Monster Hunter Wilds: Guide to the Charge Blade

Powerful and versatile, the Charge Blade is one of the top weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. I’ve used this morphing behemoth for countless hunts and every swing feels like a mix of raw power and tactical precision. It has a two-in-one style: first as a sword-and-shield setup then transforms into an axe. This guide will cover everything I’ve learned about managing file energy, defending against big hits and dishing out heavy blows that can flatten even the toughest monsters.

Morphing Mechanic

One of the best things about the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds is the morphing system which allows for quick switching between sword and shield mode and axe mode. This combines defensive stability with fierce offense giving hunters a versatile approach to every monster fight. Sword and shield mode gathers the weapon’s core energy while axe mode charges that energy into big discharges. Knowing when to switch forms is a key skill that builds momentum throughout the fight.

Players often time these transitions to block big hits and negate damage with good positioning. Each form has its own advantage so finding the synergy between them is key. Watching a monster’s openings before switching modes helps with survival and offense. With practice the morphing feels natural during the most intense parts of the fight.

Sword and Shield Fundamentals

Sword and shield mode is the foundation of Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds. I use this stance for quick combos, steady defense and building file energy. The shield part is particularly good for protection once files are transferred and stored. Refining these basics will improve both aggression and survivability during long fights.

• Basic Combo: Three fast sword swings for moderate file energy.
• Charged Rising Slash: Hold the attack input to release a powerful hit that fills the file gauge.
• Reload and Store Files: R2 + Circle (or R2 + B) from gathering files to charging the shield.
• Condensed Element Slash: Adds elemental power to the attack when the shield is charged, no weapon bounce.
• Fade Slash: For positioning, moves laterally while keeping the offense going.

Sword and shield basics centers around fluid strikes and defensive readiness, timed blocks and positioning. Shifting with a fade slash avoids the monster’s sudden swing while staying in range. A shield into file storage prepares a later switch to axe mode. By cycling these moves you’ll build files steadily and keep the shield topped up for heavier trades.

Axe Mode and Element Discharges

Axe mode unleashes the Charge Blade’s raw power through heavy swings and elemental eruptions. In Monster Hunter Wilds this transforms the stored file energy into multi-hit combos that hit monster weak spots. You’ll usually transition into axe mode when the file gauge flashes yellow or red, preparing the weapon for big damage. Knowing the difference between Amped Element Discharge (AED) and Super Amped Element Discharge (SAED) is key to maxing out this weapon.

Axe mode shines when multiple files are ready, each swing with impact damage or elemental force. AED hits single targets, SAED hits a wider area. Timing between normal axe swings and these high-risk discharges is a major test that separates new players from veterans. With practice it’ll feel less like a gamble and more like a well-planned finisher.

Power Ax Strategies

Power Ax Techniques revolves around the spinning attack that happens when the Charge Blade’s axe is supercharged. In Monster Hunter Wilds, this occurs after a well-timed block, a focus slash on a wounded part or a mount finisher. Once engaged, the initial elements of the discharge combo consume fewer files while spinning on monster hide. Maintaining this state extends the assault, allowing hunters to carve away monster health fast.

• Focus Slash Entry: Hold L2 and press R1 on a wounded part for two hits, then trigger Savage Axe attack.
• Mount Finisher Bonus: During a mount finisher, press R1 on a wounded monster for Power Ax for around 120 seconds.
• Perfect Block Trigger: Perform a perfect block, then press Triangle + Circle (or Y + B) to spin up the axe.
• Reduced File Consumption: Within Power Ax, Amped Discharges burn half the usual file count.
• Extended Multi-Hit Damage: Holding the attack input during each swing adds extra rotating hits to the combo.

Combining defensive timing with aerials creates multiple ways to get into Power Ax mode. Once the spin is up, check how many files are left and the monster’s movement. Each rotation tears through monster parts, opening up for a follow-up hit. Master this and you’ll have an unbroken chain of damage that often decides the outcome of a tough hunt.

Guard Points and Perfect Blocks

Master Guard Points and Perfect Blocks will improve a Charge Blade user’s performance in Monster Hunter Wilds. These defensive moves rely on timing where the shield or the morph animation lines up with an incoming attack to nullify its damage. A perfect block sets up for a stunning counter, especially with a charged shield. Getting comfortable with the monster’s attack pattern leads to damage windows.

Blocking a monster’s attack with a guard point often grants a huge follow-up such as an Amped Element Discharge that takes advantage of the monster’s weakness. A basic block might absorb moderate damage, but a perfect block shrugs off crushing hits with minimal recoil. Guard points encourage hunters to stay close to the monster instead of backing off, allowing for a mix of offense and defense. This playstyle thrives when every predicted swing is met with an armored shield and a quick counter.

Combos in Real Hunts

Actual Combos combine the basics of file accumulation, shield storage and high damage discharges to crush monsters. Personally I like to start engagements by generating files, buffing the shield and then get into the axe combos. The biggest hurdle is to know when to use the big moves like SAED which leave players open to counters if done at the wrong time. Knowing each monster’s behavior is the key to determining the perfect time to strike.

Each chain serves a purpose in a hunt, whether it’s to pile up files or respond to a monster’s opening. AED Counter shines when dealing with monsters that leave themselves open after big attacks, while Power Ax Rush thrives when a monster is stunned or exhausted. Tweaking these sequences makes for a smooth playstyle that adapts to every fight. Once you know the combos, standard hunts become triumphant.

Recommended Armor Skills

Recommended Armor Skills direct hunters toward gear that complements the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds. Since the weapon involves frequent blocks and explosive bursts, abilities that reduce stamina loss or increase elemental damage often stand out. Additional focus on guard resilience helps handle bigger attacks without sacrificing the aggression needed to punish. Selecting gear that aligns with the Charge Blade’s intense resource usage fosters a balanced approach to hunts.

• Guard Level: Decreases chip damage and recoil from large-scale monster blows.
• Artillery: Boosts file damage, elevating AED and SAED power by around 30%.
• Focus: Lowers the charge time on sword attacks, improving file gain by about 20%.
• Load Up: Enhances the maximum file capacity on certain Charge Blade models, ensuring bigger discharges.
• Stamina Surge: Helps with sustained blocks and multiple axe swings by reducing stamina drain over time.

These skills complement the Charge Blade’s mix of offense and defense, so every part of the plan holds together. Guard Level and Artillery are key, as they directly affect block and finisher damage. Focus reduces charge time, while Load Up gives extra overhead for multiple discharges in quick succession. Coordinating these skills makes for a seamless gear and weapon playstyle.

Closing Remarks

After playing the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds, I found the flow between sword-and-shield and axe combos brings out a playstyle that’s both calculated and brutal. This weapon combines deliberate file management with sudden burst damage, so once you get the mechanics down, you can maintain a steady rhythm. Perfect blocks and guard points reward quick reflexes, and every discharge adds chaos to the battle.

As you progress with this morphing master, practice, experimentation and monster awareness will be key. My advice is to be patient, develop muscle memory for the weapon’s transitions and look for every opportunity to strike. Eventually the sword, shield and axe technique becomes second nature and the battle goes from start to finish. Hope this guide helps you with your own adventures in Monster Hunter Wilds.