This guide aims to help new long sword players in Monster Hunter: World. While this weapon is actually easy to use, there are more ways to help you get the maximum output damage and movements. Read on as we tell you some of the most useful tips and tricks when using a long sword in the game.
The Long Sword
There are many other guides about the longsword, but since I had free time and wanted to assist others, I created this one!
The Longsword is a highly popular weapon in the game. When used correctly, it has the potential to be the top choice among the 14 different weapon types. While every weapon can become the best with mastery, the Longsword stands out for its ability to counter almost every attack. With over a thousand uses of this weapon, I continue to find it enjoyable.
Long Sword Combos
Please keep in mind that I’ve customized my keybindings, and my Special Action key is set to Q. Feel free to make adjustments as needed.
To modify your keybindings, follow these steps:
- Press Esc.
- Navigate to System.
- Select Options.
- Click on Controls.
- Go to Keyboard Settings.
- Look for Guard/Special Action/Fire Claw. Adjust the key as desired.
Basic Combos
Let’s talk about some simple combinations you can perform with the longsword. In my view, the essential ones include:
- Basic Combo
- Fade Slash Combo
The Regular Combo: Step Slash > Overhead Slash > Thrust > Rising Slash
The Fade Slash Combo: Step Slash > Overhead Slash > Fade Slash
Which Basic Combo is Better?
- When comparing the two basic combos, both provide the same amount of spirit gauge, as discussed in the upcoming section. However, the Fade Slash Combo is quicker in accumulating it. Of course, you have the option to continually execute basic moves to completely fill the spirit gauge and inflict more damage on the monster.
Advanced Combos
The Spirit Blade Combos: Spirit Blade I > Spirit Blade II > Spirit Blade III > Spirit Roundslash
This combination is employed to increase your spirit gauge by one level. However, it’s worth noting that there’s an even faster combo available!
Fade Slash Combo > Spirit Jumping Slash > Spirit Blade III > Spirit Roundslash
Executing this combo will enable you to swiftly elevate your spirit gauge. While there are certainly other combinations, this one is acknowledged as the fastest.
By consistently performing these two combos, or any other effective combo, you will, as mentioned, increment your spirit gauge by one level.
Continue executing these combos to elevate it to the red spirit gauge!
Long Sword Spirit Gauge
The spirit gauge holds utmost significance for the longsword, as elevating it results in increased damage!
Spirit Gauge Levels
Here are the three levels of the Spirit Gauge for the Longsword: White, Orange, and Red.
Making it a priority to raise your spirit gauge to the red level is crucial. Aim to maintain it in the red as consistently as possible, particularly if you intend to execute high-damage maneuvers, which we will discuss in the next section.
Long Sword Spirit Helm Breaker
The Spirit Helm Breaker is an impressive and potent move, delivering substantial damage. It’s most effective when executed in the red spirit gauge. Using this move outside of the red gauge results in reduced damage.
It’s important to be aware that when employing Helm Breaker, you will deplete one level from your spirit gauge. Even if the Helm Breaker doesn’t connect, you still lose a level. Therefore, exercise caution and use it judiciously!
How to do a Spirit Helm Breaker?
- Do any move > Spirit Thrust > Spirit Helm Breaker
When should I use Spirit Helm breaker?
- The ideal time to use the Spirit Helm Breaker move is when the monster can’t move well. This could be because it’s stunned, paralyzed, trapped, asleep, or in a claggered/drooling staggered state.
Iceborne Added Longsword Moves
When the Iceborne DLC came out, the Longsword, like other weapon types, got new moves. Specifically, the Longsword gained three new moves: Special Sheathe, Iai Slash, and Iai Spirit Slash!
Special Steathe
- The first move is Special Sheathe, which lets you perform two attacks: Iai Slash and Iai Spirit Slash.
Iai Slash
- Iai Slash is the next move. After using Special Sheathe, you can execute Iai Slash, and this move helps fill your spirit gauge.
If your Iai Slash hits a target, the spirit gauge will gradually fill up over time!
Longsword’s Star Feature: Counters
The Longsword stands out as a fantastic weapon due to its counter moves, and it boasts two of them: Foresight Slash and Iai Spirit Slash.
Foresight Slash
Let’s delve into Foresight Slash, which is the primary counter move you’ll rely on since it can counter anything. To execute a Foresight Slash, follow these steps:
- Perform any move > Foresight Slash
To do this move right, you need to remember how the monster moves. A good time to use foresight slash is when the monster is getting ready to do a really angry roar. If you counter it well, your spirit gauge fills up, and that lets you level up your spirit gauge! I think this is the best way to raise your spirit gauge once you know how the monster moves. But watch out, if you mess up the foresight slash, it could be bad news for you, like in this example here:
Iai Spirit Slash
- The Iai Spirit Slash is a really strong move if you do it right.
Just like before, doing this move well means you have to know how the monster moves. To do this move, you do it like a regular Iai Slash, but instead of clicking the Left Mouse Button (LMB), you press your Special Action key, which is Q if you changed it.
Note: Just like with the Spirit Helm Breaker, if you don’t do the Iai Spirit Slash right, you’ll lose a level of your spirit gauge. But if you do it properly, you won’t lose any level of your spirit gauge.
How can you tell if you did a good counter?
- When you hear a little DING!, that means you did a successful counter. You can see it better in the following videos:
That's everything we are sharing today for this Monster Hunter World guide. This guide was originally created and written by Deeone. In case we fail to update this guide, you can find the latest update by following this link.