Monster Hunter Wilds finally makes sense to my Dark Souls-pilled brain thanks to the Dual Blades

After more than a decade playing Elden Soulsborne games, one might think I’d be free of arrogance or overconfidence. Regrettably, I remain flawed. I believed that Monster Hunter’s combat would be simple for me, given my affection for Souls games. However, it has consistently bested me, leaving me to watch my friends fight dinosaurs while I never got the chance to join them as a hunter. That changed when I picked up the dual blades in Monster Hunter World. Only then did I truly understand the appeal.

I didn’t just dabble with Monster Hunter World once, but I gave it a try not one, but two times – initially on PS4 in 2017 and subsequently when it became available on PC the same year. Each time my seasoned Monster Hunter companions invited me for a hunt, they would swiftly dismantle the early game Anjanath while I was barely managing to land a hit. It was rather humiliating.

In simpler terms, I struggled to grasp the precise timing for input, the weighty dodge roll, and my character’s movement. Often, I found myself attacking thin air a fraction of a second late after a monster had moved or swiped with its tail, which I frequently failed to dodge.

Initially, I switched from using the switch axe to the longsword, then to dual blades, but none of them felt right for me in this action RPG with large weapons and tough opponents. I figured, since I can handle other games like these, why not excel at this one too? However, my preference for high endurance and my love for rapier combat from the Souls series didn’t seem to work well against these giant foes.

Instead of mastering Monster Hunter World, it never fully submitted to my control. I bypassed Monster Hunter Rise, veered towards the tactical battles in Monster Hunter Stories 2 (which I found quite engaging), and began to feel anxious as Monster Hunter Sunbreak neared, fearing another potential defeat due to the dread of missing out.

In the beta, things didn’t go well for me. It seems I made the same mistake of picking up the switch axe first again. Yes, hindsight is 20/20, but I’ve accepted that my pride led to my downfall. My initial struggles with slightly delayed reactions and missing attacks on monsters were a repeat of the past, and I feared I was destined to fail in becoming a hunter once more.

One of my MonHun enthusiast coworkers rescued me by suggesting I revisit the dual blades, and it felt as though I could finally hear the harmonious echo of ancient hunters praising across time. The rhythm of dual blade attacks suits my playstyle perfectly, and the dodge roll keeps me from getting tangled up with my prey.

As a devoted fan, I must say that the swift and smooth “blade dance” combos of these dual blades are simply exhilarating! Unlike larger weapons, I can quickly sheathe them to hasten my recovery, making combat more agile and efficient. The Demon Mode, with its unique ability to dodge through incoming attacks, seems tailor-made for a SoulsBorne veteran like myself.

Our dual blade builds guide may express it better in Monster Hunter terms, but let me tell you, these blades are a joy to wield! After countless hours spent in the Souls series, I finally feel that my skills and experience have become an asset rather than poorly-tuned muscle memory dragging me down. The knives feel intuitive, responsive, and just plain satisfying to use.

Despite some casual discussions among PCG’s seasoned hunters questioning if the dual blades are overly simple this time, their comments don’t dim my enthusiasm. I’ve been spinning like a Beyblade on a Balahara, and it’s invigorating! At long last, I’m slaying monsters solo—well, except for my Palico companion—without needing an SOS flare or succumbing to even the most fundamental early-game adversaries.

While weapon selection plays a role, it’s not the only factor that makes Monster Hunter Wilds feel unique. As detailed in our review, the game offers a streamlined experience compared to previous installments, which I find quite appealing. Features like Focus Mode for precise aiming of melee attacks and the wound system (discussed further in our Monster Hunter Wilds guide) that triggers the dual (bey)blade effect contribute significantly to my sense of familiarity with this game.

It seems that Souls series players who prefer using greatswords and hammers might find their skills better suited to Monster Hunter games. After all, there’s at least one unlucky Souls gamer’s partner who can vouch for this transition from proficient Souls player to struggling Monster Hunter participant. I suspect there are many more individuals worldwide in a similar situation. In essence, I advise fellow players: initially focus on dual blades. At the very least, that’s where I started!

1. MH Wilds: Long Sword strategies – Victory through Slashing

2. MH Wilds: Great Sword strategies – Utilizing large sword movements

3. MH Wilds: Charge Blade strategies – Landing vile vial strikes

4. MH Wilds: Light Bowgun strategies – More lethal, less turret usage

5. MH Wilds: Insect Glaive strategies – Bug-focused gameplay

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2025-03-02 20:02