One of the most exciting aspects of the *Monster Hunter* series is the variety of weapons at a hunter's disposal. If you're aiming to become proficient with the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, this comprehensive guide will steer you toward mastery.
Mastering the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Long Sword is a versatile weapon that strikes a balance between speed and damage output. It allows for chaining combos and executing counterattacks, making it a formidable choice in 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 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, the more damage you deal, and at its maximum, it enables powerful follow-up attacks.
To charge the Spirit Gauge, players must land attacks on the monster. To increase the level, hunters should 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
There are several combos that enhance Long Sword combat in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, allowing you to become a swift and effective damage dealer.
Spirit Gauge Filling Combo/Spirit Gauge Leveling
By chaining four basic Overhead Slashes using Triangle/Y, you can quickly fill the Spirit Gauge to its maximum. This then enables Spirit Blade attacks to increase the gauge's level. To do this, chain four R2/RT presses, 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 and red, your basic attacks transform into Crimson Slashes. Chaining three of them using Triangle/Y completes a swift combo with increased damage.
Stationary Combo
With a maxed-out Spirit Gauge, you can use this combo to stay stationary: Triangle/Y + Circle/B + Triangle/Y. This sequence results in a Crimson Slash following a Rising Slash, and then another Crimson Slash, allowing you to deal damage without the need to move or aim.
Long Sword Tips
The Spirit Gauge is central to the Long Sword's effectiveness, and here are some tips to maximize your damage output:
Spirit Charge
By holding down R2/RT, you can initiate a Spirit Charge. Fully charging this move allows you to unleash a 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 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 followed by the Spirit Helm Breaker, press R2/RT for the Spirit Release Slash, which deals significant damage at high speed. This combo is easier to execute with teammates 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 quickly elevate your Spirit Gauge to red. Even with just one wound, this method can work effectively. 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 lacks a blocking ability, speed is your defense. The Iai Spirit Slash, accessible after Special Sheathe, is your counterattack. After an enemy's attack, press R2/RT and Cross/A for Special Sheathe, then time your R2/RT press to execute the Iai Spirit Slash through the enemy's attack. This move prevents damage while punishing the monster.
That’s all 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.*
