Any switch axe pro's out there?

[Mare/\thyu]

So recently I have been having a tour of all the weapons lately; I mained mostly bow before iceborne came out, but since then, I would say that I have mastered the Insect Glaive, Hunting Horn, Longsword and this past week, the Charge blade.

One weapon I was always curious about was the switch axe: I have attempted to use it many times, but I never felt very comfortable or very confident using one.

I was wondering if anyone could me give any tips or insights to using the switch axe. It can be anything from tricks, opinions, insights to game plans, don't hesitate to write anything, I'm really interested in what you have to say!

[neogeno]

Heres a guide on how to best to use switch axes moves for evading and positioning.

Theres a new overhead backswing attack for axe mode in iceborne that isn't present in this video. It is a gamechanger from what it used to be and really helps with positioning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sytHraOzHDc

[Master Bates]

Switch Axe is kind of the part break. By tapping O you go into a repeated swing animation which drains stamina: this is your "I'm going to F up your day" move. When you do it long enough and push an attack button, your axe blade will glow. While glowing it does extra impact damage used to stun and break parts way easier. It also unleashes two overhead attacks that do insane damage and part break.

So you charge the Axe then go ham with attacks. That's your bread & butter.

Now, the monster is down. What do I do? You get up to it and begin the circle combo again, except this time you push a trigger button after the 3rd/4th hit. This initiates a spin whose SECOND attack is your STRONGEST in all of the moves you have. This is not only your "wake up" monster move, it's your big "single" damage when a monster is down.

However, it won't end there. Switch Axe is a kind at DPS(tournament winner) for a reason.

After the second OP swing you switch into "sword mode" here your movement is very limited(basically axe mode for CB) but your damage skyrockets with combo potential. You go ham on the monster until the blade glows. Now once its glowing you'll be tempted to use the "Michael Bay move" elemental discharge. Don't. While your blade glows your dealing extra damage to the monster through phials.

Keep bringing the pain. Once it begins to get up, go right up to his face and initiate elemental discharge. You'll climb onto its head and unleash enough explosions to make Michael Bay's transformers look like a kindergarten science class demonstration.

Now, when your on the monsters head using ED you need to make a decision: "Can I unleash my full combo or should I end early" that is at your discretion. If you feel like the monster will roar and you have no mantle, or move in a way to knock you off, let the explosion look earlier then repeat the process again.

Bam, now your dealing damage like a champ.

Final notice: SA has a new "movement" option in the for of its back sweep attack. You can initiate it after an attack. It flips you backwards and will not only hit things over you, but will help you move from harm's way like a rathlos about to barf a fireball at the ground. You can also slinger burst during the Axe sweep combo to try to stun a monster or end the combo early if in danger.

[Pelikan]

I suggest you watch videos of very good players on youtube like Ryoko for example, because it is difficult to describe in a forum.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M5BPob-cA5s

Switch Axe is an amazing weapon with a deep moveset but to get the best out of it, you need to be a skilled gamer in general and know the monsters well. I come from the Charge Blade which is an easier weapon but SA is deeper to get the most out of it.

Explore the morph possibilties with each move and repositioning tricks. It takes a lot of practice to choose the best moves that fit any situation.

In Axe mode, a good opener when you have a window and you are running at a monster is Y/ Triangle for stab followed by B/Circle and immediately morph ( dont let the animation finish) for the 4 or 5 hits combo. Roll morph is essential to keep harassing the monster and cover larger distances.

You need to be comfortable with all moves/ combos ending with fade slash ( back stick + B/Circle), it is a crucial evasion move that opens several options and allows to re engage immdiately after it if there is a window with morph to sword mode.

From sword mode you need to be familiar with the move that morphs into axe backward to evade when it is required. That move is also a repositioning trick that is quite important if your combos finish in sword mode.

It is a vast subject really, i am not a master by any means but i am starting to get a grip with it and it is a very rewarding and a very fun ( and powerful) weapon to use.

[Phantom Stranger]

I feel bad for you because you implied that you mastered a weapon in a week... this cannot be done.

Replace mastered with familiarized or proficient.

[Phantom Stranger]

The charge blade is cool but honestly I think switchaxe has some amazing looking weapons and in general I “feel” as if I am doing more dmg to the monster and hitting it more in general with the switchaxe than the chargeblade. I would say the switchaxe to me feels more fluid and the chargeblade feels more fluid but at the same time the chargeblade is more rhythmic due to your pattern of loading phials and charging your shield and then your sword etc whereas you have more fluidity with the switchaxe.

Iceborne really made the switchaxe awesome now with the new axe portion.