As a longtime Monster Hunter player with over 500 hours using the Charge Blade, I‘m thrilled by the new changes introduced in Sunbreak. This complex morphing weapon is now more versatile and packs even bigger punches.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share everything you need to master the Charge Blade based on my extensive experience and knowledge. You‘ll learn about crucial combat mechanics, top tier builds, and advanced tactics for unleashing the CB‘s full explosive potential.
Understanding the Balance Changes in Sunbreak
The Patch 10.0 updates in Sunbreak made significant adjustments to increase the Charge Blade‘s viability:
Improved Elemental Scaling
Previously, impact phials overshadowed elemental ones for raw damage. But increased elemental multipliers now make elemental phials comparable in output.
According to preliminary tests by GameWith, elemental phials received a ~20% boost in Sunbreak. This expands options for elemental focused builds.
Increased Duration of Sword Mode
The prior short sword mode duration limited aggressive play. Capcom alleviated this issue by extending sword mode time after morph attacks by 20%.
Experienced players like Rurikhan emphasize leveraging the extended sword mode for continued combos.
Impact Phials Buff
While elemental phials got improvements, impact phials also received a raw damage boost of ~5-6%.
Impact CB mains like speedrunner Peppo highlight this change for the playstyle. The raw increase synergizes well with attack boosting skills.
These adjustments expand the Charge Blade‘s flexibility across elemental and raw focused builds.
Mastering Charge Blade Controls and Combos
Wielding the Charge Blade effectively requires intuiting complex controls…
Sword Mode Controls
This fast mode features maneuverability and fluid combos.
| Action | PC Controls | Switch Controls |
| Weak Slash | Left Mouse Button | X |
| Forward Slash | Left + Right Mouse Button | X + A |
| Fade Slash | Movement Key + Right Mouse | Left Stick + A |
Axe Mode Controls
Delivers slower but hard hitting blows for tremendous damage.
| Action | PC Controls | Switch Controls |
| Rising Slash | Left Mouse Button | X |
| Element Discharge | Right Mouse Button | A |
| Amped Discharge | Left + Right Mouse | X + A |
But simply knowing the controls isn‘t enough. You must drill crucial combos into your muscle memory:
Sword – Roundslash Elemental Combo
This loops high damaging amped elemental discharges by rapidly filling phials in sword mode:
| Action | PC Controls | Switch Controls |
| Charged Double Slash | Hold Right Mouse Button | Hold A |
| Shield Thrust | Left + Right Mouse | X + A |
| Amped Discharge | Left + Right Mouse | X + A |
This combo has high DPS potential with practice. According to unofficial testing, the Charged Double Slash and Shield Thrust have motion values (damage multipliers) of 5.5 and 4.7 respectively on each hit.
Axe – Element Discharge Loop
This staple combo inflicts KO damage through endless loops of elemental discharges:
| Action | PC Controls | Switch Controls |
| Rising Slash | Left Mouse Button | X |
| Discharge II | Right Mouse Button | A |
| Rising Slash | Left Mouse Button | X |
| Discharge II | Right Mouse Button | A |
Rising Slash has a motion value of 5 according to community testing, allowing the infinite loop to stack up KO rapidly. Discharge II also hits a stunning eight times per use!
Practice these essential combos until they become second nature even against erratic monsters.
Incorporating Vital Charge Blade Switch Skills
Switch Skills provide tactical options to augment your combat style:
Ready Stance (Recommended)
Ready Stance links the sword and shield, allowing for reactive guards and counters. CB experts like Rainy praise its flexibility:
You can chain Spinning Slash after a guard point for morphing combos or AED for big damage. It has excellent synergy with common Guard and Offensive Guard armor skills.
Condensed Spinning Slash
Condensed Spinning Slash revs up phials rapidly by holding buttons during the spin animation. Release to deliver devastating elemental discharges:
Speedrunners like CantaPerMe use this Switch Skill to charge phials quickly to loop max level amped elemental discharges.
Axe Hopper (Situational)
Axe Hopper allows leaping into an aerial slam for explosions and mounting:
The slam has a high 8.0 motion value according to game8. However, this Silkbind Skill costing two wirebug charges is best used situationaly for mounting.
Testing Switch Skills thoroughly allows picking ones suiting your preferred playstyle.
Silkbind Attacks For Mobility and Counters
Silkbinds grant unique enhancements by expending wirebugs:
Morphing Advance
Morphing Advance swiftly repositions while transforming into axe mode. Its surge dash gives super armor to prevent flinching.
According to speedrunner –Golden–, this Silkbind closes distance rapidly to stick onto monsters.
Counter Peak Performance
Counter Peak pulls off normally impossible guards before retaliating.
Its counterattack discharges all phials instantly for immense damage. But the long recovery leaves you vulnerable, so use judiciously.
Axe Hopper
Same as the Switch Skill. Amazing for repositioning and mounting.
Mastering these unique Silkbind abilities will amplify your hunting prowess!
Top Charge Blade Builds and Skills
Constructing optimal builds is crucial for unlocking the Charge Blade‘s DPS potential:
Impact Build
Focused on raw damage from impact phials through affinity stacking.
Key Skills:
- Artillery 3
- Attack Boost 4-7
- Critical Eye 7
- Weakness Exploit 3
Example Armor:
- Golden Lunehelm
- Silver Solmail
- Rathalos Braces
- Anjanath Coil
- Ingot Greaves
Elemental Build
Utilizes elemental phials through critical element for sword mode damage.
Key Skills:
- Critical Element 2-3
- Chain Crit 1-3
- Critical Boost 3
- Critical Eye 7
- Element Attack Up
Example Armor:
- Azure Elder Helm
- Vaik Mail
- Rathalos Braces
- Anjanath Coil
- Ingot Greaves
Mix and match gear to activate these essential skills for toppling monsters!
Advanced Charge Blade Tactics
Apply the following next level tactics to truly master the weapon:
Exploit Generous Guard Points
Many attacks like the Roundslash Combo feature built-in guard points with significant flexibility in their timing.
According to speedrunner Po Chi, mastering guard point timing allows punishing monsters relentlessly.
Morph Back to Redouble Attacks
Don‘t get locked into axe mode. Morph back to sword mode after an Amped Discharge to continue aggressive combos.
Sword mode‘s faster mobility lets you stick to monsters and complete combos more easily when they move sporadically.
Use Roundslash Loop for KOs
Impact phial attacks can stun monsters by inflicting KO status. Lock down monsters by looping Roundslash combos to their heads.
When you see the dizzy stars animation, unload your most devastating amped elemental discharges!
Implementing these next level tips will transform you into a bonafide Charge Blade maestro!
Final Charge Blade Tips and Tricks
Keep these essential tips in mind:
- Use sword mode for phial charging and mobility
- Unload phials in axe mode for explosions
- Exploit guard points to punish attacks
- Loop elemental discharges for rapid KOs
- Morph between modes dynamically
- Match phial and element types to monster weaknesses
- Practice Switch Skill and Silkbind combos
I hope this advanced Charge Blade guide for Monster Hunter Rise lights your passion for mastering this incredible weapon! Feel free to share questions in the comments.
Happy Hunting!
