How do you use the Monster Hunter Wilds Sword and Shield? Often abbreviated to the SnS, this classic medieval setup is the perfect way to ease into Wilds. One of the lighter Monster Hunter weapons, the Sword and Shield lets you dance around monsters to cut and slash through the toughest hides.
The Sword and Shield is an agile Monster Hunter weapon that balances offense and defense, allowing for a far more flexible playstyle than one-note weapons such as the MHW Great Sword. This makes it a great pick for Monster Hunter Wilds beginners who prefer to stay light on their feet in the RPG game. Boasting high damage-per-second, fast recovery times, and highly adaptable combos, the SnS has a deceptively high skill ceiling, so here’s how to master it.
How to use the Monster Hunter Wilds Sword and Shield
The Sword and Shield’s slash-and-bash combos balance precision and brute strength, letting you adapt to a variety of monster encounters. Its standard attack combo is the core component of its moveset. Unlike earlier entries in the series, you can sidestep in either direction during this sequence, letting you dodge attacks and reposition without being forced to disengage from your foe.
This combo is safe and reliable but won’t help you reach the Sword and Shield’s damage plateau. That’s where the Charged Chop comes in. This brand-new attack is ideal for breaking parts thanks to its multi-hit sequence, which you can incorporate into a powerful Spinning Reaper. It also disregards monster hitboxes beyond the initial hit, so you’ll still inflict the full sequence damage even if you overshoot your leap.
The Metsu Shoryugeki has also made an auspicious return, which should delight any longtime Sword and Shield mains. Now known as Focus Strike, this finisher launches you into the air for a multi-hit plunging attack that inflicts a KO upon contact with a monster’s head. It’s effective, flashy, and puts you in an excellent position to mount a monster and easily inflict a wound.
Guarding isn’t a prerequisite to performing a backstep this time around thanks to Monster Hunter Wilds focus mode, which lets you quickly disengage and then segue into Perfect Rush. This combo requires more careful positioning than Charged Chop, but it’s a relentless sequence perfect for wounds and weak spots. You can also consume potions and powders without being forced to sheathe your sword, making this aggressive approach more viable than other weapons
Finally, while the Sword and Shield’s moveset includes several shield attacks, any elemental effects you add to this weapon only apply to your sword. Keep this in mind if you’re partial to status effect DoT builds.
Monster Hunter Wilds Sword and Shield moveset
Here are all the moves and combos for the Sword and Shield:
- Chop: A basic slash attack you can chain up to four times. This combo sequence comprises Chop, Side Slash, Diagonal Rising Slash, and Diagonal Chop.
- Shield Bash: A basic shield attack that can inflict stun. Remain stationary to perform a Lateral Slash instead.
- Advancing Slash: An upward slash with forward mobility.
- Roundslash: A mid-range slash that lets you change direction. Combine with Lateral Slash to perform a Spinning Reaper combo attack.
- Charged Chop: A charged leap attack that plunges your sword downwards into a monster multiple times.
- Backstep: A defensive move that forces distance between yourself and your target.
- Charged Slash: An optional follow-up leaping attack after a backstep.
- Perfect Rush: An optional follow-up charge attack after a backstep.
Jumping Slash / Falling Bash: Airborne attacks from your sword and shield. - Guard: Standard defensive shield. Perform a perfect guard to riposte with a Counter Slash.
- Sliding Swipe: An evasive move that can be employed to quickly close the distance or dodge out of the way of a monster.
- Focus Strike – Vital Stab: A powerful stab attack effective against wounds or weak points with an optional chain into an Upswing Bash and Falling Strike.
Now that you know how to use the Sword and Shield, prepare for the next Monster Hunter Wilds beta with our complete bestiary of MHW monsters. Alternatively, embrace your inner archer with the Monster Hunter Wilds Bow and brush up on MHW crossplay ahead of launch.