The world of Monster Hunter World (MHW) is vast and complex, filled with intricate mechanics and strategies that players must master to succeed. Among the various weapons available, Dual Blades stand out for their speed, agility, and high damage output. However, one question that has puzzled many a hunter is whether it’s possible to block with Dual Blades in MHW. In this article, we’ll delve into the specifics of Dual Blades, their unique features, and most importantly, their defensive capabilities.
Introduction to Dual Blades
Dual Blades are a type of weapon in MHW that excels at close-range combat. They are characterized by their fast attack speed and high mobility, making them ideal for hunters who prefer a more aggressive playstyle. Dual Blades are particularly effective against monsters with large hitboxes, as they can quickly dodge and weave between attacks while dealing significant damage. However, their defensive capabilities are often called into question, primarily because of their lack of a traditional block function.
Understanding Dual Blades’ Defensive Mechanics
Unlike other weapons in MHW, such as the Great Sword or the Lance, Dual Blades do not have a block function. Instead, they rely on dodging and evading monster attacks. This is made possible by the Dodge mechanic, which allows hunters to quickly move out of the way of incoming attacks. While dodging is effective, it requires precise timing and spatial awareness, as mistiming a dodge can leave the hunter open to attack.
Guard Points and Foresight Slash
Although Dual Blades cannot block in the traditional sense, they do have access to certain skills and moves that can mitigate damage. One such skill is Guard Points, which can be activated during certain attacks to absorb a set amount of damage. Another move, Foresight Slash, allows the hunter to perform a quick slash that also grants a brief window of invincibility. These mechanics, while not a substitute for blocking, provide Dual Blade users with tools to manage risk and survive in high-pressure situations.
Blocking with Dual Blades: The Verdict
To answer the question directly: you cannot block with Dual Blades in MHW in the same way you can with other weapons. The absence of a block function means that hunters must rely on their agility and the aforementioned defensive mechanics to avoid taking damage. This playstyle can be challenging but also highly rewarding, as mastering the art of dodging and using Guard Points and Foresight Slash effectively can make a hunter nearly untouchable.
Strategies for Playing Dual Blades Effectively
Given the unique challenges and opportunities presented by Dual Blades, hunters must adopt specific strategies to play them effectively. This includes:
- Mastering the dodge mechanic to avoid attacks.
- Using Guard Points and Foresight Slash to mitigate damage when necessary.
- Staying mobile and using the environment to your advantage.
- Choosing the right skills and armor sets to enhance your defensive and offensive capabilities.
Armor and Skill Choices
The choice of armor and skills can significantly impact a hunter’s ability to survive and deal damage with Dual Blades. Skills that enhance dodge distance, speed, and invincibility frames are particularly valuable, as they can make the hunter more elusive and harder to hit. Additionally, armor sets with high evasion and stamina recovery can help hunters maintain their aggressive playstyle without running out of stamina at critical moments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Dual Blades in MHW do not have the ability to block in the traditional sense, they offer a unique and challenging playstyle that rewards strategy, timing, and practice. By mastering the dodge mechanic, utilizing defensive skills like Guard Points and Foresight Slash, and choosing the right armor and skills, hunters can turn the Dual Blades into a formidable weapon capable of taking down even the toughest monsters. The key to success with Dual Blades lies in understanding and embracing their differences, rather than trying to play them like other weapons. With patience and dedication, any hunter can learn to wield the Dual Blades effectively and enjoy the fast-paced, high-reward gameplay they offer.
Can you block with Dual Blades in Monster Hunter World?
The Dual Blades in Monster Hunter World are a high-mobility, high-damage dealing weapon that excels at close-range combat. However, they do not have the ability to block attacks in the classical sense. Unlike other weapons such as the Great Sword or the Lance, which have a guard function that allows players to block incoming attacks, the Dual Blades rely on evasion and dodging to avoid taking damage. This means that players using Dual Blades must be highly mobile and have good reflexes to avoid taking damage from monster attacks.
Despite not being able to block attacks, the Dual Blades have a number of other abilities that make them a formidable choice for players. For example, they have a high attack speed and can deal significant damage to monsters when used correctly. Additionally, the Dual Blades have a number of special moves, such as the “Demon Mode” and “Archdemon Mode”, which can increase the player’s attack power and speed. With practice and skill, players can use the Dual Blades to devastating effect, dodging and weaving around monster attacks to deliver quick and deadly strikes.
How do you use Demon Mode with Dual Blades in MHW?
Demon Mode is a special ability that can be used with the Dual Blades in Monster Hunter World. To activate Demon Mode, players must fill up their “Demon Gauge” by attacking monsters and dodging their attacks. Once the gauge is full, players can activate Demon Mode by pressing the correct button. When in Demon Mode, the player’s attack speed and power are increased, making them more effective at dealing damage to monsters. Additionally, the player’s stamina consumption is reduced, allowing them to perform more actions without getting tired.
To get the most out of Demon Mode, players should try to activate it when they are in a safe position and have a clear opportunity to attack the monster. It’s also important to keep an eye on the Demon Gauge and try to fill it up as quickly as possible. Players can do this by attacking the monster regularly and dodging its attacks to build up their gauge. With practice, players can learn to use Demon Mode effectively and deal significant damage to monsters. It’s also worth noting that Archdemon Mode can be activated when the Demon Gauge is full and the player’s health is below a certain threshold, which provides an even greater increase in attack power and speed.
What are the best skills to use with Dual Blades in MHW?
When it comes to using Dual Blades in Monster Hunter World, there are a number of skills that can be useful to have. Some of the most important skills for Dual Blades users include “Critical Eye”, which increases the player’s critical hit rate, and “Weakness Exploit”, which increases the damage dealt to monsters when attacking their weak spots. Other useful skills include “Constitution”, which reduces the player’s stamina consumption, and “Evade Extender”, which increases the distance the player can dodge.
In addition to these skills, players may also want to consider using skills such as “Attack Boost” and “Speed Sharpening”, which can increase the player’s attack power and speed. The best skills to use will depend on the player’s individual playstyle and the specific monster they are hunting. For example, if the player is hunting a monster with a lot of weak spots, they may want to prioritize skills such as “Weakness Exploit” and “Critical Eye”. On the other hand, if the player is hunting a monster with a lot of powerful attacks, they may want to prioritize skills such as “Constitution” and “Evade Extender”.
How do you dodge effectively with Dual Blades in MHW?
Dodging is a crucial part of using Dual Blades effectively in Monster Hunter World. To dodge effectively, players should use the game’s dodge mechanic, which allows them to quickly move out of the way of incoming attacks. The timing of the dodge is critical, as dodging too early or too late can leave the player open to attack. Players should try to dodge at the last possible moment, just before the monster’s attack hits them. This will allow them to avoid taking damage and create an opportunity to counterattack.
In addition to timing, players should also pay attention to the monster’s attack patterns and use this information to inform their dodging. For example, if a monster has a powerful charge attack, the player may want to dodge to the side rather than backwards, as this will give them more space to avoid the attack. Players can also use the game’s “Foresight Slash” ability, which allows them to dodge an attack and quickly counter with a slash. With practice, players can develop the skills and reflexes needed to dodge effectively and use the Dual Blades to devastating effect.
Can you use Dual Blades with a shield in MHW?
In Monster Hunter World, the Dual Blades are a weapon that is designed to be used without a shield. Unlike some other weapons, such as the Lance or the Gunlance, the Dual Blades do not have the ability to use a shield. This means that players who use Dual Blades must rely on their agility and dodging ability to avoid taking damage, rather than being able to block attacks with a shield. While this can make the game more challenging, it also allows players to move more quickly and deal more damage to monsters.
Despite not being able to use a shield, the Dual Blades have a number of other advantages that make them a popular choice among players. For example, they have a high attack speed and can deal significant damage to monsters when used correctly. Additionally, the Dual Blades have a number of special moves, such as the “Demon Mode” and “Archdemon Mode”, which can increase the player’s attack power and speed. With practice and skill, players can use the Dual Blades to devastating effect, dodging and weaving around monster attacks to deliver quick and deadly strikes.
How do you choose the best Dual Blades for your playstyle in MHW?
Choosing the best Dual Blades for your playstyle in Monster Hunter World depends on a number of factors, including your preferred hunting style and the types of monsters you are hunting. Some Dual Blades are better suited for dealing raw damage, while others are better at dealing elemental damage or applying status effects. Players should consider their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the monsters they are hunting, when choosing a set of Dual Blades. For example, if a player is hunting a monster that is weak to fire, they may want to choose a set of Dual Blades that deals fire damage.
In addition to considering the type of damage dealt by the Dual Blades, players should also consider other factors such as the weapon’s sharpness, affinity, and defense. Sharpness affects how much damage the weapon deals, affinity affects the likelihood of landing critical hits, and defense affects how much damage the player takes from monster attacks. Players can also consider the Dual Blades’ skills and abilities, such as the “Demon Mode” and “Archdemon Mode”, which can increase the player’s attack power and speed. By considering these factors, players can choose a set of Dual Blades that is well-suited to their playstyle and helps them to hunt effectively.