Players who love Capcom's Monster Hunter World appreciate the return of the Long Sword from previous Monster Hunter titles. Unlike the massive Great Sword, the Long Sword provides a wide melee reach while enabling decent mobility. As such, many hunters use the Long Sword for wide sweeps with decent evasion against strong attacks.
Unfortunately, players just trying out the Long Sword might feel encumbered with its reduced speed and the spirit energy mechanic. After all, unlike other weapons, players have to recharge spirit energy in order to unleash the Long Sword's more powerful combos. Thankfully, with some tips, players can master the Long Sword in no time.
10 Build Maneuvers From Basics
Unlike other weapons, the Long Sword boasts an easy infinite combo. Players can just press Y (or triangle) to repeat its basic attack sequence. This attack (similar to the Spirit Attack) comprises of two slashes, a thrust, and another slash. However, similar to the Japanese tachi, this combo actually relies on precision strikes.
Each part of this chain can be canceled into dodges and other attacks. As such, players shouldn't mash these basic attacks. Rather, they should time their dodges and stronger attacks depending on enemy reactions to this chain.
9 Chain After Repositioning
Unlike other weapons, Long Sword users can cancel any of their combos with rolls. This factor lets them dodge enemy attacks when they see monsters prepare their moves. Likewise, Long Sword users can opt-out of a combo immediately if the monster repels their initial strikes.
As such, Long Sword users should constantly reposition in the middle of combos to avoid monster attacks and counter with their own chain. While they're not as fast as their fellow hunters with Swords and Shields, the added cancelable combos add a lot of mobility to Long Sword users.
8 Play With Spirit Power
What sets the Long Sword apart from other weapons is its usage of spirit power. They can use spirit blade attacks (RT or R2) to fill up this gauge (the red bar) and make more powerful slashes with boosted damage. Moreover, they have a wider reach and penetrate through any kind of monster armor.
Additionally, completing this spirit attack combo unleashes a powerful Spirit Roundslash, which adds an attack power buff. However, not using spirit attacks will disable this buff eventually. As such, players should juggle between normal attacks and spirit attacks depending on how enemies react to them.
7 Weaken Prey With The Clutch Claw
Thanks to the Clutch Claw, hunters with low reach can grab onto opponents and pull themselves closer for deadlier attacks. Moreover, using Clutch Claw two times on the same part can wound the creature, making this useful for monsters with tough skin. As such, Long Sword users should leverage on the Clutch Claw to weaken enemies first for maximum damage.
Moreover, using Clutch Claw on the head enables hunters to force enemies to move in a particular direction. This maneuver helps redirect monsters to certain traps or smash them towards an adjacent wall and incapacitate them.
6 Master The Foresight Slash
Another great Long Sword attack is the foresight slash (RT and B, or R2 and circle), which lets hunters bounce back and then perform a forward jump slash. Interestingly, this move is actually a hidden parry. With the right timing, the first hop back absorbs an incoming attack, only to return the favor with a counter.
Unfortunately, this maneuver costs a lot of spirit energy. This means not performing it properly leaves them open and without a spirit meter. As such, players should train not only how to use this move, but when to use it when fighting specific monsters.
5 No Breaks With Special Sheathe
When Long Sword users do the Special Sheathe (RT + A or R2 + X), they sheath the Long Sword on their hip (instead of the back), enabling them to use special Iai attacks. Pressing Y (Triangle) activates the Iai Slash, which refills the Spirit Gauge whenever it connects. Meanwhile, pressing B (Circle) activates the Iai Spirit Slash, a stronger Iai Slash that consumes spirit power.
This new move opens more combos for Long Sword users. For instance, they can now use Spirit Roundslash + Iai Slash + Spirit Roundslash, with an Iai Spirit Slash if they have a full gauge. When done correctly, this combo can be chained indefinitely for as long as enemies are within range.
4 Consider Sheathing In General
Like other heavy weapons, unsheathing the Long Sword causes a mobility drop to hunters, making them not-so-ideal when roaming around. However, hunters should consider sheathing the Long Sword in combat especially when repositioning. This strategy can give ample mobility needed for the hunter to set traps and or even heal.
Moreover, they should use the mobility granted by sheathing to set up traps or distractions for monsters, such as Flashbugs and Flashpods. Successfully distracting enemies with these weapons can open a huge attack opportunity for the party.
3 Avoid Getting Roared Out
Long Sword hunters excel in dealing with damage with their combos, which makes the monster roars a bummer when they connect. After all, roars can cancel a great combo and ruin a Long Sword user's composure. Hunters that grow close to filling up their red gauge should consider laying low on the combo for a quick reposition, just to avoid a potential roar.
If possible, they can use the Earplugs skill or equipment with add-ons and upgrades for Earplugs to nullify roars and capitalize on their combos. Meanwhile, they can also use the Foresight Slash to cancel out roars, provided they're timed properly.
2 Secure Aggression Skills
In terms of skills, Long Sword users should rely on a build with skills that improve their damage against aggressive opponents. Hunters with Long Swords with affinities stronger than their prey should consider getting Critical Eye, as this increases their crit chance.
Moreover, Long Sword users should probably invest in Agitator to increase their attack against enraged opponents. After all, it's very likely for monsters to get enraged the faster Long Sword hunters tear through them, so they should capitalize on this situation. When used correctly, these skills can greatly increase the base damage of the Long Sword.
1 Sharp Fast If Needed
Since Long Swords can dish out powerful combos, it's common to see these quickly run out of sharpness. Unfortunately, this situation means having to disengage from combat, which puts the party at risk. To avoid this situation, players should consider investing in Handicraft, which increases the base sharpness of the Long Sword.
Moreover, they should consider taking Speed Sharpening, as this skill lowers the sharpening time needed for weapons. This might not seem relevant for most encounters, but Long Sword tanks can at least shorten the time they use out of combat to sharpen their weapon.