Long Swords

Learn about Long Swords (Katanas) in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. Discover their mechanics, including the Spirit Gauge and Spirit Attacks, and explore starting weapons like the Iron Katana and First Dance.

Long Swords, sometimes referred to as Katanas in Monster Hunter World, are a weapon class that can gain Spirit with each attack. Unleashing a Spirit Attacking maneuver while the Spirit Gauge is filled results in larger and more powerful attacks. This weapon set is relatively simple to understand compared to others, offering a potent and entertaining playstyle that may require more skill than the Great Sword or Hammers.

Iron Katana

The starting Long Sword of the Ore Tree, the Iron Katana can be leveled up to Tier III, dealing 330 damage. It requires Earth Crystal, Malachite Ore, and Iron ore for upgrades. Higher tiers may allow branching into other Long Sword types. Cosmetically, it has a basic, rusty iron blade appearance. The weapon has three levels of sharpness, reaching yellow at level 3. While weaker than Bone forms, Ore tree Long Swords are generally sharper.

First Dance

This Kulu-Ya-Ku based Long Sword can be farmed by defeating the Kulu-Ya-Ku multiple times and derives from the Iron Katana II Ore-based weapon tree. The First Dance has a green level of sharpness even at Tier I and can deal up to 429 damage at its final Tier (III). Leveling up to Tiers II and III requires Radobaan Scales and more Kulu-Ya-Ku parts, with Odogaron Claws needed for Tier III. Farming these monsters is best done during Investigations. First Dance also boasts 15% Affinity at all Tiers, which increases the chance of dealing extra or critical damage.

Bone Shotel

The forgeable Long Sword from the Bone Tree, the Bone Shotel can derive different weapons from the Bone Tree depending on the upgrade tier and available monster parts. Bone Weapons are generally stronger than Ore weapons, though Long Swords specifically tend to have more sharpness when Ore-based. Bone Shotels are described as nice-looking, half-curved swords or katanas. They possess three levels of sharpness, reaching yellow for all tiers, and can deal 396 Damage at Tier III. Upgrading to Bone Shotel II and III requires simple and common monster bones.