Introduction: The Elegance of the Long Sword
In the vast, immersive world of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (MHW: Iceborne), one weapon shines both for its dynamic combat mechanics and its beautifully elegant design—the Long Sword. This weapon offers incredible versatility, flashy moves, and a unique counter mechanic that sets it apart in the hands of skilled players. As you embark on your hunting quests, understanding which Long Sword to wield can significantly enhance your hunting experience. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the various Long Swords available in MHW: Iceborne, analyzing their stats, unique characteristics, and ultimately determining what the best Long Sword is for you.
The Core of Long Sword Mastery
Before we discuss specific weapons, it is crucial to understand what makes the Long Sword a formidable choice in MHW: Iceborne. The Long Sword’s unique features include its Spirit Slash mechanics, countering capabilities, and overall flexibility, allowing for both damage output and strategic play.
Spirit Gauge and Spirit Slash Mechanics
The Long Sword’s Spirit Gauge is a defining feature. It fills as you land hits on monsters, enabling you to perform special Spirit Attacks which boost your damage significantly. To effectively utilize this feature:
– Spirit Slash: A combo that opens up your Spirit Gauge.
– Foresight Slash: A counterattack that can be executed against an enemy’s attack, making it an essential move for skilled hunters who can predict monster movements.
Mastering these mechanics is the key to becoming a Long Sword expert, allowing you to deal devastating damage while maintaining high mobility.
Countering with Precision
The Long Sword excels at positioning and maintaining a safe distance while retaliating against monstrous foes. A well-timed Foresight Slash not only negates damage but also grants you the opportunity to follow up with a powerful combo. This makes the Long Sword ideal for hunters who prefer a more tactical approach.
The Landscape of Long Swords in Iceborne
As we delve deeper into the world of Long Swords in MHW: Iceborne, you’ll discover a variety of choices, each with its unique advantages. Here’s an overview of the top contenders for the title of the best Long Sword.
Best Long Swords in MHW: Iceborne
| Long Sword Name | Base Attack | Affinity | Element | Sharpness | Unique Features |
|————————–|————-|———-|———|———–|——————————————-|
| Serpent Goddess | 220 | 15% | None | White | High base attack |
| Shara Ishvalda’s Fury| 170 | 30% | Ice | Purple | Increased affinity, elemental damage |
| Safi’s Exhaustion | 210 | 20% | None | White | Recovery effects with high raw damage |
| Raging Brachydios | 200 | 25% | Blast | Blue | High blast damage with moderate raw damage|
| Safi’jiiva Long Sword| 240 | 25% | None | Purple | Forceful attack, excellent elemental can |
Among the options, we will delve deeper into some of the standout choices.
1. Safi’jiiva Long Sword
The Safi’jiiva Long Sword is frequently considered the best in the game due to its phenomenal stats. With a base attack of 240, a 25% affinity, and the ability to unleash devastating damage with high sharpness, this weapon is a powerhouse. Its strong characteristics allow players to not only focus on raw damage but also incorporate elemental attacks.
Moreover, it can be customized further through augmentations that enhance its strengths, making it an adaptable tool for numerous hunting scenarios. The Safi’jiiva Long Sword allows for aggressive gameplay, letting players unleash attacks without worry.
2. Shara Ishvalda’s Fury
Another contender for the best Long Sword is the Shara Ishvalda’s Fury. What sets it apart is its 30% affinity paired with its elemental ice damage, making it incredibly effective against monsters weak to ice. While its base attack of 170 may seem lower compared to other swords, its overall damage output in ice-weak scenarios is extraordinary.
Additionally, the Shara Ishvalda’s Fury boasts excellent purple sharpness, offering a high degree of longevity in combat. This weapon’s playstyle focuses on agility and strategic positioning, making it a favorite among players looking to outmaneuver their foes.
3. Raging Brachydios Long Sword
For those looking to inflict status ailments, the Raging Brachydios Long Sword might be your best choice. With a base attack of 200 and the ability to deliver blast damage, it creates explosive opportunities in hunts. Being able to stack damage over time against monsters adds a unique flair to every encounter.
Although not as polished as the Safi’jiiva Long Sword in terms of raw damage, its capability to apply the Blast status makes it valuable, especially for group play where explosive combos can control the battlefield.
How to Choose the Right Long Sword for Your Playstyle
As with any weapon in MHW: Iceborne, determining the best Long Sword comes down to personal preferences and playstyle. Here are a few factors you should consider when selecting your weapon.
1. Intended Use and Monster Weaknesses
Understanding which monsters you’ll be hunting can greatly influence your weapon choice. If you’re up against monsters weak to ice, the Shara Ishvalda’s Fury is ideal. For a raw damage approach, the Safi’jiiva Long Sword shines the most, providing a balance of power and versatility.
2. Team Composition
In multiplayer hunts, synergy with your teammates can enhance your effectiveness. Consider what roles your friends are filling; if you have multiple DPS classes, opt for weapons that provide additional utilities, like the Raging Brachydios for status applications.
3. Personal Playstyle
Are you an aggressive attacker, or do you prefer a more calculated, defensive approach? If you’re all about relentless attacks, the Safi’jiiva Long Sword aligns well. Conversely, if you like to play counter-style and bait attacks, consider weapons that emphasize speed and precision, like the Shara Ishvalda’s Fury.
Enhancing Your Long Sword with Skills and Decorations
Once you’ve selected your Long Sword, outfitting it with the right skills and decorations can further increase its efficacy. Here are essential skills to think about:
1. Critical Eye
Increasing your affinity is crucial for maximizing damage output with the Long Sword’s Spirit Slash ability, making Critical Eye a vital asset.
2. Weakness Exploit
For those focusing on exploiting monster vulnerabilities, Weakness Exploit drastically increases your damage when hitting weak points.
3. Handicraft
Increasing sharpness can prolong the effectiveness of a Long Sword in battle, making Handicraft an invaluable skill choice that keeps your weapon performing at its best.
Conclusion: Your Journey with the Best Long Sword
In the world of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, the choice of the Long Sword can dramatically shape your playstyle and hunting strategies. While the Safi’jiiva Long Sword often takes the crown for its raw power and flexibility, each sword boasts unique features that cater to various playstyles and scenarios.
Ultimately, the best Long Sword is the one that aligns with your techniques, preferences, and tactical approaches during hunts. Whether you’re mastering the intricacies of the Spirit Gauge or dominating the battlefield with elemental damage, the journey of refining your skills with the Long Sword is as rewarding as the victories that await. Embrace the hunt, and let your Long Sword prowess shine in every battle!
What is the best Long Sword in MHW: Iceborne?
The best Long Sword in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne often comes down to personal preference and playstyle, but many players consider the Safi’jiiva Long Sword or the Shara Ishvalda Long Sword as top contenders. The Safi’jiiva Long Sword offers high raw damage and a unique ability to boost elemental damage, making it versatile for different monster weaknesses. Meanwhile, the Shara Ishvalda Long Sword excels at dealing damage while also providing excellent utility through its unique ability, which enhances your damage output when fighting certain monsters.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your hunting style, the armor sets you have, and the specific monsters you are targeting. Experimenting with different Long Swords can help you determine which one feels the best for your playstyle, so don’t hesitate to try out various weapon options and builds.
What are the best builds for Long Sword in MHW: Iceborne?
The best builds for Long Sword in MHW: Iceborne generally focus on maximizing damage output and maintaining high mobility. A popular build revolves around critical hit damage, which often includes skills like Critical Eye, Weakness Exploit, and Attack Boost. Incorporating the right decorations and charms can significantly enhance your damage potential, allowing you to maximize your hunting effectiveness.
Another successful build might prioritize elemental damage or status effects, particularly if you’re targeting monsters weak to specific elements. Skills such as Elemental Attack Boost, Free Element/Ammo Up, and the various status-related skills like Sleep or Poison can be included. Balancing survivability skills, like Health Boost and Evade Extender, with damage-dealing skills is crucial for creating a well-rounded Long Sword build that caters to your personal playstyle.
How do I farm materials for crafting Long Swords?
Farming materials for crafting Long Swords typically requires hunting specific monsters and gathering resources from various locations in the game. One of the most efficient methods is to focus on high-tier monsters that drop unique materials needed for specific Long Swords. Establishing an effective hunting party can also speed up the process significantly, especially when each player focuses on different aspects of the hunt.
Additionally, consider utilizing the Slinger and gathering items from the environment while hunting. Gathering plants, mining ore, and picking up items from the ground can provide essential crafting materials. Participating in investigations, which offer targeted rewards based on the monster you’re hunting, can also yield more resources for gear upgrades and crafting.
Can I use Long Swords effectively in multiplayer?
Yes, using Long Swords in multiplayer can be highly effective and enjoyable. The Long Sword offers excellent mobility and a range of moves that can help you adapt to various situations during a hunt. In multiplayer, you can use your rolling and countering abilities to dodge attacks while also providing support for your teammates by dealing consistent damage.
When playing with others, it’s crucial to coordinate your attacks and positioning. Being aware of your teammates’ movements can help prevent any accidental friendly fire, especially during the sword’s charge attacks. By maintaining a balance of offense and strategic positioning, Long Sword users can greatly contribute to a successful team hunt.
What are the key skills to look for with Long Sword armor?
When choosing armor for Long Sword builds, crucial skills to prioritize include Critical Eye, Attack Boost, and Weakness Exploit, as they significantly increase your damage output. These skills enhance critical hit chances and damage against monsters’ weak points, allowing you to maximize your effectiveness during hunts. Additionally, consider including skills that improve your mobility, like Evade Window or Evade Extender, to help with dodging monster attacks.
For those focusing on elemental builds, skills like Elemental Attack Boost and Free Element/Ammo Up should also be considered. Balancing offensive skills with defensive skills such as Health Boost or Guard Up can improve your survivability during tough battles. Ultimately, selecting the right combination of skills will depend on your preferred playstyle and the type of monsters you frequently hunt.
What is the significance of the Spirit Gauge for Long Sword users?
The Spirit Gauge is a vital mechanic for Long Sword users in MHW: Iceborne. It represents your sword’s charge level and directly affects your damage and the moves available to you. Building up the Spirit Gauge allows players to execute more powerful attacks and gain access to the powerful Spirit Blade combos, enhancing your overall performance in battle.
Managing the Spirit Gauge effectively is key to maximizing your damage output. You can charge the gauge by landing hits on monsters and performing successful counters. Maintaining a full gauge will provide benefits like increased damage and mobility, making it a crucial aspect of successful Long Sword gameplay.
Are there any unique moves or techniques specific to Long Sword users?
Long Sword users have access to several unique moves and techniques that set this weapon apart from others. One of the most notable techniques is the Foresight Slash, which allows players to execute a counterattack during a monster’s move. Successfully using this technique not only deals damage but also contributes to filling the Spirit Gauge, making it an essential part of Long Sword gameplay.
Another key move is the Spirit Slash combo, which becomes more powerful as you fill the Spirit Gauge. Successfully executing this combination can deal devastating damage to monsters, especially when combined with the unique buffs gained from advanced Spirit Gauge stages. Mastering these techniques will significantly enhance your Long Sword proficiency and improve your overall hunting experience.