Master The Greatsword In Monster Hunter World

Hey everyone! So, you're looking to dive into the colossal world of the Greatsword in Monster Hunter World, huh? Awesome choice, guys! It's a weapon that demands patience, precision, and a whole lot of power. If you've ever watched those epic clips of hunters obliterating monsters with a single, devastating blow, chances are they were wielding the Greatsword. But let me tell you, getting to that level of mastery isn't just about swinging a massive blade around. It's about understanding the monster, timing your attacks, and knowing when to unleash that ultimate charge. This guide is here to break down everything you need to know to become a Greatsword legend, from the absolute basics to some more advanced strategies that'll have you feeling like a true powerhouse. We'll cover weapon choices, essential skills, crucial combos, and even some tips for tackling those tougher beasts.

Understanding the Greatsword: The Unrivaled Powerhouse

The Greatsword in Monster Hunter World is, without a doubt, the king of raw damage. When you land a fully charged hit, nothing else comes close. It's a weapon for the patient hunter, the one who can read a monster's movements and predict its attacks to find those precious openings. Think of yourself as a sniper – you line up the shot, wait for the perfect moment, and then deliver an earth-shattering blow. This isn't a weapon for aggressive, flailing attacks; it's about calculated strikes that chip away at a monster's defenses and then deliver knockout punches when it least expects it. The core gameplay loop with the Greatsword involves building up charges for your attacks. You start with a basic slash, which can then be charged into a more powerful True Charged Slash (TCS). Mastering the timing of these charges is paramount. You'll be dodging, weaving, and repositioning yourself constantly, waiting for that sweet spot where the monster is recovering from an attack or is knocked down. The sheer satisfaction of landing a TCS on a monster's weak point, especially when it causes a significant amount of damage or even a stagger, is one of the most rewarding experiences in the game. But don't let the slow attack speed fool you; the Greatsword is surprisingly mobile once you get the hang of its movement options. You can cancel charges, reposition with shoulder tackles, and even use certain attacks to close gaps. It's a weapon that rewards smart play and understanding of the game's mechanics on a deeper level. So, if you're ready to trade frantic button mashing for calculated devastation, the Greatsword might just be your new best friend. We're going to dive deep into how to make this colossal weapon sing.

Choosing Your Greatsword: The Foundation of Your Arsenal

Alright, so you've decided to wield the might of the Greatsword. That's fantastic! But before you go charging into the fray, we need to talk about the foundation of your success: your weapon. In Monster Hunter World, your weapon choice is everything. For the Greatsword, you're looking for a few key things: high raw damage, good sharpness, and ideally, some useful hidden elements or status effects. Raw damage is king with the Greatsword because your primary damage dealers are your charged attacks, and these scale primarily with your raw attack power. Don't get too caught up in elemental damage unless you're specifically building for a niche scenario, which is rare for Greatsword. Sharpness is also super important. A weapon with poor sharpness will bounce off monsters more often, leading to missed opportunities and frustrating hunts. Aim for weapons that have a good amount of white sharpness or, even better, blue sharpness, and skills that help you maintain it. Now, let's talk about some popular and effective Greatswords throughout Monster Hunter World's lifecycle and its Iceborne expansion. For the base game, the Wyvern Ignition "Impulse" (an event quest reward) is often considered the best all-around Greatsword due to its incredible raw damage and decent sharpness. If you can't get that, then weapons like the Charred Boneblade III (crafted from bone) or the Jagras Longsword III (easy to craft early on) are solid starting points. As you progress into the Iceborne expansion, things get even more interesting. The Safi'jiiva Shattercrag I (from the Safi'jiiva siege) is a powerhouse, offering immense raw damage and customizable awakenings. However, it requires a lot of grinding. The Raging Brachydios Greatsword, Lightbreak Cleaver, is another top-tier option, boasting fantastic raw attack and good sharpness. For general use and ease of acquisition, the Chrome Fortress III (upgraded from the Ore Tree) and the Deep Terror (from Rajang) are also excellent contenders, offering balanced stats that work well against most monsters. Remember, always check the stats, skills, and upgrade paths. Sometimes a slightly lower raw damage weapon with better sharpness or a more convenient upgrade path can be better for you, especially when you're just starting out or have specific armor skills in mind. Don't be afraid to experiment a little! Your perfect Greatsword might just be a few hunts away.

Essential Skills for Greatsword Mastery

Okay, you've got your shiny new Greatsword, but just having the weapon isn't enough, guys. To truly unleash its potential and become the terror of the New World (or the Guiding Lands!), you need the right skills. These skills are what transform a big sword into a true monster-slaying machine. Let's break down the must-haves. First up, Focus. This skill is absolutely critical for Greatsword users. Focus increases your charge speed, meaning you can get to those devastating True Charged Slashes (TCS) much faster. At level 3, it significantly cuts down the time it takes to charge, allowing you to land more TCS attacks during openings. Seriously, don't leave this skill out. Next, we have Attack Boost. It's pretty straightforward: more attack means more damage. Aim for at least level 4 to get that sweet +12 attack bonus, but level 7 is even better if you can manage it. The more raw damage you stack, the harder those charged hits will land. Then there's Handicraft. This skill increases your weapon's sharpness gauge, allowing you to retain higher levels of sharpness for longer. For Greatswords, having white or blue sharpness is ideal, and Handicraft helps you achieve and maintain that. A few points in Handicraft can make a world of difference in how often your attacks bounce. Weakness Exploit is another big one. This skill increases your affinity (critical hit chance) when attacking weak spots. Since you'll be aiming for monster weak points with your TCS, this skill significantly boosts your overall damage output. Level 3 is the sweet spot here. Critical Boost complements Weakness Exploit perfectly. It increases the damage of your critical hits. When you combine Weakness Exploit and Critical Boost, your TCS can deal absolutely insane amounts of damage. Health Boost is more of a survival skill, but it's incredibly important, especially for Greatsword. Since you're often committing to long charge animations, you might find yourself taking hits. Health Boost level 3 gives you a massive health pool, making you much more survivable and allowing you to stay in the fight longer. Other skills to consider include Guard (if you plan on using the shoulder tackle to block some attacks), Earplugs (to avoid being interrupted by roars), and Agitator (which boosts attack and affinity when a monster is enraged). Prioritize Focus, Attack Boost, Weakness Exploit, and Critical Boost first, then layer in Handicraft and Health Boost. Remember, the best armor sets and decorations will help you achieve these crucial skills. Get these skills dialed in, and you'll feel the difference immediately!

Mastering the Moveset: From Basic Slashes to Devastating Charges

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: how do you actually use the Greatsword effectively? This weapon isn't just about holding down the attack button; it's a dance of charging, timing, and positioning. Understanding its moveset is key to unlocking its true potential. The basic attack is your starting point. From neutral, you have a horizontal slash. This can be charged. Holding the attack button will initiate the charge. You'll see your hunter glow, indicating the charge level. There are generally three levels of charge: Level 1, Level 2, and the coveted Level 3, also known as the True Charged Slash (TCS). The TCS is your bread and butter, the attack you'll be aiming for most of the time. However, simply charging blindly isn't the way to go. You need to learn monster tells and openings. The Shoulder Tackle is your secret weapon for positioning and defense. It can be used to cancel out of a charge animation, allowing you to reposition or dodge an incoming attack. It can also be used to 'tackle' through certain monster attacks, effectively giving you a brief moment of hyper armor. This is crucial for maintaining your charge or setting up for a follow-up attack. After a successful hit, especially a charged one, you often have an opening for a Strong Charged Slash (Level 2 charge) or even a TCS. The true beauty of the Greatsword lies in its ability to chain charges. You can start a charge, cancel it with a Shoulder Tackle, and immediately start another charge, potentially reaching a higher level faster than usual. This is called a 'charge slash cancel' or 'tackle cancel'. Another important combo is the Jumping Charged Slash. If you jump off a ledge or use certain aerial maneuvers, you can perform a charged attack in mid-air. Landing this allows you to immediately follow up with a ground TCS, which is a fantastic way to initiate combat or deal massive damage when a monster is downed. The Spirit Blade attacks (after a dodge or tackle) are also useful for repositioning and building up charge quickly. For example, after a successful dodge, you can perform a quick slash that can be charged into a Level 2 or Level 3 attack. The key is to never stop moving and always be thinking about your next charge. Watch the monster, anticipate its move, dodge, reposition with a tackle, and unleash the TCS when the opportunity arises. It takes practice, but once you get the rhythm, it's incredibly satisfying. Don't be afraid to experiment with these moves in the training area. Get a feel for the charge times, the tackle cancels, and how to flow from one attack to the next. This is where your Greatsword journey truly begins!

The True Charged Slash (TCS): Your Ultimate Finisher

Ah, the True Charged Slash (TCS). This is the move that defines the Greatsword. It's the ultimate expression of raw power, the move that makes monsters tremble, and the one you'll be practicing relentlessly. The TCS is the Level 3 charged attack, and when landed perfectly on a monster's weak point, it can deal astronomical damage, often staggering the monster, breaking parts, or even ending hunts prematurely. But achieving this masterpiece isn't as simple as holding down the attack button until your hunter glows bright yellow. It requires understanding the timing and opportunities. The TCS has a specific wind-up animation. You need to release the attack button at the exact moment the blade glows brightest and starts to contract slightly. Releasing it too early results in a weaker Level 1 or Level 2 charge; releasing it too late means you miss the opening or, worse, get hit during the long recovery animation. This is where practice in the training area is absolutely essential. Spend time just charging and releasing the TCS until you can do it consistently without looking. Once you've got the timing down, the next challenge is when to use it. The TCS has a long commitment. You can't just throw it out randomly. You need to wait for a guaranteed opening. These openings typically occur when a monster: is recovering from a major attack (like a leaping slam or a breath weapon), is knocked down after a mount or a trap, or is stunned. You'll need to learn the 'tells' of each monster to predict these openings. A common strategy is to position yourself near a weak point, start your charge, and then use Shoulder Tackle or dodges to bait out a monster's attack. As the monster commits to its attack and its recovery animation begins, release your TCS. If you're lucky, you'll land a massive hit. The Shoulder Tackle is your best friend here. You can start a Level 3 charge, and if the monster attacks sooner than you expect, you can cancel the charge with a Shoulder Tackle and dodge. This 'charge cancel' is vital for Greatsword survival. Some advanced players even use the tackle to 'clip' through certain attacks, allowing them to maintain their charge or set up for a quick follow-up TCS. Don't get discouraged if you miss a lot at first. Learning to land TCSs consistently is a journey. It requires patience, observation, and a deep understanding of monster behavior. But when you finally nail that perfect TCS on a downed monster, the feeling of accomplishment is unparalleled. It's the signature move of the Greatsword, and mastering it is the key to becoming a true GS master.

Hunting Strategies: Patience and Precision with the Greatsword

Hunting with the Greatsword is less about brute force and more about calculated aggression. It's about being the calm in the storm, the hunter who waits for the perfect moment to strike. This weapon demands patience and precision, and understanding this fundamental difference in approach is what separates a novice Greatsword user from a true master. Your primary goal isn't to constantly hit the monster; it's to land your most powerful attacks, namely the True Charged Slash (TCS), on its weakest points. This means you'll spend a lot of time dodging, repositioning, and observing the monster's attack patterns. Think of yourself as a surgeon – you need to identify the best place to cut and wait for the ideal moment to make your incision. Positioning is absolutely critical. As a Greatsword user, you want to be in a position where you can quickly unleash a charged attack when an opening appears, usually at the monster's head or legs (to trip it). This might involve circling the monster, baiting attacks, and then moving in for your strike. Learn which attacks the monster performs leave it vulnerable for a long time. For instance, after a monster performs a large, sweeping attack, there's often a brief window where it's recovering and open to a TCS. Timing is everything. You can't just start charging and hope for the best. You need to initiate your charge so that it lands just as the monster's vulnerable period begins. This often means starting your charge before the opening fully materializes, relying on your knowledge of the monster's moveset to predict when it will become available. Shoulder Tackle is your best friend for both offense and defense. Use it to cancel charge animations if you mistime an attack or if the monster attacks unexpectedly. It can also be used to 'power through' certain weaker attacks, allowing you to maintain your charge or even land a hit. Don't underestimate its utility for closing small gaps quickly. Hit and Run tactics are also very effective. Land a charged hit, and then immediately reposition yourself to safety, ready to observe and prepare for the next opening. You don't need to stick around for multiple hits; one perfectly landed charged attack is often more valuable than a flurry of weaker ones. When a monster is downed (tripped, trapped, or stunned), this is your golden opportunity. Use this time to unleash as many charged attacks as you can, ideally culminating in a TCS on the head or a broken part. The Spirit Combo (after dodging or tackling) is excellent for getting a quick charged hit in or setting up a follow-up TCS. Remember that weak points are crucial. Always aim for the head if possible, as it's often the most vulnerable spot and prone to staggering. If the head is too dangerous, aim for the legs to trip the monster, creating a massive opening for you. Environmental traps and mounts can also be utilized to create openings. The key takeaway is that Greatsword hunting is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires discipline, observation, and the confidence to wait for your moment. Embrace the calculated approach, and you'll find yourself consistently landing those game-changing hits.

Advanced Techniques and Combos for the Elite Hunter

Once you've got the basics of charging and timing down, it's time to elevate your Greatsword game with some advanced techniques and combos, guys! These aren't strictly necessary to beat the game, but they'll make you feel like a total boss and significantly boost your damage output and efficiency. The True Charged Slash (TCS) combo is the bread and butter, but there are ways to optimize it. One of the most fundamental advanced techniques is the charge cancel using the Shoulder Tackle. As mentioned before, you can initiate a charge, and if you anticipate an attack or realize you won't have enough time, you can cancel the charge by pressing the dodge button (which triggers the Shoulder Tackle). This immediately puts you in a state where you can reposition or start a new charge. This is crucial for survivability and for setting up faster TCS attacks. Another powerful combo involves the Spirit Combo after a dodge. If you dodge an attack, you can immediately follow up with a horizontal slash, which can then be charged into a Level 2 or Level 3 attack. This allows you to punish attacks that might otherwise be too quick for a full charge from neutral. A more complex but devastating combo is the Aerial True Charged Slash. If you can get airborne (e.g., off a ledge, using a Great Wirebug move in Rise, or certain environmental features), you can perform a Jumping Charged Slash. If this hits, you can immediately follow up with a ground-based TCS. This is fantastic for initiating fights or punishing downed monsters. In Iceborne, the Perfect Rush (or 'Perfect Charge') is an advanced concept where you chain charges using tackle cancels to get to TCS faster. You can initiate a charge, cancel it with a tackle, immediately start another charge, and repeat. With good timing, you can reach a Level 3 charge much quicker than a standard charge from neutral. This requires a lot of practice but is incredibly rewarding. The hit-and-run tackle is also an advanced maneuver. Instead of just dodging away, you can use the Shoulder Tackle to quickly close a small distance after landing a hit, allowing you to get into position for another attack or reposition to a safer spot. Some players even use the tackle to 'tank' through minor monster attacks to land their charged hits. Remember the Spirit Helm Breaker (in Rise) or the Greatsword's Clutch Claw attacks (in Iceborne) for more advanced playstyles. In Iceborne, using the Clutch Claw to latch onto a monster and then using a mounted attack can set up a free Tenderize or even a free mounting opportunity, which leads into a downed state perfect for TCS. Don't forget the importance of Flinch Shots with the Clutch Claw to knock monsters down for free openings. The key to mastering these advanced techniques is practice, practice, practice. Spend time in the training area, experiment with different timings, and watch how other high-level players execute these combos. Once you incorporate these into your hunts, you'll be dishing out damage like never before and feeling like a true Greatsword virtuoso. Keep experimenting, stay safe, and happy hunting!

Conclusion: Embrace the Power of the Greatsword

So there you have it, guys! We've journeyed through the colossal world of the Greatsword in Monster Hunter World, exploring its immense power, essential skills, intricate moveset, and strategic hunting approaches. It's a weapon that rewards patience, precision, and a deep understanding of the monsters you face. While it might seem daunting at first, with consistent practice and a focus on the fundamentals – mastering the True Charged Slash (TCS), utilizing the Shoulder Tackle effectively, and learning monster tells – you'll soon be delivering devastating blows that leave even the toughest beasts in awe. Remember to choose your Greatsword wisely, focusing on raw damage and good sharpness, and to equip the crucial skills like Focus, Attack Boost, Weakness Exploit, and Health Boost. Don't shy away from advanced techniques; they can elevate your gameplay significantly. The Greatsword isn't just a weapon; it's a statement. It's a commitment to calculated destruction. Embrace the learning curve, savor the moments when your perfectly timed TCS lands, and revel in the sheer satisfaction of single-handedly bringing down colossal monsters. Go forth, brave hunters, and let the ground tremble beneath the might of your Greatsword! Happy hunting!