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How To Use the Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds: All Moves and Combos

by Christian Mar 14,2025

The *Monster Hunter* series is renowned for its diverse weapon arsenal, and the Great Sword in *Monster Hunter Wilds* is a prime example of devastating power. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to master this behemoth of a blade.

The Great Sword, as its name suggests, is a slow but incredibly powerful weapon. A single well-timed swing can inflict massive damage, but mastering its nuances is key to maximizing its effectiveness. Future upgrades will further enhance its raw power and elemental capabilities.

All Great Sword Moves

Command	Move	Description
Triangle/Y	Overhead Slash	A quick overhead attack that can be chained into charged attacks.
Holding Triangle/Y	Charged Slash	A powerful slashing attack; damage increases with charge time.
Holding Triangle/Y + Circle/B	Tackle	A rising slash that can interrupt monster attacks. A perfectly timed release stuns the monster, allowing a follow-up Cross Slash (Triangle/Y).
Circle/B	Wide Slash	A wide-sweeping attack. Chainable with Tackle (Leaping Wide Slash) and Strong Charged Slash (Strong Wide Slash).
Triangle/Y + Circle/B	Rising Slash	Attacks high areas on monsters.
Holding Triangle/Y + Circle/B	Offset Rising Slash	A charged rising slash that, when timed correctly with a monster attack, stuns it, allowing a follow-up Cross Slash (Triangle/Y).
R2/RT	Guard	Blocks incoming attacks. Guard direction is adjustable in Focus Mode.
R2/RT + Triangle/Y	Kick	A kick performed while guarding.
L2/LT + R1/RB	Focus Slash/Perforate	A sweeping attack especially effective against wounded areas. Press R1/RB to prematurely end the attack.

Mastering Great Sword Combos

Monster Hunter Wilds Great Sword Combos

Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist

Effective Great Sword combat relies on mastering several key combos:

True Charged Slash Combo

This three-hit combo (Triangle/Y x3) begins with an Overhead Slash, followed by a Strong Charged Slash, culminating in a True Charged Slash. Charging each attack (holding Triangle/Y) increases damage. Hitting a weak point with the True Charged Slash triggers the even more powerful True Charged Slash (Power). A quicker variation involves dodging after the initial Overhead Slash and immediately performing a Tackle (Triangle/Y) to transition directly into the Strong Charged Slash.

Forward Lunging Combo

This combo (Circle/B x3) consists of a Wide Slash, Tackle, and Leaping Wide Slash, ideal for covering ground and attacking hard-to-reach areas. Using Focus Mode enhances accuracy.

Stationary Combo

Best used against paralyzed or otherwise incapacitated monsters, this four-hit combo (Wide Slash and Rising Slash repeated twice) is quick but less damaging than other options.

Defense and Counterattacks

Monster Hunter Wilds Guard and Counters

Image Source: Capcom via The Escapist

Offset Rising Slash Counter

Mastering the timing of the Offset Rising Slash (holding Triangle/Y + Circle/B) allows you to interrupt monster attacks and stun them for a follow-up Cross Slash. Precise timing is crucial to avoid taking damage.

Guarding and Perfect Guards

Holding R2/RT allows you to guard, reducing incoming damage at the cost of stamina. A perfectly timed guard (at the moment of impact) results in a Perfect Guard, negating all damage. Sometimes, a Perfect Guard leads to a Power Clash, requiring button-mashing (Circle/B) to knock down the monster.

With practice and these techniques, you'll become a Great Sword master in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. Explore The Escapist for more helpful guides. *Monster Hunter Wilds* is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

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