The Switch Axe is one of the most versatile weapons in Monster Hunter Rise since it can be either an axe or slide open to become a sword. These two forms offer unique sets of attacks and can be really powerful when mastered. In this guide, I'll go over the best builds, attacks, and skills for the Switch Axe.
Seeing as how Monster Hunter Rise is a relatively complex game, you'll want to make sure you have enough room on your microSD card in order for it to play properly.
Monster Hunter Rise Switch Axe fighting style
The Switch Axe is one of the weapons in Monster Hunter Rise that operates like a switchblade in that it has an ax form and can swing open into a sword form. The Axe mode is powerful with decent reach and mobility. The Sword form can lead to lots of damage with faster attacks and finishers. Players should also note that the Sword form uses the phial bonus.
Phials add elemental and status conditions to your attacks or can even drain monsters of stamina. The type of phial used determines what kind of bonus the Switch Axe gets.
Monster Hunter Rise Switch Axe controls
| Controls | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Axe Mode: | Row 0 - Cell 1 | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| X | Axe: Overhead Slash | Great reach for hitting monster parts that can be high above you. |
| Rapidly press A | Axe: Wild Swing | Your stamina will go down as you hit. |
| X + A | Axe: Rising Slash | A quicker attack that doesn't do as much damage as the Overhead Slash. |
| L Joystick + X | Axe: Forward Slash | Makes you move forward to close the distance between you and the target. |
| ZR | Morph/Reload | Lets you change to Sword Mode. |
| Sword Mode: | Row 6 - Cell 1 | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
| X | Sword: Overhead Slash | Powerful attack with good reach. |
| A | Sword: Double Slash | Less powerful attacks that let you hit faster. |
| X + A | Element Discharge | Create explosive blasts to hurt your target. |
| ZR | Morph/Reload | Lets you change to Axe Mode. |
- Switch Gauge: Once your Switch Gauge is filled to a certain point, you can morph your sword. If your guage is low, you will reload instead. When the sword is not in use, the gauge fills gradually over time.
- Axe Heavy Slam: Use Axe: Wild Swing a certain number of times, then press X to perform an Axe: Heavy Slam. This combination will often prime you to reach Maximum Potency.
- Phials: Attacks in Sword Mode will expend the Switch Gauge to adda phial's effects to your attacks.
- Amped State: Attacking with the sword enhances phials until they enter an Amped State, giving Axe Mode and Sword Mode extra hits.
Monster Hunter Rise Switch Axe combos
| Combos | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Axe Mode | Row 0 - Cell 1 | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| L Joystick + X, X, X, X | Axe: Basic Combo: Axe: Forward Slash > Axe: Overhead Slash > Axe: Side Slash > Axe: Rising Slash | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| Rapidly press A, X, ZR, A | Axe: Combo into Sword Mode: Axe: Wild Swing > Axe: Heavy Slam > Axe: Morph Rising Double Slash > Sword: Triple Slash | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
| Sword Mode | Row 3 - Cell 1 | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
| Xx3, Ax2, X + A, Rapidly press A | Sword: Combo during an opening: Slash Combo >Slash Combo > Element Discharge > Element Discharge Finisher | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
Monster Hunter Rise Switch Axe Silkbind Attacks
| Silkbind Attacks | Function | Header Cell - Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| ZL + A | Switch Charger: Wirebug launches you forward and your Switch Gauge quickly regenerates. It also makes it so the Switch Gauge won't go down for a bit. | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| ZL + X | Invincible Gambit: You do a spin attack while moving forward. You cannot flinch or get knocked back while in motion. | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
Monster Hunter Rise Switch Axe Switch Skills
Each weapon in Monster Hunter Rise has unique Switch Skills, so called because you can have one of two skills activated for each attack at a time.
| Attack | Switch Skills |
|---|---|
| Silkbind Attack | ○ Invincible Gambit: This Wirebug maneuver makes it so you cannot be knocked down until your attacks are completed.○ Soaring Wyvern Blade: Fly up with a Wirebug while slashing around and allowing a Forward Slash from in the air. If the Forward Slash lands, the Activation Gauge fills up and there's an explosion. |
| Regular Attack | ○ Finishing Discharge: A finishing blow that has you perform a thrust attack and ends in an explosion○ Compressed Finishing Discharge: A finishing blow that delivers a swift strike while putting you in a crouch that cannot be knocked down. |
Monster Hunter Rise Switch Axe Best Builds
As always, the best builds are a matter of opinion. I prefer to wear gear that offers plenty of defense. Here are the builds that will help compliment the Switch Axe's abilities.
Best Builds for 2 Star Quests
| Area | Best equipment | Needed crafting materials |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Proto Iron Axe II | Proto Axe I upgrade |
| Head | Izuchi Helm | 200 Zenny, Great Izuchi Pelt x2, Izuchi Pelt x1, Monster Bone S x1 |
| Chest | Hunter's Mail S | 4,000 Zenny, Remobra Hide+ x 2, Dragonite Ore x2 |
| Arms | Alloy Vambraces | 500 Zenny, Machalite Ore x2, Iron Ore x3, Earth Crystal x1 |
| Waist | Alloy Coil | 500 Zenny, Machalite Ore x2, Iron Ore x2, Earth Crystal x2 |
| Legs | Baggi Greaves | 200 Zenny, Great Baggi Claw x2, Sleep Sac x1, Baggi Hide x1 |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 44
- Fire: -4
- Water: -2
- Thunder: -5
- Ice: 0
- Dragon: 1
- Attack Boost Lvl 2
- Critical Eye Lvl 3
- Water Attack Lvl 1
Best Builds for 4 Star Quests
| Area | Best equipment | Needed crafting materials |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Improved Steel Axe | 2,000 Zenny, Dragonite Ore x3, Monster Bone L x2 |
| Head | Barroth Helm S | 4,000 Zenny, Barroth Carapace x4, Barroth Claw x2, Barroth Tail x1, Monster Keenbone x2 |
| Chest | Volvidon Mail S | 4,000 Zenny, Volvidon Carapace x3, Volvidon Claw + x2, Carbalite Ore x2, High-quality Pelt x2 |
| Arms | Bnahabra Gloves | 500 Zenny, Altaroth Stomach x1, Bnahabra Shell x1, Bnahabra Wing x2 |
| Waist | Volvidon Coil | 1,000 Zenny, Volvi Rickrack x2, Volvidon Shell x2, Jumbo Bone x2, Warm Pelt x2 |
| Legs | Volvidon Greaves | 6,000 Zenny, Volvidon Cortex x2, Volvidon Talon x1, Ultraplegia Sac x2, Massive Monster Bone x2 |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 93
- Fire: 2
- Water: -9
- Thunder: 4
- Ice: -3
- Dragon: 6
- Rapid Morph Lvl 2
- Attack Boost Lvl 1
- Evade Window Lvl 1
- Evade Extender Lvl 1
Best Builds for Endgame
Best Builds for Endgame
| Area | Best equipment | Needed crafting materials |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Sinister Shadowslice | 45,000 Zenny, Magnamalo Shell + x5, Magnamalo Blade + x4, Magna Soulprism x3, Purple Magna Orb x1 |
| Head | Almudron Helm S | 10,000 Zenny, Almudron Whisker + X2, Almudron Scale + x4, Almudron Shell + x1, Rich Mud x2 |
| Chest | Anjanath Mail S | 9,000 Zenny, Anjanath Pelt + x4, Anjanath Scale + x1, Anjanath Nosebone + x2, Piercing Claw x2 |
| Arms | Almudron Vambraces S | 10,000 Zenny, Amudron Claw + x2, Almudron Scale + x3, Golden Sludge x3, Novacrystal x1 |
| Waist | Khezu Coil S | 4,000 Zenny, Pearl Hide x3, Suspicious Fang + x2, High-quality Pelt x1, Dragonite Ore x2 |
| Legs | Ludroth Greaves S | 4,000 Zenny, Royal Ludroth Scale + x3, Royal Ludroth Claw + x2, Hydro Hide + x2, Piercing Claw x2 |
Stats & Skills for this build:
- Defense: 275
- Fire: -12
- Water: 8
- Thunder: 8
- Ice: -3
- Dragon: -3
- Focus Lvl 3
- Rapid Morph Lvl 3
- Power Prolonger Lvl 2
- Evade Window Lvl 2
- Slugger Lvl 3
- Marathon Runner Lvl 1
Monster Hunter Rise Switch Axe Best Skills
As you create your builds and get further into the game, we recommend working on obtaining these skills.
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rapid Morph | This skill increases the amount of damage and speed created by form changing abilities. Get it at least to level 3 to make good use of it. |
| Focus | This makes it so you can fill the gauge faster. |
| Power Prolonger | Makes it so power buffs last longer. |
| Attack Boost | As you'd expect, this makes it so the attack power of your Switch Axe attack increases. It's definitely worth your while to get it to level 4. |
Time to pull the old switcheroo
Every single weapon in Monster Hunter Rise can be a powerful tool if you learn how to use it. That being said, every player is likely to gravitate towards one that fits their playstyle better. You'll need to experiment with each weapon and practice in the training area to really get a feel for which one works best.
The Switch Axe is a versatile weapon that morphs between an ax and a sword. You'll have a decent amount of mobility and plenty of ways to attack when using this weapon. Best of all, it's both powerful and has good reach, allowing you to attack parts of monsters that might be too high up for some other weapons.
This dual typing means that you'll need to get some practice in for both the ax and sword attacks so you know when is the best time to use either one. Don't get discouraged and make sure you're wearing the proper gear that compliments your Switch Ax.
