Monster Hunter World: Long Sword Guide

by Jhon Lennon 39 views

Hey guys, welcome back to another Monster Hunter World guide! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most popular and stylish weapons in the game: the Long Sword. If you're looking for a weapon that offers a great balance of damage, mobility, and flashy combos, then the Long Sword might just be your perfect match. We'll cover everything from its basic moveset to advanced strategies, helping you master this incredible weapon.

Understanding the Long Sword

The Long Sword in Monster Hunter World is a versatile melee weapon that excels at dealing consistent damage while maintaining excellent evasive capabilities. It's known for its fluid combos and the unique Spirit Gauge mechanic, which is key to unlocking its true potential. Unlike some of the heavier weapons, the Long Sword allows for a more aggressive playstyle, letting you weave in and out of attacks, consistently chipping away at a monster's health. Its reach is decent, allowing you to hit weak points from a safe distance, and its animations are generally quick, meaning you can often cancel into a dodge if you overcommit. This weapon is fantastic for players who enjoy a more active and engaging combat experience, where timing and positioning are crucial. The visual flair of the Long Sword also adds to its appeal; landing those devastating Spirit Blade combos feels incredibly rewarding, and the unique counters can turn the tide of a tough fight. It's a weapon that rewards practice and understanding of monster patterns, making each hunt feel like a dance between hunter and beast. The Long Sword isn't just about raw damage; it's about control, precision, and anticipating your opponent's every move. Mastering the Spirit Gauge management and knowing when to unleash your most powerful attacks is what separates a good Long Sword user from a truly great one. Its adaptability also means it can be used effectively against a wide variety of monsters, making it a solid choice for any hunter's arsenal, whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned veteran looking to refine your skills. The sheer variety of Long Swords available, each with different stats and elemental affinities, also allows for a lot of customization and strategic depth in your loadouts, catering to different monster matchups and your personal playstyle preferences. The feeling of landing a perfect counter-attack and chaining into a devastating Spirit Combo is an unparalleled experience in Monster Hunter World, solidifying its place as a fan favorite.

The Spirit Gauge: Your Key to Power

The Spirit Gauge is the heart and soul of the Long Sword. It's a three-tiered gauge that fills up as you land attacks. The fuller the gauge, the more powerful your attacks become. You start with a white gauge, which progresses to yellow, then red. Landing attacks fills the gauge, and performing certain powerful moves consumes Spirit Gauge energy. Managing this gauge is crucial for maximizing your damage output. When the gauge is full (red), your attacks gain a significant damage boost, and your Spirit Blade attacks become more potent. However, the gauge also depletes over time if you're not actively attacking, so you need to keep the pressure on. The different levels of the Spirit Gauge directly influence the damage you deal with your Spirit Blade attacks. A white gauge offers a basic damage increase, yellow provides a moderate boost, and a full red gauge unleashes the full fury of the Long Sword, significantly amplifying your damage. This mechanic encourages an aggressive playstyle, forcing you to stay engaged in the fight to maintain your damage advantage. It's not just about attacking aimlessly; it's about strategic aggression. You want to land hits consistently to keep the gauge full, but you also need to be mindful of your Spirit Blade attacks, as they are the primary way to consume the gauge for massive damage. Mismanaging the gauge can lead to a significant drop in your overall damage, so learning the rhythm of filling and spending your Spirit Gauge is paramount to success. Think of it as a meter you need to keep topped up, but also one you can unleash for devastating effects. Some attacks, like the Helm Breaker, consume a large portion of the gauge but deal immense damage, making them high-risk, high-reward moves. Knowing when to use these powerful finishers versus when to conserve gauge for sustained damage is a key skill that develops with practice. The visual cues of the gauge filling up are also very satisfying, providing constant feedback on your combat effectiveness. The sound effects that accompany the gauge levels and Spirit Blade attacks further enhance the immersive experience, making you feel the power surging through your weapon as you unleash your combos. It's a beautifully designed mechanic that truly defines the Long Sword's playstyle and rewards skillful execution.

Basic Moveset and Combos

Let's break down some of the essential moves you'll be using with the Long Sword. Understanding these is the first step to building effective combos.

  • Spirit Combo (Circle/B button repeatedly): This is your bread-and-butter combo. It's a series of quick slashes that fills your Spirit Gauge. The longer you hold the button, the more hits you'll land. The final hit in the sequence is a thrust that can be followed up.
  • Spirit Thrust (After Spirit Combo, Triangle/Y): A quick thrust that deals good damage and can transition into other moves.
  • Spirit Step (Forward + Circle/B during combo): Allows you to reposition yourself while attacking, maintaining pressure.
  • Helm Breaker (After Spirit Thrust, Triangle/Y): This is your big-hitter! It's an aerial attack that consumes a significant portion of your Spirit Gauge but deals massive damage, especially if it lands on a weak point. This is your go-to move when your gauge is full and you have an opening.
  • Serene Pose (L2/LT + Circle/B): This is a defensive stance that allows you to counter-attack. If a monster attacks you during this pose, you'll automatically perform a powerful counter-slash that can restore your Spirit Gauge and stun monsters.
  • Foreswing (Forward + Triangle/Y): A horizontal slash that can be used to reposition or start combos.

Remember, these moves are just the building blocks. The real magic happens when you string them together. A common combo flow might look something like this: Spirit Combo -> Spirit Thrust -> Helm Breaker when an opening appears. Or, if you need to counter, use Serene Pose when you anticipate an attack. Experimenting with different timings and sequences is key to finding your own rhythm and maximizing your damage. The transitions between these moves are usually quite smooth, allowing for fluid combat. For instance, after the Spirit Thrust, you can immediately input the command for Helm Breaker or pivot into another Spirit Combo if you need to build gauge. The Foreswing can be useful for closing gaps or setting up for a follow-up attack. The Spirit Step is invaluable for staying on target, especially against mobile monsters, allowing you to sidestep their attacks while continuing your assault. Mastering the Serene Pose is a hallmark of a skilled Long Sword user; landing a successful counter not only negates damage but also sets up a powerful offensive opportunity. It requires good prediction and timing, but the payoff is immense. Don't be afraid to practice these combos in the training area until they become second nature. The more comfortable you are with the controls and timings, the more effective you'll be in actual hunts. The synergy between building the Spirit Gauge, unleashing powerful attacks like Helm Breaker, and utilizing counters like Serene Pose is what makes the Long Sword such a dynamic and rewarding weapon to play.

Advanced Techniques and Strategies

Once you've got the basics down, it's time to elevate your Long Sword game. Here are some advanced tips and strategies to help you truly master the weapon.

  • Spirit Blade I, II, and III: These are enhanced versions of your Spirit Blade attacks that you unlock by holding the attack button during combos. Each level deals more damage and consumes more Spirit Gauge. Knowing when to use each level is important for efficiency. Spirit Blade III is your strongest attack and should be used whenever possible with a full red gauge.
  • Countering with Serene Pose: This is arguably the most important advanced technique. Mastering the timing of Serene Pose to counter monster attacks is game-changing. A successful counter not only avoids damage but also often stuns the monster and builds your Spirit Gauge. Practice reading monster tells to nail these counters.
  • Helm Breaker Placement: While Helm Breaker is incredibly powerful, it has a long animation. You need to be smart about when you use it. Look for openings after a monster performs a big attack or is recovering from a knockdown. Landing it on a weak point significantly increases its damage.
  • Spirit Roundslash (After Spirit Blade III, Circle/B): This is a powerful finishing move that consumes your entire Spirit Gauge but deals massive damage. It's a great way to cap off a successful combo or finish off a weakened monster.
  • Weapon Coatings: Don't forget about weapon coatings! Using Paralysis or Sleep coatings can provide valuable opportunities for free damage or set up devastating combos. Elemental coatings are also crucial for exploiting monster weaknesses.
  • Understanding Monster Weaknesses: Like any weapon, success with the Long Sword relies heavily on understanding the monsters you fight. Exploit elemental weaknesses and hit vulnerable body parts whenever possible.

Mastering the Spirit Blade I, II, and III chain is crucial for maximizing damage. The transition from a standard combo into these enhanced slashes should be seamless. The Serene Pose isn't just a defensive move; it's an offensive tool. A perfectly timed counter can leave a monster open for a follow-up Helm Breaker or Spirit Roundslash. Think of it as a way to punish predictable monster attacks. Speaking of Helm Breaker, positioning is key. Don't just spam it! Wait for the right moment, perhaps after dodging a sweeping attack, to ensure you land the full damage potential. If you can aim it at the head or a known weak spot, the damage numbers will be astronomical. The Spirit Roundslash is your ultimate burst damage move. It's the grand finale of your Spirit Gauge management. Use it when you're absolutely sure you have the time and the monster is vulnerable, as the long animation leaves you exposed if the monster recovers too quickly. Beyond the moveset, remember the importance of skills. Skills like Weakness Exploit, Critical Eye, and Attack Boost will significantly amplify your damage. Health Boost is always recommended for survivability. For the Long Sword, skills that enhance your Spirit Gauge management or critical hit chance are particularly valuable. Don't underestimate the power of good armor skills! They are just as important as your weapon choice and your understanding of the moveset. The Long Sword shines when you can maintain a high Spirit Gauge and consistently land your most damaging attacks. It's a weapon that rewards players who are patient enough to learn monster patterns, yet aggressive enough to capitalize on every opening. The intricate dance of building meter, unleashing devastating finishers, and executing perfect counters is what makes the Long Sword one of the most satisfying weapons to master in Monster Hunter World.

Building Your Long Sword Set

Choosing the right Long Sword and armor skills can make a world of difference. Here are some popular Long Sword choices and essential skills to consider.

Popular Long Swords:

  • Drachen Long Sword (Behemoth): Excellent raw damage and affinity, often considered a top-tier choice.
  • Wyvern Ignition "Purity" (Event Quest): High raw damage and good sharpness.
  • Safi'jiiva Long Swords: These come with built-in health drain but offer incredible raw damage and can be awakened to boost affinity and sharpness.
  • Fatalis Long Sword: If you can take down Fatalis, this is often the ultimate endgame weapon, boasting immense raw power.

Essential Armor Skills:

  • Weakness Exploit (Lv 3): Significantly increases affinity when hitting weak spots.
  • Critical Eye (Lv 7): Boosts your base affinity.
  • Attack Boost (Lv 4+): Increases your raw attack power. Focus on hitting Lv 4 for the 5% affinity bonus.
  • Handicraft: Improves weapon sharpness, especially important for weapons that tend to drop sharpness quickly.
  • Protective Polish: Prevents sharpness loss for a short time after sharpening.
  • Focus (Lv 3): Speeds up charge attacks (less crucial for Long Sword, but can be useful for specific builds).
  • Health Boost (Lv 3): Essential for survivability in high-level content.
  • Evade Window: Increases your dodge invincibility frames, making evasion easier.
  • Stun Resistance (Lv 3): Prevents you from being stunned, which can be a run-ender.

When building your Long Sword set, you're generally looking for weapons with high raw damage, good natural sharpness, and decent affinity. The Drachen Long Sword is a fantastic option for its balanced stats, while the Wyvern Ignition is a solid raw damage dealer. For endgame content, Safi'jiiva and Fatalis weapons become king, offering unparalleled power but often coming with drawbacks like health drain or requiring specific builds to maximize their potential. Don't underestimate the power of Awakening skills when using Safi'jiiva weapons, as they can drastically improve affinity and sharpness. On the armor front, prioritizing affinity skills like Weakness Exploit and Critical Eye is paramount, as critical hits significantly boost your damage output, especially when combined with the Long Sword's rapid attacks. Attack Boost is always a good choice, especially getting it to level 4 for that sweet affinity bonus. Sharpness management is another key consideration; skills like Handicraft can extend the razor-sharp level of your weapon, and Protective Polish offers a temporary buffer against sharpness loss, allowing you to focus more on attacking. Health Boost is non-negotiable for tougher hunts, and Evade Window can make dodging attacks feel much more forgiving, especially for newer players. Stun Resistance is also incredibly valuable, as getting stunned by a powerful monster can be a death sentence. Ultimately, the best set for you will depend on the monster you're fighting and your personal playstyle. Experiment with different combinations of weapons, armor pieces, decorations, and decos to find what works best. A well-optimized set will make a massive difference in your ability to hunt effectively and efficiently, turning tough challenges into manageable encounters. Remember to consider your charm as well, as it can provide valuable skills that round out your build. The goal is to create a synergy between your weapon's strengths and your armor's skills, allowing you to unleash the full potential of the Long Sword.

Conclusion

The Long Sword is a fantastic weapon for players who enjoy a blend of aggression, precision, and style. By mastering its Spirit Gauge, learning its fluid combos, and practicing advanced techniques like Serene Pose, you'll be well on your way to becoming a formidable force. Remember to experiment with different builds and always keep learning about the monsters you face. Happy hunting, guys!