Switch Axe is a really cool weapon, and it's named that because it has the ability to transform from Sword to Axe and back. This weapon is very versatile and allows the players to change between the weapons and flow from combo to combo. While in Axe form the weapon has incredible reach: capable of hitting a flying Rathian with a vertical rising slash attack. Another thing that's pretty cool with the Switch Axe is that instead of dodge rolling, you have a quick sidestep which allows you to continue attacking while evading.
There is an Energy meter under your Sharpness display Whenever you attack with the Sword form it decreases that meter. Once depleted it'd automatically changed back to Axe form, You'll need to reload the weapon before you can transform again, The energy bar also increases on its on over time as well.
Once you switched into Sword form you get a new mechanic called "Phial". The phial gives a coating to your weapon for special effects which ill describe below in detail. You can also overload the phial for a huge discharge attack as well. In Sword form it is very similar to the Great Sword, the difference is that it's much faster than the Great Sword but lower in raw damage. Mastery of both Axe and Sword forms is what'll make this weapon unstoppable giving you tons of options of attack.
Types of Phial
- Power - Raises the pure raw damage of the Sword mode.
- Poison - Grants the Sword ability to apply poison effect to monsters, soon you'll see the monsters drooling purple poison everywhere.
- Paralysis - Grants the Sword ability to apply paralysis effect to monsters, Monsters will be convulsing and twitching under your barrage of attacks in no time.
- Exhaust - Grants the Sword ability to drain stamina per attack exhausting the monster, your sword will also be able to stun and KO monsters if you aim for the head. They'll be panting and out of breathe because...you're hitting it.
- Element - Raises the elemental damages of the Sword mode. Only Switch Axes that has elemental/status can use this.
- Dragon - Grants Dragon damage to the Sword mode. Since dragon damage is very rarely found in the weapon, this phial makes up for it.
Pros
- Fast Attacks, and even faster in Sword mode
- Sidestep allows non stop attacks
- Able to switch modes anytime even during Combos
- Combos can chain infinitely
- While in combo, super armor effect is applied. combos will not be interrupted by small monster or teammate's attacks.
Cons
- Loses sharpness every quickly.
- Powerful attacks are very disruptive to other players.
- While in sword mode, mobility is very low just like the Great Sword.
- No ability to Block with the weapon like Great Sword.
Leave any comment and questions, I'd love to hear what you guys have to say.
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If you missed the Gun Lance post you can read it here - https://steemit.com/gaming/@mrhasuu/monster-hunter-weapon-8-gunlance
