The Complete Guide to MHR Sunbreak Switch Axe Builds - 33rd Square (2024)

As a long-time Monster Hunter player with over 500 hours using the switch axe, I‘ve battled my fair share of beasties and know exactly what it takes to craft optimal builds. Whether you‘re just getting started with the complex switch axe or working towards mastering it, this guide will cover everything you need to dominate Sunbreak with some incredibly powerful builds.

What Makes the Switch Axe So Powerful?

Before we dive into builds, let‘s quickly go over why taking the time to learn the switch axe is so rewarding:

• Two Distinct Modes – The axe mode features slower attacks but longer reach, morphing into sword mode unleashes a whirlwind of fast-hitting, close-range attacks
• Maximize Damage with Phial Management – Store energy in sword mode then expend it powerfully based on your switch axe‘s phial type
• Counter Peak Performance – Unique Silkbind move perfect for countering and punishing monster attacks

Being able to adapt your fighting style by switching modes and launch powered up attacks makes the switch axe capable of dishing out tremendous damage when mastered.

Now let‘s get into how to maximize that potential!

Best Early Game Switch Axe Builds

Just stepping into Master Rank, you‘ll want to focus on offense by balancing raw damage, sharpness management, and critical skills:

Conqueress II – Reliable Powerhouse

The Conqueress II sports high raw, white sharpness that can be extended with Handicraft, and a Power Phial to boost sword attacks. An excellent default option before access to advanced Sunbreak monsters.

Armor

Ingot Helm – Windproof 1, Attack Boost 2
Volvidon Mail – Rapid Morph 1, Jump Master 1, Earplugs 1
Velociprey Braces – Attack Boost 2
Anjanath Coil – Attack Boost 2
Volvidon Greaves – Rapid Morph 2, Evade Window 2

Prioritizes Attack Boost, Rapid Morph to maximize Sword mode, and Evade Window for easier dodging. Total defense is also very high at 466.

Decorations

With spare level 2 slots, we can add more critical eye and damage skills:

• 3x Critical Jewel 2
• 1x Tenderizer Jewel 2
• 1x Attack Jewel 2

Focus on Weakness Exploit, Critical Boost, Attack Boost first. Then add Speed Sharpening if struggling with sharpness.

This beginner setup provides fantastic damage and defense to carry you through the early hunts!

Top Mid Game Switch Axe Build

Once you start facing mid tier monsters like Lunagaron, Scorned Magnamalo etc. it‘s time to increase affinity and critical damage:

Rex Roar

With high raw, white sharpness, and sealed Fire, the Rex Roar dominates most Master Rank 3-6 monsters.

Armor

Golden Headdress – Critical Eye 2, Water Attack 1
Vaik Mail – Critical Eye 2, Redirection 1
Rakna Vambraces – Critical Eye 3, Fire Attack 1
Squire‘s Belt – Critical Eye 1, Speed Sharpening 1
Ingot Greaves – Attack Boost 2, Critical Eye 1

The combination provides Critical Eye 7 for 30% affinity, Attack Boost 2, and Fire Attack 1 to fully utilize Rex Roar‘s fire element phial. Make sure to eat Dango Booster to negate negative affinity!

Decorations

• 3x Attack Jewel 2
• 2x Mighty Jewel 2
• 2x Grinder Jewel 1

With high affinity from armor, decorations purely boost damage – focusing on Attack Boost, Critical Boost and Protective Polish.

This mid game setup hits incredibly hard thanks to maximized affinity and attack skills!

Meta Endgame Switch Axe Build

Once you‘ve conquered Sunbreak‘s final challenges, it‘s time to break out the big guns – introducing the Bloodlust Drachenfury:

Abyssal Gale

Phenomenal raw damage, sharpness and Elderseal contained within a single unstoppable Switch Axe.

Armor

Bloodlust Helm – Weakness Exploit 2
Bloodlust Mail – Attack Boost 3, Maximum Might 2
Archfiend Vambraces – Attack Boost 2, Critical Eye 1
Vaik Coil – Critical Boost 2, Peak Performance 1
Bloodlust Greaves – Critical Boost 1, Weakness Exploit 1

Activating the Bloodlust set bonus provides permanent +30% affinity and +20 attack when attacking relentlessly – rewarding aggressive switch axe play.

Decorations

• 3x Attack Jewel 2
• 2x Mighty Jewel 2
• 1x Sharp Jewel 2

With so much affinity and weakness exploit from armor, we can stack heavy damage skills – Focus is Critical Boost, Attack Boost and Maximum Might.

This terrifying setup fully realizes the Switch Axe‘s potential – allowing you to dance circles around monsters with endless sword combos!

Conclusion

Whether starting with the versatile Conqueress II, dominating mid game with the Rex Roar or conquering endgame with Bloodlust Drachenfury, I hope these optimized Switch Axe builds provide ideas and inspiration!

Let me know if you have any other questions – and happy hunting!

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