The Great Sword is the highest damage-per-hit weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds. With the right charge timing, it can break any monster part and stagger any boss. This guide covers the best builds for solo and multiplayer play.
Why Great Sword
The Great Sword rewards patience and timing. Each charged attack deals massive damage, and a well-timed tackle can interrupt any monster combo. The weapon is best for hunters who:
- Prefer slow, deliberate combat
- Want the highest single-hit damage in the game
- Like to break monster parts
- Don't mind waiting for the right opening
The downside is the slow swing speed. A mistimed charge is a massive damage loss.
Best Great Swords
Best Raw Great Swords
Royal Great Sword
Raw damage: 380. Sharpness: White. Affinity: 10%. Skills: Attack Boost 3, Critical Boost 2.
Best for: general-purpose hunting, especially against monsters with no elemental weakness.
Anjanath Cleaver
Raw damage: 360. Sharpness: White. Affinity: 15%. Skills: Attack Boost 3, Critical Eye 2.
Best for: monsters weak to raw damage.
Best Elemental Great Swords
Legiana Frost Blade
Element: Ice. Elemental damage: 280. Sharpness: White. Skills: Ice Attack 3, Critical Element 2.
Best for: ice-weak monsters.
Best Armor
Rathalos Armor
Skills: Attack Boost 4, Critical Eye 3, Weakness Exploit 2. Defense: 380. Slots: 2 level-2, 2 level-1.
How to get: Crafted from Rathalos materials.
Uragaan Armor
Skills: Focus 3, Guard 3, Stamina Thief 2. Defense: 450. Slots: 2 level-2, 2 level-1.
How to get: Crafted from Uragaan materials.
Best Skills
Focus 3
Reduces charge time by 30%. Essential for fast charged attacks.
Attack Boost 4
Boosts raw attack by 8%. Required for raw builds.
Critical Eye 3
Boosts affinity by 15%. Pairs well with Critical Boost.
Critical Boost 2
Boosts critical damage by 25%. Pairs with high affinity.
Weakness Exploit 2
Boosts damage on weak points by 15%. Great Sword is best aimed at weak points.
Stamina Thief 2
Reduces monster stamina on hit. Stops monsters from running away.
Best Combos
Standard Combo
- Charge to Level 1 (hold Circle)
- Release
- Charge to Level 2 (hold Circle longer)
- Release
- Tackle through monster attack (Circle + Triangle during charge)
- Charge to Level 3 (hold Circle fully)
- Release
This combo is the bread-and-butter Great Sword combo.
Punish Combo
When the monster is staggered:
- Charge to Level 3 immediately
- Release on the head or weak point
- Charge to Level 2 (faster with Focus)
- Release
- Tackle if monster is recovering
- Charge to Level 3
- Release
This combo maximizes damage during stagger windows.
Counter Combo
When the monster is winding up a big attack:
- Start charging
- Tackle through the attack
- Immediately release charge
- Charge to Level 3
- Release
The tackle interrupts the monster and the Level 3 follow-up punishes the opening.
How to Use Tackle
Tackle is the Great Sword's signature defensive move. It is performed by pressing Circle + Triangle during a charge. The tackle:
- Interrupts your charge
- Absorbs one hit of damage
- Stuns the monster briefly
- Costs stamina
Use tackle to absorb hits you cannot dodge. Do not use it as a regular attack โ it deals no damage and costs stamina.
Best Matchups
Monsters Weak to Raw
- Tigrex
- Brachydios
- Glavenus
Use the Royal Great Sword or Anjanath Cleaver for these.
Monsters Weak to Ice
- Legiana
- Barioth
- Tigrex (also weak to ice)
Use the Legiana Frost Blade for these.
Monsters Weak to Fire
- Rathian
- Anjanath
- Glavenus (also weak to fire)
Use the Rathalos Flame Sword for these.
Solo Strategy
For solo play, focus on:
- Charge timing โ always wait for the right opening
- Tackle for defense โ never dodge with a Great Sword if you can tackle
- Weak point targeting โ aim for the head or tail for max damage
- Stamina management โ tackles cost stamina
Multiplayer Strategy
For multiplayer play, focus on:
- Stagger setup โ chain your stuns with other hunters
- Part breaking โ Great Sword is the best weapon for breaking parts
- Wake-up hits โ Level 3 charge on a sleeping monster is huge damage
Common Mistakes
- Don't charge without an opening. Charging into thin air wastes time.
- Don't tackle through every attack. Some attacks are best dodged.
- Don't ignore stamina. Great Sword is stamina hungry.
- Don't forget to sharpen. Low sharpness ruins Great Sword damage.
FAQ: Great Sword
Q: Is Great Sword the strongest weapon in MH Wilds?
A: It has the highest single-hit damage. Total damage is comparable to other weapons.
Q: Should I use Focus or Charge Up?
A: Focus is more universal. Charge Up is good for very specific builds.
Q: Are there any Great Sword combos that break the game?
A: No. All combos are achievable through normal play.
Q: Do I need Stamina Thief?
A: It helps but is not mandatory. Most players use the slots for more damage skills.
Q: What's the best Palico for Great Sword?
A: The Fighter Palico with the Buster Sword. It will keep the monster busy while you charge.
With this build, you will be the highest single-hit damage dealer in the hunt. Master the charge timing, learn to tackle, and always aim for weak points.