'Monster Hunter Rise': How To Unlock Switch Skills

Switch Skills are new moves that can be equipped on each of the 14 weapon types available in “Monster Hunter Rise.” These skills offer a certain degree of flexibility for a weapon’s playstyle, and they can drastically change how players approach a hunt.

The first set of alternative Switch Skills can be obtained by talking to Master Utsushi at the Gathering Hub after unlocking three-star Village Quests or two-star Hub Quests. However, the rest of the skills require the completion of special objectives.

To unlock the second set of Switch Skills, players need to craft eight unique weapons of their chosen weapon type. For example, players need to make eight different Longswords to unlock more Longsword moves. Upgrading one weapon to a better version of itself does not count.

The third set of Switch Skills is unlocked much later in the game, and the moves are divided into three groups.

Upon gaining access to four-star Hub Quests, players will receive unique mastery quests for certain weapon types. Completing a quest will unlock the Switch Skill for the related weapon.

However, the quests for other weapons are locked behind the five-star and six-star Hub Quest categories. The weapons are grouped as follows:

• 4-star: Sword and Shield, Hunting Horn, Light Bowgun and Switch Axe
• 5-star: Greatsword, Charge Blade, Lance and Hammer
• 6-star: Gunlance, Longsword, Heavy Bowgun and Bow

The quests typically involve capturing monsters, but since they’re Hub Quests, the monsters are much tougher compared to the ones in Village Quests. To unlock all skills for every weapon in the game, players need to craft a total of 112 unique weapons (eight per type) and complete every weapon-related Hub Quest.

There are six Switch Skills and three skill slots per weapon. Two slots are reserved for normal moves, while the third slot is reserved for Silkbind maneuvers. Players can only switch between the skills found in each slot, which makes combo customization somewhat limited.

Skills can be swapped out in any Item Box in the world. This includes the tents found in campsites while on a hunt, so feel free to experiment or adapt to whatever monster is on the field.