Players of Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise get transported into a world where they, now as Hunters, stalk and hunt down various monsters. However, as Monster Hunter: World motivates players to partake in multiplayer missions, choosing one of 14 weapon types might prove difficult for newbies. However, players who want to deal damage up close while enjoying high mobility might benefit from the Sword and Shield.
Unlike other weapons, the Sword and Shield give a healthy balance of mobility, defense, and offense for players. Unfortunately, this comes with a distance disadvantage, meaning these hunters have to stay mobile while in the front lines. However, players who go pro might not see this as a problem, especially with some tips.
10 Adapt While Unsheathed
Support hunters love the Sword and Shield as it's a great weapon that lets them use items while unsheathed. Not only does this let Hunters use items without having to sheath weapons, but they can capitalize on their mobility to provide quick support. Hunters with the Wide Range skill can help their teammates much faster thanks to the added range this gives to support items.
Moreover, the Sword and Shield can help players receive a bit of aggro from monsters while their teammates heal. Thanks to the added mobility, they can easily dodge attacks compared to their more encumbered allies.
9 Reposition Quickly
A lot of Sword and Shield combos happen quickly. When used properly, these combos can help the hunter reposition themselves on the battlefield, especially against nimble monsters.
For instance, the Spiral Slash helps hunters change their attack direction in a snap. Meanwhile, Advancing Slash helps them close in on their targets much faster. Pro players transition between the two moves in a seamless combo, enabling them to attack multiple opponents faster, like assassins. They can do this by choosing their desired direction with Spiral Slash, closing the gap with Advancing Slash, and then switching to another target with Spiral Slash.
8 Train The Clutch Claw
Hunters with the Sword and Shield need to come close to enemies to deal damage, which proves difficult against flying monsters. Thankfully, MHW's new Clutch Claw mechanic allows them to cling to the sides of monsters to deal combos. For Sword and Shield players, the Clutch Claw becomes their best friend.
Aside from dodging and flanking opponents, players should time their Clutch Claw to hit enemies just as they try to fly away. Doing this maneuver can instantly close the gap and make room for combos.
7 Claw Opponents To Weaken Them
Another advantage of having the Clutch Claw is its ability to wound opponents with two consecutive strikes. When enemies are weakened, they take more damage from various weapon attacks. As such, hunters should make an effort to use the Clutch Claw on opponents as fast as possible, and then recover stamina while heavier hunters take on them.
Meanwhile, they can use this time to set up traps or heal, and then once again take on aggro while evading attacks and leading them into the trap. They can once again use the Clutch Claw, but this time to lead into devastating combos.
6 Prioritize Increased Attack
While the Sword and Shield can deal greater elemental damage than other weapons, hunters should still consider increasing their Sword and Shield's raw damage. They can do this by choosing a loadout with a weapon that gives more raw damage, or by obtaining skill such as Attack Up.
Moreover, hunters should remember that while the Sword and Shield provides a great boost in elemental damage, it doesn't deal as much damage as other heavy weapons. The increase in raw attack can close in the gap in DPS from other allies.
5 Time Continuous Attacks
Using the Clutch Claw, players can deal devastating damage by doing a Slinger Burst. They can perform this maneuver against non-rage enemies by loading their ammo of choice into the Slinger and grappling the monster by the head. Lastly, they perform the Slinger Burst by pressing R2. Some pros time their Sling Bursts after leading grappled opponents into obstacles, increasing damage.
However, another advanced maneuver Sword and Shield users do is to perform a Slinger Burst, detach while the monster is down, and perform their combos. When done right, this can make room for continuous combos.
4 Spam Status Effects
Thanks to its attack speed, the Sword and Shield become the ideal weapon for applying status effects to enemies. Unlike other weapons, the vicious attack speed of the Sword and Shield increases the chances of status effects penetrating enemy armor, making them a great debuff option.
As such, hunters should be wary of what element type they use for their Sword and Shield, as it might not deal as much damage but its attack speed still chips off health much faster.
3 Backstep For Quick Defense
When combos do miss, Sword and Shield users have a handy backstep move that helps them leap backward to avoid incoming attacks. Moreover, they can perform a Falling Bash (multiple attacks) or a Jumping Slash (might mount the monster) immediately after the backstep.
As an added bonus, hunters get brief invulnerability while performing the backstep. As such, this move becomes very handy when dealing with powerful combos from stronger monsters. Doing this backstep to slower monsters can leave them open for attacks from the hunter's allies.
2 Get Crit Whenever Possible
As stated, the Sword and Shield don't deal as much damage compared to other weapon types. However, thanks to skills such as Attack Up, players can at least deal better damage at a much faster rate. However, hunters can take this to the next level with skills such as Critical Boost and Agitator, which further increase the Sword and Shield's damage potential.
Thanks to the attack speed the Sword and Shield provides, hunters have a higher chance of getting critical damage with them. And with Agitator helping them damage enraged opponents more, this skill can help hunters kill monsters faster.
1 React Faster, Quicker
Since the Sword and Shield gives a great mobility boost, hunters should watch out for opportunities to react much faster to opponents. Moreover, since they can use their utility items while sheathed, they can react almost instantly for situations.
For instance, hunters can use their Slingers to distract evading enemies. Moreover, they can also switch positions much faster to adjust to new opponents or enraged monsters. When hunters train with the Sword and Shield, they should also watch out for elements around them that they can use to their advantage.