Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title
Published Title Score Editor's Choice Publisher
Published Title Publisher
Table of Contents
Expand All

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Switch Axe

By
Vincent Lau

And for the indecisive hunter…we have the Switch Axe!

Overview

The Switch Axe is a weapon that has two attacking modes: Axe Mode and Sword Mode. In Axe Mode, the Switch Axe packs a medium attack speed and has an incredibly long reach, capable of cutting even the highest placed tails. Switch into Sword Mode to unleash slower, but more powerful attacks that use the phial Switch Axes come with. In exchange for a large bit of your phial, you can also do a Phial Burst which deals massive damage and is great for waking up sleeping monsters!

Pros

  • Long reach in Axe Mode

  • High raw power

  • Very versatile weapon

  • Burst potential in Phial Burst

  • Mobile in Axe Mode
    Cons

  • Very slow in Sword Mode

  • Must wait for phial to charge, which cannot be controlled

  • Certain attacks can upswing allies and disrupt them

  • Medium-slow attack speed in Axe Mode, slow attack speed in Sword Mode
    Axe Mode

**Attack** **Controls**
Basic Attack X, combos three times
Upward Swing After using Basic Attack twice, press X, or X+A
Side Slash A
R Swap into Axe Mode

Sword Mode

Attack Controls
Infinite Combo Alternate X and A, depletes stamina and phial
Phial Burst R+X+A, discharges all phials, then switches you automatically back into Axe Mode. Alternatively press X+A, then continue mashing X.
Morph Attack X+X+R, allows you to switch back to Axe Mode while attacking

Usage Tips

Each Switch Axe has a different phial that you cannot change. Power Phials add more raw damage. Element Phials add more element damage (the element is the element of the weapon) and so the power varies depending on if the monster is weak to the element or not. Dragon Phials add dragon element to the phials. Ailment Phials inflict the status marked next to the phial when viewing the equipment’s statuses. The best phial is considered to be the Power Phial. Owing to the sheer raw power of the Switch Axe, Elemental Power is not important when forging a Switch Axe.

When the monster has a large opening, the best combo to spam is the infinite combo. Phial Burst is best for even larger openings, when your phial is full, and is good for waking up monsters. Otherwise, use the X-X-X combo in Axe Mode.

Recommended Skills

Evasion+1/+2 and/or Evade Distance Up are great because the Switch Axe is a very offensive weapon with no shield. Constitution and Latent Power slow stamina depletion when doing the infinite combo as well. When a monster roars, it is a great opportunity to land a Phial Burst, so Earplugs are very handy to have.

No Comments
No Upvotes
User profile pic

Comment submission error:

The comment must be at least 1 character in length.

Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Capcom
  • Platforms,
    3DS
  • Genre
    Action RPG
  • Guide Release
    31 March 2015
  • Last Updated
    7 December 2020
  • Guide Author
    Cassie Sun, Vincent Lau

Share this free guide:

En route to Val Habar, what begins as a bumpy ride in the great desert quickly descends into the fight of your rookie hunter’s life, as a dangerous Elder Dragon appears out of nowhere, threatening to level your ride and the town ahead.

After somehow surviving the attack, your efforts impress the Caravaneer and you’re quickly enlisted into the Caravan. Your mission? To discover the secret of a mysterious “Article”, which will almost surely involve hunting bigger and deadlier monsters in a magical, colorful world that is the world of Monster Hunter.

Overwhelmed? Not so sure what to do? This guide will give you the reference point you need to not only complete the solo campaign with flying colors, but look awesome while doing so!

  • Information regarding Key Quests for both Caravan and Gathering Hall quests.
  • Tips for becoming the best hunter possible–from preparations to Palicos.
  • Breakdown of the 14 unique weapon types and how to wield them to their full potential.
  • Detailed maps and insights for all of the major hunting grounds.
  • Inside scoop on every monster you will face in battle (select postgame monsters pending).

Get a Gamer Guides Premium account:

Quick sign up

Already have an account?

Quick log in

Don’t have an account?