Monster Hunter Wilds revived a play style I fell in love with almost 10 years ago, and now it’s one of my favorite ways to play all over again

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My initial Monster Hunter experience was undeniably shaped by Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate from 2015. To my detriment, I found myself immersed in it for more than 500 hours within just four months after graduating college. This game has since become a lasting passion of mine. The charge blade and insect glaive were popular choices then, but it was the legendary great sword that truly marked my Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate marathon.

For quite some time, I found myself battling numerous monstrous creatures that seemed to require nothing less than the mightiest swords – Rajang, Tigrex, Zinogre, Fatalis, Brachydios, Najarala, and more. As I grew adept with the weapon, this list only expanded. However, in Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter World, I seldom utilized the great sword, a fact that was quite contrary to my initial preferences. To my surprise, I found myself favoring the great sword so much that I could be considered a dedicated fan, or as some might say, a ‘great sword boomer’. The introduction of moves like True Charged Slash, which consumes nearly all the weapon’s power and defines its playstyle, left me feeling nostalgic for the good old days. “Look what they did to my favorite weapon,” I often lamented.

With great joy, I must say Monster Hunter Wilds has turned the tables completely. My stubborn devotion to the great sword was not without reward, as now I can savor sweet triumph. The great sword, a familiar and cherished tool, is once again reigning supreme. Wilds has brought back the traditional quick sheath, crit draw, punishing draw gameplay style, allowing me to wield a towering two-foot metal weapon with ease, as if it were a spatula. It’s preposterously fun and I find myself torn between my longtime love for lance and this newfound admiration for the great sword.

They don’t call it the good sword

During the mid-2010s era of the Mesozoic, an agile and swift weapon known as the great sword was highly effective in striking vulnerable spots, followed by a strategic retreat to reposition for another strike. You’d draw your oversized blade, flex momentarily to convey your readiness (and boost your striking force), hit the monster squarely on its head, sheathe your sword again as if it were just a pocket knife, and, if the monster faltered, land an uncharged slap. If the monster stumbled, you could deliver a quick uncharged blow, with a well-timed attack adding bonus knockout power to your strikes, especially when hitting the head. The critical draw skill ensured a critical hit on every initial strike. It was a sight to behold, simply perfect. A round of applause. 🌟

In simpler terms, the play style using the great sword didn’t vanish; its underlying mechanics remained. However, in previous games, this method was not efficient enough for my taste, feeling like using a knife when everyone else had guns. But Monster Hunter World revolutionized the great sword with a tackle move that allows hyper armor during attacks and increases charge level, ultimately leading to a True Charged Slash (TCS) with an enormous damage motion value. Even more so, Monster Hunter Rise took it a step further by introducing a new wirebug art for the great sword, enabling parry attacks and instantly transitioning into a TCS, accelerating the weapon’s speed and placing it at the top of the speedrun rankings.

The great sword performed well in World and Rise, however, it often found itself restricted to performing the same move repeatedly, which is a surefire way to lose my interest in any Monster Hunter game. Instead, I prefer weapons that offer a balanced move set, one that feels both versatile and responsive during a hunt. Although every weapon has its signature attack, I’m content as long as the regular moves are also effective and worth using.

In your argument, Austin, you seem to recall an instance where I used a single move with the great sword in MH4U frequently. To clarify, yes, that was indeed my approach, but allow me to explain why: The great sword, at that time, only had two main moves – a charge and a strong charge. While they appeared different, their functionality was quite similar, making the former essentially the only viable option in combat.

the monotony of phial spam leaves me yearning for the axe combos of 4U. After all, I’m old-school at heart.

In Monster Hunter World, the design of the Great Sword prioritized the True Charge Slash (TCS), leaving other moves feeling unnecessary to me. It seemed clumsy not having more options for combat. I preferred the Brave-style Great Sword from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate as it made charging quicker, and let’s face it, that game was a bit over-the-top. We had a simple yet enjoyable experience with our horse-drawn carriage, but then Capcom introduced a more powerful truck (World) with an extra charge move, leaving the competition in the dust.

Monster Hunter Wilds serves as a remedy for the predicament I’ve unintentionally constructed in my mind. Although the TCS remains potent, the motion values between all three great sword charges have been balanced out. This adjustment makes the regular draw attack a viable option, thus opening up possibilities for crit draw and punishing draw. The good old spatula strategy is back again!

In the game Wilds, the latest instant-block and counterattack features for the great sword have made a straightforward hit-and-run strategy less effective on its own. However, I’ve discovered it serves as an excellent basis. Start with a draw charge, observe the monster’s actions, and consider incorporating other attacks like the TCS during a large opening or a quick slap in a smaller one. The TCS is an exciting move! Plus, it’s no longer overpowered. Essentially, the great sword in Wilds is a versatile weapon with a diverse move set that accommodates various play styles, including my preferred one. A perfect fit for old-school gamers like me.

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2025-03-01 18:10