Is rocksteady mantle mandatory for an effective switch axe gameplay? Pre-Alatreon/post-R. Brachy SA recomendation?

[A]

I was wondering if there are switch axe players who are good or well-versed with the weapon who don't spam ZSD 24/7? I read on reddit that SA isn't the most popular weapon, however, if you do encounter an SA player, it's the usual ZSD spam. I was wondering if rocksteady is mandatory or do I just suck at not knowing when to be effective with it? I mean I main an LS and a GS so I guess slow/quick moveset isn't my problem or maybe it is if the weapon is versatile?

decoration recommendation for SA? affinity, evade extender, sharpness, element? Do you only use sword mode on enemies who are tired/downed? long windup? Does ZSD spam work even solo?

[cruste]

it is the easiest way to play the weapon and pretty efficient

zoom zoom and elders are dead in less than 5 min or any other monster.

[A]

Originally posted by cruste:

it is the easiest way to play the weapon and pretty efficient

zoom zoom and elders are dead in less than 5 min or any other monster.

I haven't unlocked the quest that I need to get it. If I'm understanding it right, I just need to hunt 3 tempered elder dragons correct (which rank)? Not necessarily in one quest? Is there any other specific to it? I thought I encountered tempered EDs on special assignments/assigned quests already. (Does the tempered kirin count even?

[cruste]

yes kirin counts, it is 3 different temp elders, than doing the quest "a summon from below"
available at armory in astera, the girl with the ! sign

easiest event quest for quick unlock would be hr event " the thronetaker" (temp luna, teo and nergi) rquires HR 50

saphire star guidance optional is unlocked at hr 100 with temp kushala, teo and nergigante.

at elders won't count, but can be used to get tracks for temp investigations
don't know about exmoth or temp jho so better stick to the temp elder if you don't want to waste time.

[Popcorn]

Originally posted by cruste:

yes kirin counts, it is 3 different temp elders, than doing the quest "a summon from below"
available at armory in astera, the girl with the ! sign

easiest event quest for quick unlock would be hr event " the thronetaker" (temp luna, teo and nergi) rquires HR 50

saphire star guidance optional is unlocked at hr 100 with temp kushala, teo and nergigante.

at elders won't count, but can be used to get tracks for temp investigations
don't know about exmoth or temp jho so better stick to the temp elder if you don't want to waste time.

I thought the quest was only considered one elder dragon if multiple? Or is that just T2 and T1?

[mewlynx]

Rocksteady is only mandatory if you want to unga bunga no-brain ZSD spam the monster's head while tanking the damage with your health augment.

[Maffeketel]

It does definetly benefit the weapon by an insane degree, especially if you want to make a ZSD spam build. It is however not mandatory and you can make a very strong SA build with the temporal mantle and Evade Extender/Booster.
ZSD spam is really strong solo, altough there are plenty of other ways to play the SA.
You'll need health augments on your weapon to make the most of a ZSD spam build.

The skills that I always recommend on an SA build are : Evade extender/booster Health boost 3, power prolonger, tool specialist and of course all of the standard damage skills. Weakness exploit, agitator, critical eye and critical boost are the most important ones.
I'd recommend that you pick the skills that you prefer and are able to slot and then build from there. You can always do the decorations missions if you need a few particular decorations.

You need to hunt 3 different tempered elder dragons to get the quest 'A Summons From Below' which unlocks this mantle. The elder dragons can not be of the same species, so you can't hunt 3 tempered Kushala Daora's for example. The quest pits you against a HR tempered Odogaron and a HR Tempered Vaal Hazak. The quest is given by the weapon/armor store girl located at the smithy.
She'll have an exclamation mark above her head if the quest is available and this exclamation mark also appears on your map.

If you want to complete the prerequisite quickly then I would look for event quests that have tempered elders or even multiple tempered elders. All of the event quests are available due to the festival and they'll become permanently available early next month.
AT elders count as well so if you still need certain tickets then you can kill two birds with one stone.

I hope that this answers your question!

[lexilogo]

Like most weapons, Rocksteady is not necessary but it along with Temporal are the best overall choices for the majority of players, with Evasion being 3rd.

Post R. Brachy, but pre-Alatreon is a pretty late time to get the Rocksteady Mantle and even though it's far from mandatory I would highly, highly recommend you grab it, if for no other reason than to experience the sheer powertrip of equipping it for the first time.


Just, uh, make sure you don't clutch claw onto Alatreon's head while wearing it.

[Xilo The Odd]

yeah rocksteady mantle is very useful for getting your damage out during attacks you'll know you'll survive. however, there are things that, if you do it, its death.

1. Latch onto alatreon's face while it is covered in high voltage

2. latch on to any enemy that moves zones by rolling

3. latching onto anything with lots of little explosions dropping below it.

etc.

[TuHao]

ZSD spam on Fatalis - rocksteady mantle is kinda mandatory since head damage is key to the fight. Probably one of the most efficient way to do head damage. Other monsters mostly optional.