One of the most deceptively complex weapons in Monster Hunter games is the Switch Axe, which returns in Monster Hunter Wilds with a newly reworked combat system. With a Switch Axe, Monster Hunter Wilds players can build two separate bars for each of the two forms, which enable powerful elemental bonuses and finishing moves when filled.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Sharpen Your Weapon
To sharpen your weapon, Monster Hunter Wilds players must use a Whetstone, a permanent tool that takes a few seconds to use.
The basic Switch Axe playstyle is not too hard to grasp, but there's a lot more going on than just weapon swapping in the middle of a combo. This Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe guide goes into the unique mechanics of this morphing weapon, explains how to build and use its three Gauges, details the complete Switch Axe moveset, and suggests the best Switch Axe combos you should know – get the most out of this combo-heavy and mechanical weapon with these Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe tips.
Switch Axe Mechanics & Playstyle
How The Switch Axe Works In Monster Hunter Wilds
In Monster Hunter Wilds, the Switch Axe weapon features both an Axe Form and a Sword Form. As you attack in Axe Form, the yellow Switch Gauge meter will build (found below the stamina bar). When the meter passes a small white line threshold, the weapon can morph into Sword Form. The more the Switch Gauge is filled, the longer you can attack in Sword Form, which builds up the red Amp Meter.
- In Axe Form, the weapon attacks slowly but grants the Hunter remarkably fast movement. Axe Form has easy access to the Offset Rising Slash attack, which can parry incoming monster attacks.
- Sword Form, on the other hand, reduces movement and reach but grants fast slashing attacks that deal high slashing damage. It also unlocks the weapon's primary finishers.
The key to learning how to use the Switch Axe in Monster Hunter Wilds is understanding how to efficiently swap between these two forms to build the red Amp Meter unleash the full elemental damage of this devastating weapon type.
Spend some time in the Training Area getting used to the flow of the Switch Axe as you swap between weapons to build towards a powerful elemental finisher.
Though it's a relatively simple weapon rotation compared to some of the most complex Monster Hunter Wilds weapons, you must pay careful attention to your Switch Gauge and Amp Gauge meters, and to your positioning with its high-committment combos, to maximize its potential.
Switch Gauge, Power Axe, & Amp Gauge
The Switch Axe weapon type comes with three Gauges to keep track of: the Switch Gauge, Amp Gauge, and Power Axe Gauge.
As you connect hits in Axe Form, you will build up the yellow Switch Gauge meter. As you attack in Sword Form, the Switch Gauge will slowly deplete with each hit. Your Switch Axe will be forced back into Axe Form if the meter goes below the white threshold line. However, as the Switch Gauge depletes, the Amp Meter (bottom-right of the Switch Gauge) will build with each hit that connects in Sword Form.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Play With Friends
To play Monster Hunter Wilds with friends, you must either add your friend in-game or establish a private server to invite them to.
When this red Amp Gauge is full, all of your Sword attacks will deal extra damage based on the type of Phial your Switch Axe has. You can only use the Full Release Slash and Zero Sum Discharge finishers while this meter is full, but the explosive Element Discharge and Unbridled Slash can be used as long as your Switch Gauge is not depleted.
There is also a Power Axe Gauge on the bottom left of the Switch Gauge. This will fill as you perform certain heavy attacks with the Axe Form of the Switch Axe, like a Heavy Slam after mashing Wild Swing, or the follow-up attack after an Offset Attack. When this meter is orange, your Axe attacks will deal more damage and build the Switch Gauge faster.
What Are Switch Axe Phials?
All Switch Axes have a Phial type that grants extra elemental damage while in a fully Amped state. The Phial also determines the damage type of the elemental finishing moves like Unbridled Slash, Zero Sum Discharge, and of course Element Discharge.
The type of Phial associated with each Switch Axe can be found in the item description. There are six Phials Switch Axes can come with:
- Power Phial: Explosive damage
- Element Phial: Elemental damage
- Poison Phial: Poison status buildup
- Paralysis Phial: Poison status buildup
- Dragon Phial: Dragon damage
- Exhaust Phial: Stun buildup
Complete Switch Axe Moveset In MH Wilds
To swap between Axe Form and Sword Form, press R2 (RT). To enable Sword Form, the Switch Gauge must be filled past the white marker or the mechanic will not work. Press R2 (RT) while standing still to swap Switch Axe form, or press it after an attack to chain into a special Morph attack, which deals damage and swaps to the other form.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Fast Travel
By using fast travel, Monster Hunter Wilds players can get to camps and major locations in the open world much faster.
You can also press L2 (LT) to enter Focus Mode in either form. This allows you to target specific parts of a monster's body, and if you press R1 (RB) while targeting an exposed wound in either form, you will initiate a special rapid Morph Slash flurry attack that will destroy it.
Switch Axe (Axe) Attacks
|
Attack Name |
Description |
PS Input |
Xbox Input |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Overhead Slash |
Overhead swing that can be chained three times |
△ |
Y |
|
Wild Swing |
Sweeping attack that can be chained repeatedly |
O |
B |
|
Offset Rising Slash |
Strong uppercut-like upward slash that can parry enemy attacks |
△ + O |
Y + B |
|
Forward Slash |
Dash forward a short distance and strike while moving |
Move forward + O |
Move forward + B |
|
Fade Slash |
Slash upward then back up slightly to create distance |
Move backward + O |
Move backward + B |
|
Forward Overhead Slash |
Slash from overhead at the target while already moving foward |
O while already moving forward |
B while already moving forward |
Switch Axe (Sword) Attacks
|
Attack Name |
Description |
PS Input |
Xbox Input |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Overhead Slash |
Overhead swing that can target body parts like tails and be chained three times |
△ |
Y |
|
Double Slash |
Sweeping attack that can be chained twice |
O |
B |
|
Counter Rising Slash |
Strong uppercut slash that can parry enemy attacks |
R2 + △ |
RT + Y |
|
Element Discharge |
Stab forward with your Sword and release elemental damage as you mash △ (Y) |
△ + O, then mash △ |
Y + B, then mash Y |
|
Zero Sum Discharge |
Stab forward with your Sword and release elemental damage before mounting your target Requires the Amp Meter to be full |
Hold △ + O |
|
|
Full Release Slash |
A powerful two-hit slash that deals elemental damage and fully consumes Amp Gauge Can be charged. |
R2 + △ + O |
RT + Y + B |
|
Unbridled Slash |
A powerful two-hit slash that deals elemental damage and reduces Amp Gauge |
Press R2 after an Element Discharge |
Press RT after an Element Discharge |
Best Switch Axe Combos
-
Axe Form: Overhead Slash > Side Slash > Spiral Burst Slash
- Press △ (Y) three times to perform this combo, which chains well into combos with a morph and Sword Form
-
Axe Form: Wild Swing > Wild Swing > Heavy Slam
- Press O (B) three times, then △(Y) to trigger a Heavy Slam and trigger the Axe Power Gauge
-
Morph Combo: Overhead Slash > Side Slash > Spiral Burst Slash > Morph > Double Slash > Heavenward Flurry
- Press △ (Y) three times, Morph with R2 (RT), then press O (B) twice to build a lot of Switch Gauge and Amp Gauge
-
Sword Finisher: Element Discharge > Element Discharge Finisher > Unbridled Slash OR Full Release Slash
- Press △ + O (Y + B), mash △ (Y) to initiate the finisher explosion, then immediately hold R2 (RT) to trigger an Unbridled Slash follow-up.
- If your Amp Meter and Power Axe meters are still full, hold R2 + △ + O (RT + Y + B) to perform a follow-up Full Release Slash, which can be charged for maximum damage
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Engine
- RE Engine
- Franchise
- Monster Hunter
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
