Have they completely changed ALL the Blademaster weapons?

[The Debauchery]

I don't generally truck with bladey weapons in general since I kinda pride myself on being a Gunner. But alas I've learnt there are things I need to do Arena to unlock, and Rathian's Arena Hunt has no Gunner weapons (harsh prejudice against Gunners there) nor IG.
But so far every bladey weapon I've tried (IG, CB and SA) has had a major overstep problem, and none of the combos I practiced in the training grounds actually work in combat for some reason. Possibly because of weird context-sensitive inputs involving the left analog stick.
What I mean is that every attack seems to take me out past the monster. So I constantly have to stop and turn back around 180 degrees. It never used to do this in any of the previous games so I'm seriously puzzled. I used to be quite good with CB and IG in World but now it feels like I'm just flailing uselessly at the air because my hunter is constantly running past the monster.... and then the monster disappears because they're too close to the camera.
I noticed that Rise changed quite a lot before, but not to this extent. The only weapon I felt Rise completely ruined was the Insect Glaive. The version we have now seems closer to World's IG, but it has that annoying overstep and the ground combos are nigh impossible to pull off consistently.

Anyhow... I expect a lot of mockery from bladeys... but I do want to know: do ALL bladey weapons overstep now? Has it become impossible to just stand still and attack on the spot? Is there no choice but to flail about like a drunken Kecha-Wacha?

(Plus I don't really get what Focus Mode does since I don't use it with Gunner weps, but I noticed CB at least has a weird move that is only accessible in Focus).

[Ratkon]

Wait, how do you aim your gun if you don't use focus mode?

[The Debauchery]

Originally posted by Ratkon:

Wait, how do you aim your gun if you don't use focus mode?

You're a bladey, aren't you?
LT isn't Focus Mode with Gunner weapons. It is Aim Mode, which is used for Aiming, and has been LT's function since World. Before that it was on another button. I think it was RB in the old games, funnily enough.
RB is now the Focus Mode button for Gunners... though it is basically useless for Bowguns and not exactly super important for Bow.


In any case, I've discovered that Dual Blades are pretty good now.

[RotGoblin]

If every attack is taking you out passed the monster, you're probably holding Focus Mode too much.

The same attack without Focus Mode may move forward one to two steps, holding Focus Mode and executing the same attack you could move forward 5-6 steps.

It's quite the difference.

So you need to get into the habit of only using Focus Mode when you need to fine tune your aim, OR intentionally using it to move around a monster slightly more.

Using Charge Blade in Savage Axe mode I am almost entirely in Focus Mode and holding down the buttons for long pizza cutter slices with a step through, then dodge the attack, focus slice, dodge, focus slice... and I'm just dancing in and around the monster.

When in Sword Mode with charge blade, I rarely use Focus Mode at all unless I really need to make up some ground on the monster. I actually use the Focus Strike quite a lot just because it makes a fairly large leap forward, so it's a very useful repositional tool when I'm in Axe Mode to make ground up without losing out on DPS.

[The Debauchery]

Originally posted by TrashGoblin:

If every attack is taking you out passed the monster, you're probably holding Focus Mode too much.

The same attack without Focus Mode may move forward one to two steps, holding Focus Mode and executing the same attack you could move forward 5-6 steps.

It's quite the difference.

Is 0 too much? As far as I'm aware I've not used Focus Mode in battle at all.
I think it would be more correct to say I have no memory of consciously having held nor pressed any buttons associated with Focus Mode, but since I hold LT all the time with my usual weapons, I wouldn't put it past my muscle memory to trick me. But as far as I'm aware, I haven't used Focus Mode outside of the Training Area.

Using Charge Blade in Savage Axe mode I am almost entirely in Focus Mode and holding down the buttons for long pizza cutter slices with a step through, then dodge the attack, focus slice, dodge, focus slice... and I'm just dancing in and around the monster.

I don't even know how to Savage Axe Mode any more. In World it involved charging up the shield until it spun or something. It was super easy there. In Rise / Sunbreak it was completely different and a bit of a pain to even use. Right now I've no idea how to even make it work.

[Ratkon]

Originally posted by The Debauchery:

Originally posted by Ratkon:

Wait, how do you aim your gun if you don't use focus mode?

You're a bladey, aren't you?
LT isn't Focus Mode with Gunner weapons. It is Aim Mode, which is used for Aiming, and has been LT's function since World. Before that it was on another button. I think it was RB in the old games, funnily enough.
RB is now the Focus Mode button for Gunners... though it is basically useless for Bowguns and not exactly super important for Bow.


In any case, I've discovered that Dual Blades are pretty good now.

No I main LBG. Focus mode and Aim mode are the same thing in this game. RB does your Focus mode attack. I only asked since I thought there may have been an alternate way to aim that I didn’t know of like auto locking on the mon or something.

[The Debauchery]

Originally posted by Ratkon:

No I main LBG. Focus mode and Aim mode are the same thing in this game. RB does your Focus mode attack. I only asked since I thought there may have been an alternate way to aim that I didn’t know of like auto locking on the mon or something.

I main Bow. RB is Focus Mode. LT is Aim Mode. The attack is performed while IN Focus Mode in each case. Aim Mode and Focus Mode are not the same thing, though bladey Focus Mode is at least equivalent to Gunner Aim Mode.
But in case you're wondering, it IS possible to hip-fire some weapons. I had to hip-fire my Bow almost exclusively back in MHGU, so I got quite used to it. Similarly it was easier to hip-fire LBG and HBG in MH3U. The aim mode was more Bow-friendly back then for some reason.

I don't use the Target Cam FYI. It screws with Aim Mode now and ruins multi-target engagements. I mean it tries to turn itself on at the start of every single hunt but I just deactivate it every time.

[RotGoblin]

Originally posted by The Debauchery:

I don't even know how to Savage Axe Mode any more. In World it involved charging up the shield until it spun or something. It was super easy there. In Rise / Sunbreak it was completely different and a bit of a pain to even use. Right now I've no idea how to even make it work.

You need to either Perfect Block follow by an attack, which enables Savage Axe.

Or if you can't get a block off, Focus Strike a wound. Successfully Focus Striking a wound enables Savage Axe.

So they actually simplified it quite a lot. Charging up the shield increases Savage Axe damage, ofc, and having filled vials means imparting more damage, etc etc, but just getting into SA mode is simpler now.

Going for Seikret mount, into Y+B / Triangle+Circle jumping strike, two of those generally gets you into your first mount, and from there you can easily get a Focus Strike off.

Edit.

Originally posted by The Debauchery:

I main Bow. RB is Focus Mode. LT is Aim Mode. The attack is performed while IN Focus Mode in each case. Aim Mode and Focus Mode are not the same thing, though bladey Focus Mode is at least equivalent to Gunner Aim Mode.

Not quite, LT is focus mode now for all weapons, it just doubles as your standard aim mode for ranged weapons. RB is Focus Strike.

[The Debauchery]

Originally posted by TrashGoblin:

You need to either Perfect Block follow by an attack, which enables Savage Axe.

I can't block at all, much less Perfect Block. I haven't been able to do that sort of thing consistently in any game besides Dark Souls 3, and that was only because I forced myself to do a Parry challenge run. I can only use the shield at all with HBG because it auto-blocks, and I had to give up trying to play HBG evasively.

Or if you can't get a block off, Focus Strike a wound. Successfully Focus Striking a wound enables Savage Axe.

.... I don't know what "focus striking" is and I guess I'd have to deactivate the mod that hides wounds because I got sick of all the red glowy. I'll give it a try though. Asgard knows I've no hope of ever perfect blocking anything. Just hold LT and attack or something?

So they actually simplified it quite a lot. Charging up the shield increases Savage Axe damage, ofc, and having filled vials means imparting more damage, etc etc, but just getting into SA mode is simpler now.

I'd rather have a predictable sequence of button-presses, personally.

Originally posted by TrashGoblin:

Not quite, LT is focus mode now for all weapons, it just doubles as your standard aim mode for ranged weapons. RB is Focus Strike.

RB is undoubtedly Focus Mode for Gunner weapons. I mean you hold it down and it zooms Bowguns in, while bringing up a big circle for Bow. The Focus Shot doesn't happen until you let go of the button.

[Ratkon]

Originally posted by The Debauchery:

Originally posted by Ratkon:

No I main LBG. Focus mode and Aim mode are the same thing in this game. RB does your Focus mode attack. I only asked since I thought there may have been an alternate way to aim that I didn’t know of like auto locking on the mon or something.

I main Bow. RB is Focus Mode. LT is Aim Mode. The attack is performed while IN Focus Mode in each case. Aim Mode and Focus Mode are not the same thing, though bladey Focus Mode is at least equivalent to Gunner Aim Mode.
But in case you're wondering, it IS possible to hip-fire some weapons. I had to hip-fire my Bow almost exclusively back in MHGU, so I got quite used to it. Similarly it was easier to hip-fire LBG and HBG in MH3U. The aim mode was more Bow-friendly back then for some reason.

I don't use the Target Cam FYI. It screws with Aim Mode now and ruins multi-target engagements. I mean it tries to turn itself on at the start of every single hunt but I just deactivate it every time.

Ok, I get what you’re saying. They both technically do the same thing though, highlight wounds and allow you to aim your weapon and use your Focus Mode Attack (RB/R1)

Aim/Focus Mode Controls in options
Melee Weapons - LT to Activate Mode
Ranged Weapons - LT to Activate Mode

[Malthar]

Originally posted by The Debauchery:

Originally posted by Ratkon:

No I main LBG. Focus mode and Aim mode are the same thing in this game. RB does your Focus mode attack. I only asked since I thought there may have been an alternate way to aim that I didn’t know of like auto locking on the mon or something.

I main Bow. RB is Focus Mode. LT is Aim Mode. The attack is performed while IN Focus Mode in each case. Aim Mode and Focus Mode are not the same thing, though bladey Focus Mode is at least equivalent to Gunner Aim Mode.
But in case you're wondering, it IS possible to hip-fire some weapons. I had to hip-fire my Bow almost exclusively back in MHGU, so I got quite used to it. Similarly it was easier to hip-fire LBG and HBG in MH3U. The aim mode was more Bow-friendly back then for some reason.

I don't use the Target Cam FYI. It screws with Aim Mode now and ruins multi-target engagements. I mean it tries to turn itself on at the start of every single hunt but I just deactivate it every time.

Left trigger is focus mode for all weapons.
Yes it lets you aim your gun but its still called focus mode in this game.

[RotGoblin]

Originally posted by The Debauchery:

.... I don't know what "focus striking" is and I guess I'd have to deactivate the mod that hides wounds because I got sick of all the red glowy. I'll give it a try though. Asgard knows I've no hope of ever perfect blocking anything. Just hold LT and attack or something?

Holding LT and pushing RB, you perform a Focus Strike, if the Focus Strike hits a wound then it does a special move and often flinches a Monster.

Focus Strikes are pretty important for Charge Blade, Switch Axe and Insect Glaive.

[The Debauchery]

Originally posted by Ratkon:

Ok, I get what you’re saying. They both technically do the same thing though, highlight wounds and allow you to aim your weapon and use your Focus Mode Attack (RB/R1)

I got a bit curious about what you said there regarding "highlight wounds".
I switched the mod off that hides the wound glow and confirmed.... sure enough... they only glow when I'm aiming. I'd never really noticed before that they don't glow when not aiming. I'd got so sick of the unrealistic glow that I'd used a mod to deactivate it.

But that at least explains why Aim Mode is so messed up in this game and links up to the Target Cam. I got so sick of trying to aim at another monster or trying to grab slinger ammo and suddenly having my camera jerked away from what I'm trying to target back to the monster. I searched through all the options to find a way to turn that off, but couldn't find it. I searched through the Nexus for any mod that would let me deactivate it but couldn't find one of those either. Now I have to settle for pressing RT every hunt to deselect the monster and having no target cam at all because the damned thing can't behave itself.
I really need to learn how to Lua script so I can make a mod to deactivate core game functions....

Originally posted by TrashGoblin:

Holding LT and pushing RB, you perform a Focus Strike, if the Focus Strike hits a wound then it does a special move and often flinches a Monster.

Focus Strikes are pretty important for Charge Blade, Switch Axe and Insect Glaive.

Oh... so that is why that thing was behaving so inconsistently. I guess it must have changed when it hit a wound. I thought there had to be some sort of trick to it but I couldn't work out what it was.

[AurumHawke]

Originally posted by The Debauchery:

Anyhow... I expect a lot of mockery from bladeys... but I do want to know: do ALL bladey weapons overstep now? Has it become impossible to just stand still and attack on the spot? Is there no choice but to flail about like a drunken Kecha-Wacha?

(Plus I don't really get what Focus Mode does since I don't use it with Gunner weps, but I noticed CB at least has a weird move that is only accessible in Focus).

Focus Strike (CB's is called "Double Rend") is the only CB attack exclusive to Focus Mode, but Focus Mode does remove the previous-action requirement on the existing (World) Sword Fade and new Axe Fade attacks.

Originally posted by TrashGoblin:

The same attack without Focus Mode may move forward one to two steps, holding Focus Mode and executing the same attack you could move forward 5-6 steps.

This is more likely the Fade attacks or ED1's Step version. Depending on how close to the monster and how its limbs move, it could also include rubberbanding or curving the attack's steps around it.
Without direction inputs CB just moves slightly forward and backwards (overall - some moves go crazy), regardless of Focus Mode - roughly the same as World.

Turning while attacking was heavily reduced or removed to accommodate Focus Mode 360-turns.
Other than those CB is still very close to World/Rise and largely unaffected by Focus Mode.
Except that it disables Morph-Draw attacks.

[The Debauchery]

Originally posted by AurumHawke:

Focus Strike (CB's is called "Double Rend") is the only CB attack exclusive to Focus Mode, but Focus Mode does remove the previous-action requirement on the existing (World) Sword Fade and new Axe Fade attacks.

Hmm.... not entirely sure I understand what you mean, but the "fade" attacks are the ones with analog stick input, right? Like sidesteps and stuff. I kinda wish they weren't in the game, but I can see how people might like them if they were used to them. Maybe they should have been tied to the evade button instead of attacks. They just screw up normal combos if tied to attacks.
So... are you saying that the precise inputs for using those attacks differs between focus and non-focus modes?

This is more likely the Fade attacks or ED1's Step version. Depending on how close to the monster and how its limbs move, it could also include rubberbanding or curving the attack's steps around it.
Without direction inputs CB just moves slightly forward and backwards (overall - some moves go crazy), regardless of Focus Mode - roughly the same as World.

That is problematic. It isn't like I have my thumb pressing the analog stick all the time to move about, but I usually have my thumb ON the stick in case I need to move it. I might have to increase the dead-zone somehow to stop it interpreting subtle pressure as actual input.

Turning while attacking was heavily reduced or removed to accommodate Focus Mode 360-turns.

360-turns? Is that one of those target-cam reliant things?
It sounds like a horrible change though. Would explain why it feels like such a cosmic nuisance to manually control character direction.
I did notice when I was hip-firing the LBG earlier that as long as I keep firing, it keeps going in the same direction regardless of which way the camera is facing. I believe there has always been an option for setting whether it fires the way the character faces or the way the camera faces, but I definitely have it set to camera-direction.... so it struck me as odd that it ignored the camera movement entirely.

[Austii]

Are you trolling?