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InMonster Hunter Wilds, the Switch Axe is a close-range weapon that can swap between two forms, but its two-sided nature may put some players off.In the early game, Switch Axes take a long time to figure out, especially if you are new toMonster HunterwithMonster Hunter Wilds. But don’t let the morphing mechanic turn you off.
In the early game, if you may learn the Switch Axe playstyle,Monster Hunter WildsSwitch Axe builds can absolutely shred through monsters without ever leaving melee range. To make thebest Switch Axe build for earlyMonster Hunter Wildsand Low Rank, craft one of the best early Switch Axes, equip useful armor sets, and attempt to pick up Equipment Skills that enhance your Switch Axe damage and evasion.
Best Early Switch Axes For Low HR/Campaign
Depending on where you are in the main campaign forMonster Hunter Wilds, the best early Switch Axes will differ. Though the Dosha Fleshhacker is our recommendation for the best early Switch Axe inMonster Hunter Wilds, you won’t be able to unlock it untilmid-way through the campaign, until you defeat the Alpha Doshaguma.
2x Earth Crystal
800z
To get the first recommended early game Switch Axe, upgrade your Hope Axe to Rank II, then craft anIron Accelerator. This is an upgrade over the Hope Axe II and comes with the Rapid Morph skill, which reduces the time it takes to swap between Axe Form and Sword Form.
3x Lala Barina Shell
500z
Use this until you face the Lala Barina, which will unlock theBarina Hache. This is one of the best Switch Axes in the early game for its Paralysis damage (just likethe namesake Lala Barina spider boss), which will cause monsters to freeze in place if you build enough of this elemental status effect with your hits. The high Affinity makes it easier to get critical hits with this weapon.
Don’t get used to crits for too long, though. The best Low Rank Switch Axe actually has -5% affinity, which reduces the chance for crits. Thankfully, it’s made up for with the highest raw damage for an early Switch Axe.
3x Doshaguma Fur
Though it has -5% negative Affinity, theDosha Fleshhacker is the best early Switch Axe inMonster Hunter Wildsfor its high raw damage output and its Power Prolonger skill. This skill increases the amount of time you can stay in Sword Form and keeps the Switch Gauge and Amp Gauge full for longer.
The Dosha Fleshhacker, and its upgraded versions, are so strong that you won’t need to replace them until you hit the late campaign and unlock High RankMonster Hunter Wildscontent.
To unlock both the Barina Hache and the Dosha Fleshhacker, you must first craft a Bone Axe,a shared prerequisite for both of these Switch Axes.
Best Low HR Switch Axe Armor Sets
Doshaguma Set
The Doshaguma armor set is one of the best armor sets for Switch Axe builds in the early game ofMonster Hunter Wildsbecause of its set bonus. When the whole set is equipped, you will gain one level in the Item Prolonger and Recovery Speed skills and three levels in the Free Meal skill. But these pale in comparison to the set bonus. Withtwo pieces of this set equipped, you willgain the Doshaguma’s Might skill.
This is particularly useful for Switch Axe builds because itincreases damage output after a successful Offset Attackor Power Clash. Because the Axe Form has an Offset Attack readily available at all times, Switch Axe users can trigger the Doshaguma’s Might buff reliably.
Hirabami Set
Each piece of the Hirabami armor set grants one of the most powerful Switch Axe skills in the game.Evade Window can be increased to Level 5 with the full set equipped, which significantly increases the amount of invulnerability time you receive during an Evade.
Like in theSoulsgames, dodging inMonster Hunter Wildsgrants a few frames of total invincibility. Normally, theMonster Hunter Wildsevade isn’t as forgiving as theSoulsdodge roll, but with Level 5 Evade Window, you’ll be able to effectively dodge through enemy attacks instead of away from them, completely changing the close-range melee experience.
Balahara Set
The Balhara set offers some of the most useful Equipment Skills inMonster Hunter Wilds, but unlike the Doshaguma set, it doesn’t offer a Switch Axe-specific Set Bonus. Instead, equipping all pieces to this set will grant the Hunger Resistance and Quick Sheathe skills at level 1, but more importantly, itgrants Level 3 Evade Extender.
Arguably the best basic Equipment Skill inMonster Hunter Wildsfor melee weapon builds, Evade Extender does what it says on the tin – with this skill, your dodge rolls will travel further than normal. Because the full Balahara Set grants the maximum Level 3 Evade Extender, your dodge rolls will go about three times as far as normal with this set equipped.
Lala Barina Set
The Lala Barina is a spine-tingling spider boss thatrewards one of the best very early armor setsfor Switch Axe builds. When equipped,pieces to the Lala Barina set will boost Recovery Up to Level 3and grant Level 2 Paralysis Resistance. Though the set doesn’t have any inherent Set Bonus, Recovery Up is a very powerful regeneration skill inMonster Hunter Wilds, and the defenses aren’t bad for the early section of the game you unlock it in.
The Lala Barina set isn’t necessarily abadarmor set for Switch Axe builds, it’sjust not quite as synergistic with the Switch Axe strengthsas the Hirabami, Balhara or Doshaguma sets.
Best Early Switch Axe Skills & Talismans
Best Low Rank Switch Axe Equipment Skills
There are three skills you should prioritize when looking for the best Switch Axe skills: Evade Extender, Evade Window, and Adrenaline Rush. Some of these are granted by armor sets recommended above, but Adrenaline Rush is exclusive to the Counterattack Charm and certain Rathalos and Xu Wu equipment.
As you progress through the Low Rank campaign, either equip the Hirabami or Balahara sets to gain these skills early, and keep an eye out for these skills on gear youunlock later in the campaign.
Best Early Switch Axe Talismans
Armor and weapons aren’t the only equippable items inMonster Hunter Wilds –to put together the best Switch Axe build,Monster Hunter Wildsplayers must also consider their Talisman. After progressing through the first chapter of the campaign, you will unlock the ability to create Talismans at the Blacksmith (Gemma),who can also craft and upgrade Armorsand Weapons.
Talismans are like this game’s version of a Ring equippable, granting bonus skills to their wearer, but no extra defensive stats. These four best Switch Axe talismans are the ones you should prioritize obtaining in the early game:
3000z
1500z
Grants the Self-Improvement and Recovery Up skills
N / A (rewarded for preordering the game)
