Monster Hunter continues to be well and alive after almost two decades.
With so many titles, it can be confusing to know how to play them in order.
For clarity, we are using Xbox button prompts for this guide.
That said, each mode does have its unique advantages, so let’s discuss them.
Put simply, attacking with the Sword builds up Phial Energy, which can be stocked into the weapon.
This can be seen in the phials in the corner of the screen.
Expelling this energy is easy.
You just press RT+B at the same time, or press B anytime while you’re blocking.
This will transfer the energy from your Sword and put it into the phials.
Sword And Shield Mode
As part of the Charge Blade, you have two modes.
The damage you could dole out in Sword mode is relatively low, though not irrelevant either.
All of them come out quickly, and can typically all be woven into each other.
A Shield Thrust can transition to Fade Slash, that to Charged Rising Slash, to another Shield Thrust.
It’s great for actually giving you freedom, even if the damage is low.
It is also the only way to charge phials.
Axe Mode
On the opposite end of the Charge Blade, we have Axe Mode.
This is incredibly slow, but deals a massive amount more damage.
Also, with Sword and Shield Mode being the default, you might only access Axe Mode through attacks.
Powered-Up Mode
There is a reason the weapon is called the Charge Blade and not the Switchaxe.
After the Shield is powered-up, you could then do the same for the Sword.
After you begin transferring Sword Energy, hold Y instead to begin a condensed elemental slash.
Release this at the right moment and it will power up the Sword.
And if you over or undercharge the attack, the energy is transferred to your phials instead.
Here is what each weapon can do when powered-up:
The powering-up process can be a bit confusing though.
This can be clearly seen by the colour of your blade and the sound effect during the charging process.
It is a decently powerful move, but most importantly is that it charges Sword Energy immensely quickly.
It is performed by beginning an Amped Elemental Discharge, but then pressing RT to cancel into Elemental Roundslash.
This means you’re free to power up the shield without every having to stop attacking.
This is what makes Fade Slash so powerful.
The attack can be weaved into just about any combo, too, making it a very effective dodge.
This is what makes Charge Blade so flashy, and allows you to deal such incredible damage.
It does require some extensive set-up though.
Typically shortened to SAED, this attack can only be performed while the Shield is powered up.
Otherwise, the max it’s possible for you to do is Amped Elemental Discharge.
With the Shield Powered Up, just press Y+B to perform SAED.
There is an option for a follow-up attack, or you could jump right into the final strike.
You just have to rapidly press Y to win, which has you stabbing the Sword for extra damage.
It covers a good distance, letting you close in on a wound from afar.
Once it hits, it transitions to Power Axe Mode and starts ripping away at the wound.
After the attack ends, you are left in Power Axe mode.
Let’s look at a few below.
Use The Load Shells Skill
Filling phials is the main balancing act of the Charge Blade.
Every SAED means another filling of the phials, ad infinitum.
But what if you didn’t have to spend so long gathering?
That’s where the Load Shells ability comes in.
It dramatically speeds up combat and lets you unleash some much more damage.
They are, however, incredibly difficult tp pull off.
While these don’t function as a Perfect Guard, they offer a utility that keeps combat moving smoothly.
The same is true for Elemental Phials except for the associated element instead.
The other major difference is in the final attack of the SAED.
For Elemental Phials, it will instead travel to the left and right, giving it more width.
double-check to choose one that fits both your playstyle and the monster you’re battling.
You have every piece powered-up?
Just block an attack to swing right into the final hit of SAED.
you gotta power-up the shield still.
Cancel into an Elemental Roundslash.
Every monster in Monster Hunter is memorable, but the flagship ones leave the biggest impression.
Here are the best.
