"Mastering Long Sword Moves and Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds"
The *Monster Hunter* series is renowned for its diverse array of weapons, each offering unique gameplay experiences. For those looking to master the Long Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to excel.
Best Way To Use the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Long Sword is celebrated for its versatility, blending speed with significant damage potential. It excels in chaining combos and executing counterattacks, allowing you to both deal damage and defend effectively.
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 gauge level, the greater the damage dealt, and at its maximum, it enables powerful follow-up attacks.
To charge the Spirit Gauge, players must land attacks on the monster. To increase its level, hunters should use Spirit Blade attacks and land the final Spirit Roundslash or execute 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
Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist
Long Sword combat in Monster Hunter Wilds revolves around several key combos that can transform you into a swift and effective damage dealer.
Spirit Gauge Filling Combo/Spirit Gauge Leveling
Chain four basic Overhead Slashes using Triangle/Y to quickly fill the Spirit Gauge to its maximum. This then allows for Spirit Blade attacks to increase the gauge's level. A four-chain of R2/RT presses follows, and while you can miss the first three attacks, landing the final Spirit Roundslash is crucial to push the Spirit Gauge to the next level.
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 combo with increased damage.
Stationary Combo
With a maxed-out Spirit Gauge, use the combo of Triangle/Y + Circle/B + Triangle/Y to stay stationary. This sequence involves a Crimson Slash following a Rising Slash, then finishing with another Crimson Slash. It helps you remain in place while dealing damage, eliminating the need to aim and move.
Related: How to Capture Monsters in Monster Hunter Wild
Long Sword Tips
Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist
The Spirit Gauge is the Long Sword's core mechanic, and there are several strategies to maximize its damage output.
Spirit Charge
Hold down R2/RT to initiate the Spirit Charge. Fully charging this move allows you to unleash the Spirit Roundslash without the preceding chain, immediately increasing 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 consumes the current level of the Spirit Gauge, but you can maximize its impact by using Crimson Slashes beforehand. After hitting the enemy with a Spirit Thrust, follow up with the Spirit Helm Breaker, then press R2/RT for the Spirit Release Slash. This sequence delivers significant damage quickly and impressively, especially if teammates are distracting the monster.
Free Spirit Gauge Levels
By targeting wounds with the Focus Strike, you can gain one level of the Spirit Gauge per wound. If you've inflicted multiple wounds on a monster, using the Focus Strike can swiftly elevate your Spirit Gauge to red. Even with just one wound, this shortcut can be effective. After landing the Focus Strike, immediately trigger the Spirit Blade combo and end with a Spirit Blade Roundhouse to increase the gauge by another level instantly.
Countering with Iai Spirit Slash
Since the Long Sword can't block damage, your defense relies on speed and timing. The Iai Spirit Slash, accessible from Special Sheathe, is your countermeasure. After an attack, press R2/RT and Cross/A to perform Special Sheathe. Then, time your R2/RT press to execute the Iai Spirit Slash as the enemy attacks, avoiding damage while dealing a punishing blow.
Mastering the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds requires practice and understanding of these mechanics. For more tips and guides, be sure to visit The Escapist.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
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