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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesPlay Great Sword by reading the monster, moving to where its next attack is likely to end, and choosing a punish short enough to land before it recovers. Use a quick attack for a brief opening; commit to a longer charge route when a knockdown or other clear opening gives you time. If you are unsure, sheathe and reposition rather than starting your longest charge.
How do I use Great Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds?
Great Sword is built around deliberate commitment: its swings take time, so success depends on choosing both the right moment and the right place to attack. Watch the monster’s movement and look for where it will finish its current action. Move into position before it recovers, then choose an attack that fits the time available.
- Observe: identify the monster’s attack and where it is likely to end.
- Position: move toward that landing point instead of chasing the monster’s current position.
- Punish: use a quick attack or modest charge if the recovery is short; take a longer charge route only when the opening is clear.
- Reset: if the monster’s next move is uncertain, sheathe and reposition rather than extending a risky commitment.
This is a practical approach, not an official Capcom rule or a tested ranking of attack routes. The key judgment is whether the opening is long enough for the attack you are about to commit to.
When should I charge?
Match your commitment to the opening’s size and certainty. A brief recovery calls for a shorter response; a knockdown or clearly confirmed opening can give you time for a longer charged sequence. Starting the longest route whenever you see a chance to attack risks leaving you committed when the monster is ready to move again.
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#1 Best Overall
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Players can also now ride atop the Seikret, an agile new mount enabling hunters to traverse difficult terrain, perform actions like sharpening weapons on the move, and switch between two weapons while out on hunts!
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Small or uncertain opening: choose a quick draw or a modest charged attack.
- Knockdown or confirmed opening: consider a longer charge route if you have enough time to complete it.
- Unclear timing: disengage, sheathe, and look for a better position rather than guessing.
There is no single charge choice that fits every opening. Decide based on how much time you expect before the monster can act and how costly it would be to remain committed.
How do I aim a charged attack?
Use Focus Mode to help direct attacks toward a wounded part, but treat it as an aiming correction—not a replacement for predicting the monster’s movement. A charged attack takes time, so aiming at the monster’s present location may leave the swing poorly placed by the time it connects. Anticipate where the monster will be when the attack arrives.
The available manual index lists dedicated sections for Focus Mode and Focus Strikes, but the detailed instructions and exact inputs could not be verified. Check the current in-game controls reference for how to activate and use them on your platform.
When should I use tackles and Offset Attacks?
Great Sword also has defensive and repositioning options, including evasion, sheathing, and Offset Attacks. Tackles and Offset Attacks can be considered when you have learned their timing and want to preserve momentum or contest an incoming move. Do not assume an Offset Attack works against every monster attack: the available documentation does not establish all of its matchups.
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- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
Learn the basic opening-and-punish rhythm first. Then experiment with these options when you can recognize the incoming move and understand the timing in your current control setup.
What should I practise first?
For a simple learning drill, complete a hunt while focusing on two things: use a quick punish when the monster briefly recovers, and use one longer knockdown combo when a clear opening appears. Once those attacks are landing consistently, add tackle resets to your practice. This is a suggested drill, not a controlled test or a guarantee of a particular result.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can I find Great Sword controls?
Use the in-game Hunter’s Notes or current control reference for exact button mappings, since inputs can depend on platform and control preset. Capcom Support’s article, dated July 20, 2026, directs readers to official online manuals for more detail: Capcom Support: Where can I find the instruction manual for my game?
The archived manual index includes Great Sword and Focus Mode & Focus Strikes sections, but its detailed Great Sword instructions were not available in the accessible result. For that reason, this guide does not give unverified button combinations or patch-sensitive damage figures.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
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