Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade: Best builds, tips and tricks

Mhr Charge Blade Pose
Mhr Charge Blade Pose (Image credit: iMore)

Considering that there are 14 weapon types to choose from in Monster Hunter Rise, it's not surprising that some can find the game a bit overwhelming. However, the wide range of options also means the game can work with several different play styles, as long as you know how to use your chosen weapon. In this guide, we'll dive into the Charge Blade, its fighting style, attacks, and the best builds to use with it.

Monster Hunter Rise is a relatively large game on Nintendo Switch. Make sure to have adequate space on your microSD card, so you can play without a hitch. Without further ado, let's dive into the Charge Blade.

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade fighting style

Mhr Charge Blade Axe Mode (Image credit: iMore)

Much like the Switch Axe, the Charge Blade is a complicated weapon that has both a Sword form and an Axe form. The Sword moves about quickly and is great for blocking while the Axe can be charged up to deliver devistating attacks. You'll need to store up energy while in the Sword mode and then release it by switching to Axe mode.

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade controls

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ControlsFunctionHeader Cell - Column 2
Sword Mode:Row 0 - Cell 1 Row 0 - Cell 2
XSword: Weak SlashRow 1 - Cell 2
X + ASword: Forward SlashRow 2 - Cell 2
L Joystick + A (during combo)Sword: Fade SlashRow 3 - Cell 2
ZR + XSword: Morph SlashRow 4 - Cell 2
ZR + AChargeRow 5 - Cell 2
ZRMorph/ReloadRow 6 - Cell 2
Axe Mode:Row 7 - Cell 1 Row 7 - Cell 2
XAxe: Rising SlashRow 8 - Cell 2
Rapidly press AAxe: Wild SwingRow 9 - Cell 2
AAxe: Element DischargeRow 10 - Cell 2
X + AAxe: Amped Element DischargeRow 11 - Cell 2
ZRMorph/ReloadRow 12 - Cell 2
  • Charge Gauge: Attack in Sword Mode to build up Sword Energy. Build up too much energy and attacks will bounce off. Perform Charge Phials while the gauge is yellow or above to fill a phial, which can be used in Axe Mode to perform powerful attacks.
  • Attacks that Block: Some sword mode attacks have blocking frames, like the end of Spinning Slash or the start of Morph Slash. If an attack hits while your shield is facing forward, you'll block automatically.
  • Charged Attack: Condensed Element Slash and Charged Double Slash will not execute properly if you hold the button for too long. Release the button at the right time to use these moves successfully.
  • Sword Boost Mode: Perform a Sword: Condensed Element Slash during an Elemental Boost to enter Sword Boost Mode. In this mode, your sword will not be deflected and you will gain additional attacks.
  • Element Discharge: While in Axe Mode, you can use phials to perform powerful attacks.
  • Element Boost: With at least 1 phial applied, perform an Axe: Elemental Roundslash, and your shield will be elementally boosted, improving power and guard capacity in Axe Mode. Axe: Amped Element Discharge becomes Axe: Super Element Discharge. Successfully blocking an attack in this state triggers a shield explosion.
  • Activate Phial Effects: A charge blade uses Impact Phials and Elemental Phials; its Element Discharge releases each phial's effects
    • Impact Phial — stuns the target.
    • Element Phial — Deals explosive damage of the same elemental type as the weapo to the target.

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade combos

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CombosFunctionHeader Cell - Column 2
Sword ModeRow 0 - Cell 1 Row 0 - Cell 2
X + A, X, XSword: Basic Combo: Sword: Forward Slash > Sword: Return Stroke > Sword: Spinning SlashRow 1 - Cell 2
Hold A, X + A, X + A, ZRElemental Roundslash Combo: Sword: Charged Double Slash > Sword: Shield Thrust > Axe: Amped Element Discharge > Axe: Element Boost Spinning Slash (Power mode requires more than 1 phial)Row 2 - Cell 2
Hold A, ZR + A, Hold XSword: Sword Mode-boosting Combo: Sword: Charged Double Slash > While Charging > Sword: Condensed Element SlashRow 3 - Cell 2
Axe ModeRow 4 - Cell 1 Row 4 - Cell 2
L Joystick + X, A, AAxe:Combo into Amped Element Discharge: Axe: Dash Slam > Axe: Element Discharge II > Axe: Amped Element DischargeRow 5 - Cell 2
X, A, X, AAxe: Combos from Axe Mode into Element Discharge: Axe: Rising Slash > Axe: Element Discharge II > Axe: Rising Slash > Axe: Element Discharge IIRow 6 - Cell 2

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade Silkbind Attacks

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Silkbind AttacksFunctionHeader Cell - Column 2
ZL + XMorphing Advance: Wirebug launches you forward and your blade switches to Axe mode. You cannot be stunned or knocked while in motion.Row 0 - Cell 2
ZL + ACounter Peak Performance: This move readies your shield and ties you to the ground. If you're hit while in this state, your phials completely fill up.Row 1 - Cell 2
ZL + AAxe Hopper: Bring the axe crashing down overhead to launch you into the sky with Ironsilk. While going up, you can perform an Elemental Discharge.Row 2 - Cell 2

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade Switch Skills

Each weapon in Monster Hunter Rise has unique Switch Skills, so called because you can have one of two skills activated for each attack at a time.

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AttackSwitch Skills
Silkbind AttackCounter Peak Performance: If you successfully block an attack your phials are filled and you can perform other attacks. (Wirebug Gauge recovers at a medium rate).
Axe Hopper: Shoots you into the air by slamming your axe down. While going up, you can perform an Elemental Discharge. (Wirebug Gauge recovers at a medium rate).
Regular AttackCondensed Element Slash: Element Regeneration gets activated when charging. This also switches the weapon into Axe Mode. Longer hits performed in Axe Mode turn into Phials.
Condensed Spinning Slash: Element Regeneration gets activated when charging. This also switches the weapon into Axe Mode so you can hit several times before disengaging it. Longer hits performed in Axe Mode turn into Phials.

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade Best Builds

Mhr Charge Blade Kneeling (Image credit: iMore)

As always, the best builds are a matter of opinion. I prefer to wear gear that offers plenty of defense. Here are the builds that will help compliment the Charge Blade's abilities.

Best Builds for 2 Star Quests

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AreaBest equipment
WeaponRegas Hyper II
HeadIzuchi Helm
ChestHunter's Mail
ArmsAlloy Vambraces
WaistChainmail Belt
LegsBaggi Greaves

Stats & Skills for this build:

  • Defense: 38
  • Fire: -3
  • Water: -2
  • Thunder: -3
  • Ice: 1
  • Dragon: 1
  • Attack Boost Lvl 2
  • Critical Eye Lvl 2
  • Guard Lvl 1

Best Builds for 4 Star Quests

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AreaBest equipment
WeaponHyperguard
HeadBarroth Helm
ChestRhenoplos Mail
ArmsRhenoplos Braces
WaistBarroth Coil
LegsBasarios Greaves

Stats & Skills for this build:

  • Defense: 92
  • Fire: -2
  • Water: -4
  • Thunder: 7
  • Ice: -5
  • Dragon:-3
  • Affinity Lvl 2
  • Attack Boost Lvl 1
  • Guard Lvl 1
  • Load Shells Lvl 1
  • Defense Boost Lvl 2
  • Stun Resistance Lvl 1

Best Builds for Endgame

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AreaBest equipment
WeaponSinister Shade Axe
HeadAlmudron Helm S
ChestBasarios Mail S
ArmsRhenoplos Braces S
WaistVolvidon Coil S
LegsBasarios Greaves S

Stats & Skills for this build:

  • Defense: 266
  • Fire: 0
  • Water: -4
  • Thunder: 5
  • Ice: -3
  • Dragon: -7
  • Rapid Morph Lvl 3
  • Artillery Lvl 2
  • Load Shells Lvl 2
  • Guard Lvl 1
  • Defense Boost Lvl 2
  • Bludgeoner Lvl 1

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade Best Skills

Mhr Capture Monster (Image credit: iMore)

As you create your builds and get further into the game, we recommend working on obtaining these skills.

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SkillWhat it does
GuardMakes it so you don't use as much stamina when guarding.
Rapid MorphThis skill increases the amount of damage and speed created by form changing abilities. Get it at least to level 3 to make good use of it.
Load ShellsGives you more phials to use once you get it to level 2.
FocusMakes it so you can charge up your blade a lot faster.

Charge it up

Once you get the hang of the phial system, the Charge Blade becomes a powerful weapon for both offense and defense. Just make sure to practice between the two modes.

If this doesn't seem like the best fit for your play style, you should consider one of the other weapons available in Monster Hunter Rise.

More navigation links:

Monster Hunter Rise Charge Blade

All Weapons

Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.