How do you use the Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword? This popular weapon is effectively a giant katana, so it should be no surprise that it’s been a popular choice throughout the series for monster-slaying beginners and experts alike.
The Long Sword is an ideal Monster Hunter Wilds weapon for players who pride themselves on pulling off lengthy combos and counters in the RPG game. It’s received some fantastic changes in Monster Hunter Wilds, including a revamped Spirit Gauge mechanic that fosters a more aggressive approach. Its extensive moveset and enormous skill ceiling can be pretty intimidating, so let us walk you through how to wield the Long Sword.
How to use the Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword
True to its name, the Long Sword is long. It might not have the range of a MHWilds Bow, but it’s an exceptional poke stick with enough mobility to let you dodge in and out of close-quarters combat. However, to master the Long Sword you first need to master its Spirit Gauge.
Beginning with your basic Overhead Slash, follow through combo sequences to turn the gauge red and access more powerful attacks. While most Spirit Blade attacks expend the gauge, Spirit Roundslash will be your go-to move to replenish it, ensuring you stay empowered for longer. You can also time your Iai Spirit Slash to counter an attacking monster.
Iai moves are powerful and can help you max out your Spirit Gauge in a short amount of time. However, they also demand enough experience to anticipate an attack and avoid interruptions during the Special Sheathe’s lengthy animation. Once you’re familiar with a specific monster’s moveset, start to incorporate Spirit Charge into your rotation. This stance has a short delay to contend with, but it gives you immediate access to your most powerful Spirit attacks.
The Monster Hunter Wilds focus mode grants the Long Sword even more precision, letting you aim thrust attacks to exploit wounds and weak points. Take advantage of Spirit Helm Breaker for some welcome verticality, and follow it up with the Spirit Release Slash to knock your foe off-balance.
The Long Sword isn’t able to guard against monster attacks, which makes it a high-risk, high-reward weapon. It has decent mobility, and you always have access to the built-in dodge attached to the Foresight Slash and Lateral Fade Slash if you can’t reliably land a counter.
Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword moveset
Here are all the moves and combos for the Long Sword:
- Overhead Slash: A vertical chop that can be chained up to two times, with an optional follow-up horizontal Crescent Slash.
- Crimson Slash: A powerful alternate attack to Overhead Slash, only available with a fully charged Spirit Gauge.
- Thrust: A forward jab with an optional Rising Slash follow-up attack.
- Lateral Fade Slash: A diagonal slash and quick dodge to the left.
- Spirit Step Slash: A transitional attack that lets you jump from Lateral Fade Slash to Spirit Blade III.
- Spirit Blade: Expend your Spirit Gauge to perform a powerful sequence of aggressive slashes.
- Spirit Roundslash: The last attack in the Spirit Blade combo. Successfully landing this attack increases the Spirit Gauge by one.
- Foresight Slash: A backward dodge followed by a rapid forward strike.
- Special Sheathe: A preparatory stance that grants you access to Iai moves.
- Iai Slash: Two quick forward slashes that slowly replenish the Spirit Gauge.
- Iai Spirit Slash: An aggressive whirling attack that can transition into Spirit Roundslash.
- Spinning Crimson Slash: A powerful forward leap attack after performing a Spirit Blade combo that’s only available with a fully charged Spirit Gauge.
- Spirit Thrust: A charging thrust attack that you can chain into a Spirit Helm Breaker.
- Spirit Release Slash: A spinning follow-up to the Spirit Helm Breaker that can hit at mid-range. This consumes two Spirit Gauge levels, but a successful hit refills it.
- Spirit Charge: Fills the Spirit Gauge to access Spirit Blade III and Spirit Roundslash after a short delay.
- Focus Strike – Unbound Thrust: A powerful forward thrust effective against wounds or weak points with an optional finisher.
Now that you’re prepared to use the Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword, set up for your next hunt with our list of all the MHWilds monsters. We’ve also got comprehensive breakdowns of the MHWilds Lance and MHWilds Sword and Shield if you can’t get enough of melee combat, or you can get to grips with the MHWilds Light Bowgun for something completely different.