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Mastering Great Sword Moves and Combos in Monster Hunter Wilds

Author: Connor May 14,2025

The *Monster Hunter* franchise is renowned for its diverse arsenal of weapons, and mastering the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds* is a rewarding challenge. This guide will help you harness the power of this heavy-hitting weapon to dominate the battlefield.

Best Ways To Use the Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Great Sword is a formidable weapon, known for its slow but devastatingly powerful attacks. Mastering the timing of its swings can turn the tide of any hunt. With future upgrades enhancing its power and adding elemental bonuses, the Great Sword becomes an even more lethal tool in your arsenal.

All Moves

Command	Move	Description
Triangle/Y	Overhead Slash	An overhead attack that doesn’t need to be charged. It can be chained into a charge for further combos.
Holding down Triangle/Y	Charge/Charged Slash	A slashing attack that becomes more powerful the longer it is charged.
Holding down Triangle/Y + Circle/B	Tackle	A rising slash attack that can offset monster attacks. If you charge a Rising Slash and release it just as a monster attacks, the attack knocks the monster down. Follow up with a Cross Slash using Triangle/Y.
Circle/B	Wide Slash	A slashing attack that covers a wide area. You can chain a Tackle into a Leaping Wide Slash, and a Strong Charged Slash into a Strong Wide Slash.
Triangle/Y + Circle/B	Rising Slash	A slashing attack that can reach high, hard-to-reach areas on a monster.
Holding down Triangle/Y + Circle/B	Offset Rising Slash	A rising slash attack that can offset monster attacks. If you charge a Rising Slash and release it just as a monster attacks, the attack knocks the monster down. Follow up with a Cross Slash using Triangle/Y.
R2/RT	Guard	A defensive move that utilizes the blade of the Great Sword to guard. The direction of the guard can be changed using Focus Mode.
R2/RT + Triangle/Y	Kick	Press Triangle/Y while guarding to perform a Kick.
L2/LT + R1/RB	Focus Slash/Perforate	A sweeping attack that is effective against wounds. Hitting a monster’s wound or weak point will land multiple hits dealing massive damage. Press R1/RB during the attack to finish the attack early.

Combos

Monster Hunter Wilds Great Sword Combos Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist

Mastering combos with the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds* can significantly impact your effectiveness in battle, enabling you to deal substantial damage and control the fight.

True Charged Slash Combo

Initiate this combo by pressing Triangle/Y three times in succession. Start with an Overhead Slash, followed by a Strong Charged Slash, and culminate in the True Charged Slash. You can hold down the attack button to charge each slash, with the hunter flashing white, yellow, and red to indicate the charge level, which increases the damage output.

Landing a True Charged Slash on a soft part of the monster triggers the True Charged Slash (Power), further boosting damage. A shortcut can be utilized after hitting the True Charged Slash Combo: immediately dodge, then press Triangle/Y to tackle, skipping the initial Overhead Slash and moving directly to the Strong Charged Slash. This maneuver helps close distances and deliver more damage swiftly.

Forward Lunging Combo

Execute the Forward Lunging Combo by pressing Circle/B three times. This sequence includes a Wide Slash, a Tackle, and a Leaping Wide Slash. It's ideal for targeting elusive monsters, covering a large area while maintaining high damage output. Combining this with Focus Mode ensures you hit weak spots and wounds effectively.

Stationary Combo

Use the Stationary Combo when a monster is under status effects like paralysis. This combo consists of two sets of a Wide Slash followed by a Rising Slash, creating a quick four-hit sequence that keeps pressure on the monster, though it's not the most damaging option.

Related: How to Capture Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

Guard and Counters

Monster Hunter Wilds Guard and Counters Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist

In *Monster Hunter Wilds*, the Great Sword not only excels in offense but also provides robust defensive options through guarding and counterattacks.

Offset Rising Slash

The Rising Slash is excellent for reaching high targets, but its true potential lies in countering monster attacks. Press and hold Triangle/Y and Circle/B together to charge the Rising Slash. Release it just as the monster strikes to knock it down, then follow up with a Cross Slash using Triangle/Y. Timing is crucial; too early or too late can leave you vulnerable.

Guarding

Guarding with the Great Sword is straightforward: hold R2/RT to reduce incoming damage, though it consumes stamina and still allows some chip damage through. Timing your guard perfectly results in a Perfect Guard, negating all damage and providing visual and sound cues. While a Perfect Guard doesn't stop the monster, chaining them can be effective against continuous attacks. Occasionally, a Perfect Guard can lead to a Power Clash, where mashing Circle/B can overpower the monster, knocking it down for further attacks.

With these techniques, you're well on your way to mastering the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. For more tips and guides, be sure to explore The Escapist.

*Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*