One of the most exciting aspects of the *Monster Hunter* series is the diverse array of weapons available to hunters. If you're aiming to become proficient with the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, this comprehensive guide is designed to equip you with all the necessary skills for success.
Best Way to Use the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Long Sword is a versatile weapon that blends speed and damage potential, offering flexibility based on your playstyle. With its ability to chain combos and execute counterattacks, it's a perfect choice for those who appreciate both offense and defense.
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 level, it transforms basic attacks into powerful follow-up attacks.
To charge the Spirit Gauge, players need to land attacks on the monster. To increase the level, hunters must use Spirit Blade attacks and successfully 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 naturally decreases over time.
Damage increases based on the Spirit Gauge level are as follows:
- White – 1.02x
- Yellow – 1.04x
- Red – 1.1x
Combos
Mastering the Long Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds* involves understanding and executing various combos that enhance your combat effectiveness, turning you into a swift and formidable damage dealer.
Spirit Gauge Filling Combo/Spirit Gauge Leveling
To quickly fill the Spirit Gauge to its maximum, chain four basic Overhead Slashes using Triangle/Y. This setup enables you to launch Spirit Blade attacks to elevate the Spirit Gauge's level. Execute a four-chain of R2/RT presses, ensuring you land the final Spirit Roundslash to push the gauge to the next level.
Crimson Slash Combo
With the Spirit Gauge at its maximum and red, your basic attacks transform into Crimson Slashes. Chain three of these using Triangle/Y to execute a swift combo that delivers increased damage.
Stationary Combo
When the Spirit Gauge is maxed out, utilize the combo of Triangle/Y + Circle/B + Triangle/Y. This sequence starts with a Crimson Slash, followed by a Rising Slash, and ends with another Crimson Slash, allowing you to stay in place while dealing significant damage without the need for repositioning.
**Related: How to Capture Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds**
Long Sword Tips
Maximizing the Long Sword's damage output hinges on effectively managing the Spirit Gauge. Here are some tips to help you master this weapon:
Spirit Charge
Initiate a Spirit Charge by holding down R2/RT. A fully charged move unleashes the Spirit Roundslash without needing the preceding chain, immediately boosting 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 with the Long Sword. It consumes the current Spirit Gauge level, so make the most of the Crimson Slashes beforehand. After hitting the enemy with a Spirit Thrust, follow up with the Spirit Helm Breaker, and then press R2/RT for the Spirit Release Slash for a high-speed, high-damage combo. This is especially effective with teammates distracting the monster.
Free Spirit Gauge Levels
Use the Focus Strike on wounds to gain one level of the Spirit Gauge per wound. If you've inflicted multiple wounds, this can quickly push your Spirit Gauge to red. Even with just one wound, the Focus Strike can be a shortcut to a higher gauge level, followed by a Spirit Blade combo ending with a Spirit Blade Roundhouse for an instant additional level increase.
Countering with Iai Spirit Slash
Without the ability to block damage, speed is your best 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 the R2/RT press to execute the Iai Spirit Slash during the enemy's attack, avoiding damage while retaliating effectively.
That’s everything you need to know to master the Long Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. For more tips and guides, be sure to visit The Escapist.
*Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
