials boost the damage of the Switch Axe's element. It gives a 1.45x multiplier onto the damage and the discharges on every hit in amped state are also pure elemental damage. Switch Axe is one of the best weapons to make element and status builds for! Power element phials are also faster to amp up than power phials... meaning you need less hits to get into amped state.
Alright, I've got a dodge problem to sort out. Ya'know the explosions that Safi sets off in the 2nd and 3rd phases? Specifically, the ones where stay closer to the body. Do I gotta commit to going full evade window and extender to make it through those explosions or am I just destined to eat those attacks every time I commit?
they are very hard to dodge indeed and I'm pretty sure they can't be sidestepped. I think you mean those attacks where he basically hits or stomps into the ground and causing the energy bursts? The initial hit can be sidestepped or dodged but those energy bursts should be completely avoided I'm afraid. Evade extender for Safi is very useful actually to "outrun" the explosions and keeping up with him. I play a lot of power axe against safi for the part breaks except for the head and tail where I try to spam ZSD with temporal mantle. Axe mode usually gives me enough mobility to avoid most of his attacks. Axe mode with evade extender might help you to stay alive and better learn his moves or predict his moves to time your commitment better.
Im a little confused, I picked this weapon up today for the first time. Im order to latch on do I have to use LT to bring up the clutch claw aiming reticle then do a Y+B? From the video it sounds like you just have to Y+B in melee range and if it hits the initial stab you automatically latch but thats absolutely not whats happening to me in game today. Now of course if I LT aim, clutch claw onto the monster and then Y+B YYYYYYYY I do it but that doesnt seem to be what your saying, also how was this done before clutch claw even existed.
You need to be in amped state for the latch on to work. You will stay on the ground if the sword isn't powered up. If the sword is powered up and you hit the first hit after pressing Y+B you will latch onto the monster.
@@BloodyWyverian Yeah after playing a bit ive had it latch a few times but it feels random. When you say "sword powered up" is that the big outline meter or the inner line meter? Or is it a combination of both, because I am almost positive ive had the big outer sword meter full and have Y+B at point blank range without it auto latching which is why im confused.
This is Iceborne, and you are right, you can get into amped state with the claw shot mid discharge. But you need a pretty big opening to do so, while fighting the heavenward chain is easier accessible. The clawshot of Switch Axe also doesn't track like the one from hammer mid-chain.
I can't really recommend a full set tbh but you should look out for the skills evasion, power prolonger and always go for affinity over damage. And skills that help you with sharpness are also important for Switch Axe.
ruclips.net/video/sQRpH_yhwsc/видео.htmlsi=2eq8ozCckNLcn7AT I do have a full guide on Alatreon which might help you! If there is anything specific you'd like to know, be sure to let me know!
I'd focus on evade window and maybe extender. The damage of the weapon in general is pretty high but it lacks defense. For high rank endgame, devine blessing can save your life countless times and health boost is certainly one of the best skills available at any time. Slinger capacity is also a very interesting skill to have and learning to use the slimger bursts really pays off. For damage always crit damage and critical eye first over attack boost or so. So: Evade window and maybe extender Health boost Divine Blessing Slinger Capacity Crit boost and critical eye
I want to include Playstation for the future as well to actually include everyone but yeah a surprising amount of people use mouse and keyboard so I just had to include that at least lol Thank you very much for your comment!
Any chance someone has condensed these combos into a Google Sheet? I just picked MHW up on PC after playing to HR 100 on XBone but never going through the Iceborne DLC, and this is the push I needed to try Switch Axe. Bow was great but making eight builds and dodge spamming arrows got old after awhile, and Lsword was SUPER fun on Rise but I miss my silkbind attacks on MHW. I've been bouncing between this, Charge Blade, and Great Sword, but every time I try GS I feel so clunky and useless, CB is an eventual goal as it was my starting weapon up to HR 6 but I eventually dropped it for bow. Switch Axe has just always looked so fun to play, I just never really knew where to start and always hear mixed things about it. Messing around in training with this though, I think I'm gonna enjoy it a lot
I hope new and veteran Hunters alike have a great time with Monster Hunter World and you give Switch Axe a try!
Be sure to let me know of any questions you may have! And feedback is always welcome!
Happy Hunting!
I would like to suggest that you compress everything you have shown in 1 or 2 pictures, its hard to remember everything without rewatching all parts of the video. For example: Do this combo at combat start (button presses). Do this combo when this gauge is there. Do this when gauge is maxed. Repeat. Thanks for the great video overall
I have over 2000 hours on World already and Switch Axe is my second most used weapon behind Hunting Horn. Very good video, would love to see more Switch Axe content.
Thank you for your service as a hunting horn main and your comment! I'll be making more content for sure. Might do guides on specific monsters a lot of people seem to struggle against like Rajang, Raging Brachy or Safi.
Thanks again!
After playing Sunbreak (Before Iceborne), HH is using up all my brain power 😂
Absolutely!!! Hunting horn for life!
This is one of the best switch axe guides I've seen, the only thing i would add is make sure you gem in 1 ear plugs, when you do your amped discharge it gives you max ear plugs so you aren't roared off the monster
Thank you very much for the compliment and the tip! I'll mention it in my next video about switch axe playstyles!
This is genuinely the best weapon guide video for MHW I've seen. Immediate info, no unnecessary numbers, no unnecessary filler, just straight up RELEVANT INFO without being 30 minutes long. Thank you, looking forward to more switch axe videos, always wanted to get into it but could never grasp it fully
Thank you so much for your comment and your feedback! I try to value my viewer's time as much as I can and convey information as accessible and efficient as possible.
He missed a few important things though. Quick aerial manual reload, doing a manual reload just before getting hit if you can't avoid it and... the 2x (maybe 3x) wild swing into heavy slam. Doing that last thing activates power axe mode which adds a temporary partbreaker buff to all axe moves and the best thing is that it stacks with the partbreaker skill (or perhaps multiplies, I forget exact specifics).
@@thenonexistinghero you're right about the reloads but I do talk about Heavy Slam. In the beginning about the basic axe chains, right before the morph sweep. ^^
@@BloodyWyverian You do mention the heavy slam, but not that it comes with a powered up state that makes breaking parts easier. Combine that with wild swing and partbreaker and you'll have a very easy time breaking parts.
The fact that this video didn't start with 3 minutes of youtube preamble instantly makes it one of the best guides I've ever seen.
The fact that it still taught me some new things despite SA being one of my most played weapons in World just elevates it to the best guide I've ever seen haha
Thank you very much for the compliment! I try to respect my viewers' time as much as possible!
The best guide out there BY FAR! I have been so annoyed with other switch axe guides lacking different things, but this one has everything I wanted in it! Perfect timing too
Thank you very much for the compliment! That really means a lot to me!
Alatreon Alpha gloves has ATK Boost 3 AND Power Prolonger 3 by default. Definitely worth using
I'm beginning my journey to learn the Switch Axe. I've seen a lot of videos.. a lot. But this is the one that finally clicked for me. Can't wait for you to make more c:
Thank you very much! I'm glad you found a video that suits yourself and hope you'll enjoy my future content and hunting with Switch Axe! ^^
This guide is so well made. Nicely done bro!
Thank you very much! I hope it helped!
I've watched multiple switch axe videos, and this is by far the best one. Thank you for making it
Thank you very much for your comment! It really means a lot to me!
This was a really straightforward and easy to comprehend video!
Thank you, very glad if it helps!
Really nice guide, you got me interested in Switch Axe, maybe i will use it in my second run.
6:25 - One thing that you forgot to mention is that Axe Mode has really good partbreak. It's a viable playstyle if you need to either get specific resources by breaking body parts, are learning the monster's move-set, *or need to keep the monster tripped, flinched, and otherwise CC'd*, in addition to being more mobile.
I did mention it towards the beginning of the video where I talk about axe mode attacks but yes, the playstyle is more explained in another video where I talk about 4 distinct playstyles of Switch Axe.
Thank you for sharing the details of power axe!
Things to add about sidehop is that you can do it without any attack first by aiming slinger when you unsheate your weapon. I discovered it while watching AT Velkhana speedrun.
This move is really handy when you are in sword mode and want to maximize your offensive without losing much positioning while evading monster's attack
Oh hell yes I saw that too recently on a AT Velkhana speedrun, I'm practicing it at the moment and it comes in really handy for attacks that hit twice very quickly like Ruiners spike pounces and so on. Super cool and crazy technique!
Possibly best video entry in history.
Thank you! I hate wasting my and your valuable time lol
one of the best and most concise weapon tutorials i’ve ever seen, great job! instant sub
Thank you very much for the feedback and the sub! Really means a lot to me!
Powerful explanation.
You also can do double ZSD. One impailing and canceling the final explosion then slinger + ZSD (full explosion of the short one you mentioned at the end of the video)
I've been playing monster hunter series all the way since 3U, exclusively with switch axe (I know) and I think the guide is really on point. Now that I've returned to the series and replaying world, it actually helped me get back into the flow and pace of the weapon, thank you.
Lovely dedication.
I started with MH tri for the Wii and was blown away by the concept of switch axe and have been a SA main ever since.
Thank you very much for the feedback and nice to hear that it helps even such dedicated Switch Axe mains as yourself!
I'm 100 hours into my world playthrough with switchaxe and this is the first video that really stepped up my game past what I was capable of before. From my previous weapons I was so used to sheathing for safety and then getting in my draw slash and getting back out, but since I've been keeping the axe out and using the mobility built into the moveset it has really started clicking and my hunts go so much faster
as a returning players who has forgotten everything this guide is easily the best ive seen. To the point, clear and concise. Thanks! Look forward to your other guides.
Thank you very much and I hope you have an amazing time coming back into MHW!
I was actually shocked seeing that the main point of the video starts at the 3 second mark. Perfect time to get this video honestly, I'm a Lance main and I'm too used to not caring too much about positioning for survival so was looking for something else to pick up.
I wish I saw this video years ago. Back when I played switch axe the biggest issue was knowing what to use when, because it isn't intuitive to figure that out yourself.
Stick around and you'll get a guide like this for Swaxe in Wilds ^^
Excellent video! I have about 300 hours of switchaxe play in world, but still learned some new stuff. Thank you!
Awesome! Glad that after so many hours you still could learn something new!
This has to be the best mhw guide I've ever watched. Very well put together and easy to follow, great job!
Thank you very much for the feedback!
Thanks for this, Swaxe was the only melee weapon i didn't know how to play yet. Finished IB on Xbox and PC in the past and decided to do a fresh playthrough with Swaxe on PS5 to get ready for wild.
I love the fact that this guide is compact and doesn't waste time!
@@QLMTA Thank you very much for the feedback and I'm glad that my guide could help you!
Good video to introduce to a beginner, but I'd want to point out something, your fastest way to amp the sword mode works... for every phial that isnt power phial, for this one, you have to immediately follow up with a stab after the heavenly slash (top and right face buttons or both mouse click) that you immediately cancel into a clutch claw thrust (rift trigger or c by default on keyboard), it has even the advantage to allow you to tenderize immediately, which is supremely useful if for example you are doing after initiating the fight with a wallbang.
I hope that'll help you ^^
Thank you for your comment and the tip! And yes after the heavenward flurry you aren't amped with power phial and you can either go into the discharge startup or you can try to get back to double sideway slash by doing a rising slash after heavenward flurry. It of course depends on how long your opening is.
Thanks for sharing your tip!
After bickering around with different weapons and struggling to find a good Switch Axe guide, i finally came upon this chad of a video. Thank you so much for teaching the basics as well as some more advanced stuff, this was literally what I was looking for! You got yourself a new subscriber, and I'll be sure to keep watching your content (already checked out some of the other videos). Great work!
Thank you very much for the kind words and I'm glad that I could help you out! Be sure to let me know if there are any questions left at any time!
@@BloodyWyverian Thank you! I'm just generally trying to learn when to poke and when to dodge/evade. It's not super easy but I'll get there when I get some more practice in for sure. Brachydios is literally my nemesis right now though, it's super hard to find opening so any tips on that one would be much appreciated.
Really liked your "how to hunt your first Barroth" video so fingers crossed you'll make more of those in the future :)
@@TheRealCidd awesome, just keep at it! Brachydios is an absolute menace and I am actually currently learning how to effectively counter him but it is rough... I'll certainly do a video on him eventually!
@@BloodyWyverian Cheers again, and good luck to you too! Looking forward to more videos in the upcoming future!
@@BloodyWyverian Quick question. Which mantles do you recommend using? From what I've gathered I should use Rocksteady Mantle and Temporal Mantle right? Just as a general loadout.
And if yes, should I start the fight with Rocksteady and then use Temporal later and then just rince repeat/use what I need based on the situation?
Thanks again!
The real switch axe guidance. learned a lot from your guides. hope you'll post more stuff
I will post more soon! More hunts and I plan on a full Switch Axe playthrough
I've watched about 20 videos on Switch Axe and this guide is by far the best one!
Thank you very much! That really means a lot to me! I'm very happy that so many people find this guide helpful!
Caught me off guard how fast the video ACTUALLY started, great guide!
I can tell you have a ton of experience with the weapon and I appreciate the simplified guide so much. I've always played mechanically simple weapons like GS, Hammer, and lance that dont have added systems because every time I watch a tutorial for them it feels so daunting. I've tried SA before and it never clicked.
I just came back to the game after taking a couple years off and you made this somewhat complex weapon feel so simple. I really cant figure out why i struggled with it so much before. I appreciate you saving the more complex tech for other videos. I'll save those videos for once i have a firm grasp of the basics so i dont try to learn too much at once.
Now play a thousand hours of charge blade so you can help me figure out that weapon too 😅.
Thank you very much for your feedback and I am happy that I could help you get into the weapon!
I better start playing Charge Blade then lol
Right into the topic
I love it
I love the video it is a lot more straightforward than many I have found and gives a lot of great information. Thanks a lot even with 120 hours on the weapon I still am learning every day it seems.
@@ChilleDxFighteR Thank you very much for the feedback and I'm glad you learned something new!
the beauty of the SA is it doesnt have a defensive option other than evading moves and dodges. it makes it both easy to pick up and devastating in the hands of a master
Once you get s flow going you really are unstoppable and the weapon feels absolutely great!
Thanks for your comment!
nice video, im jumping on mhw since a break from 2 years and this video sums up every aspect of the SwaggAxe in 10 min, i wasnt remembering quite well the amped state but now im ready to go! thanks
Thank you very much for your feedback and I hope you have an amazing time back in the new world!
Excellent video! Simply getting into it, showing all combos on screen, slow motion and explaining everything in detail.
I can now see what I did wrong (first time switch axe playthrough). I didn't switch back to axe mode while in sword mode to refill the gauge to then again switch to sword mode. I now actually get what this weapon is about. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your comment and the compliment! I'm happy to see that it helps people.
I really love seeing all the old and new monster hunter videos on RUclips, feels like I'm back in 2018 again
Me too, I love watching some classics and making new content.
Love the "You've seen the title let's get right into it"
My favourite kind of content. Subbed immediately
Thank you very much haha
No need to waste your valuable time. I try to keep all my intros as short as possible! Promise!
@@BloodyWyverian That Instant-ZSD charge you showed off at 5:31 is getting practiced right NOW, been trying to figure out an instant clutch ZSD combo for the last few days!
@@j.jbinks9669 Awesome! Hope my guide gives clear instructions!
@@BloodyWyverian Easily one of the, if not *the* best guide for a returning Swag Axe player I've found. Short, concise, to the point and full of exactly the kind of combos I want to do.
@@j.jbinks9669 thank you very much! I'm glad that it helps you find your way back! ^^
You could lump most controller buttons together by refering to button positions rather than button labels (i.e. up-face button, down-face button).
Interesting idea, I might give that a try. I also thought about using a controller display but it didn't work out as I intended.
Or u can use fighting game system, that ppl been using for decades now, instead of that weird “upfce downface” bs lol.
Square/X = 1
Triangle/Y = 2
Cross/A = 3
Circle/B = 4
@@VDViktor You mean the number pad system that is used exclusively for analog stick positioning, and not at all for button presses?
Thank you for adding PC mouse button visuals for us mouse + keyboard users!
I like this weapon in this game, especially with how useful Power Axe Mode is for fucking up parts. It's difficult to find where the perfect combos and options during any particular moment are sometimes. Nice Guide.
Very well timed, my dude! My gf and I were thinking of hopping back into World soon once we finish up with Gen, and I wanted to give Switch Axe more of a try! It's always been one of my favorite weapons (ESPECIALLY in Rise) ever since 3U, but I never used it a whole lot in World. Definitely wanna get back into it!
Also glad to see Axe+Sword chains, since I always hated the old style that never used morphs or Axe Mode at all unless filling the gauge lol ;; That's part of why I love Rise SA so much. Both modes are fun!
I hope you two have a lot of fun in World and with Swaxe! And yes both modes are real fun even in World. Thank you very much for your comment!
I've played around 400 hours of Switch Axe, looked at a few guides, but always got lost. This is fantastic, I would highly recommend this for any new and experienced S/A player, within the first 5 minutes I already have information I can use to better my playstyle
Thank you so much, this really means a lot of me that so many people, new and veterans alike, enjoy it and learn something new!
Thanks a ton for the video, super helpful! Just started a new character returning to world after playing rise and wanted to try out something I never have before. Really nice starting point!
Awesome! Hope it helps you and that you have a ton of fun with Switch Axe on your next playthrough!
great tutorial for beginners and old players alike, straight to the point and no bs.
Thank you very much! That was exactly what I was aiming for.
@@BloodyWyverian btw you forgot about one little tech that require training: 2 swings into power axe slam it's a frame perfect input and has to be started from the left hand side :P
@@itsKimi oh damn really? Actually thought that was impossible. Thanks for sharing! Gotta try it.
@@BloodyWyverian yeah, the group of MH players i'm in found out about it a few days ago too and are still training it, you mostly do it after rising slash, idk if there's any other string leading into left side wild swing yet, i could send u a vid showing it
@@itsKimi really cool. Would love to see it and practice it.
I liked the concept of getting a final tip for the people who watched till the end
Thank you for including mouse and keyboard controls
Sure thing, I wanted to make the guide as accesible as possible for everyone... just gotta get the Playstation prompts properly for the future as well...
ty for these tips, i still use them in every new switch axe playthrough! and I feel like some of these tips works for mhr too especially cuz of the dodging and rolling aspect
fox invictus got some video on wether focus is worth it or not and...it isnt
The big advantage of not releasing the zsd early is that the final explosion is stronger. And that can be important if one is aiming for partbreaks since in a zsd only the last explosion got a good pb modifier.
So if you e.g. want to break fattys face...aim for a full zsd if the window allows it
yeah, pretty sad but it really isn't worth slotting in. Thank you very much for sharing that ZSD tip!
Sounds like ZSD+PB3+Slugger5 decos would a blast to play with.
@@yoshisaidit7250
I run pb3 with zsd on a safi tail cut built. The tail is notoriously hard to hit and with zsd you very easily hit it.
Against safi chest poweraxe makes more sense. Also interesting: The partbreak bonus of poweraxe and partbreaker skill dont add up, they multiply
Slugger doesnt do much on switchaxe unless you run a exhaust phial and/or impact mantle
@@yoshisaidit7250 hell yes it is. Really underrated build... might be worth making a video about it...
@@martinerhard8447 thanks for sharing these tips! Safi really shows the pb potential of switch axe if used correctly!
I really like how information was conveyed in this video. Thank you!!
Thank you very much for your comment! I'm glad you like it!
The “rolling is bad for your spine” really did it for me 😂
Amazing guide. Straight to the point with explanation in depth. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much for your comment!
After testing other moves, I've come to the conclusion that the wide swing is not the most damaging move for switch axe. It's actually the standing Elemental Discharge, then Axe: Heavy Slam, then the second hit of the Morph Sweep. Even if the Morph Sweep hits the sweet spot, it still only does as much as the Axe: Heavy Slam without sweet spot.
Main SA here, very nice guide !
A few things I'd like to add, purely by ego because BloodyWyvarian covered everything truly important
-While ZSD you get earplug lvl 4, so if you get one extra point you'll never be canceled by monster's roars.
-Element phials give you +45% elemental damage that scales MULTIPLICATIVELY with elements skills (Safi/jewels), you can easily get over 1000 element late game.
-I did it for fun, but going full elemental is counterproductive considering how elemental damage is not affected by motion values and since SA's MV are relatively high, it gets more often that not overstepped by full raw or hybrid builds.
-If you disregard what I said right above (and you should) know that ZSD has nerfed elemental damages, it would seem logical that small instances of damages are where elemental damages thrive, but capcom also thought so and nerfed it.
-Power prolonger is maybe not the best of the best dps wise, but it is the comfiest.
-With superarmor mantle, health regen augment (late game) and ZSD, you can tank more than a lance user (allegedly).
-You can get amped state on dead monsters if I remember well.
-The secondary hits of amp state are bugged (don't tell me it was intended) as such as it procs on allies and deal small aoe damage, if you get stacked with allies and adversaries, you'll deal tons of secondary hits and tons of DPS. This is the only weapon that give you an advantage to focusing the same part as your pals. Go screw your hammer user friend on the head.
-He lied about you best combo, use the axe rising slash on your friends to send them flying on the back of monsters to trigger a mount, THAT is your best move.
Thank you very much for the compliment and your tips. I Appreciate it!
And you had me worried on the last one about the best combo though lol
Switch axe is my main weapon!
When I picked it up in World; yes its my first Monster Hunter.
I fell in love with it!
If im struggling with a monster while using any other weapon, I can always rely on the swaxe to pull me through.
Swaxe
Insect Glaive
Gun Lance
Hammer
Long Sword
The weapons im most comfortable using, and have the most fun with.
Also why'd I watch this video if I'm already good with swaxe? Theres always room for improvement! So good video!
Thank you very much for the compliment and yes there's always room for improvement!
Thanks for the guide, I think I am ready to begin the fun right now.
thank you for the comment and I hope you have a lot of fun!
Thank you, straightforward guide.
I'm starting a new character and was planning on playing switch axe so this is a great find, thank you!
I hope it helps and that you have fun on your next playthrough! It's a ton of fun once you get your flow going!
This is a great guide thank you for the video. Do you have any favorite poking combos/moves for the Swaxe?
Thank you for the compliment! For poking I often use whatever is available after a dodge and the fading slashes to get back to safety or to reposition. Since I always run evade window and try to be close to the monster as much as possible it really depends which dodge and which mode I have available. Fading slashes are really underrated especially with power axe mode!
Normally, I mainly play Longsword. Recently, I've been doing a challenge that requires me to use Switch Axe. I've been experimenting and trying things out, and I honestly thought I had become a pretty decent Switch Axe player. That is, until I watched your video. Now, I feel like I'm way below standard. The video helped a lot, though, especially because it’s so hard to dodge when you’re used to countering every attack as a Longsword player!
Good luck with your chsllenge!
Yes, Longsword and Switch Axe are two different worlds when it comes to defensive options. Evade window really is the key for me personally!
And thank you for your feedback!
Vielen Dank für deinen ausführlichen Guide!
This is a really good guide. I haven't tried Switch Axe since my early MHW days. I feel like I'll try it once again.
Pretty sure you won't regret it! It has received a ton of improvements with the release of Iceborne. And thank you!
Thanks for the video.
I main Horn, am Interested in trying Switch Axe for main damage dealing.
btw, is Blast good for this weap? lol
Blast is actually very nice for this weapon! Never can have enough explosions! And thank you very much for your comment!
Great guide, last tip is very useful ty
Thank you very much! Happy to see that it helps so many people!
thats what I like about Switch axe, the highest dps isnt anything complicated. Its basically activate sword, cut them down. It has all these interesting axe moves, wild swing, heavy slam, and zsd clutch, or plain ol sword zsd and switch moves..., which new players may not really discover right away, but ending up doing the best is very simple. Even if you dont get that exact chain, like sword mode A spam, or sword mode Y spam, it will still do very high dmg.
Its quite similar to dual blades( thats even more simple and begginer friendly). I came from being frustrated w greatsword, 20 minute hunts, not always landing the super move... to 15 immediately, then 10 min soon enough, w a weapon change.
It's really amazing that Switch axe can be a very simple weapon or a complexe weapon depending on how you want to approach the fight, the best of both worlds really!
Very nice video! I'll be watching any other weapon dps videos you make with great interest
Awesome. Thank you very much!
nearly 2 thousand hours in world and I didn't know that optimal DPS AXE mode combo. Thanks for the tip. I knew everything else though. I'm a MHFU vet btw, switch axe is just the most stylish and fun, I hope they bring back the counter in MHWilds. My second favorite Switch axe is striker style switch axe, basic as hell moveset, but your 3 boosting Hunter art make all your attacks murder in sword mode with unlimited guage.
Amazing, glad that you learned something new and that's very impressive! I can't wait for Wilds' take on Switch Axe!
I just want to thank you for getting into it and not 2min intro. ❤
No problem, saves everyone valuable time!
Thank you!
Switch axe just feels soo good when you know what you actually can do
I love this weapon. Started using it in 3 ultimate on Wii U and I’m never gonna stop. I love especially what they did with it in rise. I hope Wilds retains a lot of that design.
Started with its introduction in MH tri on Wii and loved it ever since. Sunbreak's Switch Axe truly is peak, can't wait for Wilds' version.
i learnt recently that you can reload mid air and its much faster and actually worth doing in a lot situations
That is true and I actually mention that in my playstyles video. Thank you for sharing this tip!
@@BloodyWyverian my bad you are right, i think that's where i learnt it from, kudos to you
this is a really nice guide thank you!
I'm quite sure that heavy slam actually has more motion value than the 2nd hit of the morph sweep, it's also easy to aim for the 2nd hit of heavy slam (About the same distance as aiming a hammer wakeup) and if you miss there's no third hit to mess up the wakeup and you can just do it again.
I'd like to check again but the highest MV is within the morph sweep I'm sure, but I'll check later. And the forward momentum of the heavy slam isn't really that much, is it?
But I mean both will work and hurt like hell! lol
Thank you for the comment and the tip!
Huh, all this while I thought the power slam was the attack to use when waking a mons up. Thanks for correcting me!
Well, if you can pull it off to hit the monster with the actual heavy slam, than you will do even more damage. The morph sweep is just way easier to hit in my opinion!
I am still trying to get consistent hits with Heavy slam but the sweep is just so much more convenient lol
The first thing, no, big explosion zsd is the best so always do it. Second, first time learning there is claw attack after discharge. Nice.
Fair enough, can't argue with big explosion. But yeah, this claw attack mid charge is pretty neat when you can pull it off.
Agreed brother! We're the type to blow our whole load!!!! No holding back!
sadly focus isnt as effective to be an alternative to power prolonger but the added gauge generation at lv3 can be nice for a sword only playstyle
yeah that's true, I do love my power prolonger for sure!
Thank you for this, it was educational. Switch axe is the last weapon I'm picking up
I hope you have fun with Switch Axe and thank you!
Never been a swagaxe user but have been looking into other types so I can be a jack of all trades type hunter
It'll be a nice addition to your skillset! I hope the guide helps and makes you an even more versatile hunter!
came here from reddit, im going to try switch axe in wild
Wow I’m unbelievably happy I stumbled upon this video. I’ve been playing through Iceborne and wasn’t vibing with any of the weapons I’d tried so far. Swaxe looked super cool but I needed some sort of direction to start using it properly. This guide was on point and I’m looking forward to future ones. Also I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought this weapon felt way better with Evade Window lmao
Perfect timing I guess! I'm glad the guide helped you and I want to have more ready soon.
Great vid, just switched to switch axe from longsword after maining it through rise and base MHW and am really liking it, thinking about trying gunlance or charge blade once I finish my Switch axe build, or maybe hunting horn. 🤔
Awesome, hope you enjoy hunting with Swaxe. Personally I'd recommend charge blade next but in terms of complexity it is more complicated than switch axe. Hunting horn will make you beloved by the entire community lol
fantastic video
Thank you for the fantastic comment! I hope the guide helped! ^^
@@BloodyWyverian It’s completely changed the way I play SA, I was struggling at the beginning of Iceborne and now knowing specific combos i’m steamrolling :D still a lot to learn and put together but this has been a huuuge help, thanks again man
@@polyphoniphilia that's awesome! Really makes me happy to see that my guide helps you out so much! ^^ This week I hope to release a video on 4 different playstyles of Swaxe! Maybe you find something for yourself as well.
Happy Hunting!
Go sword swing a few attach to the monster tenderize clutch claw zsd spam.
That's one way to do it lol
Focus is really broken with a power phial ZsD builds, trust me. (Its also comboed a lot within the 4+ Deco´s so ur not really missing out on slots most of the time. I get top Dps within 90% of my hunts)
Ok I have a question about the highest damage hit being the one from the axe>sword morph combo. I keep seeing this mentioned everywhere, but when hitting targets in the training area, the big slam after wild swings is doing more damage. Am i missing something or not understanding how it works?
Alright I have to be honest I haven't been too clear about it up until now I guess and I just checked all the numbers... I might do a quick video about it as well:
Heavy slam has a higher motion value then the second hit of morph sweep. Heavy slam has a MV of 72 and morph sweep has 70.
The problem is, when waking up monsters, only the VERY FIRST SINGULAR HIT that connects with the monster, is doubled in damage. And Heavy Slam has so little forward momentum that you will almost always hit the smaller hit first and then the actual heavy slam.
Morph sweep has quite a lot of forward momentum on the second swing which makes it preferable and more reliable than heavy slam.
Here are the top 3 hits of Switch Axe with the highest MV:
1: Jumping Sweep = 74MV (sliding down a hill and performing an axe attack)
2: Heavy Slam = 72MV
3: Morph Sweep (second hit) = 70MV
I hope that this helps and if there are any more questions be sure to let me know!^^
@@BloodyWyverian Ok great, that makes sense. Since when sleeping you have lots of time, i haven't had problems lining up the slam, but the extra reach from the morph would make things easier. TY!
Only other question i have is are there any good combos for axe/sword together to make the most use of amped mode? Feels like you use most of your sword charge getting into amped mode, get like one high dps combo and then have to go back to axe and just wait for it to recharge?
Hey. Nice video. But i dont get it to use the clutch claw to fill the amped bar. I play on PC, what i have to press?
You can only use the clutch claw to boost the amped meter while you are doing the discharge move. While you are standing on the ground and building up the discharge, you have to press the button to aim your slinger, that results in the claw shot.
I don't know which button it is exactly I'd have to check.
@@BloodyWyverian ah ok. I got it. Thx
@@BloodyWyverian Thank you for this insane trick. WildSwings into Morph into DoubleSlash into Discharge into Claw is so fluid. Deals tons of damage and im instant in ampd mode. WTF!
I am playing with dual blades and it is really good weapon and very high dps. Just need to know monster patterns. It is not easy but not that hard.
Hey, I'm kinda confused here, does charging your axe increase the partbreak and stagger damage for both sword and axe or only when it's in axe mode?
The power axe mode only apllies while you are in axe mode. Sword mode does not benefit from the stagger and part break increase.
The manual reload is actually pretty good in a few circumstances.
> If you do manual reload in the air it takes a lot less time.
> If an enemy is about to hit you with something you can't really avoid, you can do a manual reload just before getting hit. The reload happens near the start of the animation and the enemy will just hit you out of it.
> Speaking about aerial moves, you can do the elemental discharge straight from axe mode into sword mode (same button combination but in air). If amped state is active, you can go straight into a zero sum discharge (and a faster one too since it latches on instantly and starts up faster).
Now that last one isn't all that useful to be honet. It can be useful if you're fight near the edge with an unsheathed weapon. But most of the time your weapon is probably sheathed if you're in a situation when you can jump an enemy. Honestly no idea why Capcom didn't just allow players to do it straight from sheathed state and they didn't fix this in Rise either. They allow the GS to just jump from sheathed straight into a charged aerial, yet not this. It's a good move if you ever get the opportunity to use it, but Capcom basically designed to the move in such a way you'll rarely have a chance to use it.
Thank you for the tips! The reloads are certainly situational and I personally think they should be avoided if possible but definitely is an inportant mechanic.
@@BloodyWyverian They are definitely situational, but I've had quite a bit of use for it. Not that I use it all the time, but it definitely helps every now and then if you remember this is a thing.
How does power elemental phials work? I cant really find any detailed information on it
Power elemental phials boost the damage of the Switch Axe's element. It gives a 1.45x multiplier onto the damage and the discharges on every hit in amped state are also pure elemental damage. Switch Axe is one of the best weapons to make element and status builds for!
Power element phials are also faster to amp up than power phials... meaning you need less hits to get into amped state.
So once you morph into sword whats the sword combo if you arent gonna do the latch on thing,YYB YYB YYB?
Yeah, that's the best DPS loop
Y Y B Y Y B
Or just YBYBYBYB... works as well
Alright, I've got a dodge problem to sort out. Ya'know the explosions that Safi sets off in the 2nd and 3rd phases? Specifically, the ones where stay closer to the body. Do I gotta commit to going full evade window and extender to make it through those explosions or am I just destined to eat those attacks every time I commit?
they are very hard to dodge indeed and I'm pretty sure they can't be sidestepped. I think you mean those attacks where he basically hits or stomps into the ground and causing the energy bursts? The initial hit can be sidestepped or dodged but those energy bursts should be completely avoided I'm afraid. Evade extender for Safi is very useful actually to "outrun" the explosions and keeping up with him.
I play a lot of power axe against safi for the part breaks except for the head and tail where I try to spam ZSD with temporal mantle. Axe mode usually gives me enough mobility to avoid most of his attacks.
Axe mode with evade extender might help you to stay alive and better learn his moves or predict his moves to time your commitment better.
Hands down best Switchaxe guide on the whole ass interwebs!! Thank you very much good sir for the knowledge.
Thank you so much for the comment and the compliment!
Im a little confused, I picked this weapon up today for the first time. Im order to latch on do I have to use LT to bring up the clutch claw aiming reticle then do a Y+B? From the video it sounds like you just have to Y+B in melee range and if it hits the initial stab you automatically latch but thats absolutely not whats happening to me in game today. Now of course if I LT aim, clutch claw onto the monster and then Y+B YYYYYYYY I do it but that doesnt seem to be what your saying, also how was this done before clutch claw even existed.
You need to be in amped state for the latch on to work.
You will stay on the ground if the sword isn't powered up.
If the sword is powered up and you hit the first hit after pressing Y+B you will latch onto the monster.
@@BloodyWyverian Yeah after playing a bit ive had it latch a few times but it feels random. When you say "sword powered up" is that the big outline meter or the inner line meter? Or is it a combination of both, because I am almost positive ive had the big outer sword meter full and have Y+B at point blank range without it auto latching which is why im confused.
I got it now thanks for your help and great video
Is this just base world ? I think with the sword mode 3 hits zsd into clutch claw u get amp state faster.But i think that move is in iceborne
This is Iceborne, and you are right, you can get into amped state with the claw shot mid discharge. But you need a pretty big opening to do so, while fighting the heavenward chain is easier accessible. The clawshot of Switch Axe also doesn't track like the one from hammer mid-chain.
I just started playing mhw ice borne. I'm at hr 9 can you recommend a set to equip? I'm at diablos mission
I can't really recommend a full set tbh but you should look out for the skills evasion, power prolonger and always go for affinity over damage. And skills that help you with sharpness are also important for Switch Axe.
I need some help evading alatreon, i feel like there r very few defensives against his massive dps
ruclips.net/video/sQRpH_yhwsc/видео.htmlsi=2eq8ozCckNLcn7AT
I do have a full guide on Alatreon which might help you! If there is anything specific you'd like to know, be sure to let me know!
What skill do you think best in combination with switch axe on High rank?
I'd focus on evade window and maybe extender. The damage of the weapon in general is pretty high but it lacks defense. For high rank endgame, devine blessing can save your life countless times and health boost is certainly one of the best skills available at any time.
Slinger capacity is also a very interesting skill to have and learning to use the slimger bursts really pays off.
For damage always crit damage and critical eye first over attack boost or so.
So:
Evade window and maybe extender
Health boost
Divine Blessing
Slinger Capacity
Crit boost and critical eye
@@BloodyWyverian okey, i will try this build thanks 😁
Love the constant mentioning of keyboard&mouse buttons
I want to include Playstation for the future as well to actually include everyone but yeah a surprising amount of people use mouse and keyboard so I just had to include that at least lol
Thank you very much for your comment!
Any chance someone has condensed these combos into a Google Sheet?
I just picked MHW up on PC after playing to HR 100 on XBone but never going through the Iceborne DLC, and this is the push I needed to try Switch Axe. Bow was great but making eight builds and dodge spamming arrows got old after awhile, and Lsword was SUPER fun on Rise but I miss my silkbind attacks on MHW. I've been bouncing between this, Charge Blade, and Great Sword, but every time I try GS I feel so clunky and useless, CB is an eventual goal as it was my starting weapon up to HR 6 but I eventually dropped it for bow. Switch Axe has just always looked so fun to play, I just never really knew where to start and always hear mixed things about it. Messing around in training with this though, I think I'm gonna enjoy it a lot
Can't help with that atm but might be worth doing for some important chains... I'll look into it
@@BloodyWyverian Thanks for considering it, loving the videos as I'm getting back into MHW again btw!