What are the best skills for the Long Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Prioritize the weapon's signature damage skills (e.g. Attack Boost, Critical Eye, and the relevant element/status) plus quality-of-life skills. The Recommended Builds section above lists concrete early, mid, and endgame sets.

How do I read Long Sword motion values?

Motion values represent the damage multiplier of each attack. Higher values hit harder. Combine them with a monster's hitzone value in the EFR Calculator to estimate effective damage per hit.

Is the Long Sword good for new players?

Difficulty varies by weapon class. Check the Core Combos and Weapon Tree sections to understand its flow and upgrade path before committing to a hunt.

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Long Sword

Long Sword • melee

Verified Source:Wilds Official Weapon Trailer #02(2026-08-10)

Graceful cutting weapon focusing on Spirit Gauge leveling, counter-attacks, and helm breaker finishers.

Difficulty

2 / 5

Mobility

4 / 5

Guard

Style

counter

Traits

Foresight Slash
Iai Spirit Slash
High Reach
Red Spirit Gauge

Pros

Fluid counters mitigate incoming damage
Long reach easily hits high weakpoints
Extremely popular with flashy animations

Cons

Requires continuous gauge management
No native shield block

Wilds Specific Mechanics

Crimson Blossom Follow-up
Focus Slash: Multi-hit Spirit Cleave on wounds

Core Combos

Standard Attack Combo

Overhead Slash
Overhead Slash
Crescent Slash

Fills Spirit Gauge

Spirit Combo

Spirit Blade I
Spirit Blade II
Spirit Blade III
Spirit Roundslash

Completing the chain raises Gauge level

Spirit Helm Breaker

Spirit Thrust
Spirit Helm Breaker (midair)
Spirit Release Slash in Red Gauge

Costs one Gauge level

Iai Slash

Overhead Slash
Special Sheathe
Iai Slash

Counter window via guard point

Crimson Slash Loop (highest DPS)

Crimson Slash I
Spirit Blade I
repeat

Red Gauge only

Foresight Slash Counter

Foresight Slash
Spirit Roundslash
Spirit Thrust
Spirit Helm Breaker

Dodge-and-counter

Motion Values (MV)

Move	MV	Note
Spirit Roundslash (white/yellow/red)	1.02x / 1.04x / 1.10x	Spirit Gauge attack multiplier
Crimson Slash (Red Gauge)	upgraded version	No exact MV published

Recommended Builds

early

HR 10 Starter

Weapon: Wyvern Blade "Verde" I

Head: G. Ebony Helm
Chest: G. Arkveld Mail
Arms: G. Arkveld Vambraces
Waist: G. Ebony Coil
Legs: Alloy Greaves α

Charm: Sheathe Charm II

Quick Sheathe 3Burst 2Flayer 2Critical Status 2

mid

HR 20-39 Mid-Game

Weapon: Wyvern Blade "Blood" I

Head: G. Ebony Helm α
Chest: G. Arkveld Mail
Arms: G. Arkveld Vambraces
Waist: G. Ebony Coil β
Legs: Mizutsune Greaves β

Charm: Sheathe Charm II

Jewels: Sheath

Burst 5Quick Sheathe 3Critical Boost 3Flayer 2

endgame

HR 50+ Standard Endgame

Weapon: Blazing Rafel

Head: Lagiacrus Helm β
Chest: Gore Mail β
Arms: G. Arkveld Vambraces β
Waist: Lagiacrus Coil β
Legs: Gore Greaves β

Charm: Counterattack Charm III

Jewels: Mastery III, Critical II, Critical I

Weakness Exploit 5Critical Boost 3Adrenaline Rush 3Maximum Might 3Counterstrike 3Quick Sheathe 3Antivirus 3

Weapon Tree

Hope Blade I
- Hope Blade II
  - Wyvern Blade "Verde" I(Rathian lineage)
  - Wyvern Blade "Blood" I(Rathalos lineage)