Since its first appearance in Monster Hunter, the classic Great Sword has been a mainstay of the series, rendering it one of the most instantly recognizable weapons in video game history. Defined by its potential for devastating power, hunters eager to deliver massive amounts of damage need look no further. The Great Sword even stays true to its name in the recently released Monster Hunter Rise with enhanced aerial combat and silkbind attacks improving upon a previously limited moveset.

Much like its gargantuan appearance, mastering the Great Sword can be an intimidating prospect for inexperienced hunters. In its first installment of the series, Monster Hunter players were introduced to an unconventional and unique weapon that relies on the patience and skill to unlock its staggeringly dangerous potential.

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At first glance, the Great Sword may seem a clumsy and inflexible weapon, but this could not be further from the truth. In the 17 years since Monster Hunter's release, each installment has improved upon the Great Sword’s fluidity, resulting in the powerful and versatile sword now seen in Monster Hunter Rise.

Monstrous sweeping attacks, coupled with the ability to block, render the Great Sword an extremely efficient weapon for a defensive playstyle. Due to the sheer size of the blade, the Great Sword provides a greater shield radius than Sword and Shield. Additionally, the  charge mechanic introduced in Monster Hunter 2 encourages players to opt for a patient approach and wait for big openings to unleash a devastating full-powered attack. Analyzing monsters' movements to predict the perfect time to unleash a full charge remains just as relevant in Monster Hunter Rise.

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The Great Sword is undoubtedly one of the slowest weapons available, meaning effective dodging and sheathing are vital to avoiding damage. Luckily, Monster Hunter World pioneered the True Charged Slash and the Tackle. With the introduction of the True Charged Slash, the Great Sword had gained one of the most powerful attacks in the game, which returns in Rise. In order to fully utilize the True Charged Slash, the Tackle showed players a way to effectively link charged attacks, creating more complex and powerful combos than ever before. No longer do players have to rely upon a slow, deliberate hit-and-run tactic; hunters can now employ an aggressive playstyle with the Great Sword.

Silkbind attacks, which are new in Monster Hunter Rise, complement the Great Sword, transforming a one-trick pony into an adaptable but lethal weapon. Sheathing drastically increases the Great Sword's mobility, and Power Sheathe, a silkbind attack, allows players to gain the repositional benefits of sheathing by launching the player forward, while also temporarily increasing their attack power.

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Given the greater emphasis on vertical combat in Monster Hunter Rise, the decision to enhance the Great Sword’s effectiveness in the air comes as no shock. Attacks such as Plunging Thrust can now be utilized to enter charge combos at a boosted level two charge thanks to the  Wirebug. This insect-powered grappling hook allows players to traverse the air, and it serves as the perfect counterpart to a notoriously slow but powerful weapon like the Great Sword.

Each Monster Hunter game has added new levels of complexity to the iconic Great Sword, ultimately resulting in the multi-faceted weapon players can enjoy today. At face value, such a comically large sword may seem one-dimensional, but Monster Hunter Rise presents players with a sword capable of unleashing its devastating attack power in any situation.

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