The *Monster Hunter* series is renowned for its diverse arsenal of weapons, each tailored to different combat styles and strategies. For players eager to harness the power of the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, this guide will provide you with essential tips and techniques to elevate your gameplay.
Best Way To Use the Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Long Sword is a versatile weapon that blends speed with high damage potential, depending on your approach. It offers a variety of combos that can be chained together, as well as counterattacks to keep you safe in the heat of battle.
All Moves
| Command | Move | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Triangle/Y | Standard Attack | Spirit Blade attacks are slashing attacks that consume the Spirit Gauge. The direction of Spirit Blade I and Spirit Blade II can be adjusted with the analog stick. |
| Circle/B | Thrust | Press Circle/B after Thrust to perform a Rising Slash. |
| R2/RT | Spirit Blade I | Spirit Blade attacks are slashing attacks that consume the Spirit Gauge. The direction of Spirit Blade I and Spirit Blade II can be adjusted with the analog stick. |
| R2/RT x 4 | Spirit Blade Combo | Spirit Blade attacks are slashing attacks that consume the Spirit Gauge. The direction of Spirit Blade I and Spirit Blade II can be adjusted with the analog stick. |
| Holding R2/RT | Spirit Charge | A Spirit Charge fills the Spirit Gauge and, once unleashed, allows you to perform a Spirit Blade attack. The level of the Spirit Blade attack depends on how long the charge is held. Charging completely allows you to unleash a Spirit Roundslash. If the Spirit Gauge is red, you won’t have any damage reactions to attacks that knock you back or send you flying while the Roundslash is in motion. |
| Triangle/Y + Circle/B | Fade Slash | A slashing attack performed while moving backwards. The direction can be controlled using the analog stick. |
| R2/RT + Circle/B During Combo | Foresight Slash | The Foresight Slash is an attack that can be performed mid-combo and provides a large window of invulnerability. Foresight Slashes consume the entire Spirit Gauge. However, landing one after dodging a monster’s attack will fill the gauge completely. Press R2/RT to chain it into a Spirit Roundslash. When the Spirit Gauge is empty, the effect decreases, but if it is red, you can follow up with a Foresight Whirl Slash. |
| R2/RT + Triangle/Y | Spirit Thrust | Landing a Spirit Thrust will lower the Spirit Gauge one level (when the gauge is White or higher) but will allow you to chain into a Spirit Helm Breaker. This can be followed up with a Spirit Release Slash when the gauge is red. Use Square/X to cancel Spirit Helm Breaker. |
| R2/RT + Cross/A | Special Sheath | A special action that sheathes your weapon. |
| After Special Sheath, Triangle/Y | Iai Slash | After Special Sheath, landing Iai Slash will cause the Spirit Gauge to fill up automatically for a short time. |
| After Special Sheath, R2/RT | Iai Spirit Slash | After Special Sheath, you can time Iai Spirit Slash with an enemy’s attack to counter and raise your Spirit Gauge by one level. |
| L2/LT + R1/RB | Focus Strike: Unbound Thrust | A thrusting attack that is effective against wounds. Hitting a wound or weak point will unleash a slash attack, increasing the Spirit Gauge by one level. The more wounds you destroy, the more levels the Spirit Gauge will increase. Use the analog stick to change the direction of the attack. |
Spirit Gauge
The Spirit Gauge is a unique feature of the Long Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, enhancing the weapon's damage potential. The higher the level of the gauge, the more damage you will deal, and at its maximum, it transforms basic attacks into powerful follow-ups.
To charge the Spirit Gauge, you need to land attacks on the monster. To increase its level, use Spirit Blade attacks and land the final Spirit Roundslash or a Focus Strike. When the gauge is red, landing a Spirit Roundslash or a Spinning Crimson Slash will extend its duration, as the gauge decreases over time.
In terms of damage increases:
- White – 1.02x
- Yellow – 1.04x
- Red – 1.1x
Combos
Spirit Gauge Filling Combo/Spirit Gauge Leveling
Chaining four basic Overhead Slashes using Triangle/Y quickly fills the Spirit Gauge to its maximum. This enables Spirit Blade attacks to elevate the gauge to the next level. To achieve this, press R2/RT four times, ensuring you land the final Spirit Roundslash to advance the Spirit Gauge.
Crimson Slash Combo
With the Spirit Gauge at its maximum red level, your basic attacks transform into Crimson Slashes. Chain three of these using Triangle/Y for a swift, high-damage combo.
Stationary Combo
With a fully maxed Spirit Gauge, use the combo of Triangle/Y + Circle/B + Triangle/Y to stay in place. This sequence delivers a Crimson Slash followed by a Rising Slash, and then another Crimson Slash, allowing you to deal significant damage without repositioning.
Long Sword Tips
Spirit Charge
Holding down R2/RT initiates the Spirit Charge. Fully charging it allows you to unleash the Spirit Roundslash without the preceding chain, immediately increasing the Spirit Gauge. Ensure you're in a safe position while charging.
Spirit Helm Breaker/Spirit Release Slash
The Spirit Helm Breaker is the Long Sword's most powerful attack, consuming the current level of the Spirit Gauge. Make the most of Crimson Slashes before attempting this move. After landing a Spirit Thrust and then the Spirit Helm Breaker, follow up with R2/RT for the Spirit Release Slash, which delivers substantial damage quickly and stylishly. This combo is easier to execute with teammates distracting the monster.
Free Spirit Gauge Levels
Attacking wounds with the Focus Strike instantly gains one level of the Spirit Gauge per wound. If you've inflicted multiple wounds, using the Focus Strike can quickly reach the red level. Even with just one wound, this technique works effectively. After landing the Focus Strike, immediately trigger the Spirit Blade combo and end with a Spirit Blade Roundhouse to boost the gauge further.
Countering with Iai Spirit Slash
Without the ability to block, speed is your defense. Use the Iai Spirit Slash from Special Sheathe to counter enemy attacks. After an attack, press R2/RT and Cross/A for Special Sheathe. Then, time your R2/RT press to execute the Iai Spirit Slash as the enemy attacks, avoiding damage while punishing the monster.
That's everything you need to know about mastering the Long Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. For more tips and strategies, be sure to visit The Escapist.
*Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
