How To Do Offset Attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds: Explained

How To Do Offset Attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds

Before you fight Arkveld, you have to know how to do Offset attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds. Besides a large selection of weapons, developers Capcom’s action RPG offers players many powerful attacks to fight monsters. One of the coolest techniques you can use is called Offset Attacks. This move helps you counter monster attacks and gives you a chance to strike back.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to do Offset attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds.

What is an Offset Attack?

How To Do Offset Attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds
Image Source: Capcom

An Offset Attack is a special parry move available for certain weapons. Unlike weapons like the Long Sword or Dual Blades, which have more evasive moves, Offset Attacks are designed for weapons that need a bit more defense. This mechanic is similar to the Power Clash used by shielded weapons, but it can be performed by specific weapon types:

  • Great Sword
  • Heavy Bowgun
  • Switch Axe
  • Hammer
  • Hunting Horn

The great thing about Offset Attacks is that they can parry any melee attack from monsters. When you successfully perform an Offset Attack, you gain a ‘super armor’ effect, which reduces the damage you take. However, this won’t work against ranged attacks, like Balahara’s mudblast or Rey Dau’s railgun.

When you parry with an Offset Attack, you build up something called ‘Offset Damage.’ If you deal enough of this damage, the monster will stagger or even fall down. The more powerful the attack you parry, the more Offset Damage you’ll inflict, making it easier to knock down monsters.

How to do Offset Attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds

How To Do Offset Attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds
Image Source: Capcom

To pull off an Offset Attack, you need to time it right. You have to connect your Offset Attack with a monster’s attack, which means you need to watch for their windup animation. This is different from moves like Perfect Guard or Power Clash, which are instant.

Here’s how to do Offset attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds with different weapons:

  • Great Sword: Offset Rising Slash
    Input: Y/Triangle/Left Click + B/O/Right Click
    You can charge this move up to Level 3 like a Charged Slash and release it early.

  • Heavy Bowgun: Wyverncounter Ignition
    Input:
    B/O/Right Click (Ignition Mode)
    LT/L2/Mouse 3 + Y/Triangle/Left Click (Wyverncounter Ignition)
    Make sure you’re in Ignition Mode first. This can also be charged and released early.

  • Switch Axe: Axe Mode: Offset Rising Slash
    Input: Y/Triangle/Left Click + B/O/Right Click
    Remember, you must be in Axe Mode; the Sword Mode doesn’t have an Offset Attack.

  • Hammer: Upswing
    Input:
    Y/Triangle/Left Click
    Y/Triangle/Left Click
    Y/Triangle/Left Click (this part is the Upswing move)
    This takes time to perform since it’s a combo ender.

  • Hunting Horn: Offset Melody
    Notes: Yellow, Red, Yellow, White
    Input:
    Y/Triangle/Left Click + B/O/Right Click (Yellow note)
    B/O/Right Click (Red note)
    Y/Triangle/Left Click + B/O/Right Click (Yellow note)
    Y/Triangle/Left Click (White note)
    Y/Triangle/Left Click + B/O/Right Click + RT/R2/R key (Offset Melody)
    Make sure to save the melody first, then perform it while the monster is winding up its attack.

Most of these weapons can follow up an Offset Attack with a quick combo, like the Great Sword’s Follow-Up Cross Slash. This lets you close the gap and deal more damage to a knocked-down monster.

However, the Hunting Horn is different. It can’t perform a follow-up combo after knocking down a monster. So, it’s a good idea to save some melodies before launching an Offset Attack. This way, you can use the downtime to buff your teammates or perform an Echo Wave.

And that’s how to do Offset attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds. For more related content, stay tuned to RetroNoob.