Monster Hunter Portable 3rd / Weapons Review Part 3

This time, let’s talk about Old and New. MHP3rd finally introduces a new weapon in the line-up of MH arsenal, the Switch Axe. Although Switch Axe is originally taken from Monster Hunter Tri series, it’s the new weapon to introduce in the Portable series ever since MHP2nd (MHF2 in US). On the other hand, the Long Sword which was one of the exclusive new weapons for the MHP series. Long swords were originally Great Sword class then it became an independent weapon class in MHP2nd/MHF2.

Long swords never lose its popularity for its becoming more like an iconic weapon for the MHP/MHF series while Switch Axe is starting to grow fame because of its double-faced switching weapon style, and we all know, weapons changing from one type to another are badass >=) So what makes the SA look awesome, and how’s an old weapon like LS still keeps its charm and become more badass than before?

Long Sword

Originally came from the GS class, it has a decent damage not far from other hard-hitters like GS and Hammer, it can throw more hits compare to big weapons, also having a decent mobility making it well-balanced in speed and power and plus an ability called the Spirit Blade that enable to temporary increase attack power once the spirit gauge is full from every hit you’ve made and can perform combo by pressing R button. The only drawback is lack of ability to block. For an LS user, a consistent attack is needed but having no block to support your defensive strategy would make it challenging to keep up the momentum.

LS’ maneuvers are still the same only with few additional moves and abilities. You can now do the Fade Slash (usually called back-hop slash) towards left or right by pressing left or right directional analog simultaneous to Triangle + Circle.

The Spirit Blade ability is also improved as its combo is extended up to 4-hits. If the 4-hit spirit combo strikes successful, the color of your sword’s aura will change and your sword level-up. You can keep up with the spirit combo to level-up up to 3 (sword’s aura will turn red). But just like how usually the spirit gauge wears-off, it will also gradually drains itself overtime until it levels down unless you consistently doing the combo.

I always have a good impression in using LS, not to mention that it was my very first weapon back in MHF2. The improvement of LS is simple yet it gives a great advantage. The new left and right Fade Slash gives more maneuvers, the extended combo and the new Spirit Blade ability make the LS more interesting and it greatly improves its offensive damage. But using the weapon is still challenging as ever.. or even more. You have to keep up the attack consistent to be able to make use of the LS’ ability but since LS don’t have any ways to defend but evading, finding an open spot to attack while keeping yourself not to be hit is always a challenge. You will surely be torn between attacking aggressively and move defensively.

Switch Axe

It’s the new weapon originally introduced at MH Tri. SA is pretty much an interesting weapon to use for it has various tricks on its sleeves.

You can switch to 2 different styles, axe or sword form by pressing R Button. Axe basically does regular attacks and its mobility it’s similar to LS while Sword attacks with added effect of Coatings and its mobility is similar to GS so it’s pretty much slower. You can even do connecting combos out from both axe and sword form. Each form has its own maneuvers and abilities.

Axe form has an ability to swing the axe in almost continuous phase by pressing Triangle and Circle Button first to perform the Rising Slash then tap Circle button. The major drawback of this ability is it greatly consumes the Status bar for every swing.

Sword form on the other hand has the ability to Overload Coating until it burst. It is done by pressing Triangle and Circle Button then tap Triangle until it explodes. But the sword form’s limited for it drains its energy bar for every attack made, and it consumes more when using the coating overload. Once it depleted, it will change to axe form and it will need to reload before using it again. Its energy bar would fill up gradually while in axe form.

One thing that I personally love in SA is that its regular attacks have a good reach even in mid distance, and other than rolling, you can also do Side step much similar to Lance/Gunlance by pressing directional analog (left or right) then press X Button after an attack. This makes the SA user evade while keeping the distance to have consistent attacks.

So far, SA is the most versatile weapon you can use in MHP3rd in terms of having either raw or strategic-based attacks. It doesn’t have any blocking ability but I guess having both side step and rolling is enough for defensive maneuver. You can’t make good use of its mobility, however and just like LS, keeping a consistent attack (especially if you’re going for the coating overload) while keeping yourself away from being hit will be a challenge.

So that’s Part 3. This is longer than I thought, heheh! Anyway, see you in my next review

Until then!

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