Long Sword Domination: Mastering Monster Hunter World's Progression

by Jhon Lennon 68 views

Hey there, fellow hunters! Ready to carve your way through the New World with the Long Sword? This guide is your ultimate companion to mastering the weapon and crushing those colossal beasts in Monster Hunter World (MHW). We're diving deep into the Long Sword's progression, from its initial swings to the devastating Spirit Blade combos that'll make you the star of the hunt. Get ready to learn the tips, tricks, and strategies to become a Long Sword legend!

Understanding the Long Sword: A Hunter's Best Friend

Alright, let's talk about the Long Sword. This weapon is a fan favorite for a reason, guys. It's got style, reach, and a surprising amount of damage, all wrapped up in a package that's relatively easy to learn but offers immense depth for those who want to master it. The Long Sword is all about precision and timing. You'll be dancing around monsters, dodging their attacks, and waiting for the perfect moment to unleash your fury. That's the core essence of the Long Sword's gameplay loop. It's a dance of patience and aggression.

The Basics: Attacks and Movements

Before we get to the flashy stuff, let's nail down the fundamentals. The Long Sword has a variety of attacks, each with its own purpose:

  • Standard Attacks: These are your bread and butter, used for building up your Spirit Gauge and dealing consistent damage. You have horizontal slashes, overhead slashes, and thrusts.
  • Special Attacks: The Long Sword has a few special moves that add flair and efficiency to your hunts. We'll be going over each of these in more detail later.
  • Spirit Blade Combo: This is the Long Sword's signature move. It consumes Spirit Gauge, but it deals massive damage and increases your Spirit Gauge level. More on this later, don't worry.

Movement is Key

Knowing how to move and position yourself is just as important as knowing your attacks. Use the following:

  • Evade: Dodging is your best friend. Get a feel for the monster's attacks and learn to dodge at the last second for maximum evasion window.
  • Sheathing: Quickly sheathing your weapon allows you to reposition yourself, heal, or use items.

The Spirit Gauge: Your Power Meter

This is the secret sauce of the Long Sword. The Spirit Gauge fills up as you land attacks, and it allows you to perform the Spirit Blade Combo. The Spirit Gauge has three levels: White, Yellow, and Red. Each level increases your attack power. Maintaining your Spirit Gauge is crucial for maximizing your damage output. We'll cover how to build and maintain it further in the next sections.

Early Game Progression: Your First Steps with the Long Sword

Alright, rookies, time to start your Long Sword journey! Early on in MHW, the focus is on learning the basics and crafting some decent gear. Don't worry about min-maxing just yet; it's all about getting comfortable with the weapon and enjoying the game. Let's break down the essential steps for your early game Long Sword progression:

Choosing Your First Long Sword

Start with the Long Swords available from the Smithy. Look for a Long Sword with decent raw damage and a bit of sharpness. The Bone Long Sword is a solid starting point, or any of the earliest options that are available to craft. Don't stress too much about elements or status effects at this stage; raw damage is the priority.

Crafting Early Game Armor

Armor is your defense, so don't neglect it. Focus on sets that offer basic defense and skills that help you stay alive. Skills like Health Boost and Defense Boost are fantastic for beginners. Mix and match armor pieces to get a feel for what skills you enjoy. Don't feel pressured to farm for a perfect set right away; your goal is to survive and learn. The Jagras and Kulu-Ya-Ku armor sets are good starting points.

Mastering Basic Combos

Get to the training area and practice your basic combos. The standard combo is usually something like X, X, X (on PlayStation) or Y, Y, Y (on Xbox/PC). Mix in the Circle/B button to keep your combo going. Practice dodging and sheathing your weapon. Get comfortable with the feel of the weapon before you start tackling monsters.

Hunting Low Rank Monsters

Once you're comfortable with the basics, head out and hunt some low-rank monsters! Focus on monsters like:

  • Great Jagras: Easy target to practice on.
  • Kulu-Ya-Ku: Also relatively easy, and you can get its armor.
  • Barroth: A bit tougher, but good for practicing dodging.

Learning Monster Attack Patterns

Pay attention to the monster's attacks and learn their patterns. Dodging is key. Try to memorize how they attack, and then dodge through the attack at the last possible second. This can be challenging at first, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it. You'll soon start to anticipate their attacks and find openings to deal damage.

Using Items Effectively

Don't forget to use items! Potions, Mega Potions, and antidotes will keep you alive. Learn to use them quickly and efficiently. Don't be afraid to use Flash Pods to stun monsters or traps to capture them. Using items properly is a crucial part of becoming a good hunter, so it's a skill you'll want to hone from the very beginning. Remember, it's not cheating; it's smart hunting.

Mid-Game Mastery: Leveling Up Your Long Sword Game

Alright, you've survived the early game, congratulations! Now we are heading into the mid-game, where you'll face more challenging monsters and have access to better gear. It is time to start refining your skills and optimizing your build. Here's how to level up your Long Sword game in the mid-game:

Crafting the Best Long Sword for the Mid-Game

Upgrade your weapon as soon as you can. Look for a Long Sword with good raw damage and a decent amount of sharpness, along with a bit of element or status. The Bone Long Sword upgrades are usually pretty good. The ore tree is another solid option. Upgrade your weapon whenever you can, and always keep an eye out for new ones to craft.

Armor Skills to Prioritize

Armor skills can make a massive difference. Here are the skills to look for:

  • Critical Eye: Increases affinity (chance to land a critical hit).
  • Weakness Exploit: Increases affinity when attacking a monster's weak spots.
  • Attack Boost: Increases your attack power.
  • Health Boost: Increases your maximum health.
  • Focus: Speeds up Spirit Gauge charging.

Mix and match armor pieces to get these skills. The Anjanath and Rathalos sets are good options.

Mastering Advanced Combos

Start incorporating more advanced combos into your hunts. Practice the following:

  • Spirit Blade Combo: The bread and butter of the Long Sword. Use this to increase your Spirit Gauge level.
  • Fade Slash: Use this to reposition yourself.
  • Special Sheathe: This move lets you quickly sheath, and you can quickly counter attack.

Improving Your Positioning and Awareness

Pay attention to your positioning relative to the monster. Try to get to the sides or behind the monster. Use the environment to your advantage. Watch the monster's attacks and learn how to dodge through them. This will maximize your damage and keep you safe.

Hunting High Rank Monsters

Tackle High Rank monsters like:

  • Anjanath: Practice hitting its weak spot on the head.
  • Rathalos/Rathian: Learn to predict their aerial attacks.
  • Tobi-Kadachi: Agile monster; learn to manage the speed.

Optimizing Your Item Usage

Experiment with different items. Learn to use traps, Flash Pods, and bombs effectively. These can provide openings for attack or save you when you are in trouble. Practice using items in the heat of battle.

End Game: Becoming a Long Sword Legend

Alright, you're a veteran hunter now! This is when you optimize your build and really show off your Long Sword skills. Here's how to become a Long Sword legend in the endgame:

Crafting the Best Long Swords and Armor Sets

At the endgame, you'll have access to the best Long Swords in the game. These generally come from Elder Dragons, such as:

  • Kirin: A lightning element Long Sword.
  • Teostra: A blast element Long Sword.

Craft the best armor sets to optimize your builds. Endgame armor sets focus on skills that maximize damage output, such as:

  • Critical Boost: Increases damage from critical hits.
  • Agitator: Increases attack power and affinity when a monster is enraged.
  • Maximum Might: Increases affinity when at maximum stamina.

Fine-Tuning Your Build

Experiment with different builds to find what works best for you. Some builds focus on raw damage, while others incorporate element or status effects. Experiment with different skills and decorations to maximize your build.

Mastering the Spirit Blade Combo

  • Spirit Blade Combo: Practice this constantly.
  • Timing: Master the timing of each Spirit Blade slash.
  • Mindset: Know when to use the combo.

Hunting Tempered and Arch-Tempered Monsters

Now, it's time to test your skills against the toughest monsters in the game. Tempered and Arch-Tempered monsters have increased attack power and health. You must be prepared for everything.

  • Adapt: Adapt your strategies and builds to match the monster you're hunting.
  • Teamwork: Hunt with other players to make the fights easier.
  • Persistence: Practice and learn from your mistakes.

Advanced Techniques

  • Iai Spirit Slash: This is a counter-attack you can use after sheathing your weapon.
  • Foresight Slash: Dodge through an attack and launch a counter.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some extra tips to help you on your Long Sword journey:

  • Watch Videos: Watch experienced Long Sword users to learn strategies and combos.
  • Practice in the Training Area: The training area is a great place to hone your skills.
  • Use the Clutch Claw: The Clutch Claw is great for softening a monster's hide.
  • Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Try out different builds and playstyles to find what works best for you.

Conclusion: The Path to Long Sword Mastery

So there you have it, guys! With the Long Sword, success in MHW depends on mastering positioning, timing, and understanding the enemy. From your first hunt against a Great Jagras to your epic battles with Elder Dragons, this guide should have given you a solid foundation. Remember to practice, learn from your mistakes, and most importantly, have fun! Happy hunting! Remember to always keep your Spirit Gauge high, dodge like your life depends on it, and never give up. The Long Sword is a challenging weapon to master, but the reward is a thrilling and rewarding gameplay experience. Now go out there, sharpen your blade, and show the New World what you're made of! Happy hunting, and may your Spirit Blade always find its mark!