One of the most thrilling aspects of the *Monster Hunter* series is the diverse array of weapons at the disposal of hunters. For those eager to master the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, this comprehensive guide will pave the way to your success.
Best Way To Use the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Long Sword is an incredibly versatile weapon, blending speed and damage potential in a way that allows players to tailor their approach. It offers a range of combos that can be seamlessly chained together, along with counterattacks that provide defensive capabilities.
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 Spirit Blade attack depends on the length 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 Spirit Gauge, the more damage you can deal. At its maximum, it transforms basic attacks into powerful follow-up attacks.
To charge the Spirit Gauge, players must land attacks on the monster. To elevate the level, hunters should employ Spirit Blade attacks and successfully execute the final Spirit Roundslash or land a Focus Strike. When the gauge is red, landing a Spirit Roundslash or a Spinning Crimson Slash will prolong its duration, as the gauge naturally decreases over time.
In terms of damage increases:
- White – 1.02x
- Yellow – 1.04x
- Red – 1.1x
Combos
Long Sword combat in *Monster Hunter Wilds* revolves around various combos that can turn you into a swift and potent damage dealer. Here are some key combos:
Spirit Gauge Filling Combo/Spirit Gauge Leveling
By chaining four basic Overhead Slashes with Triangle/Y, you can quickly fill the Spirit Gauge to its maximum. This setup allows for Spirit Blade attacks to elevate the Spirit Gauge's level. Execute a four-chain of R2/RT presses; while you can miss the first three attacks, landing the final Spirit Roundslash is crucial to advancing the Spirit Gauge to the next level.
Crimson Slash Combo
With the Spirit Gauge at its maximum and red, your basic attacks morph into Crimson Slashes. Chaining three of these with Triangle/Y completes a swift and damaging combo.
Stationary Combo
With a fully charged Spirit Gauge, you can employ a stationary combo using Triangle/Y + Circle/B + Triangle/Y. This sequence involves a Crimson Slash following a Rising Slash, and then concluding with another Crimson Slash. This tactic enables you to deal damage while staying in one place, eliminating the need for constant movement and aiming.
Related: How to Capture Monsters in Monster Hunter Wild
Long Sword Tips
The Spirit Gauge is the cornerstone of Long Sword mastery, and here are some tips to maximize your damage output:
Spirit Charge
Initiate a Spirit Charge by holding down R2/RT. Fully charging this move enables you to unleash the Spirit Roundslash without the preceding chain, instantly boosting the Spirit Gauge. Ensure you are in a safe position while charging.
Spirit Helm Breaker/Spirit Release Slash
The Spirit Helm Breaker delivers the highest damage possible with the Long Sword. It will deplete the current level of the Spirit Gauge, so make the most of Crimson Slashes before attempting this move. After hitting the enemy with a Spirit Thrust followed by the Spirit Helm Breaker, press R2/RT to execute the Spirit Release Slash. This combination deals significant damage at high speed and looks impressive. Having allies distract the monster can make this combo easier to execute.
Free Spirit Gauge Levels
By targeting wounds with the Focus Strike, Long Sword users in *Monster Hunter Wilds* can gain one level of the Spirit Gauge per wound. If you've inflicted multiple wounds, the Focus Strike can rapidly elevate the Spirit Gauge to red. Even with just one wound, this technique can work effectively. After landing the Focus Strike, immediately initiate the Spirit Blade combo and conclude with a Spirit Blade Roundhouse to boost the gauge by another level.
Countering with Iai Spirit Slash
Without the ability to block damage, speed is your defense. The Iai Spirit Slash, performed from Special Sheathe, is your counterattack. After an attack, press R2/RT and Cross/A for Special Sheathe. Then, time the R2/RT press to execute the Iai Spirit Slash during an incoming enemy attack. This move will prevent damage and punish the monster simultaneously.
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.
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