In Monster Hunter Wilds, every weapon can contribute to swift hunts, but few match the Longsword in comfort and effectiveness. With a basic understanding of monster attacks, you’ll find triumph against even the fiercest foes comes easily.
Essential Longsword Techniques in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Longsword has been a favorite in the Monster Hunter series since World, and it remains a powerful choice in Wilds. The weapon’s fundamentals are user-friendly, allowing both beginners and veterans to excel with ease.
Your primary attack options are the standard attack and thrust. The standard attack features two vertical Overhead Slashes followed by a horizontal Crescent Slash. The thrust combo initiates with a poke, finishing with a vertical Rising Slash. By pressing your Standard Attack and Thrust buttons together, you unleash a Fade Slash, a sweeping motion that also allows for a quick backward or sideward hop.
Next, let’s explore the Longsword’s key feature: the Spirit Gauge.
- Build Your Spirit Gauge: Every attack contributes to your Spirit Gauge, visible as a sword-shaped bar beneath your Sharpness meter. It has three levels: Level One (white), Level Two (yellow), and Level Three (red). A full gauge maximizes your damage potential.
- Spirit Blade Combo: Transition between Spirit Gauge levels using the Spirit Blade combo by pressing the special action button (right trigger on the controller or R on the keyboard). Four Spirit Slashes elevate the gauge to the next level if the final hit connects.
- Crimson Slash Access: When your Spirit Gauge is red, you can perform the Crimson Slash combo, which can be continuously executed until the gauge depletes to yellow within about a minute.
- Spirit Thrust Capability: If your Spirit Gauge is red, pressing your Special Action and Standard Attack buttons together triggers the Spirit Thrust. This long-range poke sends your Hunter upward for a powerful Spirit Helm Breaker, dealing heavy damage on impact. Press the special action button after landing to execute additional slashes at the cost of another gauge level.
Mastering only these basic techniques can get you through much of Monster Hunter Rise and even into High Rank, though this approach neglects the weapon’s full potential. Here’s where advanced moves play a crucial role.
Advanced Techniques for Mastering the Longsword in Monster Hunter Wilds
Mastering Spirit Gauge manipulation is vital for effective Longsword use, especially when integrating counterattacks with invincibility frames. Here’s a breakdown of four crucial attacks to master:
- Foresight Slash: After performing any standard move like a Thrust, press the special action and Thrust buttons to slide backward. If timed correctly with a monster’s attack, you’ll not only dodge but also trigger the Foresight Slash. Connecting with this attack boosts your Spirit Gauge by one level, maintaining any prior charge. If it’s red, a faster Foresight Whirl Slash is available.
- Special Sheathe: Pressing the special action and Standard Attack buttons after an attack allows you to sheathe your Longsword and enter a five-second stance. In this stance, you can execute either the Iai Slash or the Iai Spirit Slash:
- Iai Slash: Connecting with this two-hit combo fills your Spirit Gauge automatically for about 20 seconds.
- Iai Spirit Slash: Similar to the Spirit Slash, this attack provides invincibility frames if executed just as a monster’s attack would hit, also increasing your Spirit Gauge by one.
- Focus Strike: Unbound Thrust: In Focus Mode, hitting a monster’s wounds initiates this attack, which destroys the wound and raises the Spirit Gauge by one level.
- Spirit Charge: Holding the special action button for three seconds fully charges a Spirit Round Slash, instantly boosting the Spirit Gauge by one level. You’ll gain stagger resistance, but can still be knocked down during the charge.
Stringing these advanced attacks together is crucial for high-level Longsword use. A standard combo might look like this:
- Spirit Slash Perfect Counter > Spirit Slash Perfect Counter > Spirit Blade I > Crimson Slash I > Repeat > Spirit Thrust when the red Gauge is nearly depleted.
A more realistic scenario, accounting for missed Spirit Slashes, could be:
- Missed Spirit Slash > Special Sheathe > Iai Slash > Overhead, Thrust, and Fade Slash attacks to build Gauge > Special Sheathe > Iai Spirit Slash to raise Gauge.
The versatility of Special Sheathe is invaluable, allowing you to reposition and reorient yourself if facing the wrong direction while providing multiple ways to build your Spirit Gauge. However, keep in mind the animation time for sheathing your weapon is relatively lengthy.
It’s important to note that attacks like Spirit Helm Breaker can leave you vulnerable if the monster strikes while you’re airborne. Additionally, missing your Spirit Slash may expose you to damage if the invincibility frames aren’t activated.
Maximizing Damage with the Longsword in Monster Hunter Wilds
Beyond combos focused on building the Spirit Gauge, optimal Longsword play revolves around positioning both you and the monster, while utilizing Spirit Slash and Iai Spirit Slash to avoid significant damage. This approach is essential, regardless of your Spirit Gauge level. For many, a balance of Spirit Slashes and Special Sheathe actions yields the best results.
When a monster is down, your most effective damage combo with a red Gauge is Spirit Blade I > Crimson Slash I > repeat. After this, either finish with a Helmbreaker or reset back to yellow Gauge to continue building your attacks.
Targeting a monster’s weak points, especially unbroken Wounds, is vital not only for maximizing damage but also for mitigating sharpness loss. When the monster regains its footing, return to your Spirit Slash rotations, but always capitalize on opportunities to use Spirit Blade/Crimson Slash combinations.
Should you find yourself misaligned or needing to regroup, employ Special Sheathe into an Iai Slash. This tactic will give you enhanced control over your positioning and motion, substantially reducing the chance of being forced into a disadvantageous stance.
Ultimately, while understanding how the Longsword works is crucial, executing that knowledge effectively in battles is what sets skilled hunters apart. I recommend starting with lower-difficulty hunts to become more familiar with the weapon, offering practical experience that dummies cannot provide without the risk of immediate defeat.
Now go forth, Hunter, and master the art of the blade.
FAQs About the Longsword in Monster Hunter Wilds
What is the best way to use the Longsword in Monster Hunter Wilds?
The best way to use the Longsword is to balance your Spirit Slashes with Special Sheathe maneuvers to maximize damage and mobility. Also, focusing on monster weak spots will enhance your effectiveness.
How do you build up the Spirit Gauge quickly?
Quickly build up the Spirit Gauge by executing combos involving Spirit Slashes and connected attacks. Using the Special Sheathe followed by Iai Slash can also expedite the process.
What are the advantages of the Longsword?
The Longsword provides great mobility, allowing you to evade attacks while dealing high damage through its various combos and Spirit Gauge mechanics. It’s user-friendly, making it a preferred weapon for many hunters.
Can you focus on counterattacks with the Longsword?
Yes, focusing on counterattacks, especially with moves like the Foresight Slash, can provide excellent invincibility frames, allowing you to dodge and retaliate effectively.
What are the basic combos you should know with the Longsword?
Basic combos include Spirit Slash Perfect Counter followed by Spirit Blade I and alternating Crimson Slash for effective gauge management and damage output.