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Everything you need to know about the best Switch Axe build in Monster Hunter Wilds, including the decorations to use, armor, and more.
The Switch Axe is easily one of the best weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds, given the amount of improvements it has received in the latest title. In past Monster Hunter games, the Switch Axe has always been a great choice for all players, be they newcomers or veterans. However, with its new Focus Strike as well as the improved Elemental Discharge abilities, it’s now a much more viable choice. Not only it is capable of dishing out impressive elemental damage, but the Switch Axe is also incredibly potent when it comes to raw DPS. Unlike the Charge Blade, the Switch Axe excels at both raw and elemental damage types. However, it does lack in terms of mobility and a few other factors.
Thankfully, with a properly optimized build, you can easily overcome most of its shortcomings. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to craft the best Switch Axe build in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe Overview
The Switch Axe, much like the Charge Blade, excels at elemental damage. In Monster Hunter Wilds, Elemental Discharge has received a major buff. The Full Release Slash combo, which precedes Elemental Discharge, now comes with Flinch Free. This means that while performing the Full Release Slash, you cannot be knocked out of the animation. This is a major change that brings the Full Release Slash close to the Great Sword’s Tackle, i.e., grants it hyperarmor. Furthermore, the Switch Axe also comes with rather impressive raw DPS. While not as impressive as the Great Sword’s or Hammer’s, the Switch Axe does scale pretty well with raw damage.
It’s also quite potent when it comes to breaking monster parts and knocking them down. With a few levels in Slugger and Partbreaker, you can turn the Switch Axe into an incredibly powerful armament that can easily knock down monsters with a Full Release combo.
That said, the Switch Axe does have some limitations. Firstly, the Switch Axe is incredibly compromised in terms of mobility. Both, in its Axe and Sword Modes, the Switch Axe lacks mobility, which can be an issue against monsters like Arkveld, Gore Magala, and Nerscylla.
Furthermore, the weapon also lacks any active defensive capabilities, outside of its step dodge and rolls. Here are the pros and cons of the Switch Axe in Monster Hunter Wilds:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Scales incredibly well with both raw and elemental damage. | Lacks any active defensive capabilities. |
| Has access to Flinch Free on the Full Release combo. | Lacks mobility. |
| Can easily topple monsters. | Transformation combos can be tricky to pull off. |
Best Switch Axe Build in Monster Hunter Wilds
For the Switch Axe build, we focused on three things – Partbreak, Focus, and Elemental damage. We used the Arkveld Switch Axe, i.e. Indomitable Perceval for the build. The weapon offers good base DPS, a decent amount of Dragon Elemental, and most importantly, Focus Level 3. Focus essentially allows us to use the Full Release Slash combo much more easily and efficiently, which is going to be the primary means of dealing damage. In addition to that, we’re also using Chainblade Charm 3 for the Flayer skill. This lets us create wounds more frequently.
Here’s a rundown of the best Switch Axe build in MH Wilds:
- Weapon: Indomitable Perceval (Rarity 8, Arkveld tree)
- Weapon Decorations:
- Dragon/Razer Sharp Jewel [3]
- Dragon Jewel II [2]
- Dragon Jewel [1]
- Armor: Full Arkvulkan (Arkveld) β set
- Arkvulkan Helm β
- Decorations:
- Tenderizer Jewel [3]
- Jumping Jewel [2]
- Sheath Jewel [1]
- Decorations:
- Arkvulcan Mail β
- Decorations:
- Tenderizer Jewel [3]
- Destroyer Jewel [2]
- Decorations:
- Arkvulkan Vambraces β
- Decorations:
- Destroyer Jewel [2]
- Destroyer Jewel [2]
- Steadfast Jewel [1]
- Decorations:
- Arkvulkan Coil β
- Decorations:
- Steadfast Jewel [1]
- Steadfast Jewel [1]
- Decorations:
- Arkvulkan Greaves β
- Decorations:
- Flayer Jewel [3]
- Sheath Jewel [1]
- Decorations:
- Talisman: Chainblade Charm II
- Mantle: Rocksteady Mantle
Switch Axe Build Skills
Here are the skills that you get access to with the best Switch Axe build:
Equipment Skills
- Dragon Attack: Level 3
- Focus: Level 3
- Razor Sharp: Level 1
- Weakness Exploit: Level 5
- Convert Element: Level 3
- Stun Resistance: Level 3
- Partbreaker: Level 3
- Quick Sheathe: Level 3
- Flayer: Level 3
- Recovery Speed: Level 1
- Evade Extender: Level 1
Set Bonus Skills
- 2-set bonus active: Hasten Recovery I
- 4-set bonus active: Hasten Recovery II
Group Skills
- 3-set bonus active: Diversion
Switch Axe Build Stats
Following are the raw stats for the best Switch Axe build:
Attack Status
- Attack: 770
- Affinity: 0%
- Element: 360 (Dragon)
Defense Status
- Defense: 391
- Fire Res: 10
- Water Res: 0
- Thunder Res: -5
- Ice Res: 0
- Dragon Res: -15
Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe Build Explained
Here are the primary factors that our Switch Axe build focuses on:
- Increased elemental damage
- Faster Full Release combo
- Focus on Wounds
Here’s an explanation of how these factors come into play for the Switch Axe build.
Increased Elemental Damage
The Switch Axe we chose for this build already has quite impressive base damage. As such, adding more raw damage will have diminishing returns. Yes, you will see bigger damage numbers, but the difference won’t be worth sacrificing a Decoration slot. Instead, we chose to increase the weapon’s Elemental Damage. We also used one Level of Razer Sharp to counter the Sharpness loss for using the Full Release combo. You can also use Critical Element Jewel as an alternative. However, to use Critical Element, you will need to increase Affinity to at least 10%.
Faster Full Release Combo
We have already established that the Full Release Slash is one of the primary damage dealers when using the Switch Axe. As such, to further supplement the combo, we’re using the Arkveld Switch Axe, Indomitable Perceval for the Focus Level 3 skill. Focus, in combination with Flayer and Dragon Attack, turns the Switch Axe into an unstoppable damage-dealer. You can also work in a few KO Jewels to improve the weapon’s knockdown damage.
Focus on Wounds
Wounds are the best way to deal both raw and elemental damage. To facilitate the creation of wounds, we’re using Flayer Level 3. If you have access to additional Flayer Jewels, you can use them in place of tenderizer to further boost the Flayer skill. However, during our testing, we found Weakness Exploit gave better results (in terms of damage) compared to Flayer. Furthermore, with Flayer Level 3, you’ll already have access to more efficient wound creation.
How To Use the Best Switch Axe Build in Monster Hunter Wilds
Here are some tips to help you use the Switch Axe build to its fullest extent, in Monster Hunter Wilds:
- As is the case with most melee weapons, when using the Switch Axe, the best way to deal damage is via wounds. One of the best ways to create wounds right at the start of a battle is mounting. Use your Seikret to mount the monster and spam the weapon’s heavy attacks to create multiple wounds on the monster’s back. Mounting also allows you to force the monster into a wall bang for additional damage, and a free topple.
- Do not use the transformation combo blindly. Full Release Slash, despite its hyperarmor, doesn’t make you invulnerable to damage. Only use the combo when the monster is either exhausted or isn’t actively attacking.
- Do not forget to use the Focus Strike. The Switch Axe’s Focus Strike – Morph Combination – not only dishes out incredibly high amounts of damage but also automatically transforms into the Sword Mode with an Elemental Discharge combo.
- Practice step-dodging in the Training Arena. The biggest hurdle when it comes to using the Switch Axe is mastering the timing for dodges. To somewhat help with dodges, we did add Evade Extender Level 1 in this build. However, you will still need to practice your dodge timings in the Training Arena before you decide to use the Switch Axe in combat.
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