Monster Hunter Rise brings back 14 returning weapon types that are familiar to fans of the long-running series. Monster Hunter offers the satisfying experience of challenging monsters alone or with a group of fellow hunters, and then using materials obtained on quests to craft more armor and weapons for a growing arsenal. With so many different weapons to choose from, some have a steeper learning curve than others. The Dual Blades tend to be a popular choice for players who are accustomed to action hack-and-slash games, but even this seemingly simple weapon has some new tricks to offer in the revamped gameplay of Monster Hunter Rise.
Fans got a hands-on experience with the Dual Blades and other newly improved weapons in the Monster Hunter Rise demo that became available ahead of the full game's launch. Dual Blades are a fast-paced weapon type, and that's only more true with the addition of Wirebug traversal techniques and Silkbind attacks that keep the player zipping around a hunting ground. This guide will help new players and veterans get a handle on the chaotic Dual Blades.
Dual Blades Controls And Combos
The basic commands for the Dual Blades are as follows:
- X - Double Slash
- A - Lunging Strike
- X+A - Blade Dance (Demon Mode)
- ZR - Demon Mode/Cancel
Demon Mode is the bread and butter of Dual Blades. Demon Mode alters and enhances attacks, movement, and evasion. The drawback is that stamina will steadily be consumed for the duration, but using certain items can mitigate this negative effect. While in Demon Mode, the X+A input will initiate a Blade Dance attack that is great for unleashing a flurry of blows on a vulnerable monster.
Every hit that a player lands on a monster during Demon Mode will fill the Demon Gauge located under the stamina bar in the top-left corner of the screen. Once full, the hunter enters Archdemon Mode. This state further enhances attack and certain other actions, but without the cost to stamina. Using enhanced techniques will deplete the Demon Gauge until it's empty and Archdemon Mode ends.
Some useful combos for the Dual Blades are as follows:
- Basic Combo
X > X > X
- Demon Mode Combo
X > X > X > X+A
- Stationary Combo
A > A > X > A
- Archdemon Mode Combo
X+A > X+A > X+A
After mastering the use of Demon Mode and Archdemon Mode, being effective with the Dual Blades is a simple matter of finding an opening and mashing buttons with reckless abandon. The next section covers some advanced techniques and Silkbind attacks.
Midair Spinning Blade Dance And Silkbind Attacks
Hunters who make use of high terrain, or aerial combat via the use of Wirebugs, can utilize a vicious technique in the form of the Midair Spinning Blade Dance. While in Demon Mode or Archdemon Mode, the hunter will automatically attack with this move by jumping off a ledge. Alternatively, the player can press A while airborne for any other reason (such as Wirebug traversal) to activate it. Hitting a large monster with the Midair Spinning Blade Dance while in Demon Mode will trigger the Heavenly Blade Dance, a vicious flurry of slashes that carves a path down the full length of a monster.
Silkbind attacks are a fun new addition to Monster Hunter Rise. Hunters are equipped with a Wirebug, which is represented by a number of Wirebug symbols at the bottom of the screen. Silkbind attacks can be executed by pressing either ZL+X or ZL+A and consuming either one or two Wirebugs, depending on the attack. These Wirebugs will then become available again after a short period of time.
There are a number of Silkbind attacks for each weapon to be unlocked through game progression, but only two can be equipped at a time. Hunters can mix and match however they choose to create a loadout that best suits their individual tastes and strategy. The basic Silkbind attacks that Dual Blades users will start with are as follows:
- Piercing Bind - Pierces a target with a silk tether. Additional damage will be dealt if the hunter attacks the body part that is tethered. Furthermore, the tether will detonate after a period of time, dealing damage in correlation to the number of hits that were landed during the tether period. It’s best to target weak points of a monster with this technique, such as the head area. Costs 1 Wirebug Gauge.
- Shrouded Vault - The hunter is hurled forward in a designated direction. Getting hit while in motion triggers a spinning attack. Great for traversal or for countering dangerous monster attacks. Costs 1 Wirebug Gauge.
With so many weapon types to try out, there's no shortage of fun ways for players to overcome difficult quests with their friends or online companions. Monster Hunter is a grind-heavy game, but the experience can always feel fresh by picking up and mastering a new weapon playstyle.
Monster Hunter Rise is available now for the Switch, and the PC version will come out sometime in early 2022.