I have made the best Switch Axe compilation in this guide, drop by to quickly pick a Switch Axe for your build!

In this guide, we will take a look at what is the current best Switch Axe build in Iceborne.

Iceborne Switch Axe Guide

Back in MHW, Switch Axe play mostly focus on the aggressive side, as you don’t have any defense mechanic aside from the dodging/ rolling animation

In Iceborne, Switch Axe got a two new move

Heavy Slam – A follow up attack after the Axe mode Wide Swing attack.
Zero-Sum Discharge (ZSD) This is the Element Discharge perform while clutching on the monster

MHW Iceborne Build Switch Axe – Armor Skills

Switch Axe gameplay is pretty straight forward without special mechanics like Charge Blade or Gunlance. Most of the armor skills to boost up your attack is enough to have a decent Switch Axe play. The only armor skill that you may want to focus on is

Power Prolonger

This skill extends the uptime of your Sword Mode and gives you some more time to deal damage. This is suitable for new players who have trouble keeping the Sword mode constantly.

Attack Focus

Agitator (Challenger Jewel)
Attack Boost (Attack Jewel)

Affinity Boosts

Critical Eye (Affinity)
Weakness Exploit

You can also slot in some Peak Performance if you have Health Augment later on.

MHW Iceborne Build Switch Axe Build Compilations

Early Master Rank Switch Axe build guide.

Before Teostra’s Master Touch, your best armor set for Sharpness is the Nargacuga Armor set. This provides Razor Sharp as a three pieces bonus.

As for the weapon, you can start off with the Great Jagras weapon tree and progress to the Shara Ishvalda Switch Axe.

If you already completed the Fifty Shade of White quest, you got yourself the material for one of the best all-rounder Switch Axe!

The Guild Palace Switch Axe has high damage and can be picked up and use pretty easily. If you don’t have this, stick with Shara Ishvalda Switch Axe until MR 70

MHW Iceborne Build – Endgame Switch Axe Build

Here we go again with the go-to armor set for a melee build

Builder Link

After hitting MR 70, you will need to fight the Gold Rathian to get Golden Crescent – This weapon alone is enough for your end game journey

Builder Link

This build combines both the Agitator and Flawless Jewel for maximum attack boosts, but this requires your HP to always at the maximum, making Health Augment is a must for this build.

MHW Iceborne Build – Safi’jiiva Switch Axe

Builder Link

This is the same as the Golden Crescent Build, the only change is the Safi’s Shatter Axe.

MHW Iceborne Build – Switch Axe Safi’jiiva Armor

You can also use one slot of Awaken Skill for Teostra Technique and combine this with Safi’jiiva Armor.

This build will rely on the Damage boost from Dragonvein Awakening (Boost your damage while reducing HP)

The Reducing HP will then trigger Resentment Armor Skill for another damage boost. This build requires some riskier playstyle, but compensate for one of the best builds for the damage out there

Builder Link

Alternate weapon

Safi’s Shatter Axe
Golden Crescent

Hard to get jewels

Furor Jewel
Paralyzer Jewel 4
Challenger Jewel

Best Switch Axe builds in MHW Iceborne

Switch Axe doesn’t have many options for weapons when it comes to the best build out there. You are good to go with Teostra master touch and Golden Crescent.

If you already on Safi’jiiva meta, then trying out the more aggressive build utilize Safi’jiiva armor and Resentment for a change of pace.

The builds above are based on the MHW Build Reddit community builds as well as some of my personal input.

Builder Link buttons are linked to Honeyhunter awesome MHW Builder tool. Be sure to check out his/ her Patron!

Check out my best weapons compilation here