MHR Sunbreak Switch Axe Build: Early, Mid & End

The versatility of builds and weapons is one of the main reasons why Monster Hunter Rise (MHR) is a very captivating game; you can make builds that suit your liking and destroy monsters with ease.

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Key Takeaways

• Switch Axe is a popular choice among damage dealers in MHR due to its base attack damage, it lacks defense and mobility, but this is offset by Wirebugs & an elemental burst counter that can nullify damage & deal damage in return.
• Due to the new expansion pack, more Switch Axes are available, making it the perfect time to try out the weapons.
• Recommended Armor pieces for the early game (Master Rank 1-2 missions) are, the Conqueress II weapon and Ingot Helm X, Volvidon Mail X, Velociprey Braces, Anjanath Coil X, and Volvidon Greaves X.
• Decorations for the early game should include Critical Jewel 2, Tenderizer Jewel 2, Attack Jewel 2, Drain Jewel 1, Grinder Jewel 1, and Brace Jewel 1.
• For mid-game (Master rank 3-6 missions), the Rex Thrasher Weapon and Malzeno Helm, Kaiser Mail X, Lunagaron Braces, Nargacuga Coil X, and Death Stench Heel X armor pieces are recommended.
• Decorations for mid-game should include Attack Boost, Critical Boost, Weakness Exploit, and Stamina Thief.
• For the end-game which is the highest damaging build, the Abyssal Torrent Weapon and Death Stench Brain X, Archfiend Armor Baulo, Rathalos Braces X, Nargacuga Coil X, and Death Stench Heel X armor pieces are recommended.
• Decorations for the end-game should include Critical Jewel 2, Tenderizer Jewel 2, Sharp Jewel 2, Expert Jewel 2, & Grinder Jewel 1  whereas, the skills are Attack Boost, Critical Eye, Critical Boost, & Weakness Exploit.

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The amount of weapon types is also something that gives the player the freedom to enjoy their own playstyle as they want, but today we will specifically talk about the switch axe in this Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak Switch Axe build article.

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak Switch Axe Build

The Switch Axe is a very popular choice among damage dealers in MHR. It’s a very hefty weapon in terms of base attack damage but lacks a bit of defense and mobility, a crucial skill for fighting against fast and agile bosses.

The mobility is offset by Wirebugs which are very important for a Switch Axe build; not only that, but switch axes can now counter monster attacks with an elemental burst counter, nullifying the damage received and dealing damage in return.

It is the perfect time to try out this new weapon, considering all the pros and cons of the switch axe and its few recent updates. With the new expansion pack, there are even more switch axes to choose from, establishing the question about the optimal switch axe build. That’s where we come in to help you find the best build for the switch axe in all the game phases(Early, Mid and Late) in this MHR Sunbreak Switch axe build analysis. So let’s jump into it.

Early Game

For Master Rank 1-2 Missions the following build is optimal:

Weapon:

1. Conqueress II

It has a base attack damage of 260 with a 30 defense stat while having 0% affinity.

You can craft this with Eltalite Ore x3, Twisted Stiffbone x2, Frocium x2 and 12000 Zenny.

Armour:

1. Ingot Helm X
2. Volvidon Mail X
3. Velociprey Braces
4. Anjanath Coil X
5. Volvidon Greaves X

1. The Ingot Helm X has a base defense of 94 with 2 skills which are the Windproof x1 and Attack Boost x2. You can craft this helm with Kestodon Husk x2, Frocium x1, Meldspar Ore x1, Purecrystal x1 and 8000 Zenny.
2. The Volvidon Mail X has a base defense of 94 with 3 skills including Rapid Morph x1, Jump Master x1, Earplugs x1. You can craft this piece with Prized Pelt x1, Eltalite Ore x2, Volvidon Talon x1, Volvidon Cortex x3 and 6000 Zenny.
3. The Velociprey Braces have a base defense of 86 with 1 skill: Attack Boost x2. You can craft these with Sapphiron Ore x2, Tough Claw x1, Velociprey Thickhide x1 and 6000 Zenny.
4. The Anjanath Coil X has a base defense of 98 with 1 skill: the Attack Boost x2. It can be crafted with Anjanath Mantle x1, Monster Toughbone x2, Anjanath Shard x2, Anjanath Fur x4 and 8000 Zenny.
5. The Volvidon Greaves have a base defense of 94 with 2 skills, which are Rapid Morph x2, Evade Extender x2. You can craft these with Massive Monster Bone x2, Ultraplegia Sac x2, Volvidon Talon x1, Volvidon Cortex x2 and 6000 Zenny

This result in a total of 466 defense stats in armor, great for early game.

The most favorable skills and decorations are as follows:

Decorations:

1. Critical Jewel 2  x 3
2. Tenderizer Jewel 2  x 1
3. Attack Jewel 2  x 1
4. Drain Jewel 1  x 3
5. Grinder Jewel 1  x 3
6. Brace Jewel 1  x 2

Skills:

1. Attack Boost
2. Critical Boost
3. Weakness Exploit
4. Stamina Thief

Mid Game

The best build for a mid game in assisting you with Master rank 3-6 missions would be as follows:

Weapon:

1. Rex Thrasher

The Rex Thrasher has a base attack damage of 340, 0 defense stats and -20% affinity.

It can be crafted with Tigrex Mantle x1, Daora Hardclaw x3, 52000 Zenny and x15 MR Tigrex Points.

Armor:

1. Malzeno Helm
2. Kaiser Mail X
3. Lunagaron Braces
4. Nargacuga Coil X
5. Death Stench Heel X

1. The Malzeno Helm has a base defense of 120 with 2 skills, which are Weakness Exploit x1, Wirebug Whisperer x2. You can craft this with Bloody Parasite x2, Malzeno Hardfang x3, Malzeno Hardhorn x2, Malzeno Cortex x2 and 20000 Zenny.
2. The Kaiser Mail X has a base defense of 120 with 3 skills, including Critical Eye x2, Master’s Touch x2, Ballistics x2. You can craft this with Heavy Anjanath Nosebone x2, Fire Dragon Hardclaw x1, Teostra Mane x2, Teostra Cortex x5 and 20000 Zenny.
3. The Lunagaron Braces have a base defense of 114 with 2 skills, Agitator x3 and Wirebug Whisperer x1. You can craft this with Cryo Sac x2, Lunagaron Lash Shell x1, Lunagaron Shard x1, Lunagaron Cortex x4 and 16000 Zenny.
4. The Nargacuga Coil X has a base defense of 108 with 3 skills,****Evade Extender x2, Critical Eye x2, Flinch Free x1. You can craft this with Nargacuga Mantle x1, Monster Slogbone x2, Nargacuga Cutwing + x2, Nargacuga Blackfur + x4 and 12000 Zenny.
5. The Death Stench Heel X have a base defense of 110 with 3 skills, Protective Polish x1, Rapid Morph x1, Attack Boost x1. You can craft this with Crushing Fang x2, Monster Toughbone x2, Hornetaur Razorwing x1, Sinister Gloomcloth x1 and 12000 Zenny.

All this armour boils down to a total amount of 572 Defense stats.

The recommended skills and decorations are as follows:

Decorations:

1. Attack Jewel 2  x 3
2. Tenderizer Jewel 2  x 2
3. Sharp Jewel 2  x 2
4. Drain Jewel 1  x 3
5. Grinder Jewel 1  x 1

Skills:

1. Attack Boost
2. Critical Eye
3. Agitator
4. Weakness Exploit

End Game

For the highest damaging end game build to help you slice monsters like butter we recommend the following build:

Weapon:

1. Abyssal Torrent

With a whopping 350 attack damage 0 defense stats and -20% affinity, this switch axe is sure to decimate any monsters that come in your way.

It can be crafted with Abyssal Dragonsphire x1, Archdemon Tailhook x2, Archdemon Wingtalon x4, Archdemon Backshell x3 and 66000 Zenny.

Armor:

1. Death Stench Brain X
2. Archfiend Armor Baulo
3. Rathalos Braces X
4. Nargacuga Coil X
5. Death Stench Heel X

1. The Death Stench Brain X has a defense stat of 110 with 3 skills, Protective Polish x1, Speed Sharpening x2, Attack Boost x1. You can craft this with Large Herbivore Bone x2, Monster Toughbone x1, Hornetaur Cortex x1, Sinister Gloomcloth x1and 12000 Zenny.
2. The Archfiend Armor Baulo has a defense stat of 126 with 3 skills, Weakness Exploit x1, Resentment x1, Chain Crit x1. You can craft this with Malzeno Fellwing x2, Archdemon Doomhorn x1, Archdemon Backshell x3, Abyssal Dragonscale x2 and 24000 Zenny.
3. The Rathalos Braces X have a defense stat of 114 with 2 skills, Attack Boost x2, Earplugs x1. You can craft this with Uroktor Shard x2, Conflagrant Sac x3, Rath Wingripper x1, Rathalos Shard x1 and 16000 Zenny.
4. The Nargacuga Coil X has a base defense of 108 with 3 skills,****Evade Extender x2, Critical Eye x2, Flinch Free x1. You can craft this with Nargacuga Mantle x1, Monster Slogbone x2, Nargacuga Cutwing + x2, Nargacuga Blackfur + x4 and 12000 Zenny.
5. The Death Stench Heel X have a base defense of 110 with 3 skills, Protective Polish x1, Rapid Morph x1, Attack Boost x1. You can craft this with Crushing Fang x2, Monster Toughbone x2, Hornetaur Razorwing x1, Sinister Gloomcloth x1 and 12000 Zenny.

This results into a massive 568 total defense stats.

The recommended skills and decorations are as follows:

Decorations:

1. Critical Jewel 2  x3
2. Tenderizer Jewel 2  x2
3. Sharp Jewel 2  x1
4. Expert Jewel 2  x2
5. Grinder Jewel 1  x1

Skills:

1. Attack Boost
2. Critical Eye
3. Critical Boost
4. Weakness Exploit

This concludes the Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak Switch Axe build, with the assistance of this article you can go on to either perfect your switch axe build or start anew with this monster weapon type.

However if switch axes still do not interest you, you can check out our MHR Sunbreak Greatsword Build or our MHR Sunbreak Longsword Guide. Good luck Hunters!