What is the best Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe build? If you can't decide between two weapons, you're in luck. The Switch Axe s the Charge Blade as one of the two transformative weapons in Monster Hunter. It's a firm favorite for hunters who prefer an aggressive playstyle and flashy combos, and we can walk you through exactly how to use it.
The Switch Axe is the perfect Monster Hunter Wilds, its extensive moveset makes it a highly versatile choice.
Best Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe build
The best build for the Switch Axe is:
- Primary Weapon: Grior's Landmaker
- Secondary Weapon: Valkyrie Flame (Light Bowgun) with Poison Ammo
- Armor: Rathian Helm A (Head), Rathian Mail A (Chest), Rathian Vambraces A (Arms), Rathian Graves A (Legs) or Guild Ace set
- Decorations: Venom Jewel (Primary & Secondary), Quickswitch Jewel (Primary), Enhancer Jewel (Primary), Precise Jewel (Secondary), Magazine Jewel (Secondary), Refresh Jewel (Armor)
Talisman: Earplugs Charm (Lv. 1 – 3) - Mantle: Corrupted Mantle
- Equipment Skills: Critical Status (Lv. 3), Poison Duration Up (Lv. 1), Tetrad Shot (Lv. 3), Divine Blessing (Lv. 3), Recovery Speed (Lv. 3), Foray (Lv. 5), Tool Specialist (Lv. 1), Earplugs (Lv. 1 – 3)
The Switch Axe's Sword Mode is an elemental powerhouse, so we've gone for Grior's Landmaker from the Rathian tree, which works best for difficult hunts. This Switch Axe triggers poison and helps mitigate the down time the Switch Axe has against mobile monsters. The Quickswitch Jewel and Enhancer Jewel are a must, granting you the Rapid Morph and Power Prolonger skills.
Normally, we'd recommend the Bow as a secondary weapon to the Switch Axe for some range and mobility; however, there is no Rarity 7 Bow that inflicts poison at its base. We've gone with the MH Wilds Light Bowgun for mobility and the option to bring Poison Ammo with you to continue building the status even when a monster is out of reach. With the Valkyrie Flame Light Bowgun, you also get the Poison Duration Up skill.
The full Rathian A set comes paired with the Foray skill, significantly increasing damage against monsters inflicted by poison. However, if you grind for it, the Guild Ace set also comes with five levels of Foray and better defensive stats. As Foray also works with paralysis weapons, it isn't a bad idea to have a Lala Selenocosmi Switch Axe to use against poison-resistant monsters like Gycepros.
You also want to pick up a fully upgraded Earplugs talisman to avoid getting stunned during monster roars, keeping your DPS going strong while the monster is poisoned. Finally, we found the added damage provided by the Corrupted Mantle to be particularly potent; try wearing it when a monster is downed and poisoned, reaping the rewards of powerful Full Release Slashes.
How to use the Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe
To use the Switch Axe, you must swap between Axe Mode and Sword Mode to build its various weapon gauges. Axe Mode keeps you light on your feet, perfect for setting up an attack or dodging and disengaging, whereas Sword Mode has low mobility but more power to offer.
Like the MH Wilds Long Sword, the Switch Axe has a weapon gauge that gradually fills in combat. Once you reach the Switch Gauge's threshold, you can unleash the most powerful attacks in its moveset, so filling it is your top priority. Take advantage of Axe Mode's reach to line up multiple Spiral Burst Axe attacks, then execute Heavy Slams to activate the Power Axe mode and benefit from attack and gauge replenishment speed buffs.
Once the Switch Gauge has topped out, morph to Sword Mode to fill the Amp Gauge and activate the Amped State. This empowers the Switch Axe even further, turning regular moves into explosive attacks and letting you execute devastating finishers like Full Release Slash and Element Discharge.
The Switch Axe benefits most from an aggressive playstyle, but its lack of guard in Axe form means it'll perform best in the hands of an experienced hunter who can read monster animations. However, there are some defensive moves that you can rely upon, such as Fade Step and offset attacks. The Monster Hunter Wilds focus mode is also the perfect complement to the Switch Axe, letting you land big finishers to break parts and target wounds.
Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe moveset
Here are all the moves and combos for the Switch Axe:
Axe Mode
- Overhead Slash: A forward-facing vertical chop that you can chain into Side Slash and Spiral Burst Slash. You can also perform it while moving forward for a Forward Overhead Slash variant.
- Forward Slash: A thrust attack inflicted when moving forward that you can chain into Side Slash and Spiral Burst Slash.
- Wild Swing: A diagonal cross-slash stationary attack that chains into Heavy Slam and Morph Sweep.
- Heavy Slam: A forward double-slam that activates Power Axe Mode.
- Morph Sweep: A horizontal sweep attack that switches from Axe Mode to Sword Mode.
- Morph Rising Double Slash: A powerful spin attack after the Axe: Spiral Burst Slash that also switches from Axe Mode to Sword Mode. You can then chain into the Triple Slash in Sword Mode.
Offset Rising Slash: A slow wind-up counter swing that knocks monsters off-balance. - Fade Slash: An evasive attack that combines an upward swing with a back step to force space between you and a monster.
- Follow-up Heavy Slam: A more powerful version of the standard Heavy Slam that's available after a successful Offset Rising Slash.
- Follow-up Heavy Slam: A more powerful version of the standard Heavy Slam that's available after a successful Offset Rising Slash.
- Follow-up Morph Slash: Switches from Axe Mode to Sword Mode to inflict an alternate Sword finisher.
- Focus Assault – Morph Combination: A relentless barrage of diagonal slashes with an optional chain into Power Axe Finisher. You can also switch from Axe Mode to Sword Mode.
- Power Axe Finisher: A powerful follow-up slam attack following Focus Assault.
- Morph: Switch from Axe Mode to Sword Mode.
Sword Mode
- Overhead Slash: A vertical chop you can chain into Rising Slash, Double Slash, or Morph Slash.
- Double Slash: A diagonal cross-slash that can be chained into Heavenward Flurry. Rapidly builds the Amp Gauge.
- Rising Slash: An upward slash that can be aimed left or right.
Triple Slash: A combo finisher available after performing a Morph Rising Double Slash in Axe Mode. - Morph Slash: A rapid slash attack that switches from Sword Mode to Axe Mode.
- Heavenward Flurry: A leaping spin attack with a short wind-up.
- Element Discharge: A forward thrust followed by a brief pause before discharging an explosion of elemental energy.
- Counter Rising Slash: Lift your sword to counter incoming attacks.
- Unbridled Slash: A finisher that doesn't require you to be in the Amped State.
- Full Release Slash: An explosive finisher that releases a barrage of phial explosions in a wide area of effect. Must be in the Amped State.
- Zero Sum Discharge: Latch onto an enemy to trigger a massive explosion of elemental energy. Must be in the Amped State.
- Morph: Switch from Sword Mode to Axe Mode.
Now that you've mastered the transformative power of the Switch Axe, it's time to take the fight to the MH Wilds crossplay with fellow hunters who can take the heat off you.