Triggering Power Axe Mode

There is another buff tangibly related to the Phial mechanic. Power Axe Mode, commonly referred to as Savage Axe by fans, will significantly increase the heavy weapon’s effectiveness. Not only does it lessen Phial usage so that relevant attacks only use half of a Phial at a time, but it also lets you add on more damage to your attacks by holding the face buttons down, causing the Axe portion to spin like a saw blade. You can tear through everything in the Monster Hunter Wilds campaign with strong attacks like these.

Power Axe Mode can be triggered through the following methods:

Perfect Guard > Savage Axe Slash – After successfully timing a Perfect Guard, you can press Triangle/Y to use Savage Axe Slash and activate Power Axe Mode

Mounted Finisher – Grabbing onto a monster’s back and using a Mounted Finisher (R1/RB over a wound) will activate Power Axe Mode

Focus Slash: Double Rend – Holding L2/LT and then pressing R1/RB will use Focus Slash: Double Rend. Landing this attack on a wound will activate Power Axe Mode