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The Long Sword in Monster Hunter Now feels like a fusion between the Sword & Shield and Great Sword. Regarding attack speed and power, it falls somewhere between the two. The Long Sword does more damage than the Sword & Shield, but swings faster than the Great Sword.
Monster Hunter Now: Hammer Guide | Monster Hunter Now: Light Bowgun Guide | Monster Hunter Now: Equipment Skills Guide
There are 8 Long Swords, 7 of which are part of a monster weapon set. Monsters include the Kulu-Ya-Ku, Tobi-Kadachi, Jyuratodus, Rathian, Anjanath, Legiana, and Rathalos. Like most of the other weapons, the Long Sword unlocks after you complete Chapter 2 of the story quests. This should happen around Hunter Rank 15.
Combat
Spirit Gauge
The Spirit Gauge is exclusive to the Long Sword. It appears as a sword underneath your health bar. Every successful attack on a monster fills the Spirit Gauge. Downtime between attacks and getting hit by monsters decreases it. Unlike the Special Skill charge, the Spirit Gauge level in one hunt does not carry over to the next.
While the Spirit Gauge charges, your Long Sword will deal lower damage (though notably, still greater damage than the Sword & Shield). When the Spirit Gauge turns red, it’s fully charged. At this point, your damage will increase and you’ll be able to perform combo attacks.
The Special Skill – Spirit Helm Breaker – interconnects with the Spirit Gauge and can’t be used if the Spirit Gauge isn’t over half full. Spirit Helm Breaker allows you to perform one powerful swipe, followed by a plunging attack.
Special Sheathe
The Long Sword has one charged attack, but it charges considerably faster than those of the Hammer and Great Sword. Additionally, its attack speed is much faster and propels you forward a small amount. Compared to both the Hammer and Great Sword, the Long Sword provides a much better range on both its normal and charged attacks.
Iai Spirit Slash
This is the resulting attack from charging with the Special Sheathe. Upon hit, it has a chance of negating a monster’s attack, allowing you to follow up with a normal attack. Both the Iai Spirit Slash and resulting combos will fill your Spirit Gauge.
Helm Breaker
This occurs naturally when you perform a follow-up attack after Iai Spirit Slash while your Spirit Gauge is red. You perform a plunging attack without needing to activate your Special Skill.
Spirit Helm Breaker
Upon activation, you will perform a fully charged strike, followed by a plunging attack. Though this can be used without a full Spirit Gauge, your attack will be much more powerful if it is.
List of Long Swords
First Form | Second Form | Weapon Set | Element | Equipment Skill |
Iron Katana | Iron Grace | Metal | None | Poison Resistance Reduces the duration of or prevents poisoning. |
First Dance | Last Dance | Kulu-Ya-Ku | None | Fortify Increases attack power for a certain period each time you revive after fainting during a hunt. |
Pulsar Shotel | Kadachi Fang | Tobi-Kadachi | Thunder | Last Stand Increases defense when your health drops below a certain point. |
Jyura Shotel | Dipterus | Jyuratodus | Water | Fortify Increases attack power for a certain period each time you revive after fainting during a hunt. |
Wyvern Blade “Leaf” | Wyvern Blade “Verde” | Rathian | Poison | Health Boost Increases health by a certain amount. |
Blazing Shotel | Anja Scimitar | Anjanath | Fire | Rising Tide Increases attack and defense as the hunt timer runs out. |
Glacial Shotel | Stealer | Legiana | Ice | Divine Blessing Grants a chance of halving the damage caused by a monster’s attack. |
Wyvern Blade “Fall” | Wyvern Blade “Blood” | Rathalos | Fire | Earplugs Reduces or nullifies the effects of monster roars. |
Related Guides: Monster Hunter Now: Armor Sets Guide | Monster Hunter Now: Large Monsters Guide | Monster Hunter Now: How to Form Parties | Monster Hunter Now: Invitation Codes Guide | Monster Hunter Now: Weapons Guide