Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword: Best Build and Combat Guide

by

In this article, we’ll be exploring the updated Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds, featuring fresh mechanics and devastating combo endings. Here’s a comprehensive guide on mastering this weapon, focusing on both inflicting maximum damage and ensuring a comfortable playing experience by crafting an ideal build.

Long Sword Mechanics

In Monster Hunter Wilds, the Long Sword’s mechanics revolve around a timer-based Spirit Gauge system, which is distinct from its appearance in past games. Instead of exhausting the gauge with each Spirit attack, it now operates on a timer that can be prolonged by executing special moves. The Spirit Gauge consists of varying levels, with red being the highest state that grants access to enhanced skills and devastating combo finalizers.

When your Spirit Meter fills up completely, you’ll unlock more powerful Crimson Slash combinations and unique moves such as the Spirit Ejection Slash. The meter will gradually decrease on its own, so mastering gauge management is crucial. Performing successful blocks and certain attacks can replenish the meter, suggesting that a strategic yet active gameplay style is ideal. Fundamentally, the Long Sword caters to those who learn enemy patterns and time their strikes effectively, offering a beginner-friendly experience while still providing ample complexity for experienced players.

Long Sword Combos

The Long Sword features several combo paths depending on your current Spirit Gauge level:

  • Basic Spirit Gauge Building Combo: Press Y/Triangle repeatedly to perform Overhead Slash → Overhead Slash II → Crescent Slash. This builds up your Spirit Gauge quickly.
  • Spirit Gauge Leveling Combo: Press RT/R2 repeatedly to perform Spirit Blade I → Spirit Blade II → Spirit Blade III → Spirit Roundslash. Landing the final Spirit Roundslash increases your Spirit Gauge level.
  • Red Gauge Combo: When your gauge is red, your basic attacks become Crimson Slashes, which deal more damage and create more wounds on monsters. The stationary combo (Y, B, Y or Triangle, Circle, Triangle) is particularly effective during damage windows.
  • Spirit Helm Breaker Chain: At red level, perform Spirit Thrust (RT+Y or R2+Triangle) → Spirit Helm Breaker (RT/R2) → Spirit Release Slash (RT/R2). This powerful new finisher has hyper armor but consumes two Spirit levels, so timing is crucial.
  • Counter Options: The Long Sword offers two main counter moves – Foresight Slash (RT+B or R2+Circle during a combo) and Iai Spirit Slash (RT+A then RT, or R2+X then R2). Successful counters refill your Spirit Gauge and can increase your gauge level, making them vital for maintaining momentum.

How to Play Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds

With a balanced yet assertive strategy, the Long Sword shines. The core gameplay revolves around:

1. Engaging opponents actively, but not recklessly.
2. Timing attacks carefully and wisely.
3. Balancing offense and defense effectively.
4. Making strategic decisions to maximize your advantage.

  1. Build your Spirit Gauge by landing basic attacks on the monster.
  2. Use your Spirit Blade combo to increase your gauge level to red.
  3. While in the red state, use Crimson Slashes to deal increased damage and create wounds.
  4. Look for openings to land your Spirit Helm Breaker into Spirit Release Slash for massive damage.
  5. Use counters (Foresight Slash and Iai Spirit Slash) to avoid monster attacks while maintaining offensive pressure.

Placing yourself strategically matters greatly – the Long Sword boasts an impressive range, ideal for striking particular monster areas such as tails. Concentrate on inflicting and shattering injuries with your attacks, especially during the red gauge phase. The fresh Focus Strike: Unbound Thrust in Focus Mode is remarkably effective against these wounds and immediately boosts your Spirit level upon impact.

Whenever the monster grows restless or you require an immediate change in position, opt for the Fade Slash (Y+B or Triangle+Circle) move, which allows you to retreat while inflicting damage simultaneously. This can then be followed by a Spirit Blade to keep your combo sequence going smoothly.

Mastering the Special Sheathe position, either by using RT+A or R2+X, enhances your ability to swiftly counter monstrous attacks with either Iai Slash or Iai Spirit Slash. Perfecting the timing of these defensive maneuvers significantly boosts your damage infliction and survivability.

Spirit Gauge Management Tips

Keeping the Red Power Meter full is essential for dealing maximum damage. Here are some strategies to ensure it stays charged:

1. Land successful attacks on enemies.
2. Use special abilities that refill the meter.
3. Don’t let the meter drop too low between fights.
4. Focus on building up your power before engaging in battle.

  • Watch for monster downtimes when using Spirit Roundslash. The long animation makes it vulnerable to interruption, so use it during monster exhaustion, after successful staggers, or when monsters are trapped.
  • The Foresight Whirl Slash (the powered-up version of Foresight Slash available in red gauge) not only provides a longer invulnerability window but also refills your gauge when it connects. Use this to counter predictable attacks to extend your red gauge duration.
  • Be strategic with Spirit Release Slash usage. While it deals massive damage, it consumes two Spirit levels, potentially dropping you from red to white gauge. Only use it when you’re confident you can build the gauge back up quickly or when the monster is about to change areas.
  • When your gauge is red, prioritize landing the Spinning Crimson Slash as a follow-up to your third Spirit Blade attack. This not only deals good damage but also refills your gauge slightly, extending your time in the red state.

Best Long Sword Build in Monster Hunter Wilds

For a strong early-game build, focus on these key pieces:

Weapon: Rey Tonitrus I or Bone Shotel III

Rey Tonitrus IBone Shotel III
  • Rey Tonitrus provides Thunder element with Focus and Punishing Draw skills
  • Bone Shotel III offers high raw damage with Focus and Attack Boost

Armor:

Head: Alloy Helm (Quick Sheathe Lv1)Chest: Balahara Mail (Quick Sheathe Lv1)Arms: Balahara Vambraces (Evade Extender Lv1)Waist: Balahara Coil (Evade Extender Lv1)Legs: Balahara Greaves (Evade Extender Lv1)

For skills, prioritize these in your build:

Damage Skills:

  • Attack Boost: Increases your base damage output
  • Weakness Exploit: Deals more damage to monster weak points and wounds
  • Critical Eye: Increases your affinity (critical hit chance)

Comfort Skills:

  • Quick Sheathe: Speeds up sheathing for faster Special Sheathe counters
  • Focus: Helps build Spirit Gauge faster

As you advance, consider incorporating Power Prolonger to lengthen the time of your red gauge, and Critical Boost to amplify your critical hit damage.

For future gameplay scenarios, you might want to opt for the Dosha Gravecleaver II if you’re aiming for high raw damage, or the Khlunda-of-the-Waves when facing fire monsters due to its water elemental damage. The Long Sword offers versatility, making it advantageous to have elemental options tailored to various types of enemies.

Master the art of synchronizing your counterattacks and energy management with your Spirit Gauge, and you’ll soon be gracefully decimating monsters with finesse. The Long Sword, with its agility, extended reach, and potent combo endings, is undeniably one of the most gratifying weapons in Monster Hunter Worlds.

Read More

2025-02-28 13:08