Dual Blades

Weapons

Topics: Weapon Types • Weapon Mechanics • Sharpness • Element • Status

Weapon Types:
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Dual Blades Weapon Trees:
MHF1 • MHFU • MHP3 • MH3U • MH4 • MH4U • MHGen • MHGU • MHW • MHWI • MHRise

Weapon Overview[]

Dual Blades (双剣 Souken), or 'DB' (previously known as Dual Swords or 'DS') are a high speed class of weapon introduced in the western version of Monster Hunter (Not released in Japan until Monster hunter G). Their small attack stat and inability to block is made up for by their high attack speed and wide variance in elemental damage and status effects - some Monster Hunter games even allowing them to possess 2 different status effects simultaneously. Dual Blades can also increase their damage output via the "Devil's Dance" skill (akin to the Longsword's "spirit blade"), which increases damage output and does not cancel or overlap the effects of buff items (e.g. 'Demondrug').

Dual Blades are most notable for their "chain-attack" method of dealing large amounts of damage over time. This differs from Sword and Shield methods of creating grandiose combos or infinite strikes (as opposed to short combos which move the player dramatically).

The only Monster Hunter title to be released in the US not featuring any DS-class weapons is Monster Hunter Tri. This is thought to be due to difficulties with underwater combat or Wiimote control compatibility (though some speculate that shaking the Wiimote is almost ideal given the "button mashing" required).

Weapon Traits[]

Dual Blades are more than just a couple of blades to slash and maim:

Dual Blades do not provide shielding ability, but can roll after an attack, though rolling is not possible in the middle of a combo.
Dual Blades' combos can do very high damage over time.
Some attacks on Dual Blades are one sided, for example, pressing "circle" will do a quick spin-slash upwards to the right side, but if you press circle as well as left on the analog stick, your slash will be left-upward.
Because they are quick to deal multiple strikes in a short amount of time, Dual Blades lose sharpness faster than any other weapons. Also, when dual blades reach below standard sharpness the Demon's Dance will not complete and will only have 4 or 5 hits. Either carry spare Whetstones all the time when using Dual Blades, or invest in an armour set that provides increased Sharpness.
Elemental damage dealt with Duals is 30% less than what is shown. However, it is a very excellent weapon when it has elements.
If you land an affinity hit on the first hit of every input combo, the rest of the hits will all be affinity hits.
While wielding Dual Blades, you can enter Demon mode, this mode allows you to strike faster, deal more damage, resist Wind Pressure, and have super armor on non-boss attacks. While in this mode, hitting triangle and circle at the same time will initiate a combo, called the Demon's Dance, that will not bounce on contact.
- Demon Mode has a big drawback however. While in this mode, your stamina will drain at a quick pace until it is completely drained or Demonization is ended manually. Demonization also limits chances to dodge because when it ends, hunters are often left with no stamina to dodge with. This can be prevented with Power Juice, Mega Juice, or Mopeshroom if equipped with Mushroom Lover or Power Eater armor effects.
- Demon Mode can be ended manually by re-pressing R or sheathing your weapons.
Each sword can have different attributes. For example, the weapon Snow Venom wields both poison and ice elements.

Changes in 3rd Generation[]

Like the Hunting Horn, Dual Blades received significant revamps in P3rd and 3U. A new system added is the "Demon Gauge," which is displayed under the sharpness bar. Movement animations also differ greatly from previous series. The changes are as follows:

The new system involves three fighting states for the user: Normal, Demon and Archdemon mode.
The normal mode is the usual state of the user without any special buffs. This mode is reminiscent of the previous series with some exceptions:
- The normal combo animation is altered into a faster and more aggressive one with wider time frame for evasion.
- The spinning attack combo, instead of simply spinning once in chosen direction, will be started with a very quick "Jab'n'Slash" that will link directly to the spinning attack on the second button press.
The Demon Mode is the "Demonization" which, like the original, can be activated by pressing the "Special Act" button of the console with the weapon drawn. Attack animations are altered and the ever-famous "Demon Dance" is added, but stamina is constantly drained while this mode is active. Effects include:
- The primary combo in 3rd gen is drastically different in this mode and actually lands less hit while sacrificing mobility of the user.
- The "Jab'n'Slash" attack is absent, replaced instead by the classic double spin attack.
- The roll is replaced with "Demon Dodge", an advanced evasive maneuver where users "strafe" into chosen direction. This "dodge" can link to attacks instantly and has a surprisingly moderate invulnerability time-frame. However, it still drains stamina, which when coupled with the Demon mode's constant stamina drain, severely depletes the stamina gauge. It also does not cure Fireblight and Slimeblight/Blastblight.
- Landing hits in this mode will fill up the "Demon Gauge," which is needed to activate and utilize the "Archdemon Mode".
The Archdemon mode is a mode that a Dual Blades wielder should try to maintain during battle. To enter this mode, one must exit Demon mode after the gauge is full. The mode combines the best attack animations from the other two modes and changes the normal dodge into demon dodge. Any offensive or evasive actions while the weapon is drawn will deplete the gauge. If the gauge runs out completely, Archdemon mode will end. Idling will also cause the gauge to deplete.
- The mode takes the primary combo of Normal mode and can be linked into the later half of Demon Dance moves.
- The spinning attack starts with "Jab'n'Slash" and can be linked to a Double Spin.

Advantages[]

The weapon has a myriad of improvements at the Weapons and Equipment shop. They can also be upgraded with different attributes, whether element or status effects, to immensely strengthen their wielder.
Great elemental DPS potential.
Demon Mode allows a wielder to unleash destructive chains of attacks.
Like the Sword and Shield, it boasts swift sheathing and agile movement.
Along with the Hammer, it's one of two weapons that can cancel a monster's wind effect in first generation games.
Some dual blades may have more than one element and/or status. For example, the Snow Venom offers both Poison and Ice.
Dual Blades generally have increased sharpness by default, as well as reduced sharpness consumption.

Limitations[]

Sharpness tends to drop quickly, therefore users will find the most benefit if they have Sharpness preserving skills in hand.
Stamina decreases constantly when in Demon Mode, often time requiring Dash Juice for ease of uses.
- Demon Mode also continues automatically until the user physically presses the button to cancel it or runs out of Stamina.
Low damage per hit, but made up for by speedy attacks and long combos.
Shortest reach out of all weapons, requiring users to be much closer to the monster and thus increasing their risk of getting hit. Additionally, flying or immense monsters are hard to reach the optimal spots unless the monster is knocked down, which is easiest to achieve in multiplayer. This was somewhat eased in 5th generation, especially in Monster Hunter Rise.
Hunters should be aware of surroundings, as you may be locked in the attack backswing and, therefore, unable to dodge upcoming attacks. Additionally, Demon Dash covers a short range, which may make the hunter get caught in attacks with large or long lasting hitboxes.
Dual Blades deal reduced elemental damage per hit.

Videos[]

Video

Title	MHP3rd Dual Blades Tutorial (MHWikia Edition) by MHWikia

Video

Title	MHFU Ultimate Art Of Using DUALS by MHFUFIGHTERS

Video

Title	MH3U - Dual Blades Tutorial by billybobjho

Video

Title	MH4G/MH4U Dual Blades Tutorial by gaijin hunter

Video

Title	MH4U Dual Blades Tutorial by Arekkz Gaming

Details[]

The Dual Blades have a wide range of movements and tweaks for the same. Here's a brief explanation of how to get some of those going.

Weapon Sheathed[]

= Draw Weapons

Run + = Forward Thrust

R + + = Instant Demonization

this is wrong if analog sticks are in use

Weapon Drawn[]

= Right Hand Vertical Slash / CS

→ = 2/3 Hits

→ → = 5/6 Hits

→ → = 6 Hits

→ → → = 8/9 Hits

→ = 3/4 Hits \ CF A

→ + = 9 Hits? \ CF B

→ = Roll \ CC (Any combo but CF B and CF C)

= Spin Slash Right / CF A

Left + = Spin Slash Left / CF A (MHF2)

+ = Forward Thrust

→ = Left Hand Vertical Slash \ CS = Roll

→ = Left Hand Vertical Slash \ CS R = Demonization

+ = Hurricane Slash (aka Devil's Dance) \ CF B

= Double Spin Slash Right \ CF C

Left + = Double Spin Slash Left \ CF C (MHF2)

R = Normal State

Longest Combo A = + → → → → → (11/12 Hits)

Longest Combo B = Run + → → → → → (11/12 Hits) (Weapon Sheathed)

Longest Combo C = → → → → → (13 Hits) (Demonization)

Longest Combo D = → → → → → + (15 Hits) (Demonization)

Infinite Combo A = ... → → → → → → → → ...

Infinite Combo B = → → → → → ... (Demonization)

Infinite Combo C = → → → → → → ... (Demonization)

Demonic Dance = R → ( + )