Monster Hunter Wilds: How to Use the Charge Blade

Posted on the 04 March 2025 by Mejoress

Last Updated on 4 March, 2025

How do you master the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds? This powerful weapon offers both precision and raw strength, making it a top choice for hunters who love versatility. 

Learning how to use the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds means understanding its two forms: a fast-hitting sword and a devastating axe.

In this guide, you will uncover incredible power and dominate even the toughest monsters. 

How to Charge & Use Phials

Build Up Phial Energy From Basic Attacks

The Charge Blade starts in its sword and shield form. Attacking with your sword and blocking with your shield builds up phial energy. You can track this energy through the color-coded aura around the phials under your health bar:

  • Yellow Aura – Partial charge (fills three phials when loaded)
  • Red Aura – Full charge (fills all five phials when loaded)
  • Overcharge – Causes attacks to bounce off monsters, reducing effectiveness

To load energy into phials, press R2 + Circle when the aura is yellow or red. Once loaded, phials enhance your attacks and power up specific moves.

Supercharging Phials

In Monster Hunter Wilds, you can supercharge phials for increased damage. If your phials are full, you can continue attacking to build more charge. Reloading them again will supercharge them, making them even more potent.

Every Charge Blade Mode Explained

Sword & Shield Mode

This is the Charge Blade’s default mode. It allows for quick, precise attacks while generating charge for phials. Key mechanics include:

  • Triangle Attacks – Basic sword slashes
  • Circle Attacks – Stronger strikes that generate more charge
  • R2 (Guarding) – Blocks attacks at the cost of stamina
  • R2 + Circle – Loads phials into the weapon

Axe Mode

Switching to Axe mode unleashes the Charge Blade’s full power. To transform, press R2 + Triangle while in Sword & Shield mode. Key mechanics include:

  • Triangle Attacks – Wide, sweeping strikes with increased range
  • Circle Attacks – Phial-powered slashes that deal explosive damage
  • Triangle + Circle – Elemental Discharge, a powerful attack that consumes one phial
  • R2 (during Elemental Discharge) – Cancels back into Sword & Shield mode

How to Use Powered-Up Modes

Shield Elemental Boost

Activating this mode improves your shield, making it stronger and reducing stamina loss while blocking. To activate:

  • Hold Circle while loading phials with R2 + Circle
  • Alternatively, cancel an Elemental Discharge with R2

Elemental Sword

This mode temporarily buffs your sword with extra elemental damage. To activate:

  • Hold Triangle while loading phials with R2 + Circle
  • The charged sword will deal additional damage without consuming phials

Savage Axe Mode

Savage Axe mode increases the Charge Blade’s offensive potential with rapid-hit axe strikes. To activate:

  • Land a Focus Mode attack on a monster
  • Perform a Mount finishing attack
  • Execute a Perfect Guard (R1) + Triangle
  • Trigger a Power Clash with a monster

How to Do Super Amped Elemental Discharge & Guard Points

Super Amped Elemental Discharge (SAED)

SAED is the Charge Blade’s strongest attack, delivering massive explosions that consume all loaded phials. To perform:

  • Charge phials to max (red aura)
  • Enter Axe mode
  • Press Triangle + Circle to unleash the attack
  • The more phials used, the greater the damage output

Guard Points

Guard Points are hidden defensive techniques that allow you to block and counterattack seamlessly. These occur naturally during specific moves:

  • Switching from Sword to Axe mode
  • During the startup of Elemental Discharge
  • When entering Shield Elemental Boost

Using Guard Points correctly can protect you from damage while setting up powerful counterattacks.

Conclusion 

Mastering how to use the Charge Blade in Monster Hunter Wilds gives you a powerful edge in every hunt. Once you get the hang of charging phials and timing your releases, no monster will stand a chance. Now it’s time to take what you’ve learned and put it to the test. The wilds are full of dangerous beasts—so charge up, strike hard, and make every hunt unforgettable!