Monster Hunter Rise gives players a lot of ways to play the game. The developers at Capcom wanted players to be able to pick and choose the playstyle they wanted. This new game mechanic gives you a new perspective and approach to the game’s increasingly difficult hunts. Continue reading to learn more about Switch Skills.
Switch Skills
Switch Skills allow players to change their playstyle in Monster Hunter Rise. You can change your weapon combos and open a new way to hunt and capture monsters plaguing Kamura Village. If you’re using a weapon that makes you feel limited, it’s time to change your Weapon Switch Skills to a style that fits you better.
You might love wielding the bow but feel like solo hunts are too tedious, you can change weapon types at the camp, but this is more like a bandaid. All 14 weapon classes have their unique Switch Skills. The Switch Skills make each weapon versatile and adaptable in any hunt. It consists of two (2) regular attacks and one (1) Silkbind Attack.
Read: How Armor Skills Work in Monster Hunter Rise
Be it flying wyverns, agile monsters, or Elder Dragons, a Weapon Switch Skill is perfect for you. Regular attacks and the Silkbind Attack can be swapped with these skills before and during a hunt. They are abilities that give your weapon new attack combos and, therefore, more capabilities.
Each weapon class has a total of three different Switch Skills. These skills aren’t for everybody, and you need to equip and test each to know which one you are more comfortable with; these are not accessible right out of the box. You will need to grind and hunt to figure out how to unlock these Switch Skills. If you’re itching to unlock them as soon as possible, this guide is exactly what you need.
Unlocking Switch Skills
You can unlock these Switch Skills sequentially; It also depends on what and how often you use and craft a certain weapon class. Each Switch Skill can be unlocked one after another after meeting certain requirements. The key person to access these is Master Utsushi in the Gathering Hub.
Switch Skill #1
Master Utsushi in the Gathering Hub will have a conversation bubble. Talk to him to gain access to the first switch skill. You will unlock the first Switch Skill when you reach the Village 3-star or Hub-2 quests.
Switch Skill #2
The requirements are simple: craft five variations of a certain weapon class. Unlike the first, the second Switch Skill is unlocked individually for each weapon. So if you intend to unlock all the switch skills of all 14 weapon classes, go ahead and craft five of each. It’s not going to be cheap, though. It will cost you a lot of materials and zenny, especially for just-starting hunters.
Switch Skill #3
When you reach Hunter Rank (HR) 4, you will unlock four new quests from Master Utsushi. You can get these quests fairly rapidly as you reach a higher HR. Each successful hunt unlocks a set of weapon Switch Skills. They are as follows:
- HR 4 — Sword & Shield, Hunting Horn, Switch Axe, and Light Bowgun
- HR 5 — Great Sword, Hammer, Lance, Charge Blade, and Heavy Bowgun
- HR 6 — Long Sword, Dual Blades, Gunlance, Insect Glaive, and Bow
Equipping the Switch Skills
You can change Switch Skills anywhere if there is an item box. The following places with an item box are:
- Your Room
- Buddy Plaza
- Steelworks (beside Hinoa)
- Gathering Hub
- Training Area
- Hub Prep Area
- Camp Tent (on missions)
After you’ve unlocked a Switch Skill, approach the item box nearest you to swap moves. The Switch Skills will change depending on the weapon class you’re wielding. Before changing the switch skills, ensure you’re equipped with the weapon you want to use. Choose to Manage Equipment, then change to the weapon you want.
Once equipped with your desired weapon, go to the Change Switch Skill option. You will see there are three slots numbered 1 to 3. The first two skills are regular moves, and the third is the Silkbind Attack. You can mix and match these three Switch Skills to your liking. If you have yet to unlock a switch skill for your equipped weapon, the slot will be locked and unchangeable.
As you decide which Switch Skill to choose, you can find the move’s description and the corresponding button controls needed to execute them. You’ll know which skills you have equipped, as indicated by a small “E” icon on the skill. You are going to the Training Area to test these skills before a hunt is recommended.
The 14 weapon classes have a combined 42 switch skills. You can mix these up per weapon to try and see which one best works for you. There is no right combination of skills; what will ultimately carry you through a hunt is your ability to use these skills and the many tools and techniques available in the game.
That said, the Training Area can only go so far to help you master these skills. Equip your best weapon and armor. Match and decide on your Switch Skills and fill your pouch with tools and items. Experience is life’s best teacher, and in Monster Hunter Rise. Embark on your hunts to keep Kamura VIllage in one piece. And with the aid of the flashy Switch Skills – do it in style!
