Home News How To Use the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds: All Moves and Combos

How To Use the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds: All Moves and Combos

Author: Gabriel Apr 05,2025

One of the most exciting aspects of the *Monster Hunter* series is the diverse array of weapons at hunters' disposal, each offering unique strategies to tackle the game's formidable beasts. For those eager to master the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques needed to excel.

Best Way to Use the Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Long Sword is a versatile weapon that blends speed with significant damage potential, adaptable to various combat styles. It features chainable combos and counterattacks, allowing you to both deal damage and defend effectively.

All Moves

Command	Move	Description
Triangle/Y	Standard Attack	Spirit Blade attacks are slashing attacks that consume the Spirit Gauge. The direction of Spirit Blade I and Spirit Blade II can be adjusted with the analog stick.
Circle/B	Thrust	Press Circle/B after Thrust to perform a Rising Slash.
R2/RT	Spirit Blade I	Spirit Blade attacks are slashing attacks that consume the Spirit Gauge. The direction of Spirit Blade I and Spirit Blade II can be adjusted with the analog stick.
R2/RT x 4	Spirit Blade Combo	Spirit Blade attacks are slashing attacks that consume the Spirit Gauge. The direction of Spirit Blade I and Spirit Blade II can be adjusted with the analog stick.
Holding R2/RT	Spirit Charge	A Spirit Charge fills the Spirit Gauge and, once unleashed, allows you to perform a Spirit Blade attack. The level of Spirit Blade attack depends on the length the charge is held. Charging completely allows you to unleash a Spirit Roundslash. If the Spirit Gauge is red, you won’t have any damage reactions to attacks that knock you back or send you flying while the Roundslash is in motion.
Triangle/Y + Circle/B	Fade Slash	A slashing attack performed while moving backwards. The direction can be controlled using the analog stick.
R2/RT + Circle/B During Combo	Foresight Slash	The Foresight Slash is an attack that can be performed mid-combo and provides a large window of invulnerability. Foresight Slashes consume the entire Spirit Gauge. However, landing one after dodging a monster’s attack will fill the gauge completely. Press R2/RT to chain it into a Spirit Roundslash. When the Spirit Gauge is empty, the effect decreases, but if it is red, you can follow up with a Foresight Whirl Slash.
R2/RT + Triangle/Y	Spirit Thrust	Landing a Spirit Thrust will lower the Spirit Gauge one level (when the gauge is White or higher) but will allow you to chain into a Spirit Helm Breaker. This can be followed up with a Spirit Release Slash when the gauge is red. Use Square/X to cancel Spirit Helm Breaker.
R2/RT + Cross/A	Special Sheath	A special action that sheathes your weapon.
After Special Sheath, Triangle/Y	Iai Slash	After Special Sheath, landing Iai Slash will cause the Spirit Gauge to fill up automatically for a short time.
After Special Sheath, R2/RT	Iai Spirit Slash	After Special Sheath, you can time Iai Spirit Slash with an enemy’s attack to counter and raise your Spirit Gauge by one level.
L2/LT + R1/RB	Focus Strike: Unbound Thrust	A thrusting attack that is effective against wounds. Hitting a wound or weak point will unleash a slash attack, increasing the Spirit Gauge by one level. The more wounds you destroy, the more levels the Spirit Gauge will increase. Use the analog stick to change the direction of the attack.

Spirit Gauge

The Spirit Gauge is a unique feature of the Long Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, enhancing the weapon's damage potential. The higher the level, the more damage you deal, and at its maximum, it transforms basic attacks into powerful follow-up attacks.

To charge the Spirit Gauge, players must land attacks on the monster. To increase the level, hunters should use Spirit Blade attacks and land the final Spirit Roundslash or a Focus Strike. When the gauge is red, landing a Spirit Roundslash or a Spinning Crimson Slash will extend its duration, as the gauge decreases over time.

In terms of damage increases:

White – 1.02x
Yellow – 1.04x
Red – 1.1x

Combos

Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword Combos

Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist

There are several combos that enhance Long Sword combat in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, enabling you to become a swift and effective damage dealer.

Spirit Gauge Filling Combo/Spirit Gauge Leveling

By chaining four basic Overhead Slashes using Triangle/Y, you can quickly fill the Spirit Gauge to its maximum. This then allows for Spirit Blade attacks to increase the level of the Spirit Gauge. To achieve this, perform a four-chain of R2/RT presses. While you can miss the first three attacks, landing the final Spirit Roundslash is crucial to push the Spirit Gauge to the next level.

Crimson Slash Combo

With the Spirit Gauge at its maximum and red, your basic attacks transform into Crimson Slashes. Chaining three of them using Triangle/Y will complete a swift combo with increased damage.

Stationary Combo

Similarly, with a maxed-out Spirit Gauge, you can use this combo to remain stationary by executing Triangle/Y + Circle/B + Triangle/Y. This sequence results in a Crimson Slash following a Rising Slash, and then finishing with another Crimson Slash. This helps you stay in place while dealing damage to the target, eliminating the need for constant movement and aiming.

Related: How to Capture Monsters in Monster Hunter Wild

Long Sword Tips

Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword Tips

Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist

The Spirit Gauge is the core mechanic of the Long Sword, and there are several strategies to maximize your damage output using this feature.

Spirit Charge

By holding down R2/RT, you can initiate the Spirit Charge. Fully charging this move allows you to unleash the Spirit Roundslash without the preceding chain, immediately increasing the Spirit Gauge. Ensure you are in a relatively safe position while charging up.

Spirit Helm Breaker/Spirit Release Slash

The Spirit Helm Breaker delivers the highest damage possible with the Long Sword. It consumes the current level of the Spirit Gauge, but you can maximize its impact by using Crimson Slashes beforehand. After hitting the enemy with the Spirit Thrust, follow up with the Spirit Helm Breaker, and then press R2/RT for the Spirit Release Slash. This sequence deals substantial damage at high speed and looks impressive. Coordinating with teammates to distract the monster can make it easier to execute this combo.

Free Spirit Gauge Levels

By targeting wounds with the Focus Strike, Long Sword users in *Monster Hunter Wilds* can gain one level of the Spirit Gauge per wound. If you've inflicted multiple wounds on a monster, using the Focus Strike can quickly elevate your Spirit Gauge to red. Even with just one wound, this shortcut can be effective. After landing the Focus Strike, immediately trigger the Spirit Blade combo and conclude with a Spirit Blade Roundhouse to increase the gauge by another level instantly.

Countering with Iai Spirit Slash

Without the ability to block damage, speed is your best defense. The Iai Spirit Slash, accessible from Special Sheathe, is your countermeasure. After an attack, press R2/RT and Cross/A for Special Sheathe. Then, time your R2/RT press to execute the Iai Spirit Slash as the enemy attacks. This move not only prevents damage but also punishes the monster effectively.

That’s all you need to know about mastering the Long Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. For more tips and strategies, be sure to explore the rest of The Escapist.

Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.