----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ////////////////////////////// Switch-Axe Guide\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\By Hexecho////////////////////////////////// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Version: 1.2 Last Revised: 4/26/2010 Revision History: Version 1.1 -4/26/2010- Updated charts to be more format friendly. Version 1.2 -4/28/2010- Updated some information that came in through e-mail and credited the senders of those e-mails, as well as updated the Table of Contents. *******************************About this Guide****************************** This is an In-Depth Guide about the Switch Axe weapon in Monster Hunter 3 (~Tri). It will contain damage information, controls, combos and a brief summary of what the weapon mechanics. It will NOT contain a strategy for killing every enemy; I encourage you to create your own tactics and strategies as you learn and play. If you see anything wrong or wish to ask me a question regarding Switch Axes contact me at: [email protected] If you are curious as to a Switch Axe damage guide look at Lord Grahf and Bvanwulfen's Damage Formula Guide, and for a good Switch Axe building guide look at VioletKIRA's Switch Axe Weapon Tree. I collected a majority of Switch Axe data from playing the demo you received by pre-ordering Monster Hunter Tri Another thing you will not find in this guide is a single "Proper way" to use Switch Axe's. In order to fend off any questions such as "how much should I use Axe mode compared to sword mode, 70/30 or what?" I will tell you right now THERE IS NO ONE WAY TO USE A THIS WEAPON. Monsters are different so you should use your weapon differently for whatever the situation calls, even if that means not using a switch axe, maybe you can kill a Jaggi better with a hammer. So don't limit yourself, you'll just make things harder for yourself. Why do I like Switch Axe's? I find Switch Axe's an incredibly unique and interesting weapon that gives the player a ton of different fighting options compared the other weapons of Monster Hunter. Let's take the Long Sword for example, though an awesome and powerful weapon, which I also enjoy using. Your options are to three-four hit combo with a sweep here until your spirit gauge is up, and then start smashing down the R button doing nothing other than your spirit blade combo until you are knocked out of it or the monster runs away. Whereas with SA's you can switch between modes mid-combo and use a completely different attack style, I find this useful considering how monsters can act incredibly different between low stamina, normal and rage modes. P.S. Sorry LS users, the weapon was easy to make an example of because I used to use them. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents------------------(to search for a section include the *'s) To search (using a PC) Ctrl + F ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1: Intro *1-1* - What is a Switch Axe? *1-2* - Pros and Cons *1-3* - Differences between Sword mode and Axe mode *1-4* - Coatings *1-5* - Controls & Attacks -*1-5a* - Controls & Attacks -*1-5b* - Hit Chain Chart *1-6* - Underwater Combat Chapter 2: Handy Info *2-1* - Repeating Combos *2-2* - Armor Selection *2-3* - General Strategies -Coming Soon- FAQS section (please read before asking any questions, could save us both some time). Credits ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *********************************Chapter 1*********************************** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *1-1*: What is a Switch Axe? The Switch Axe (abbreviated SA) or as it was originally titled the "Slash Axe" was first introduced in Monster Hunter 3(~tri). It is a unique weapon in that it has "Modes" you can switch between, Axe mode and Sword mode. We'll get into the differences about the two modes later in section 1-3. *1-2*: pros and cons to the Switch Axe Pros: -SAs Boast a high attack power -Two Modes offer an easy way to adapt to new strategies or scenarios. -Phials can turn a battle around, giving you attack or element boost or even giving your weapon an element/attribute. -In Sword mode, attacks will not bounce off the enemy (also known as ESP). This is true UNLESS your sharpness is in the red. -Only one SA series (Barroth Series) has negative Affinity percentage. -Fun to use! Cons: -Sharpness typically sucks. -Not the fastest weapon and can feel clumsy at times. -Can't Block. -Easy to spam attacks can distract less-experienced players from more useful attacks. -Switching between modes may be confusing, annoying or inconvenient to some. -Can't get offline beginning of game. *1-3*: Differences between Axe and Sword mode Simply for the fact that you might not know already - and to make the guide more complete - I will briefly cover the differences between Axe mode and Sword mode. 1. Movement style -Axe mode -Movement style is most closely related to a Lance/LS. You may be asking "How is it related to a lance Hex?" Really I only said that because with SA (sword or axe mode), after you attack, you can do a side-hop dodge unique to only two melee weapons, SA and Lance, but I digress. In Axe mode you will move at a decent walking speed and roll to dodge, just like a LS. -Sword mode- Movement style is practically identical to the GS movement style (aside from the side-hop dodge). You walk very slowly, and you will probably be rolling 70% of the time you're not swinging. 2. Attack style and power -Axe mode- Has what I consider a good move-set it can attack vertically using both an upswing or overhead blow, it has the somewhat sweeping side hit, and also has a continuous slash combo that drains 20 stamina with each swing after the initial swing. Axe mode has a decent attack percentage typically dealing 23-35% of its base attack power, though the overhead swing deals an impressive 54%. -Sword mode- Has a surprisingly effective move-set, I expected very slow, difficult to hit things. Sword mode delivers a decent hit range, thanks to its dash slash (Down) while moving using classic control 2). You also get a good vertical slashing combo by using an upswing and an overhead hit, but wait there's more. You will also receive a side slash, which can be chained with the overhead swing. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!! You get the incredibly powerful burst thrust attack! Did I forget to mention you gain ESP while in sword mode? Well I did now, whilst in sword mode your attacks will NOT bounce. 3. Phials -Axe mode- Phials only apply to sword mode, sorry. -Sword mode- Phial enabled. Phials vary from SA to SA, though most have a Power (Red) or an Element (blue) enhancement. What does this mean? Your attack power, or element/attribute power will increase, (details on that later in section 1-5). There are also unique Phials on some SAs, such as the Barroth (Assault Axe) series of SAs which, when in sword mode, gains the Paralysis/stun attribute. The variety of SA Phials make these a unique, and in my opinion interesting weapon-type. *1-4*: Phials Most SAs have one of two Phials, Power or Element, but there are some SA series that have a unique Phial. So here's a list of all the SA series and their respective Phials. SA series with Power Phials: Bone Axe, Hi-Volt Axe, Fire/Flame Tempest, Naval Tusk, Pirate J Axe. SA series with Element Phials: Thunder/Bolt Axe, Amber Slash, Demon Chain, Alatreon series. SA series that have Unique Phials: Barroth Series - Paralysis Phial Crystal Series - Dragon Phial So what does it mean if your SA has a certain type of Phial? Well I was getting to that. Note: Keep in mind; PHIALS ONLY WORK IN SWORD MODE!! Power Phials: Adds a x1.25 boost to raw damage based on your attack power. Simply put, take 25% of your attack power (element not included) and add it to your damage. This explanation doesn't quite do the damage calculation justice, but if you want all the inner workings go to Lord Grahf's and Bvanwulfen's guide. Element Phial (also known as Elemental Enhance): Adds a x1.25 boost to raw damage based on your element power. Simply put, take 25% of your elemental power (attack not included) and add it to your damage. This explanation doesn't quite do the damage calculation justice, but if you want all the inner workings go to Lord Grahf's and Bvanwulfen's guide. Paralysis Phial: Gives your weapon Paralysis attribute. Dragon Phial: Gives your weapon Dragon attribute. *1-5a*: Controls Controls for SA's are pretty straight forward, and make it easy to chain combos. I personally prefer the classic control 2, for the sake of not reproducing the same charts you can easily find and the Monster Hunter Wikia I will use classic control 2 commands for this. Afterwards I will provide a few combos and little tricks I find useful. ( )'s indicate buttons being pressed at the same time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Command Attack Additional Description ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- X Kick Kicks low forward with right leg, not that complicated. Note:Cannot do a kick with weapon drawn in classic control2. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any direction while Unsheathe weapon Draws weapon in Axe mode standing still ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Y or A with weapon Sheathe weapon Puts weapon away. drawn ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- R with weapon drawn Change mode Changes modes from Axe OR Reload to Sword, or Sword to Axe (if sword meter is red). OR Increases Sword meter if it is red. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up/down/left/right Draw side slash [Axe] Draws weapon and does a while moving sweeping slash from the right in Axe mode. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- R + (X + A) Draw overhead slash [Sword] Note: This is not the OR dashing overhead slash, Reload - If sword energy you have to have your bar is red. weapon drawn to do the dashing overhead slash. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- up [Axe mode] Overhead slash [Axe] Swings Axe overhead and slashes down and slightly to the left. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- up [Axe mode]+ holding Running Thrust [Axe] Runs 3 steps and thrust a movement direction forward with the Axe head. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- R after Running Stab Axe-Sword Overhead Slash switches from Axe to [Axe] Sword while performing Overhead Slash [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- left OR right [Axe mode] Side slash [Axe] Swings Axe from right to left. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- down [Axe mode] Upswing [Axe] Does a rising slash with Axe. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- up OR down Alternating Slashes [Axe] Slashes from side-to-side, immediately after the more you hit up OR down the more Upswing [axe] the more hits you do, minimum *See notes at bottom of Chart* of two will be done if the move is performed. Every hit drains 20 stamina per swing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- up stalled after Overhead Slash [Axe] Swings Axe overhead, slashes Upswing [Axe] down and slightly to the left. *See notes at bottom of chart* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- up [Sword mode] Side Slash [Sword] Slashes from left to right with Sword. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- R after Side Slash Sword-Axe Side Slash switches to Axe mode while [Sword] doing Side slash [Axe]. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- left OR right Upswing [Sword] Slashes upward from lower [Sword mode] left to upper right. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- down [Sword mode] Overhead Slash [Sword] Swings Sword over head and downward to the left. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- down [Sword mode] Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] Jumps forward and swings while holding a Sword over head and downward movement direction to the left. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- X Thrust [Sword] Thrust Sword forward, and draws back to the left. Any attack multiple Burst Motion [Sword] Raises Sword after Thrust times after Thrust[Sword] while bursting getting up to {Most people just keep tapping X} 6 hits. Can be cancelled almost any time if you stop hitting an attack command. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you don't cancel Finisher Burst [Sword] Fires burst from tip during Burst Motion of Sword and switches [Sword] to Axe mode. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Notation: After the Upswing [Axe] you can do two moves, either Alternating Slashes [Axe] OR Overhead Slash [Axe]. The difference between doing one or the other is timing OR holding a direction on the left analog stick. If you start tapping Up or Down immediately after you do the Upswing [Axe], you will do the Alternating Slashes [Axe]. If you wait approximately one FULL second after doing the Upswing [Axe] you will do the Overhead Slash [Axe]. A good way to visualize/practice the timing is to stand in a location that will create a dust cloud from your character's LEFT foot when you do the Upswing [Axe]. If you chain before that dust cloud disappears you will do the Alternating Slashes [Axe], but you hit Right after that dust cloud disappears, you will do the Overhead Swing [Axe]. Of course the much easier alternative is to hold a direction while chain. I would recommend left or right so that you don't accidentally do the thrust attack if you hold up for too long.** SPECIAL TIP: You can shorten the time of Burst Motion [sword] and quick fire the Finishing Burst [sword] by holding the movement stick downward. *1-5b*: Hit Chain Chart I've put together a list of what hits will chain into and from others. Feel free to develop your own combos from it. I added a few simple combos to help get you started. Check section 2-1 for more details. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Chained From Followed by ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Draw Side Slash Walking or Running while Overhead Slash [Axe] [Axe] Sheathed Upswing [Axe] Running Thrust [Axe] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Side Slash [Axe] Overhead Slash [Axe] Upswing [Axe] Running Thrust [Axe] Running Thrust [Axe] Sword-Axe Side Slash ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overhead Slash [Axe] Draw Side Slash [Axe] Side Slash [Axe] Side Slash [Axe] Upswing [Axe] Running Thrust [Axe] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upswing [Axe] Draw Side Slash [Axe] Overhead Slash [Axe] Side Slash [Axe] Alternating Slashes[Axe] Sword-Axe Side Slash ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alternating Upswing [Axe] Nothing, not even a roll Slashes [Axe] properly chains from this. Additionally, this is the only Axe attack you CANNOT side-hop after. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Running Thrust [Axe] Side Slash [Axe] Overhead Slash [Axe] Sword-Axe Side Slash Side Slash [Axe] Axe-Sword Overhead Slash ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Axe-Sword Overhead Running Thrust [Axe] Upswing [Sword] Slash Side Slash [Sword] Thrust [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Side Slash [Sword] Axe-SwordOverheadSlash Overhead Slash [Sword] Upswing [Sword] DashingOverheadSlash[Sword] Thrust [Sword] Thrust [Sword] Burst Motion [Sword] Sword-Axe Side Slash Overhead Slash [Sword] DashingOverheadSlash[Sword] Draw overhead slash [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sword-Axe Side Slash Side Slash [Sword] Upswing [Axe] Side Slash [Axe] Running Thrust [Axe] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upswing [Sword] Overhead Slash [Sword] Overhead Slash [Sword] Draw overhead slash [Sword] DashingOverheadSlash[Sword] DashingOverheadSlash[Sword] Thrust [Sword] Thrust [Sword] Side Slash [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overhead Slash [Sword] Side Slash [Sword] Upswing [Sword] Upswing [Sword] Side Slash [Sword] Thrust [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- DashingOverheadSlash Upswing [Sword] Upswing [Sword] [Sword] Side Slash [Sword] Side Slash [Sword] Thrust [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thrust [Sword] Axe-Sword Overhead Slash Side Slash [Sword] Upswing [Sword] Burst Motion [Sword] Side Slash [Sword] Overhead Slash [Sword] DashingOverheadSlash[Sword] Draw overhead slash [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burst Motion [Sword] Thrust [Sword] Side Slash [Sword] Finisher Burst [Sword] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finisher Burst Burst Motion [Sword] Nothing..., not even a [Sword] roll properly chains from this. Additionally, this is the only Sword attack you CANNOT side-hop after. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *1-6* Underwater Combat Aside from the normal movement changes, all commands and hits stay the same, and yes, Sword mode still moves slower than Axe mode underwater. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ********************************Chapter 2************************************ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *2-1* Combos This is a list of combos you can do that can be repeated indefinitely, trusted you don't get hit, mess up or you're interrupted for some other reason. As long as you avoid being hit, messing up or other interruptions. 1.) Two-hit Repeaters: Two-hit combos that can be repeated. 1a.) Running Thrust [Axe] - Side Slash [Axe] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits. 1st hit: Running Thrust [Axe] Up while moving 2nd hit: Side Slash [Axe] Left /Right OR Up /Down /Left /Right while moving+sheathed for DrawSideSlash[Axe] 1b.) Side Slash [Sword] - Overhead Slash [Sword] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits. 1st hit: Side Slash [Sword] Up 2nd hit: Overhead Slash [Sword] Up (if after Side Slash [Sword])/Down OR Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] Up (if after Side Slash [Sword])/? down while moving OR Draw overhead slash [Sword] R + (X + A) 1c.) Overhead Slash [Sword] - Upswing [Sword] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits. 1st hit: Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/? down OR Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/Down while moving OR Draw overhead slash [Sword] R + (X + A) 2nd hit: Upswing [Sword] Down (if after Overhead Slash [Sword], Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] or Draw Overhead Slash [Sword]/Left /Right 1d.) Side Slash [Sword] - Thrust [Sword] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits. 1st hit: Side Slash [Sword] up 2nd hit: Thrust [Sword] X 2.) Three-hit repeaters: Three-hit combos that can be repeated. 2a.) Overhead Slash [Axe] - Side Slash [Axe] - Upswing [Axe]. Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits; you can also transition into Alternating Slashes [Axe] from the Upswing of this combo. 1st hit: Overhead Slash [Axe] Up 2nd hit: Side Slash [Axe] Up (if after Overhead Slash [Axe])/Left /Right OR Up /Down /Left /Right while moving+sheathed for DrawSideSlash[Axe] 3rd hit: Upswing [Axe] Up /Down 2b.) Running Thrust [Axe] - Overhead Slash [Axe] - Side Slash [Axe]. Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits. 1st hit: Running Thrust [Axe] Up while moving 2nd hit: Overhead Slash [Axe] Up 3rd hit: Side Slash [Axe] Up /Left /Right OR Up /Down /Left /? right while moving+sheathed for DrawSideSlash[Axe] 2c.) Overhead Slash [Sword] - Upswing [Sword] - Side slash [Axe] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits. 1st hit: Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/? down OR Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/Down while moving OR Draw overhead slash [Sword] R + (X + A) 2nd hit: Upswing [Sword] Down (if after Overhead Slash [Sword], Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] or Draw Overhead Slash [Sword]/Left /? right 3rd hit: Side Slash [Sword] Up 2d.) Thrust [Sword] - Burst Motion [Sword] - Side Slash [Sword] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from either Thrust [Sword] or Side Slash [Sword] 1st hit: Thrust [Sword] X 2nd hit: Burst Motion [Sword] X/Up /Down /Left /Right after Thrust [Sword] 3rd hit: Side Slash [Sword] Up 3.) Four-hit Repeaters: Four-hit combos that can be repeated. 3a.) Running Thrust [Axe] - Axe-Sword Overhead Slash - Side Slash [Sword] - Sword-Axe Side Slash. Repeat Combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any from any of its hits. 1st hit: Running Thrust [Axe] Up while moving 2nd hit: Axe-Sword Overhead Slash R after Running Thrust [Axe] 3rd hit: Side Slash [Sword] Up 4th hit: Sword-Axe Side Slash R after Side Slash [Sword] 3b.) Overhead Slash [Sword] - Upswing [Sword] - Thrust [Sword] - Side Slash [Sword] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any of its hits. 1st hit: Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/? down OR Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/Down while moving OR Draw overhead slash [Sword] R + (X + A) 2nd hit: Upswing [Sword] Down (if after Overhead Slash [Sword], Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] or Draw Overhead Slash [Sword]/Left /Right 3rd hit: Thrust [Sword] X 4th hit: Side Slash [Sword] Up 4.) Five-hit Repeater: There is only one, but you can do a five-hit combo that will chain back into itself. 1.) Overhead Slash [Sword] - Upswing [Sword] - Thrust [Sword] - Burst Motion [Sword] - Side Slash [Sword] Repeat combo any number of times. You can start this combo from any hit, except Burst Motion [Sword] 1st hit: Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/? down OR Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] Left /Right (if after Upswing [Sword])/Down while moving OR Draw overhead slash [Sword] R + (X + A) 2nd hit: Upswing [Sword] Down (if after Overhead Slash [Sword], Dashing Overhead Slash [Sword] or Draw Overhead Slash [Sword]/Left /Right 3rd hit: Thrust [Sword] X 4th hit: Burst Motion [Sword] X/Up /Down /Left /Right after Thrust [Sword] 5th hit: Side Slash [Sword] Up *2-2* Armor Selection This section will briefly cover some of the things your armor can help with while using an SA, aside from protecting you. Essentially, we're trying to compensate for all the cons of using an SA by using armor abilities. The easiest problem to tackle is Sharpness. Obtaining abilities such as "Sharpness + 1," "Sharp Sword" and "Sharpening Skl Inc" all help with this. "Sharpness + 1" is, in my opinion, the most useful of these skills. ESP, while it is useful, doesn't actually affect sharpness, it affects bouncing. It is also a bit redundant since you already have ESP when you are in Sword mode. On the flipside, any abilities that count against your sharpness are going to be even worse with a SA equipped. Another thing to consider while selecting an armor set is your SA's Phial. Let's say you're using a SA with a Power Phial, it will likely be more beneficial to use armor with an Attack boost over an Elemental boost. For help with armor specifics visit: http://monsterhunter.wikia.com/wiki/MH3:_Armors *2-3* General Strategies ---Coming Soon--- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- **********************************FAQ's************************************** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Why can't I make a Switch Axe Offline? A: The offline blacksmith can't make Switch Axes early game, you have to get to the three-star quests first, but if you go online you can get one made right once you get the materials and money. Q: Where can I get Monster Fluid? A: From any bug or bug quest. If you wait for Altaroth to eat something and they swell up, then kill them, you should have no problem getting some. Otherwise you could get a bowgun and poison Bnahabra. You can get Monster Fluid from Gigi as well, you can find them in any dark cave. Special Thanks to Sieg for the Gigi tip. Q: Where can I get Killer Beetles? A: Flooded Forest, areas 4 and 7 are usually pretty good for it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- *********************************Credits************************************* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guide written by Hexecho, I don't really care if you quote me or claim this as your own... but I would definitely appreciate if you consulted me before doing so. I do not own Monster Hunter, as you could probably guess from the large Capcom logo you see when you start the game, nor did I have a hand in making the game. If you have any questions about Switch Axe's/want some tips or something Monster Hunter related e-mail me: [email protected] Special Thanks to: Neo- Proof reading/suggestions Monsteer Hunteer- Correction on Sword mode’s bouncing in when sharpness is red.
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