Monster Hunter Wilds: Charge Blade Guide

Among all the weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds, the Charge Blade is among the most complex due to its constant weapon switching to maximize damage. Yet, like all other gear in the game, a bit of practice is enough to learn the correct timing of attacks.

The variety of attacks that the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds offers, along with new mechanics like the Focus Mode, make it a versatile choice that can inflict high damage when used well. Also, with the right upgrades, it becomes stronger.

The commands for this text are based on Xbox and may vary depending on the platform.

How To Use The Charge Blade In Monster Hunter Wilds

The first thing that every Charge Blade user in Monster Hunter Wilds should remember is the need to switch between its two modes: Sword and Axe. The weapon does not perform well if hunters rely on only one style, since that reduces damage potential and disrupts other combos.

This happens because the weapon uses a mechanic called Phial, which affects attacks in each mode, and players must know the exact moment to switch Charge Blade modes. Ideally, its gameplay loop starts with the Sword until the Phials are full, then switches to the Axe to take advantage of that buff and deal more damage.

Differences Between Sword And Axe Mode

By default, combat with the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds starts with the Sword and Shield, which has low damage but remains essential. Its purpose is not to cause high damage but to use its mobility and blocking capability to land strikes that fill the Phials.

While the Sword mode of the Charge Blade offers mobility and low damage, the Axe mode is the opposite. It uses slower attacks, but they hit hard when the weapon has Phials loaded or is in Powered-Up state. Otherwise, it should be avoided.

To switch from Sword to Axe mode, it is necessary to block with the shield and then press Y, though it is also possible by pressing Y+B during a Shield Thrust.

Understanding The Charge Blade Phials

Charge Blade phials are crucial to its performance. When attacking in Sword mode, the phial gauge under the stamina bar gradually fills, so it is important to track it and note these color indicators:

• Yellow: Indicates that half the Phials can be loaded.
• Red: All Phials are ready to load.
• Overcharged: ​Continuing to attack without reloading will cause strikes to deflect off the monster, reducing damage. However, it’s better to wait for the Overcharged Phial, as it deals more damage.

To load these, press RT+B. After the animation, the Phials become ready for Axe mode, so anyone wanting to master the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds should watch this mechanic. It is easy to notice because the sword glows in different colors according to the Phial charge.

The Two Types Of Phial

• Elemental Phial: Deals higher elemental damage when the Charge Blade is in Axe mode, ideal for those who want a playstyle centered on SAED.
• Impact Phial: Boosts physical damage to the Axe and allows its strikes to knock out monsters.

The choice of Phial affects the playstyle directly, so newcomers to Monster Hunter Wilds should try each type.

How To Charge The Charge Blade In Monster Hunter Wilds

The Phials of this weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds are not exclusive to the Axe, and they can be used at other times to maximize the potential of the Charge Blade set. However, executing them is more complex than usual:

How To Charge The Shield In Monster Hunter Wilds

• With phials loaded, press Y + B to perform an Amped Elemental Discharge (AED).
• During the animation, press RT when hearing a click. This cancels the AED and triggers the Elemental Roundslash, which charges the shield. Players can also hold B when loading phials with RT + B to activate this mode.
• A charged shield increases defense and strengthens Axe attacks.

Sword is the only way to charge the Phials of the Charge Blade.

How To Charge The Sword In Monster Hunter Wilds

• With the shield charged, press RT + B to load the phials.
• Hold Y until the shield compresses, then release for a strike that charges the sword.
• A charged sword adds extra damage to hits.

How To Charge The Axe In Monster Hunter Wilds

• The Axe can be Powered-Up without depending on the other two weapons.
• However, it only charges in two situations. The first is by performing a Perfect Guard and then pressing Y, or by using a Focus Attack on a wound.
• A Powered-Up Axe gains new moves, like holding the attack button for multiple hits, also known as the Savage Axe.

For newcomers to Monster Hunter Wilds, this may seem confusing. The important detail is that the shield must be energized by the Phials first, and only then should the sword be charged. Meanwhile, the sword keeps its bonuses even if the shield loses power.

Perfect Guard And Guard Points

Another factor that makes the Charge Blade more complex is its Perfect Guard and Guard Points, which require precise timing. The window for these actions is short, so practice is necessary to execute them at the right moment.

A Perfect Guard must be performed when blocking with the shield at the exact time an enemy strikes, which cancels damage and reduces recoil. It also uses less stamina, and a successful Perfect Guard lets players activate the Savage Axe right away, increasing damage with the axe.

Guard Points are simpler yet tricky, since they occur at specific frames of an attack animation where the hunter positions the shield to block. They do not share the same effects as a Perfect Guard, but let combat flow without disruptions.

Best Combos For Charge Blade In Monster Hunter Wilds

Tips And Tricks For The Charge Blade In Monster Hunter Wilds

Focus Mode Is The Best Way To Activate The Savage Axe

Using the Focus Mode after wounding the creature in Monster Hunter Wilds is the best way to trigger the Savage Axe quickly. Charge Blade users should exploit this to inflict maximum damage.

Use The Axe Mode Only With Phials

Though the Sword may seem low on damage in Monster Hunter Wilds, it is crucial to switch to it and keep the Phials loaded. Only with fully loaded Phials in the axe can the weapon reach its maximum damage potential.

Practice The Perfect Guard

Like other gear in Monster Hunter Wilds, timing is key, and the Charge Blade excels at that. Even if that means taking more hits at first, it is vital to get used to the timing of the Perfect Guard, since it is one of the weapon’s main mechanics and enables easier combo execution.