Monster Hunter Wilds Great Sword Guide: New Actions, Focus Mode, & Combos

【Notice】
Monster Hunter Wilds is scheduled to be released on February 28, 2025, and there is currently no season information or patch notes. The massive expansion Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is scheduled for release in 2027.
This article is based on official information released before the game's launch and includes some speculation. The content will be updated as needed based on the actual game specifications after release. Detailed numerical data, such as motion values, will also be added once verification is complete.

The Great Sword is a weapon of romance, where every strike puts everything on the line. Its overwhelming destructive power has continued to captivate many hunters. In Monster Hunter Wilds, while retaining its traditional appeal, the introduction of the new "Focus Mode" system brings unprecedented operability and strategic depth. From beginners to seasoned swordsmen, all hunters can experience a new frontier for the Great Sword. This article will thoroughly explain the evolution of the Great Sword in MH Wilds and its playstyle, based on the latest available information.

How Does the Great Sword Evolve in MH Wilds? New Elements: "Focus Mode" and "Focus Weakness Attack"

The biggest change for the Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds is the addition of the new "Focus Mode" system and its associated "Wounds" and "Focus Weakness Attack." The artisan skill of "reading large monster movements to charge up attacks," which was demanded in previous series, has evolved to be more intuitive and strategic.

The Great Sword's Core Concept Remains Unchanged

First and foremost, the Great Sword's core high-damage, hit-and-run playstyle — "drawing attacks from sheathing" and "landing charged slashes during openings" — remains intact. The existence of "True Charged Slash," its greatest damage source, has also been confirmed, ensuring the exhilarating feeling of aiming for a one-shot kill against large monsters is carried over.

"Focus Mode" Achieves a New Dimension of Operability

Introduced in this title, "Focus Mode" is a new system that allows for attacks and guards in the direction the camera is facing. This can be considered a revolutionary evolution for the Great Sword. During this mode, large monster weaknesses and the "Wounds" (described later) are highlighted, making it easier to aim. Furthermore, it is speculated that players will be able to change direction to track the large monster even while charging a slash or in the middle of an attack, significantly improving the accuracy of charged attacks, which previously carried a high risk of missing.

"Wounds" and "Focus Weakness Attack": Keys to Massive Damage

Another pillar alongside Focus Mode is "Wounds" and "Focus Weakness Attack." Continuously attacking the same part of a large monster will cause a "Wound" to appear on that part. This Wound functions as a new weakness and is clearly visible during Focus Mode.
By performing specific actions on these Wounds while in Focus Mode, you can unleash a powerful weapon-specific move called "Focus Weakness Attack." The Great Sword's Focus Weakness Attack, when it hits a Wound, deals immense damage and can greatly flinch the large monster. Furthermore, there is information suggesting that this attack can directly link into "True Charged Slash," making it a crucial move that will undoubtedly change the flow of a hunt.
※Note: While the name is similar to the Silkbind Attack "Focus Strike" from Monster Hunter Rise, this is a completely new system unique to this title.

Great Sword Basic Controls, New Actions, and Combo List

Here, we explain the Great Sword's main actions currently known, and combos combining them with new elements. While official controls will be revealed after release, traditional actions are expected to follow the control scheme of previous titles.

Please note that the powerful "Slinger Burst → True Charged Slash" combo from previous titles (MHW:I) has not been confirmed in the released footage, suggesting that its specifications may have changed.

From Beginners to Advanced Hunters! Playstyle Guide by skill Lv (verify current patch)

The Great Sword in MH Wilds has become more approachable for beginners thanks to the new systems, while also offering depth for advanced hunters to reach even greater heights with the addition of counter moves. Here, we explain the step-by-step progression of playstyles according to a hunter's proficiency.

【For Beginners】First, Master the Basic "Hit-and-Run"

Hunters picking up the Great Sword for the first time should focus on a patient, fundamental playstyle.

1. Observe the large monster with your weapon sheathed: Your movement is slower with your weapon drawn, so generally keep it sheathed to track the large monster's movements and look for large openings.
2. Ensure your unsheathed charged slash lands: When you find a long opening, such as after a large monster breathes fire or during an intimidation display, unleash an unsheathed charged slash onto its weak spot.
3. Retreat without getting greedy: After landing a hit, immediately evade, sheath your weapon, and regain distance. This "hit and away" is the key to survival.
4. Get accustomed to Focus Mode: Practice activating "Focus Mode" in a safe situation to identify the large monster's weak spots. Developing a sense of aiming is crucial.

【For Intermediate Hunters】Aggressive Hunting with Tackle and "Focus Weakness Attack"

Once you've mastered the basic playstyle, transition to a more proactive approach to create attack opportunities.

• Push through with Tackle: By using Tackle in response to a large monster's roar or minor attack, you can continue your charged attacks without flinching. This significantly increases your attack opportunities.
• Focus attacks to create Wounds: Concentrate your attacks on specific parts (e.g., head or wings) to aim for the creation of "Wounds."
• Incorporate Focus Weakness Attack into combos: Once a Wound appears, use Focus Mode to precisely aim for a "Focus Weakness Attack." If successful, the large monster will flinch significantly, creating a perfect opportunity to unleash your maximum damage "True Charged Slash."

【For Advanced Hunters】Master Counters to Dominate the Hunt

Advanced hunters aim to turn every large monster action into an opportunity for attack.

• Master "Perfect Guard": Guard against large monster attacks with perfect timing, negating all damage and transitioning into a counterattack. While the risk is high, the reward upon success is immense.
• Seize momentum with "Countering Upswing": Use "Countering Upswing" against attacks that cannot be dealt with by Tackle, aiming for high-damage follow-up attacks from a counter. Enjoy thrilling exchanges with the large monster.
• Strategic Part Breaking and Wound Management: To gain an advantage in the hunt, strategically plan which parts to Wound first and when to break them. For example, by breaking parts that perform troublesome attacks early, you can increase the safety of the hunt.

Summary

The Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds has undergone a legitimate evolution, maintaining its traditional strength of "Charged Slashes" while gaining powerful new elements: "Focus Mode" and "Focus Weakness Attack." This makes charged attacks easier to land for beginners, and allows advanced hunters to engage in more technical and aggressive playstyles by utilizing counters.

In addition to the traditional enjoyment of "memorizing large monster movements and predicting the future to charge," the new strategic element of "precisely landing attacks on created Wounds" has been added, making the Great Sword undoubtedly a deeper and more rewarding weapon type than ever before. As the February 28, 2025 release approaches, hunters who seek the romance of a single powerful blow should definitely experience the overwhelming power of the reborn Great Sword.