In Monster Hunter World, the switch axe is a powerful weapon that can deal massive damage to your foes. However, mastering the switch axe requires not only understanding its attacks and combos, but also the various defensive maneuvers that can help you stay alive in the heat of battle. One such defensive maneuver is the sidestep, a quick and agile movement that allows you to evade incoming attacks while keeping the pressure on your enemy.
To perform a sidestep with the switch axe, you’ll need to have your weapon drawn. Simply press the evade button while moving the left stick to the left or right. This will cause your hunter to swiftly dodge in the desired direction, avoiding any incoming attacks. The sidestep can be performed in any direction, allowing you to quickly reposition yourself during combat.
It’s important to note that the sidestep in Monster Hunter World has a brief moment of invincibility, meaning that you won’t take any damage during the dodge animation. This makes it a highly useful defensive maneuver, especially when facing off against powerful monsters with devastating attacks. By mastering the sidestep with the switch axe, you can effectively dodge incoming attacks and stay in the fight for longer periods of time.
The Benefits of Sidestepping
Sidestepping is a crucial maneuver in the switch axe gameplay, offering several benefits to the players. Mastering sidestepping can enhance your overall performance during hunts and provide you with a tactical advantage against powerful monsters.
Increased Mobility
The primary benefit of sidestepping is increased mobility. By sidestepping, hunters can quickly move laterally to dodge incoming attacks or reposition themselves for a better offensive position. This additional mobility allows you to stay closer to the monster and maintain a consistent flow of damage, maximizing your overall efficiency.
Evading Attacks
Sidestepping also grants hunters the ability to effectively evade enemy attacks. With precise timing and positioning, sidestepping can help you completely avoid incoming damage, allowing you to maintain your health and continue the fight without interruptions. This makes sidestepping a valuable defensive technique that can save you from carting and potentially turning the tide of battle in your favor.
| Benefits of Sidestepping |
|---|
| Increased Mobility |
| Evading Attacks |
In conclusion, sidestepping with the switch axe provides hunters with increased mobility and the ability to evade attacks. These benefits are crucial for maintaining a strong offense and defense during hunts. By mastering sidestepping, you can elevate your switch axe gameplay and become a more formidable hunter.
Mastering the Sidestep Technique
The sidestep technique is a crucial move to master when using the switch axe in Monster Hunter. It allows you to quickly dodge enemy attacks and position yourself for a counterattack. Here are some tips to help you become a sidestep pro:
1. Timing is Everything
Understanding the timing of enemy attacks is essential for successful sidestepping. Watch your opponent closely and anticipate their moves. It’s crucial to sidestep at the right moment to avoid taking damage.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
Like any other technique, mastering the sidestep requires practice. Spend time in the training area or on low-level hunts to get a feel for the timing and range of your sidestep. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
Additionally, try to experiment with different sidestep angles. Sometimes sidestepping diagonally can provide better positioning than a straight sidestep.
Remember to be patient with yourself and allow yourself room to make mistakes. Learning from failed attempts is an essential part of the learning process.
3. Utilize Evade Window Skills
Equipping armor with Evade Window skills can significantly enhance your sidestep abilities. These skills increase your invincibility frames during a sidestep, making it easier to evade attacks with a smaller margin of error.
Look for armor pieces or decorations that offer Evade Window skills and incorporate them into your build. Combined with your practice and timing, this can make you a sidestep master.
With these tips in mind, go out there and practice your sidestep technique. Remember that mastering the sidestep is a gradual process, but with dedication and practice, you’ll soon be dodging and counterattacking with ease.
Choosing the Right Switch Axe
When it comes to using the switch axe in Monster Hunter, it is important to choose the right weapon that fits your playstyle. The switch axe is a versatile weapon that allows you to switch between an axe and a sword mode, providing different attack options and playstyles. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right switch axe:
Weapon Type
Switch axes come in different varieties, each with its own unique properties. There are elemental switch axes that deal additional elemental damage, while there are also raw damage-focused switch axes that have high base damage. Consider your preferred playstyle and whether you want to prioritize elemental damage or raw damage.
Phial Type
The phial type of a switch axe determines its special ability. Power Phials increase raw damage, while Elemental Phials increase elemental damage. Power Phials are generally more versatile, as they can be used with any type of switch axe, while Elemental Phials are more specialized and only work well with switch axes that have high elemental damage. Consider the phial type and how it aligns with your preferred playstyle.
Sharpness
Sharpness is an important factor to consider when choosing a switch axe. A switch axe with high sharpness will deal more damage and have a longer time before it needs to be sharpened. Look for switch axes with good sharpness levels to maximize your damage output and minimize downtime for sharpening.
Affinity
Affinity is the chance of landing a critical hit. Positive affinity increases the chance of landing a critical hit, which deals increased damage. Negative affinity decreases the chance of landing a critical hit, resulting in reduced damage. Consider the affinity of a switch axe to maximize your damage potential.
When choosing the right switch axe, consider the weapon type, phial type, sharpness, and affinity to find a weapon that complements your playstyle and maximizes your damage potential.
Tips and Tricks for Effective Sidestepping
Mastering the art of sidestepping is essential for a successful switch axe user. Here are some tips and tricks to help you improve your sidestepping skills:
1. Timing is Crucial
Timing is everything when it comes to sidestepping. Watch your opponent’s movements closely and wait for the right moment to execute your sidestep. Practice your timing by anticipating your opponent’s attacks and sidestepping at the last possible moment.
2. Maintain Positioning
Sidestepping is not just about avoiding attacks, but also about maintaining advantageous positioning. Use your sidestep to position yourself behind your opponent or to create distance when needed. This will give you the upper hand in battles and allow you to unleash devastating attacks.
Pro Tip:
Consider using the Evade Window skill, which increases the invulnerability window during sidesteps. This will give you more flexibility and make it easier to sidestep through attacks.
3. Mix Up Your Movement
Don’t become predictable with your sidesteps. Mix up your movement by sidestepping in different directions – left, right, forward, or backward. This will keep your opponents guessing and make it harder for them to land hits on you.
4. Use the Environment to Your Advantage
Take advantage of the environment around you when sidestepping. Use ledges, walls, or other obstacles to evade attacks and create opportunities for counterattacks. Be aware of your surroundings and use them strategically to gain an edge in battle.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep honing your sidestepping skills, and you’ll become an unstoppable force with the switch axe.
