Is Switch Axe terrible, or am I terrible?

[WTFantastico]

I'd honestly prefer the latter. Switch Axe feels like a weapon which only spits out comparable DPS when the monster is incapacitated, and even then it seems to fall short of many other weapons. The mobility feels awkward, and having no quick way to disengage during an interaction nor to guard/counter has me taking more hits than I have on other weapons. I've been running the "50 Shades" Barioth event quest with SA and GS, but the ratio of overall DPS is roughly 3:2 in favor of GS, and I find it much easier to stay safe with GS.

Builds for reference:
https://i.imgur.com/sQ3QKOm.png
https://i.imgur.com/9LBqIiZ.png

https://i.imgur.com/CZ8Gtmb.png
https://i.imgur.com/S1Fvbrz.png

I'd obviously love for each weapon to be as viable as the next in terms of DPS (shakes fist at S&S), so I'd like to hear other opinions, or tips on how others play SA.

[Death Shadow27x]

Originally posted by hrz94:

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

Mastering the things mentioned in this video and roll morphs will help you immensely. Also, when you use the last of your sword gauge use a morph slash/switch or morph roll (you can roll in sword mode with no gauge without auto switching back to axe mode if you roll right away) to switch to axe mode while recovering a large amount of sword gauge. If you do this then you only have about 3 or 4 seconds of down time before you can go back to sword mode. If you do not do this then the downtime is about 8 to 10 seconds.

Like most weapons there is usually mandatory skill needed to make the weapons true potential shine or vastly improve it, examples bow charge pulse for bow, or artillery for charge blade and gunlance. The switch axe needs either evade extender 2 or at least evade window 3 to make up for its lack of defenses. Although, evade window is the best choice since it increases the switch axe's only defensive option, evading. Evade window will allow you to faze through most attacks and be far more aggressive then if you didn't have it.

In sword mode do not use double slash unless you know you have enough time to do it because it has animation commitment, its short but still long enough to make you eat it. Instead use the single slashes because they are really quick and you can doge right away after using them.

Do not use ZSD if the monster is down but instead use the triple single slashes into double slash combo, it was buffed in iceborne and is your strongest combo with the most dps. You can use ZSD at the end of the combo when the monster is getting up, and you go into ZSD faster after a double slash. If you don't have much time to combo do the double slash into single slash combo instead, less dps but quicker to complete the combo.

To get amped state quickly do double slash into Heavenward Flurry then Element Discharge into clutch claw attack to get amped state in one go. The other option is double slash into Heavenward Flurry, doge/sidestep then double slash.

The build below is a pre safi jiva build that I used to defeat all tempered elder dragons solo. Just take off one health boost to put one crit eye to get crit eye level 7 and health boost level 2, you won't need more then health boost level 2 anyways.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHunter/comments/dksks8/vaals_blessing_switch_axe_buildset/

Hope this helps you out.

[useless puppy]

Gotta learn the monster, it has an extremely high dps if you learn the monster and learn to stop sitting in sword, axe has extremely good mobility and defensive options and learning how to i-frame will make you insane.

[astranabeat]

I hate it in base game. Now I main it. It is only melee weapon that can deal with flying monsters easily. Amp sword and claw then ZSD them out of the sky.
If you play SA then forget about reaction playstyle ( Ls, Cb, Lance etc) but play it like GS. It's about position and predict monsters moves so you can fade slash away.

[NekoShogun]

I play SA on console like mad. It got a huge buff in iceborne and now is pretty good! I can cut Safi's tail with next to no help from my team.

[Shu]

SA is really powerful but there are a lot of tricks to know to make it work.
Keep working on it, watch videos (the videos linked earlier in the topic about dodging are good to learn), learn to poke, use axe mode to trip and flinch, use sword mode to do damage

[itWazzMe]

Listen here, lad. Ain't nothing better than the Switchiest of Axes, and 'ere's why.

You have an Axe that transforms into a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ sword. What's that? Charge Blade does the same thing? You don't need that ♥♥♥♥♥ ass shield. With the Switchiest of Axes, you don't need a shield, because it's all about that MANLY DEE-PEE-4SS, baby. You got hops. You got rolls. If you get hit, take it like a MAN. I don't care if you're male, female or Gigginox. Hack-and-slash? You're damn right. They don't call this fancy d1ldo the Slash Axe back in Japan for nothin', son.

Having trouble keeping up with that Great Jaggi because you have to sheathe every five seconds? YOU PIECE OF DUNG. You ever seen a Greatsword user slowly plod across the map with his gigantic peni- I mean, sword in hand? Your Sword mode is just as big, so you have to sheathe it, right? WRONG, SUCKER. Roll after that Beastie. Evade Extender will give you the boost your puny chicken legs need to keep up with the monster. Ever wanted to be a Konchu? Well, now you'll be rolling all over the damn place for that sweet, sweet manly DEE-PEE-4SS. And when the monster falls down, what do you do?
You blow your ♥♥♥♥♥♥' load all across their face, that's what. X+A in sword mode for that delicious explosive burst that will take a chunk out of your bar and sharpness, but will also obliterate a pretty part of the monster's body. If you're a bit of a ♥♥♥♥♥ and need to pull out (heh), pull the circle pad back and you'll do a premature e... explosion that doesn't take nearly as long. Nothing is manlier than EXPLOSIONS, except maybe Evade Extender. (GET IT. YOU WUSS)

But it's called the Switch Axe, not the Switch Blade. (Wazzat? Charge Blade? Giggit out of here) That means the Axe is equally as capable as the Sword. You ever used the Axe of the Charge Blade? That thing is slower than a drowsy Basarios. Not this Axe. This Axe is a hurricane, a storm of manly steel, and it has stupidly huge range. Ever wished your little toothpick SnS and Dual Blades could reach that Gravios tail that dangles oh-so-close but just out of reach? AXE MODE, KELB1TCH. That mother bangin is the Deviljho ♥♥♥♥ in a land of Jaggis. Every tail in the game is yours, every one of them (except maybe Fatalis, he's a bastard). And what happens when you upswing a teammate? COME ON AND SLAM, AND WELCOME TO JAPAN
And did you know which weapon has the manliest DEE-PEE-4SS when a monster has fallen? SWITCH AXE, APTOphUCKA. Upswing into rapid chops will turn any monster into choice cuts for sale at the hunter's market later. Do this on the tail a few times and soon you'll hear the tasty sound of it falling off. Get used to this sound, because soon you'll be chopping off tails everywhere and drown in Mantles and Palliums. The Manly Chops of Doom ain't nuttin' to mess around with.

You know that huge diddlydong you're slapping against that monster's thighs? No, I don't mean that, I mean your Switch Axe, which I'm sure you've picked up by now because it's the MANLIEST. Turns out that not only is it a diddlydong, it's a transforming diddlydong. Tilting the Circle Pad forward and pressing X in Axe mode makes you do a short forward stab, then hit R and X after then to MANLY SHIFT into Sword mode with a slash. OR, you can do the MANLY CHOPS OF DOOM, then finish it off with a tap of R to do this magnificent Reverse Roundhouse Slash. After the RRS, hit that R one more time to MANLY SHIFT into Sword Mode. In Sword Mode, whenever your sword sweeps horizontally, R+X shifts you back into Axe form to EXPAND DONG. (seriously, the Axe is so effing long.)
Switch Axe is versatile, too. You want extra MANLINESS? Get a power phial. Want to see that monster pant for breath as you turn it into the next main course? Exhaust Phials. You can even KO the monster if you're manly enough. Want to support your significantly less manly teammates? Para Phial, Poison Phial, blah blah, they're all yours. Or is the monster weak to element? Get that element phial, or use the Dragon phial (because we all know Dragon is the manliest element). The possibilities are endless, just like the apparent reach of your Axe.

I should talk about reloading, but screw that sh1t. Capcom pls remove

What the wrog are you waitin' for? Pick up your very own Transforming Dildo now at the smithy, you dungstain.

- Credit Due To Reddit User StickyBard

[Gigawatt-E]

Originally posted by Poothoottoot:

Originally posted by hrz94:

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

T you don't need blast attack unless you're using a blast weapon

Unfortunately the better setups for masters touch sets use the teo gloves (might be a different piece please don't crucify me.) which, while having great gem slots, have a somewhat redundant 2 points of blast attack so it's almost unavoidable.

There's no MR behemoth?

[ErisRespawned]

SA is honestly my favorite weapon so far (excluding ranged weapons as I haven't tried any yet). Idk if it's good or bad but its definitely my preferred combat style. My favorite part is when I do a roll so perfectly timed with my heavy ass sword mode engaged that I miss a hit that did over half HP on someone else. I like the wild ass axe swing because I can target legs and toes to break specific parts (for ex, I needed a HR vaal hazak talon and did 2 straight quests without getting it. Finally did the axe swings on the forelegs for an entire fight to be sure I broke them and ended up with the part I needed). I solo'd all MHW story and some first level tempered quests with the weapon, kept up with it in Iceborne all the way up to I think the 3rd quest in Iceborne where I just barelyyyyyy scraped by and killed the monster under the 5 minutes left mark. I've since decided to rotate about 3 weapons I enjoy so I dont rely so heavily on just one only to barely escape a MR story quest alive 😂. That's my experience with it so far.

[scoots291]

I love the post from itWaxxMe but that aside i'll try to do my best to simplfy some things. Note i play consol and know the pc is very behind. and if i say anything it will be on a base controler settings for PS4(so for a normal controler triangle = Y, R2 =right trigger ect). and sorry for spelling errors my device won't let me spellcheck the reply page.

I consider the Switch Axe (from now on I'm abbrivating) to be a jack of all trades. I've loved it since it came out in tri

First a major benifit most people don't use properly is the fact you have two weapons here. Consider the Axe form great for reaching high monster parts and potenially infiniate slash combo.
While In Sword mode you want to dish out damage. (i won't lie I love elemental discharge and use it more then i should)
The Axe to Sword combo is insane. after starting the potenial infinate slash combo start to transform and you will start swinging it in a metor toss type of way before slaming down into sword mode. (if the final slash connects it crits. for those who say no i've tested with mantles for drops in the Vinella days)

Continuing into transformation you can draw right into sword mode by pushing R2+triangle+square) so long as you have gage energy.

The Switch Axe is all offense and no Defence yes. but this is both a blessing and a curse.
Pos: *you learn frames of the monsters for all of their attacks faster (i'm not saying this is exclusive to the SA but common for weapons that rely on dodging).
*You get a better understanding of spacing
Cons: * you will eat through stamina
* There are some lock frames but most can be rolled out of

Evade Extender is diffinally your friend. you don't need level 3 just a level 1 will help.

With Iceborne the cluchclaw has been a god sent (which i'll go more into the sword section) when we weapon attack we weaken parts of the monster. Combined with Weakness exploit (which uses percentage extra damage of a weapon that has a large base value of damage) shreads monsters (as all heavy weapons should).

While going down a slope pushing the triangle button will povolt you alittle into the air making it alittle easier to mount

Axe: As it been said the reach of this form is great. It can also knock people down/ out of animations as well as send them flying into the air. This also has many benifits. (I have knocked many people out of the way who i knew would otherwise be hit by perjectiles) and a fun fact if you get knocked in the air if you push triangle you will get out of the falling animation and preform an attack as if you were attacking off a ledge so you can help people mount.

Sword: Here is the powerhouse of the weapon. First there are two gages the first is for how many slashes the the sword mode has left/ if it can be transformed. The second will be your Zero Sum .
The first major benifit of Sword mode is the vile which the SA will get added (not like the charge blade viles)
The second major benifit of Sword mode is your attacks don't bounce. (what free minds eye since tri)
When preforming Zero Sum you get earplugs 4 while you are doing the attack (SA must be in the monster) as well as each of the explosions are considered slash damage (for damaging parts)
Before IB (without the focus ability) i could maybe get 1 or 2 Zero Sum off before my gage empitied. but after IB (without the focus ability) thanks to the cluch claw i can get 4 or 5. When you are latched on to a monster so long as you have elemental discharge energy you can preform an Zero Sum regarless of the Sword mode gage.


Overal: This isn't the best weapon. It's not the worst weapon. But it is heavly underrated and overlooked that requires alittle bit to get use to.

[TOTALLY NOT A SKELETON]

Originally posted by itWazzMe:

Listen here, lad. Ain't nothing better than the Switchiest of Axes, and 'ere's why.

Was waiting for it.

[itWazzMe]

Originally posted by Totally Not a Skeleton:

Originally posted by itWazzMe:

Listen here, lad. Ain't nothing better than the Switchiest of Axes, and 'ere's why.

Was waiting for it.

had to be done

[Syn]

Hopefully you've taken all the great advice to heart here. Cos these guys have basically given lots of great tips. Basically, it's one of the more complicated weapons that's deals good damage, reaching even better when you as a player are really good. Every weapon in this game is viable because people can master and play their own way. Most people are focused on dps builds, but you could run exhaust builds and poison builds(big dot) which all decimate monsters appropriately. The elemental phials are also great. The Swaxe is a weapon of love, you gotta dig in for the good stuff. Remember, always use transform combos, you can also use baby discharges to charge you second guage much faster and cancel out of them, and axe infinite combo in to sword transformation has some of the highest motion values in the game(but is dangerous to pull off as it should be). So, in summary, weapon has lots of pros, some cons that can be dealt, but a steep yet satisfying learning curve.

Edit: I will say this, super high mobility monsters can be really annoying with the Swaxe, this is when you need to use all the monster hunting tools at your disposal (flash bangs, traps, clutch etc).
Good luck on your journey to becoming the Swaggiest of Swagaxe users.

[Syn]

Originally posted by itWazzMe:

Originally posted by Totally Not a Skeleton:

Was waiting for it.

had to be done :mhwhappy:

This is the way.

Ps. I am a day one console player, cleared all content with that sexy Swaxe.

[JPM岩]

Alright so first thing, you shouldnt be trying to get Wide Range 5 as SA. Your sheathe time is way to slow, and you should more focus more on damage. Support SA is just not practical.
Agitator I would say should be a higher priority skill. If youre not wanting to go Deepees, Focus and Power Prolonger help with SA.

[Ironslayer541]

Originally posted by JPM岩:

Alright so first thing, you shouldnt be trying to get Wide Range 5 as SA. Your sheathe time is way to slow, and you should more focus more on damage. Support SA is just not practical.
Agitator I would say should be a higher priority skill. If youre not wanting to go Deepees, Focus and Power Prolonger help with SA.

When I think of support switch axe I tend to think of someone with a para SA or one of the Sleep and exaust ones who use the apothecary mantle so they can stun/sleep the monster instead of a wide range build. Maybe thats just me though.