Long Sword in Monster Hunter World: 10 Essential Tips for Hunters

Key Takeaways:

1. The Long Sword in Monster Hunter World strikes a balance between power and mobility, making it a versatile choice for players who enjoy wide-reach attacks and moderate agility.
2. Managing Spirit Gauge is crucial for Long Sword mastery, allowing players to unleash powerful combos and maintain attack buffs.
3. Effective use of special moves like Foresight Slash and Clutch Claw can maximize damage output and position control, elevating gameplay against tougher monsters.

The Long Sword is a beloved weapon in Monster Hunter World for its swift, sweeping attacks and smooth combat style. For players familiar with Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, the return of the Long Sword brings not only nostalgia but also the challenge of mastering its unique spirit-based mechanics. Unlike the heavy-hitting Great Sword, the Long Sword combines solid range with decent mobility, offering hunters a potent weapon that thrives in precision and timing. This guide will provide you with essential tips to master the Long Sword, from understanding its core mechanics to harnessing advanced skills that maximize damage output.

1. Get Comfortable with Basic Combos

Unlike other weapon types, the Long Sword has a relatively simple yet powerful infinite combo. Players can press the basic attack button (Y on Xbox or Triangle on PlayStation) repeatedly to perform an attack sequence of slashes and thrusts. This combo is ideal for consistent damage output and keeps players flexible, as each move in the chain can be interrupted or redirected based on enemy actions. However, rather than mashing buttons, players should time these attacks thoughtfully to weave in dodges and strong counterattacks when opportunities arise.

2. Chain Combos After Repositioning

One of the Long Sword’s unique advantages is its ability to cancel combos with a roll, allowing players to evade monster attacks and quickly regain their footing. This characteristic makes the Long Sword ideal for hunters who prioritize agility without sacrificing power. By canceling a combo mid-strike, players can dodge a monster’s attack, reposition themselves, and re-engage with a new combo. This tactic keeps hunters close to their target while maintaining offensive pressure, even against swift or unpredictable monsters.

3. Master the Spirit Gauge for Maximum Damage

The Spirit Gauge sets the Long Sword apart, empowering hunters to unleash stronger attacks by filling up the gauge with spirit blade attacks (RT on Xbox or R2 on PlayStation). These attacks not only increase the gauge but also enhance the damage and effectiveness of the weapon’s unique Spirit Roundslash, a powerful move that grants an attack buff. However, if players stop using spirit attacks, this buff fades. The key is to balance basic attacks with spirit attacks, ensuring a full gauge while keeping the buff active for prolonged battles.

4. Utilize the Clutch Claw for Effective Positioning

The Clutch Claw is a handy tool for any Monster Hunter World player, but it’s especially valuable for Long Sword users. By gripping onto a monster with the Clutch Claw, hunters can close the distance and inflict more precise damage, particularly on tougher body parts. Repeated use of the Clutch Claw on the same spot weakens that area, making it a prime target for powerful Long Sword combos. Additionally, latching onto a monster’s head allows hunters to steer it toward traps or walls, potentially stunning or incapacitating it.

5. Take Advantage of the Foresight Slash for Counters

The Foresight Slash is one of the Long Sword’s most versatile moves, doubling as both an attack and a defensive parry. Executed by pressing RT and B (R2 and Circle on PlayStation), this move causes the hunter to hop backward briefly before launching forward with a slash. If timed correctly, this maneuver absorbs an incoming hit and returns with a counterattack, making it ideal for deflecting a monster’s offense while delivering damage. However, it consumes a portion of the Spirit Gauge, so hunters need to be mindful of their spirit levels before attempting a parry.

6. Embrace the Special Sheathe for Fluid Combos

Long Sword users can perform a Special Sheathe (RT + A on Xbox or R2 + X on PlayStation) to store their sword on their hip instead of their back, enabling unique Iai moves. After a Special Sheathe, pressing the basic attack button (Y or Triangle) triggers the Iai Slash, which refills the Spirit Gauge on a successful hit. Meanwhile, pressing the secondary attack button (B or Circle) activates the Iai Spirit Slash, a stronger attack that consumes spirit energy. This move expands the Long Sword’s combo potential, allowing players to chain together attacks with minimal downtime.

7. Consider Sheathing When Moving Around the Battlefield

Due to its extended reach, wielding the Long Sword causes a slight drop in mobility. However, sheathing the weapon provides an excellent opportunity to reposition quickly. This strategy is especially useful when setting up traps, utilizing items like Flashbugs or Flashpods, or preparing for a new attack sequence. Sheathing grants hunters the mobility they need to dodge monster attacks, maneuver around the battlefield, and set up strategic advantages that keep them in control of the fight.

8. Avoid Being Interrupted by Monster Roars

Monster roars can be a major annoyance for Long Sword users, as they interrupt the flow of combos and leave hunters vulnerable. Long Sword hunters are often on the offensive, so getting caught in a roar mid-combo can halt their momentum and waste valuable spirit energy. To mitigate this, players can invest in the Earplugs skill, which nullifies roars, or rely on Foresight Slash to counteract these interruptions with proper timing. Strategic use of these options allows hunters to maintain their offense even in the face of challenging monster encounters.

9. Equip Aggression Skills for Enhanced Combat

Long Sword hunters thrive on relentless attacks, and certain skills can amplify this playstyle. Skills like Critical Eye increase critical hit chances, making each slash more potent against aggressive opponents. Another valuable skill is Agitator, which boosts attack power against enraged monsters—a common state for many monsters as the fight progresses. By choosing aggression-boosting skills, hunters can enhance the base damage of their Long Sword and capitalize on their prey’s aggression.

10. Keep Your Long Sword Sharp

Sharpness is vital for Long Sword hunters, as dulled blades reduce damage and make attacks less effective. Given the Long Sword’s combo-heavy nature, sharpness tends to wear out quickly. Skills like Handicraft can increase the weapon’s base sharpness level, while Speed Sharpening reduces sharpening time, enabling hunters to return to the fray faster. While it might not seem crucial at first glance, maintaining a sharp blade ensures that each combo hits with maximum impact, preventing interruptions in critical moments.

FAQs

Q1: How do I maintain my Spirit Gauge during extended fights? A1: Utilize a balance of regular and spirit blade attacks to keep the gauge full. Incorporate Special Sheathe and Iai moves to refill your Spirit Gauge while minimizing downtime.

Q2: What is the best way to counter monster roars with the Long Sword? A2: You can use the Foresight Slash to parry roars if timed correctly. Additionally, the Earplugs skill is highly effective, as it nullifies the effect of roars entirely.

Q3: How can I prevent my Long Sword from dulling quickly in battle? A3: Equip the Handicraft skill to extend the weapon’s sharpness and Speed Sharpening to reduce sharpening time. This keeps you in the fight longer without frequent interruptions.

Q4: What makes the Long Sword a good choice for solo players? A4: The Long Sword’s combination of range, agility, and powerful spirit-based attacks makes it versatile and effective for solo play, allowing players to control the battlefield and deal consistent damage.

Q5: Can I use the Long Sword effectively against fast monsters? A5: Yes! With cancelable combos and the ability to dodge mid-sequence, the Long Sword is adaptable against both slow and fast monsters, especially if you master timing with moves like Foresight Slash and Special Sheathe.