Hey there, fellow Monster Hunter World (MHW) hunters! Are you gearing up to take on the fearsome Fatalis, but feeling a little underpowered? Don't sweat it! This guide is all about crafting the perfect Long Sword builds to dominate the game before you even think about facing the ultimate challenge. We're talking builds that will make you feel like an unstoppable force, ready to carve your way through any monster that dares to cross your path. We'll be diving deep into the best weapons, armor, skills, and strategies to make sure you're fully prepared for the endgame grind. We'll be skipping past the Fatalis gear, because the main focus is to provide you with the builds that you can use before that point. These builds are designed to maximize your damage output, survivability, and overall effectiveness in the hunt. Whether you're a seasoned Long Sword veteran or a newcomer to the weapon, this guide has something for everyone. So, let's get started and turn you into a Long Sword master!

The Essence of the Long Sword: A Quick Refresher

Before we dive into the builds, let's quickly recap what makes the Long Sword such a beloved weapon in MHW. The Long Sword is known for its elegant and flowing attacks, capable of dealing massive damage while maintaining a high level of mobility. Its key features include the Spirit Gauge, which fuels your most powerful attacks; the Foresight Slash, a defensive counter that can turn a monster's attack against itself; and the Spirit Blade attacks, which unleash a flurry of devastating blows. Mastering these elements is crucial to becoming a proficient Long Sword user. This weapon is a true embodiment of grace and power, allowing hunters to dance around monsters while delivering precise and deadly strikes. The Long Sword's versatility shines in its ability to adapt to various combat situations, making it a favorite among hunters who appreciate both offense and defense. With its wide range of moves and the capacity to maintain a constant damage output, it's a great choice for both solo and group hunts. Whether you're cutting tails, staggering monsters, or simply looking stylish while doing it, the Long Sword has something to offer.

Core Skills and Playstyle

When building for the Long Sword, certain skills are absolute must-haves. Critical Eye is essential for increasing your affinity, which directly boosts your chances of landing critical hits and dealing more damage. Weakness Exploit further amplifies this, giving you increased affinity when attacking monster weak spots. Attack Boost is another straightforward skill that simply increases your raw attack power. Focus is also incredibly helpful as it reduces the time it takes to charge your Spirit Gauge, allowing you to unleash your Spirit Blade attacks more frequently. The Long Sword playstyle revolves around maintaining a high Spirit Gauge and strategically using Foresight Slash to counter monster attacks. The goal is to constantly keep the pressure on the monster while avoiding damage and maximizing your damage output. Timing is key; knowing when to strike, when to dodge, and when to counter separates the good Long Sword users from the great ones. Mastering the flow of combat, understanding monster patterns, and optimizing your Spirit Gauge management are all key aspects of the weapon's playstyle. Remember, it's all about precision, patience, and a bit of flair!

Pre-Fatalis Long Sword Builds: Tier List

Okay, let's get to the good stuff: the builds! Here are a few top-tier Long Sword builds that will carry you through the toughest pre-Fatalis hunts. Each build has been designed with a specific focus, so you can choose the one that best suits your playstyle and preferences.

Build 1: The Raw Damage Dealer

This build focuses on maximizing raw attack power and critical hits. It's perfect for hunters who prefer a straightforward, aggressive playstyle. It's all about hitting hard and fast, making this build an excellent choice for a variety of monsters. This build can be easily customized to fit specific hunt scenarios, but its core principles remain constant: raw power and high critical hit chance. This approach is effective against most monsters, as it leverages raw damage, which isn't affected by elemental weaknesses. The overall goal is to maximize your raw damage output, allowing you to deal significant damage even with your basic attacks.

• Weapon: Deviljho Long Sword or the Brachydios Long Sword (for its Blast element)
• Armor:
  • Head: Kaiser Crown B (for Critical Eye)
  • Chest: Damascus Mail B (for Focus)
  • Arms: Kaiser Vambraces B (for Critical Eye)
  • Waist: Odogaron Coil B (for Weakness Exploit)
  • Legs: Kaiser Greaves B (for Critical Eye)
• Skills:
  • Critical Eye 7
  • Weakness Exploit 3
  • Attack Boost 4 (or higher)
  • Focus 3
  • Protective Polish (from Charm or Armor Skill)
• Playstyle: Aggressive. Prioritize attacking monster weak spots and maintaining your Spirit Gauge. Use Foresight Slash for counters and Spirit Blade attacks for maximum damage.

Build 2: The Elemental Destroyer

This build is for hunters who want to exploit monster elemental weaknesses. It focuses on using Long Swords with high elemental damage. This build is especially effective against monsters that are vulnerable to specific elements. This playstyle requires a deeper understanding of monster weaknesses and can be incredibly rewarding when used correctly. The key to this build is to match the Long Sword's element to the monster's weakness. With strategic use of elemental damage, you can bring down even the toughest monsters. This build offers a dynamic and strategic approach to combat, and can lead to impressive hunting results when properly implemented.

• Weapon: Elemental Long Swords based on the monster's weakness (e.g., Azure Rathalos Long Sword for Thunder, Legiana Long Sword for Ice, etc.)
• Armor: Mix and match pieces that provide elemental attack skills and critical eye, such as:
  • Head: Rath Soul Helm B (for Critical Eye and Elemental Damage)
  • Chest: Azure Rathalos Mail B (for Critical Eye and Elemental Damage)
  • Arms: Kaiser Vambraces B (for Critical Eye)
  • Waist: Odogaron Coil B (for Weakness Exploit)
  • Legs: Azure Rathalos Greaves B (for Critical Eye and Elemental Damage)
• Skills:
  • Critical Eye 7
  • Weakness Exploit 3
  • Elemental Attack (to boost your chosen element)
  • Attack Boost (for extra raw damage)
• Playstyle: Strategic. Learn monster weaknesses and switch Long Swords accordingly. Prioritize attacking weak spots with the appropriate element.

Build 3: The Survivability Specialist

For those who prefer a more forgiving experience, this build emphasizes survivability and consistent damage. It's perfect for hunters who are still learning monster patterns or simply prefer a more cautious approach. This build ensures you can stay in the fight longer, providing more chances to learn and master monster encounters. With enhanced defenses, you can withstand more attacks and maintain a more consistent damage output. This build gives you the best chance of survival. With the added survivability, you'll feel confident tackling challenging monsters.

• Weapon: Any Long Sword you prefer, but prioritize those with good raw damage.
• Armor: Focus on armor sets with high defense and skills like:
  • Head: Bazel Helm B (for Defense Boost)
  • Chest: Uragaan Mail B (for Defense Boost)
  • Arms: Kaiser Vambraces B (for Critical Eye)
  • Waist: Odogaron Coil B (for Weakness Exploit)
  • Legs: Bazel Greaves B (for Defense Boost)
• Skills:
  • Critical Eye 7
  • Weakness Exploit 3
  • Defense Boost 7 (or as high as possible)
  • Health Boost 3
  • Divine Blessing (from Armor or Charm)
• Playstyle: Cautious. Focus on dodging and countering. Prioritize survival while maintaining a steady damage output. Use Foresight Slash defensively to avoid damage.

Customization and Adaptability

Remember, these builds are just a starting point. Feel free to tweak them to fit your playstyle and the specific monster you're hunting. Experiment with different skills and armor pieces to find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to try out different weapons and see how they fit into your preferred playstyle. The key to success in MHW is adapting to the situation and finding what works best for you. It's all about personal preference, so don't be afraid to get creative. The best builds are those that are fine-tuned to your personal style and needs. Play around with different combinations to discover what feels most effective and enjoyable for your hunts.

Charm and Decorations: The Finishing Touches

Charms and decorations can significantly enhance your builds. Prioritize charms that provide essential skills like Handicraft, Focus, or Attack Boost. Decorations allow you to add extra skills to your armor. For example, using critical eye jewels to reach critical eye level 7. Pay attention to the jewel slots on your armor and weapon and choose decorations that complement your build. Strategic use of decorations can transform an average build into a high-performing machine. Make sure you use the decorations that fit your build to achieve the best outcome. These fine-tuning options are crucial for optimizing your performance on the hunt.

Advanced Tips and Strategies for the Long Sword

To become a true Long Sword master, consider these advanced tips:

• Master the Foresight Slash: Practice the timing of the Foresight Slash to counter monster attacks. This move is your best friend when it comes to dealing damage while avoiding getting hit. The Foresight Slash is essential for both offense and defense, and mastering it will drastically improve your performance. It's all about predicting the monster's movements and reacting at the right moment.
• Use the Spirit Blade: Utilize the Spirit Blade attacks after a successful Foresight Slash or when your Spirit Gauge is high. Proper use of the Spirit Blade is what truly separates great Long Sword users. Maintaining the flow of attacks and ensuring your Spirit Gauge is at its peak is essential for sustained damage. Maximize your damage output with the powerful Spirit Blade attacks, which can stagger monsters and open them up to further attacks.
• Learn Monster Patterns: Understanding the attack patterns of monsters is essential for predicting their moves and positioning yourself effectively. This knowledge will enable you to time your counters perfectly and maximize your damage opportunities. Knowing when to strike and when to dodge will significantly improve your efficiency. Study the monsters' behaviors to predict their attacks and prepare accordingly.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The Long Sword has a high skill ceiling. The more you play, the better you'll become. Practice your combos, learn the timing of your Foresight Slash, and experiment with different builds to find what works best for you. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away. Practice makes perfect, and with dedication, you'll see massive improvements in your hunting skills.

Conclusion: Your Path to Pre-Fatalis Victory

And there you have it, folks! With these builds, skills, and strategies, you'll be well-equipped to dominate the pre-Fatalis hunts in MHW. Remember to experiment, adapt, and most importantly, have fun. The journey through Monster Hunter World is a long and rewarding one, and with the Long Sword in your hands, you're ready to conquer any challenge. Good luck, hunters! Now go out there and carve your path to victory. The hunt awaits!