Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword: Best builds, tips, and tricks

Mhr Weapon Great Sword
Mhr Weapon Great Sword (Image credit: iMore)

Considering that there are 14 weapons to choose from in Monster Hunter Rise, it can be hard to figure out which one works best with your play style. If you like taking on the role of a tank who smashes first and answers questions later, you'll love the Great Sword. It does the most damage out of any of the other weapons and can even block enemy attacks, but in exchange, you'll move rather slowly.

Monster Hunter Rise is one of the best Nintendo Switch games in existence. To prove that, let's dive into the various Great Sword attacks, skills, and builds that truly make this weapon great.

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword fighting style

Mhr Weapon Great Sword Bone (Image credit: iMore)

The Great Sword is a heavy weapon that allows you to make powerful charge attacks and block enemy attacks at the expense of sharpness. It definitely can inflict the highest damage out of any of the other weapons, but it's also really slow.

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword Controls

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ControlsFunctionHeader Cell - Column 2
XOverhead SlashRow 0 - Cell 2
AWide SweepRow 1 - Cell 2
X + ARising SlashRow 2 - Cell 2
A (while charging)TackleRow 3 - Cell 2
ZR (in midair)Plunging ThrustRow 4 - Cell 2
ZRGuardRow 5 - Cell 2
  • Charged Slash: Hold X to charge the Overhead Slash's power. The longer it's held, the harder it hits. Release it at the right time to unleash a devastating Charged Slash.
  • True Charged Slash (Power): If a true charged slash hits against a soft, weak point on a monster, the second attack will do much more damage.
  • Leaping Wide Slash: This attack gains extra hits with each charge stage, making it easier to deal more status and elemental damage.
  • Tackle: Fortifies the user, making them immune to flinching or being blown away by even the fiercest of attacks.

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword Combos

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CombosFunctionHeader Cell - Column 2
Hold X, left joystick + Hold X, A, Hold XTrue Charged Slash Bombo: Charged Slash > Strong Charged Slash > Strong Wide Slash > True Charged SlashRow 0 - Cell 2
A, A, AForward Lunging Attack Combo: Wide Sweep > Tackle > Leaping Wide SlashRow 1 - Cell 2
A, X+A, AStationary Combo: Wide Sweep > Rising Slash > Wide SweepRow 2 - Cell 2

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword Switch Skills

Monster Hunter weapons have their own attacks, and each attack can have one of two Switch Skills assigned to it. Here are the Switch Skills for the Great Sword.

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AttackSwitch Skills
Silkbind AttackAdamant Charged Slash: Can withstand knockbacks and makes you dash forward with a Strong Charged Slash.
Hunting Edge: Makes you attack by leaping forward. If you hit your enemy, you can followup with Charged Slash or Charged Plunging attack.
Regular Attack 1Tackle: Makes you move forward and attack using the blade's flat side. Not as easy to use as a regular Tackle, but can allow you to Guard.
Guard Tackle: A Charged Slash that strikes twice with a large swing and inflicts lots of damage. If you hit a weak spot on the first strike, the second strike will do more damage.
Regular Attack 2True Charged Slash: A Charged Slash attack that strikes twice by making you spin. If you hit a weak spot on the first strike, the second one deals additional damage.
Rage Slash: If a player takes damage while the weapon is drawn, it strengthens the user's attack.

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword Silkbind Attacks

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Silkbind AttacksFunctionHeader Cell - Column 2
ZL + APower Sheathe: Makes you move forward quickly while you sheathe your weapon and temporarily boost your attack.Row 0 - Cell 2
ZL + XHunting Edge: Makes you leap forward and attack. A successful hit can be followed with a Charged Slash or Charged Plunging Thrust in midair. Can be switched out with Adamant Charged Slash.Row 1 - Cell 2
ZL + XAdamant Charged Slash: With the help of a Wirebug, you lunge forward with a Strong Charged Slash. Since it hardens your body, you can withstand knockbacks. It can be switched out with Hunting Edge.Row 2 - Cell 2

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword Best builds

Monster Hunter Rise Pukei Pukei (Image credit: Capcom)

Every build you make will have some give and take. However, these are what we consider to be the best builds for the Great Sword.

Best build for 2 Star Quests

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AreaBest equipment
WeaponBuster Sword I
HeadIzuchi Helm
ChestHunter's Mail
ArmsAlloy Vambraces
WaistBone Coil
LegsBaggi Greaves

Stats & Skills for this build:

  • Defense: 44
  • Fire: -3
  • Water: -2
  • Thunder: -4
  • Ice: 0
  • Dragon: 1
  • Attack Boost Lvl 2
  • Critical Eye Lvl 2
  • Focus Lvl 1

Best build for 4 Star Quests

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AreaBest equipment
WeaponBuster Blade
HeadBasarios Helm
ChestBarroth Mail
ArmsSomnacanth Braces
WaistBasarios Coil
LegsBasarios Greaves

Stats & Skills for this build:

  • Defense: 134
  • Fire: 3
  • Water: -3
  • Thunder: 7
  • Ice: 7
  • Dragon: -4
  • Attack Boost Lvl 1
  • Defense Boost Lvl 5
  • Speed Sharpening Lvl 1
  • Free Elem/Ammo Up Lvl 1
  • Bombardier Lvl 1
  • Divine Blessing Lvl 1

Best Endgame build for Great Sword

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AreaBest equipment
WeaponAbominable Great Sword
HeadKhezu Helm S
ChestAnja Mail S
ArmsRathalos Braces S
WaistRathalos Coil S
LegsIngot Greaves S

Stats & Skills for this build:

  • Defense: 263
  • Fire: 4
  • Water: -1
  • Thunder: 0
  • Ice: 3
  • Dragon: -5
  • Attack Boost Lvl 6
  • Focus Lvl 3
  • Critical Eye Lvl 2
  • Marathon Runner Lvl 1
  • Recovery Up Lvl 1
  • Windproof Lvl 1

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword Best skills

I recommend you work on getting these skills leveled up as soon as you can. It'll greatly help you perform better with the Great Sword.

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SkillWhat it does
Attack BoostIncreases attack power and, in higher levels, also increases Affinity.
FocusShortens the amount of time it takes for gauges to fill up so you can deal more combos faster.
Weakness ExploitYour attacks do more damage when exploiting a monster's weakness.
Critical EyeIncreases the likelihood of landing critical hits.

One of the greats

There's a reason why the Great Sword is such a popular choice when playing Monster Hunter Rise. With its powerful attacks and blocking ability, you can take down monsters with fewer swings and also protect yourself. Just note that it's slower than other weapons out there.

If you're not sure if the Great Sword is a good pick for you, check out one of the other 14 weapons.

More navigation links:

Monster Hunter Rise Great Sword

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.