Switch Axe F

The

Switch Axe F , Swaxe for short, is a weapon introduced in . It is unlocked by reaching G Rank.

For an explanation on element damage, see our Elements page

. For more information on motion values, see the Damage Calculator

Increases Phial Meter Recovery by primary recovery mechanic (either by reloading or guarding). Parries recover 100 units with Storm Style and 150 units with Extreme Style (from 50 and 75 units respectively).

Hiden


Swaxe Tech Master	Twin Hiden, 30	Sharpness level +1 is added to Swaxe Tech 【Edge Marshal】.
Swaxe Tech 【Edge Marshal】	30	Gives Super High-Grade Earplugs, Attack x1.2 when wielding a Switch Axe and Fencing+1. Successfully using certain actions increases attack by 1.05x for a short time (Morphing in Earth Style, Sword Attacks in Heaven Style, and Guarding in Storm Style). Stamina consumption for infinite swing combo is halved. Attacking in axe mode increases phial gauge by x1.2 (from 6 units to 7 units of energy regained). Attacks utilizing the phial consume less meter (around 20% less).
Swaxe Tech Kaiden	20	Increases attack by 1.1 and grants Fencing+1 when wielding Switch Axe F.
Swaxe Tech Expert	10	Fencing+1 when wielding Switch Axe F.
Swaxe Tech Novice	-10	Attack x0.8 when wielding Switch Axe F.

Skill Interactions


	Adjusts the element hitzones by +15. Determination applies the effects of Dissolver without the need for hitzone requirements, effectively forcing elemental damage or reducing/negating negative hitzones.
	+4 True Raw per hit. Up to 80 True Raw can be gained through leeching.
	20 seconds uptime. The duration can be refreshed by successfully using i-frames again.
	+5 sharpness recovery. When using Stylish Up get 3 free hits before sharpness is reduced.
	-3 sharpness per hit. Lavish Attack reduces the free hits granted by Stylish Up to 1.
	Max stack of 225 True Raw. Obscurity Up maxes out after two perfect guards, allowing subsequent guards to restore 4 or 10 sharpness depending on timing.
	1/12/26 hits to reach stage 1/2/3 respectively. All weapons share the same stage decay timer; Ice Age Up only affects the third stage’s decay rate.
	27/1350/? total Motion Value to reach stage 1/2/3 respectively. The third stage, exclusive to Rush Up, has a limited duration.
	12 seconds decay window. 13/36/44 hits required to reach stage 1/2/3 respectively (10/27/44 with Ceaseless Up). The third stage is also exclusive to Ceaseless Up, which decays by stages rather than all at once.
	40 seconds duration. 8/5 hits to reach stages 1/2 respectively (7/4 with Fencing+2). The previously hit hitzone is more vulnerable at Stage 2, and Fencing +2 slightly eases activation.
	1/3/6 evasions or perfects guards to reach stage 1/2/3 respectively. These effects apply to both successful evasions and perfect guards (where applicable), but attacking is necessary to advance stages.

Sigils Usability Ratings


		Boosts the stun values on the Elemental Discharge and Absorption Release: Early Ele. Discharge 20 > 40, Ele. Discharge 50 > 80, Early Abs. Release 40 > 50, Abs. Release 150 > 220.	Tech Boost
		Widens the guarding window by a few degrees and causes you to regain 15 health while guarding. Doesn't stack and doesn't increase guarding frames.	Tech Boost
		Increases movement speed while charging.	Tech Boost

Tips and Tricks

If you don't have
Armor Skill
Switch Axe Hiden , consider using .
A power phial doesn't directly increase raw damage; instead, it enhances the motion values of phial attacks by approximately 10%. It's still regarded as the best type, though it's less common among
Weapon Type
Switch Axe F weapons.
Elemental phials are the most prevalent on Zenith weapons and can still provide a significant boost in certain cases.
Having
Armor Skill
Guard+2 is more critical for compared to its counterparts, and , because relies on parries to maintain its meter, not just stacks.
With
Armor Skill
Hiden , two parries are required to fill the meter and activate Light Sword mode, but if the Active Feature is enabled, only one parry is needed.
The elemental discharge from Earth Style can still be executed in Extreme Style; just tap the other button after the initial thrust.
Weapon Type
Switch Axe F's healing from the guard sigil is beneficial for mitigating chip damage from parrying, especially when at low HP levels due to .
Using the finisher move without having inflicted any Dragon Spirit will result in minimal damage and leave the hunter vulnerable. This move also consumes a significant amount of sharpness, regardless of whether it hits anything.
Since
Weapon Type
Switch Axe F's unsheathed running and other various actions uses the phial instead of stamina, skills like or can be easier to use.
Earth, Heaven and Extreme Style gauges have 100 units of energy maximum. Storm and Extreme Style Light Sword gauges have 300 units of energy maximum.
The recovery rate of the gauge is 5 units of energy every 5 seconds. Extreme Style Light Sword gauge does not have natural recovery of energy.
The
Armor Skill
Focus skill provides the following benefits: Increased natural recovery of gauges, increase in gauge recovery from axe attacks and parries, and x1.1 fill rate for gauges (x1.2 with Focus+2).
Successful parries with Light Sword gives 50 units of energy with Storm Style and 75 with Extreme Style, doubled on Active Feature.
Attacking during Axe Mode recovers 6 units of energy.
Switch Axe running consumes phial energy.
The second stage of
Armor Skill
Rush eliminates all meter drain while running.
Some monsters, like
Monster
Zenith Rukodiora , may start fights with two consecutive hits that can both be parried, allowing you to enter Light Sword mode immediately. If you're using a Prayer with the buff active, only one parry is necessary.

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