The HIGHEST DPS | Updated Switch Axe Guide | PC & Xbox for Monster Hunter World 2024 

I hope new and veteran Hunters alike have a great time with Monster Hunter World and you give Switch Axe a try! Be sure to let me know of any questions you may have! And feedback is always welcome! Happy Hunting!

I have over 2000 hours on World already and Switch Axe is my second most used weapon behind Hunting Horn. Very good video, would love to see more Switch Axe content.

This is one of the best switch axe guides I've seen, the only thing i would add is make sure you gem in 1 ear plugs, when you do your amped discharge it gives you max ear plugs so you aren't roared off the monster

This is genuinely the best weapon guide video for MHW I've seen. Immediate info, no unnecessary numbers, no unnecessary filler, just straight up RELEVANT INFO without being 30 minutes long. Thank you, looking forward to more switch axe videos, always wanted to get into it but could never grasp it fully

The fact that this video didn't start with 3 minutes of youtube preamble instantly makes it one of the best guides I've ever seen. The fact that it still taught me some new things despite SA being one of my most played weapons in World just elevates it to the best guide I've ever seen haha

The best guide out there BY FAR! I have been so annoyed with other switch axe guides lacking different things, but this one has everything I wanted in it! Perfect timing too

I've watched multiple switch axe videos, and this is by far the best one. Thank you for making it

I'm beginning my journey to learn the Switch Axe. I've seen a lot of videos.. a lot. But this is the one that finally clicked for me. Can't wait for you to make more c:

Powerful explanation. You also can do double ZSD. One impailing and canceling the final explosion then slinger + ZSD (full explosion of the short one you mentioned at the end of the video)

Thanks a ton for the video, super helpful! Just started a new character returning to world after playing rise and wanted to try out something I never have before. Really nice starting point!

Excellent video! Simply getting into it, showing all combos on screen, slow motion and explaining everything in detail. I can now see what I did wrong (first time switch axe playthrough). I didn't switch back to axe mode while in sword mode to refill the gauge to then again switch to sword mode. I now actually get what this weapon is about. Thanks!

one of the best and most concise weapon tutorials i’ve ever seen, great job! instant sub

I really like how information was conveyed in this video. Thank you!!

This was a really straightforward and easy to comprehend video!

This guide is so well made. Nicely done bro!

Really nice guide, you got me interested in Switch Axe, maybe i will use it in my second run.

I've been playing monster hunter series all the way since 3U, exclusively with switch axe (I know) and I think the guide is really on point. Now that I've returned to the series and replaying world, it actually helped me get back into the flow and pace of the weapon, thank you.

Excellent video! I have about 300 hours of switchaxe play in world, but still learned some new stuff. Thank you!

Alatreon Alpha gloves has ATK Boost 3 AND Power Prolonger 3 by default. Definitely worth using

Amazing guide. Straight to the point with explanation in depth. Thank you so much.

as a returning players who has forgotten everything this guide is easily the best ive seen. To the point, clear and concise. Thanks! Look forward to your other guides.

Very nice video! I'll be watching any other weapon dps videos you make with great interest

Very well timed, my dude! My gf and I were thinking of hopping back into World soon once we finish up with Gen, and I wanted to give Switch Axe more of a try! It's always been one of my favorite weapons (ESPECIALLY in Rise) ever since 3U, but I never used it a whole lot in World. Definitely wanna get back into it! Also glad to see Axe+Sword chains, since I always hated the old style that never used morphs or Axe Mode at all unless filling the gauge lol ;; That's part of why I love Rise SA so much. Both modes are fun!

I'm starting a new character and was planning on playing switch axe so this is a great find, thank you!

Thanks for the guide, I think I am ready to begin the fun right now.

Vielen Dank für deinen ausführlichen Guide!

Right into the topic I love it

Things to add about sidehop is that you can do it without any attack first by aiming slinger when you unsheate your weapon. I discovered it while watching AT Velkhana speedrun. This move is really handy when you are in sword mode and want to maximize your offensive without losing much positioning while evading monster's attack

This is a really good guide. I haven't tried Switch Axe since my early MHW days. I feel like I'll try it once again.

this is a really nice guide thank you!

Great guide, last tip is very useful ty

I've watched about 20 videos on Switch Axe and this guide is by far the best one!

After bickering around with different weapons and struggling to find a good Switch Axe guide, i finally came upon this chad of a video. Thank you so much for teaching the basics as well as some more advanced stuff, this was literally what I was looking for! You got yourself a new subscriber, and I'll be sure to keep watching your content (already checked out some of the other videos). Great work!

Great vid, just switched to switch axe from longsword after maining it through rise and base MHW and am really liking it, thinking about trying gunlance or charge blade once I finish my Switch axe build, or maybe hunting horn. 🤔

Good video to introduce to a beginner, but I'd want to point out something, your fastest way to amp the sword mode works... for every phial that isnt power phial, for this one, you have to immediately follow up with a stab after the heavenly slash (top and right face buttons or both mouse click) that you immediately cancel into a clutch claw thrust (rift trigger or c by default on keyboard), it has even the advantage to allow you to tenderize immediately, which is supremely useful if for example you are doing after initiating the fight with a wallbang. I hope that'll help you ^^

I really love seeing all the old and new monster hunter videos on RU-vid, feels like I'm back in 2018 again

Possibly best video entry in history.

the beauty of the SA is it doesnt have a defensive option other than evading moves and dodges. it makes it both easy to pick up and devastating in the hands of a master

6:25 - One thing that you forgot to mention is that Axe Mode has really good partbreak. It's a viable playstyle if you need to either get specific resources by breaking body parts, are learning the monster's move-set, *or need to keep the monster tripped, flinched, and otherwise CC'd*, in addition to being more mobile.

Thank you for adding PC mouse button visuals for us mouse + keyboard users!

Main SA here, very nice guide ! A few things I'd like to add, purely by ego because BloodyWyvarian covered everything truly important -While ZSD you get earplug lvl 4, so if you get one extra point you'll never be canceled by monster's roars. -Element phials give you +45% elemental damage that scales MULTIPLICATIVELY with elements skills (Safi/jewels), you can easily get over 1000 element late game. -I did it for fun, but going full elemental is counterproductive considering how elemental damage is not affected by motion values and since SA's MV are relatively high, it gets more often that not overstepped by full raw or hybrid builds. -If you disregard what I said right above (and you should) know that ZSD has nerfed elemental damages, it would seem logical that small instances of damages are where elemental damages thrive, but capcom also thought so and nerfed it. -Power prolonger is maybe not the best of the best dps wise, but it is the comfiest. -With superarmor mantle, health regen augment (late game) and ZSD, you can tank more than a lance user (allegedly). -You can get amped state on dead monsters if I remember well. -The secondary hits of amp state are bugged (don't tell me it was intended) as such as it procs on allies and deal small aoe damage, if you get stacked with allies and adversaries, you'll deal tons of secondary hits and tons of DPS. This is the only weapon that give you an advantage to focusing the same part as your pals. Go screw your hammer user friend on the head. -He lied about you best combo, use the axe rising slash on your friends to send them flying on the back of monsters to trigger a mount, THAT is your best move.

Love the "You've seen the title let's get right into it" My favourite kind of content. Subbed immediately

I've played around 400 hours of Switch Axe, looked at a few guides, but always got lost. This is fantastic, I would highly recommend this for any new and experienced S/A player, within the first 5 minutes I already have information I can use to better my playstyle

The “rolling is bad for your spine” really did it for me 😂

Thank you for including mouse and keyboard controls

Switch axe is my main weapon! When I picked it up in World; yes its my first Monster Hunter. I fell in love with it! If im struggling with a monster while using any other weapon, I can always rely on the swaxe to pull me through. Swaxe Insect Glaive Gun Lance Hammer Long Sword The weapons im most comfortable using, and have the most fun with. Also why'd I watch this video if I'm already good with swaxe? Theres always room for improvement! So good video!

fox invictus got some video on wether focus is worth it or not and...it isnt The big advantage of not releasing the zsd early is that the final explosion is stronger. And that can be important if one is aiming for partbreaks since in a zsd only the last explosion got a good pb modifier. So if you e.g. want to break fattys face...aim for a full zsd if the window allows it

Thank you for this, it was educational. Switch axe is the last weapon I'm picking up

Thanks for the video. I main Horn, am Interested in trying Switch Axe for main damage dealing. btw, is Blast good for this weap? lol

nearly 2 thousand hours in world and I didn't know that optimal DPS AXE mode combo. Thanks for the tip. I knew everything else though. I'm a MHFU vet btw, switch axe is just the most stylish and fun, I hope they bring back the counter in MHWilds. My second favorite Switch axe is striker style switch axe, basic as hell moveset, but your 3 boosting Hunter art make all your attacks murder in sword mode with unlimited guage.

You could lump most controller buttons together by refering to button positions rather than button labels (i.e. up-face button, down-face button).

great tutorial for beginners and old players alike, straight to the point and no bs.

I'm quite sure that heavy slam actually has more motion value than the 2nd hit of the morph sweep, it's also easy to aim for the 2nd hit of heavy slam (About the same distance as aiming a hammer wakeup) and if you miss there's no third hit to mess up the wakeup and you can just do it again.

Wow I’m unbelievably happy I stumbled upon this video. I’ve been playing through Iceborne and wasn’t vibing with any of the weapons I’d tried so far. Swaxe looked super cool but I needed some sort of direction to start using it properly. This guide was on point and I’m looking forward to future ones. Also I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought this weapon felt way better with Evade Window lmao

I love this weapon. Started using it in 3 ultimate on Wii U and I’m never gonna stop. I love especially what they did with it in rise. I hope Wilds retains a lot of that design.

1200 hours in MHIB, and countless hours on many other MH games. I've never played switch ax, but want to try it. I've been in the training room trying to get down some basic combos. this helps a lot, specially when my buttons are all setup for other games, and I lost my MH setup, and cant even fire the wristrocket rt now.

Huh, all this while I thought the power slam was the attack to use when waking a mons up. Thanks for correcting me!

I just want to thank you for getting into it and not 2min intro. ❤

Nice video.. and yes I totally agree. Swaxe in rise is golden. TBH all weapons in rise are golden but that’s another topic 😄 Let me guess you are Ze German right ? 😜 Coming back to world after 600 hours on rise/sunbreak and somehow swaxe feels like … a little incomplete.

fantastic video

thats what I like about Switch axe, the highest dps isnt anything complicated. Its basically activate sword, cut them down. It has all these interesting axe moves, wild swing, heavy slam, and zsd clutch, or plain ol sword zsd and switch moves..., which new players may not really discover right away, but ending up doing the best is very simple. Even if you dont get that exact chain, like sword mode A spam, or sword mode Y spam, it will still do very high dmg. Its quite similar to dual blades( thats even more simple and begginer friendly). I came from being frustrated w greatsword, 20 minute hunts, not always landing the super move... to 15 immediately, then 10 min soon enough, w a weapon change.

sadly focus isnt as effective to be an alternative to power prolonger but the added gauge generation at lv3 can be nice for a sword only playstyle

Never been a swagaxe user but have been looking into other types so I can be a jack of all trades type hunter

Alright, I've got a dodge problem to sort out. Ya'know the explosions that Safi sets off in the 2nd and 3rd phases? Specifically, the ones where stay closer to the body. Do I gotta commit to going full evade window and extender to make it through those explosions or am I just destined to eat those attacks every time I commit?

Hey, I'm kinda confused here, does charging your axe increase the partbreak and stagger damage for both sword and axe or only when it's in axe mode?

Good video

Ok I have a question about the highest damage hit being the one from the axe>sword morph combo. I keep seeing this mentioned everywhere, but when hitting targets in the training area, the big slam after wild swings is doing more damage. Am i missing something or not understanding how it works?

i learnt recently that you can reload mid air and its much faster and actually worth doing in a lot situations

The first thing, no, big explosion zsd is the best so always do it. Second, first time learning there is claw attack after discharge. Nice.

I am playing with dual blades and it is really good weapon and very high dps. Just need to know monster patterns. It is not easy but not that hard.

Thank you for including MnK controls

Make one for the insect glaive

How does power elemental phials work? I cant really find any detailed information on it

Focus is really broken with a power phial ZsD builds, trust me. (Its also comboed a lot within the 4+ Deco´s so ur not really missing out on slots most of the time. I get top Dps within 90% of my hunts)

Any chance someone has condensed these combos into a Google Sheet? I just picked MHW up on PC after playing to HR 100 on XBone but never going through the Iceborne DLC, and this is the push I needed to try Switch Axe. Bow was great but making eight builds and dodge spamming arrows got old after awhile, and Lsword was SUPER fun on Rise but I miss my silkbind attacks on MHW. I've been bouncing between this, Charge Blade, and Great Sword, but every time I try GS I feel so clunky and useless, CB is an eventual goal as it was my starting weapon up to HR 6 but I eventually dropped it for bow. Switch Axe has just always looked so fun to play, I just never really knew where to start and always hear mixed things about it. Messing around in training with this though, I think I'm gonna enjoy it a lot

Hands down best Switchaxe guide on the whole ass interwebs!! Thank you very much good sir for the knowledge.

Really like rocket gunlance in sunbreak . Now playing mhw and switch axe the only weapon im good at . Idk why but im still bad at it

What skill do you think best in combination with switch axe on High rank?

Love the constant mentioning of keyboard&mouse buttons

The manual reload is actually pretty good in a few circumstances. > If you do manual reload in the air it takes a lot less time. > If an enemy is about to hit you with something you can't really avoid, you can do a manual reload just before getting hit. The reload happens near the start of the animation and the enemy will just hit you out of it. > Speaking about aerial moves, you can do the elemental discharge straight from axe mode into sword mode (same button combination but in air). If amped state is active, you can go straight into a zero sum discharge (and a faster one too since it latches on instantly and starts up faster). Now that last one isn't all that useful to be honet. It can be useful if you're fight near the edge with an unsheathed weapon. But most of the time your weapon is probably sheathed if you're in a situation when you can jump an enemy. Honestly no idea why Capcom didn't just allow players to do it straight from sheathed state and they didn't fix this in Rise either. They allow the GS to just jump from sheathed straight into a charged aerial, yet not this. It's a good move if you ever get the opportunity to use it, but Capcom basically designed to the move in such a way you'll rarely have a chance to use it.

I need some help evading alatreon, i feel like there r very few defensives against his massive dps

I thought B Y B Y was the highest dps combo while in amped state of course

I will never let go of ZSD early

How do I do the heavy, everytime I do the wild swing 3 times my guy doesn’t power up or anything

I reaaaallly wanna play switch axe - but i REALLLLLYY dislike the bug when going zero sum thingy - Suddenly I cant controle my character at random times and need to shake him out of it. Unless that bug gets fixed i wont go back to it.

What's next sensei?

Not having damage numbers hurts me

>:o telling me to release ZSD before it finishes is like telling me to release a TCS without max charge. small pp energy

Last Tip is Blasphemy 😂

the weapons confusing, how does changing its shape make the weapon heavier, also the axe should be the less mobile one due to where most of the weight on the weapon is, but other than that, who cares its a game don't need logic ig

The last tip needed more time bro. You have sauce and ran off

if any new player to the mh series is reading this. skip switch axe in world and use it in rise if you like the weapon. though i like world more than rise as a game, sa feels much better in rise.