In Monster Hunter Wilds, the Switch Axe is a close-range weapon that can swap between two forms, but its two-sided nature may put some players off. In the early game, Switch Axes take a long time to figure out, especially if you are new to Monster Hunter with Monster Hunter Wilds. But don't let the morphing mechanic turn you off.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Weapon Bouncing Explained
If your weapon bounces off of monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds, it might be time to get it back into fighting shape.
In the early game, if you can learn the Switch Axe playstyle, Monster Hunter Wilds Switch Axe builds can absolutely shred through monsters without ever leaving melee range. To make the best Switch Axe build for early Monster Hunter Wilds and Low Rank, craft one of the best early Switch Axes, equip useful armor sets, and try to pick up Equipment Skills that enhance your Switch Axe damage and evasion.
Best Early Switch Axes For Low HR/Campaign
Depending on where you are in the main campaign for Monster Hunter Wilds, the best early Switch Axes will differ. Though the Dosha Fleshhacker is our recommendation for the best early Switch Axe in Monster Hunter Wilds, you won't be able to unlock it until mid-way through the campaign, until you defeat the Alpha Doshaguma.
Iron Accelerator
|
Switch Axe Name |
Unlock Requirement |
Materials & Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Hope Axe II |
1x Machalite Ore 2x Earth Crystal 800z |
Iron Accelerator ITo get the first recommended early game Switch Axe, upgrade your Hope Axe to Rank II, then craft an Iron Accelerator. This is an upgrade over the Hope Axe II and comes with the Rapid Morph skill, which reduces the time it takes to swap between Axe Form and Sword Form.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Fast Travel
By using fast travel, Monster Hunter Wilds players can get to camps and major locations in the open world much faster.
Barina Hache
|
Switch Axe Name |
Unlock Requirement |
Materials & Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Bone Axe I |
1x Lala Barina Claw 2x Lala Barina Mucus 3x Lala Barina Shell 500z |
Barina Hache IUse this until you face the Lala Barina, which will unlock the Barina Hache. This is one of the best Switch Axes in the early game for its Paralysis damage (just like the namesake Lala Barina spider boss), which will cause monsters to freeze in place if you build enough of this elemental status effect with your hits. The high Affinity makes it easier to get critical hits with this weapon.
Don't get used to crits for too long, though. The best Low Rank Switch Axe actually has -5% affinity, which reduces the chance for crits. Thankfully, it's made up for with the highest raw damage for an early Switch Axe.
Dosha Fleshhacker
|
Switch Axe Name |
Unlock Requirement |
Materials & Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Bone Axe I |
1x Doshaguma Fang 2x Doshaguma Claw 3x Doshaguma Fur 800z |
Dosha Fleshhacker IThough it has -5% negative Affinity, the Dosha Fleshhacker is the best early Switch Axe in Monster Hunter Wilds for its high raw damage output and its Power Prolonger skill. This skill increases the amount of time you can stay in Sword Form and keeps the Switch Gauge and Amp Gauge full for longer.
The Dosha Fleshhacker, and its upgraded versions, are so strong that you won't need to replace them until you hit the late campaign and unlock High Rank Monster Hunter Wilds content.
To unlock both the Barina Hache and the Dosha Fleshhacker, you must first craft a Bone Axe, a shared prerequisite for both of these Switch Axes.
Best Low HR Switch Axe Armor Sets
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Doshaguma Set
The Doshaguma armor set is one of the best armor sets for Switch Axe builds in the early game of Monster Hunter Wilds because of its set bonus. When the whole set is equipped, you will gain one level in the Item Prolonger and Recovery Speed skills and three levels in the Free Meal skill. But these pale in comparison to the set bonus. With two pieces of this set equipped, you will gain the Doshaguma's Might skill.
This is particularly useful for Switch Axe builds because it increases damage output after a successful Offset Attack or Power Clash. Because the Axe Form has an Offset Attack readily available at all times, Switch Axe users can trigger the Doshaguma's Might buff reliably.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Sharpen Your Weapon
To sharpen your weapon, Monster Hunter Wilds players must use a Whetstone, a permanent tool that takes a few seconds to use.
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Hirabami Set
Each piece of the Hirabami armor set grants one of the most powerful Switch Axe skills in the game. Evade Window can be increased to Level 5 with the full set equipped, which significantly increases the amount of invulnerability time you receive during an Evade.
Like in the Souls games, dodging in Monster Hunter Wilds grants a few frames of total invincibility. Normally, the Monster Hunter Wilds evade isn't as forgiving as the Souls dodge roll, but with Level 5 Evade Window, you'll be able to effectively dodge through enemy attacks instead of away from them, completely changing the close-range melee experience.
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Balahara Set
The Balhara set offers some of the most useful Equipment Skills in Monster Hunter Wilds, but unlike the Doshaguma set, it doesn't offer a Switch Axe-specific Set Bonus. Instead, equipping all pieces to this set will grant the Hunger Resistance and Quick Sheathe skills at level 1, but more importantly, it grants Level 3 Evade Extender.
Arguably the best basic Equipment Skill in Monster Hunter Wilds for melee weapon builds, Evade Extender does what it says on the tin – with this skill, your dodge rolls will travel further than normal. Because the full Balahara Set grants the maximum Level 3 Evade Extender, your dodge rolls will go about three times as far as normal with this set equipped.
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Lala Barina Set
The Lala Barina is a spine-tingling spider boss that rewards one of the best very early armor sets for Switch Axe builds. When equipped, pieces to the Lala Barina set will boost Recovery Up to Level 3 and grant Level 2 Paralysis Resistance. Though the set doesn't have any inherent Set Bonus, Recovery Up is a very powerful regeneration skill in Monster Hunter Wilds, and the defenses aren't bad for the early section of the game you unlock it in.
The Lala Barina set isn't necessarily a bad armor set for Switch Axe builds, it's just not quite as synergistic with the Switch Axe strengths as the Hirabami, Balhara or Doshaguma sets.
Best Early Switch Axe Skills & Talismans
Best Low Rank Switch Axe Equipment Skills
There are three skills you should prioritize when looking for the best Switch Axe skills: Evade Extender, Evade Window, and Adrenaline Rush. Some of these are granted by armor sets recommended above, but Adrenaline Rush is exclusive to the Counterattack Charm and certain Rathalos and Xu Wu equipment.
- Evade Extender: Increases Evasion distance when dodging
- Evade Window: Increases invulnerability window when dodging
- Adrenaline Rush: Temporarily empowers attacks after narrowly dodging an enemy attack
As you progress through the Low Rank campaign, either equip the Hirabami or Balahara sets to gain these skills early, and keep an eye out for these skills on gear you unlock later in the campaign.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Save
Saving your game in Monster Hunter Wilds happens automatically – but don't forget to manually save the game, too.
Best Early Switch Axe Talismans
Armor and weapons aren't the only equippable items in Monster Hunter Wilds – to put together the best Switch Axe build, Monster Hunter Wilds players must also consider their Talisman. After progressing through the first chapter of the campaign, you will unlock the ability to create Talismans at the Blacksmith (Gemma), who can also craft and upgrade Armors and Weapons.
Talismans are like this game's version of a Ring equippable, granting bonus skills to their wearer, but no extra defensive stats. These four best Switch Axe talismans are the ones you should prioritize obtaining in the early game:
|
Talisman Name |
Talisman Effect |
Crafting Materials (Lvl 1) |
|---|---|---|
|
Counterattack Charm |
Grants the Adrenaline Rush skill |
3000z 2x Balahara Shell 1x Balahara Skull 1x Nerscylla Claw 2x Dragonite Ore |
|
Leaping Charm |
Grants the Evade Extender skill |
1500z 2x Balahara Shell 1x Balahara Skull 1x Nerscylla Claw 2x Dragonite Ore |
|
Recovery Charm |
Grants the Recovery Up skill |
500z 2x Lala Barina Floret 1x Lala Barina Mucus 1x Congalala Pelt 2x Sturdy Bone |
|
Sheathe Charm |
Grants the Quick Sheathe skill |
1500z 2x Balahara Scale 1x Balahara Skull 1x Hirabami Tail Claw 2x Dragonite Ore |
|
Hope Charm |
Grants the Self-Improvement and Recovery Up skills |
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Engine
- RE Engine
- Franchise
- Monster Hunter
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
