Monster Hunter Wilds' Switch Axe makes a great time even better with slick new moves and teases a possible new creature

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Is that a new beastie?

Monster Hunter Wilds
(Image credit: Capcom)

Monster Hunter Wilds has unveiled its iteration of the Switch Axe, and it somehow looks better than ever before.

The Switch Axe is one of the more popular Monster Hunter weapons, and it's easy to see why. The weapon can either bludgeon monsters repeatedly in one form or switch to its other form to unleash rapid strikes with elemental discharges, tearing through the toughest monster hides in just a few slices. Monster Hunter Wilds has now revealed its revamped Switch Axe, and it looks sublime.

In the new trailer below, we can see the Switch Axe taking off in Wilds. Switching between the Axe and Sword modes now looks quicker than ever before, and there's even a brand new move called 'Focus Strike,' which starts as a classic Wild Swing combo but turns into a brutal Elemental Discharge attack, like a faster version of the Trance Slash.

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Good news, Monster Hunter Rise fans: the Invincible Gauntlet is back! This attack, if you're unfamiliar with it, basically had the hunter swinging the Switch Axe around them vertically, eventually connecting with the monster for one huge attack. If this thing hit home, it would pretty regularly stun any monster into temporary submission.

But what's the Switch Axe design right at the beginning of the trailer? Some Monster Hunter fans think this is indicative of a brand new monster for the new Capcom game, one possibly themed around a scorpion. A brand new mainline Monster Hunter game is a treat in itself, but one offering new creatures for us to get to grips with would be fantastic.

The reactions to the Switch Axe reveal have been overwhelmingly positive so far. You can see a few reactions on Twitter just below. The Switch Axe was actually trending at one point today, August 15, just a matter of hours after it was first revealed by Capcom.

Over on the main Monster Hunter subreddit, there's plenty of anticipation for a new creature based on the Switch Axe's first design in the trailer. A 'Mantis monster' would be a pretty slick addition for Wilds, although at this point I'd readily accept just about any new monster Capcom offers with open arms.

Another Mantis monster? So hyped. from r/MonsterHunter
Speculation: SwAxe armor and weapon could be from an Orchid Mantis type of monster from r/MonsterHunter

In fact, it's worth pointing out that pretty much all of the weapon reveals for Monster Hunter Wilds have gone down a treat with series fans so far. Loyal Gunlance mains have been revelling in the new iteration of their favorite weapon, and the fan-favorite Insect Glaive also looked dazzling in its trailer, with one new move pretty much plucked straight out of The Matrix: Reloaded.

Read our full Monster Hunter Wilds interview with game director Yuya Tokuda for more about the future of the franchise.

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.