Understanding the controversial Great Sword nerfs in Monster Hunter Now and how to adapt your gameplay strategy
The Controversial Great Sword Nerf Explained
Monster Hunter Now’s latest v65 update has generated significant controversy among the player base due to unexpected damage reductions applied to the Great Sword weapon class.
The Great Sword stands as one of Monster Hunter’s most recognizable weapons, yet it has consistently underperformed within Monster Hunter Now’s mobile gameplay meta. For months, the community actively petitioned Niantic to enhance the weapon’s capabilities through balance adjustments.
Despite delivering massive potential damage output, the Great Sword demands players accept substantial risk to execute its most powerful attacks. This risk-reward imbalance becomes particularly evident when users must absorb monster attacks to successfully land True Charge Slash combinations.
These inherent challenges already positioned the Great Sword at the bottom tier of competitive weapon rankings. The recent damage reduction implemented by Niantic has further diminished the weapon’s viability, leaving the community questioning the developer’s balancing philosophy.
The v65 balance patch specifically adjusted damage calculations for the Strong Wide Slash and True Charge Slash techniques. These signature moves traditionally deliver exceptional burst damage, particularly when striking monster weak points during precise timing windows.
However, the Great Sword’s extended charge animations and limited mobility make executing True Charge Slash sequences exceptionally challenging without taking damage or completely missing targets. This difficulty escalates dramatically when facing highly mobile monsters such as Tobi-Kadachi that punish slow, committed attacks.
Niantic’s decision to reduce Great Sword damage values in the v65 update has consequently baffled experienced hunters who understood the weapon’s existing limitations.
Great Sword Mechanics and Risk-Reward Analysis
The Great Sword’s gameplay mechanics revolve around three charge levels that progressively increase damage output. Mastering the timing between charges separates novice users from expert players. Each charge level requires precise positioning since movement during charging remains severely restricted.
True Charge Slash represents the weapon’s ultimate technique, demanding successful execution of two previous charge attacks before unleashing devastating final damage. The extended animation commitment leaves players vulnerable to counterattacks throughout the sequence.
Monster Hunter Now’s time-limited hunts exacerbate these inherent limitations. Unlike main series titles where players can patiently wait for openings, mobile hunts enforce strict time constraints that pressure Great Sword users into risky engagements.
Against faster monsters like Tobi-Kadachi, Great Sword users face particular disadvantages. These creatures frequently reposition during attacks, making committed charge sequences highly unreliable. The weapon performs better against slower, predictable monsters where charge timing can be more accurately anticipated.
Pre-nerf, the potential damage output justified these substantial risks. Post-nerf, the diminished returns make alternative weapons with better mobility and faster attack cycles increasingly attractive for efficient hunting.
Advanced Great Sword Strategies Post-Nerf
Despite the nerfs, dedicated Great Sword enthusiasts can employ several strategies to maintain effectiveness. Mastering tackle cancels becomes essential—using the weapon’s shoulder tackle to interrupt charge sequences when monsters initiate attacks, then immediately repositioning.
Optimal positioning requires anticipating monster movements rather than reacting. Study attack patterns to identify safe windows for full charge sequences. Against highly mobile targets, consider using level 2 charges instead of committing to True Charge Slash when time is limited.
Gear selection gains increased importance post-nerf. Focus skills that reduce charge time like Focus, or enhance survivability through Divine Blessing. Equipment that increases attack power helps compensate for the damage reduction.
Practice the roll-cancel technique after attacks to minimize recovery frames. Immediately dodging after landing a hit significantly improves mobility and reduces vulnerability periods between attacks.
For players struggling with the nerfed Great Sword, consider transitioning to alternative heavy weapons like Hammer that offer similar satisfaction with better mobility. The Hammer’s charge mechanics provide powerful attacks without the extensive commitment of Great Sword combinations.
Community Perspectives and Developer Feedback
The player community has expressed unanimous confusion regarding Niantic’s balancing decision. One hunter articulated the prevailing sentiment: “I genuinely question which Niantic developer observed the Great Sword as arguably the weakest weapon category and concluded it required nerfing. Neglecting weapon balance demonstrates indifference, but actively weakening an underperforming weapon suggests poor judgment.”
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Additional community members emphasized that successfully landing True Charged Slashes should merit substantial rewards rather than punishment. One player noted: “This excessively committed and fundamentally unsafe playstyle deserves significant damage as compensation for the risks involved. I hope damage values receive adjustments upward in future updates. Without massive numbers, what incentive exists for using Great Sword?”
Many hunters highlighted the weapon’s existing difficulty curve, arguing additional nerfs were unnecessary. A community member responded: “The reasoning remains incomprehensible. The Great Sword already presents extreme challenges within Monster Hunter Now’s restrictive timed gameplay, leading many players to abandon it. Their solution? Implement nerfs. This decision defies logical game balance principles.”
Whether Niantic will reconsider Great Sword balance in subsequent updates remains uncertain. Currently, hunters utilizing this iconic weapon must exercise heightened caution and precision during combat encounters.
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