[MHR:S] Special Sheath VS. Sacred Sheath: In-Depth LS Analysis

[@NiSE_Rafter]

I've been looking for a video like this that just flat out outlines the pros and cons to each of them instead of all the "WOAH New Sacred Sheath Combo OP!?!?!" type stuff Thanks for the video :)

[@Schrogs]

Holy crap man this is by far the best long sword guide for sunbreak. Good work man!! Will be watching a few times but really I want to say thank you for this. You actually explain how to play it and show why it’s good vs bad.

[@josebradleyabad]

I also think mzly is very underrated as a speed runner. He has some sick runs using unconventional builds like redirection ls. He is very creative and doesn't just stick to meta builds

[@llamacheese1796]

Honestly i found this video really helpful because of the way you gave both pros and cons to both playstyles instead of sugar coating the playstyle you prefer. i also thought the gameplay was fun to watch as well as seeing the dps numbers.

[@shadowkhan422]

I don't think the special sheath is even usable for common player anymore. The circle makes it too unforgiving and unfun. The entire endgame is investigations now . One missed hit -> you're almost dead and have to heal -> your buff goes away (and health leach isnt enough in a lot of cases). Get pushed near the circle - you get thrown. Get pushed into it mid helmbreaker - you wasted another bug. It feels like playing heavy bowgun in MHW:Iceborne. You had to use scope to be efficient but it felt so claustrophobic it was just dumb. Harvest moon is less annoying (but not by much and even that is debatable ) but it also didnt buff weapon damage like the scope did . You basically have to be a speedruner to get same results as before while working 3 times harder and being reliant on monster AI cooperating.

[@KazuYuuu]

yeah, which is kind of why I felt the need to rant about harvest moon in my video. I get so mad at the game whenever I use special sheath with harvest moon because it feels way more punishing than it does rewarding. Not many players can maintain and use harvest moon for full duration consistently every hunt, and if you play special sheath playstyle without it then you basically do 30-40% less damage (so literally every other blademaster weapon is way stronger without harvest moon)

[@GolemRising]

Yeah, I will second this experience. I LOVED Slash/helmbreaker in base Rise even in multiplayer (which is where I do most of my hunting). These days its so unviable in multiplayer I dont really play it, and I find myself wondering why I am not playing something like greatsword for more damage or charge blade for easier damage spam and safer blocking mechanics. When I am soloing....harvest moon is so irritating and punishing and unfun that I usually just accept the dps loss just so I dont have to deal with it. 9 runs out of 10 it may as well read "Spend 2 wirebugs: cart yourself", especially when learning a new monster.

[@BrandoCalrizzien]

I have more fun with lance I think. Tried sword and it just sucked getting yeeted when you slightly miss timing

[@ilikehiking]

You can always just mod your game back to the way you like it. It won't hurt anyone since it's a PvE game.

[@GolemRising]

@@ilikehiking Yes, sorta, but mostly no. Firstly, this idea leaves console players out in the cold. Secondly, its much harder to play with other people online if you mod your game, and thats a big part of the fun. Thirdly, if someone has not made the perfect mod for your circumstances you are left with the options of either making it yourself (which most players are not equipped to do) or going with the closest option which usually will change something else you didnt want changed. Overall its just better if Capcom owns this one mistake and makes the skill useable. Its not even that hard, just remove the bouncing and disappearing mechanics. Two wirebugs, put a ring on the ground, if you counter in the ring you get bonus damage. No headache, room to increase your skills, and hey if they wanted they could also make it so that other players that use their shiny new counters in the ring also get bonus hits. This removes the pain of using the ring and encourages people to try the new skills in new ways.

[@basurama555]

I hope they'll add Velkhana and its armor Frostcraft skill for more juicy Sacred Sheathe gameplay.

[@rathgaming6173]

bruh

[@lotus2284]

Frostfang barioth :)))

[@KazuYuuu]

I don't know if they want to make GS stronger than it already is, but I'd be more than happy to get some frostcraft for SSC ^^

[@Ippiki9]

wish granted bro

[@MrCharly780]

Bro was ahead of the curve by a longshot. Got your wish exactly as you wanted. Sacred Sheathe is nutty for LS.

[@hmada95]

Your videos are really high quality and informative, nice work Kazu, keep it up please

[@shadowkhan422]

Tempered spirit blade is actually used in a speedrun . Its a 5:30 run vs final boss . So it has some use there at least . (KZbinr is called heaterson for anyone interested)

[@KazuYuuu]

Thank you for mentioning this. I watched his run and it was really glorious, though timing TSB through gaismagorm's roars has got to be way harder than it looks. TSB has 20 i-frames at 60 fps, but it has a slight wind up before the i-frames become active so it's really easy to miss time even against well telegraphed attacks. Still, it's definitely viable

[@flipside9608]

Oh dang, was scrolling through and found a new video from you! Haven't seen it yet, but I'd like to see how SSC compares to SpS. Edit: I'm surprised you didn't talk about the super armor you get while using SRS. It allows you to tank damage if you ever need to let go early, or just damage during windows you can't normally hit during. It's also pretty safe to use in Anomaly hunts as the bloodblight just let's you heal the damage taken.

[@KazuYuuu]

yeah, the hyper armor and bunny hop make SRS actually pretty reliable to hit on monsters even if they are aggressive! It should've been mentioned but I did cover sacred sheath mechanics extensively in my switch skill guide for it

[@xiaobinlu5394]

Nice video bro; been using crit draw with scared sheath since the release of sunbreak; I've been playing a lot of switch axe as well recently

[@Nooctae]

Harvest Moon is just a spit in the face of regular longsword players. " Your weapon was too good in Rise, so instead of nerfing it normally, we're making it just very annoying to use. " I'll play Sacred Sheath until the next MonsterHunter game, where they hopefully let the weapon play normally.

[@primalchaotix3715]

For sacred sheath when your gonna use up the bars, it’s better to sheath facing away since you cover ALOT more distance moving backward and when you actually release the hunter will turn to hit all 3

[@rockgamiasedes677]

I want to point most important thing in the whole comparison. - SHEATH PLAYSTYLE EXCELS when you are soloing and monster is constantly aggroing you. If in a group situation where monster is running around and switching aggro constantly. Sheath will fall off pretty hard. That's why its good for speed running. But SACRED SHEATH goes through roof in messy groups situation. This particular point is realistic situation for most players and worth considering. I have played MHW and MHR both on LS. I would go for sheath and helm breaker in MHW. But in MHR SACRED sheath + sakura bind is the way to go. ( If you are playing in a group ) EDIT: Mixed up the names for both. so corrected it.

[@FromTheDead.]

Dont you mean sacred sheath is better for groups?

[@rockgamiasedes677]

@@FromTheDead. yes!! Sorry I mixed up the names. Fixed it.

[@darksavior1187]

Seems pretty clear, Sacred Sheath benefits from easier playstyle (not needing to play almost flawlessly to achieve optimal results), benefits more from the current elemental meta, doesn't require harvest moon, functions far better in multiplayer than Special Sheath. Sacred Sheath is very advantaged over Special Sheath in Sunbreak and most likely functions better for anyone not a speed runner playing perfectly, and doesn't fall too far behind if at all there.

[@adgkadgk]

Great video! I haven't played longsword much in sunbreak. I should try the sacred sheath playstyle

[@synysterdawn8913]

"Counters get 4 extra *** hits*** when performed in Harvest Moon" ***results may vary

[@ryancarandang4489]

the actual amount is +1 hit per counter hit performed

[@KurushimiVrishraka]

Damn, the way you humble in 2:40 ahaha and how you explain, I believe you have a very good mercury in astrology. Ahaha thumbs up braddah! Thanks for the video! Also, I am tempered user, just for the skill set, but speed run, i don't think is viable enough...

[@PutraRhm]

The helmbreaker hitbox problem is not "minor" since it's your main damage and the reason why you even keep on track at the meter.

[@sakarakit5835]

great stuff

[@ashtonarizmendez698]

Great video dude! Thanks for making me feel better about not being perfectly optimal lol

[@moomanchu608]

Both seem super close in general and will only matter for the best players. At the end of the day, as long as you optimize harvest moon, you’ll be obliterating all monsters Peppo is doing something nice with harvest moon and serene pose

[@JFCA_Solar]

Longsword is really wirebug hungry in endgame. That being said in endgame you have wirebug whisperer and wind mantle, and those are so good its almost mandatory for LS

[@tanman980]

They should add some real crazy switch skills that cost three wirebugs.

[@l3viathn]

What overlay/program did you use to track dps?

[@moomanchu608]

Your perfectly summed up my qualms about harvest moon

[@joschkrob]

Quick question.. what ls skin is this after 27:36

[@luzluna1188]

I don’t even know what drug the developer were on when they decided to create Harvest Moon, Not viable for multiplayer yet very annoying to use in solo. I feel like they watch a few LS speed run video and they feel the need to find something to nerf LS without thinking about casual, multiplayer player.

[@Syahburei]

Tbh i wish they didnt outright nerfed the special sheathe damage into half considering you now have to play inside the funzone. And also they should have not touched the color aura for the damage multiplier

[@starryeyedgiant9558]

hi! i just want to note that i've personally seen two speedruns on youtube using tempered spirit blade with sacred sheathe! both of them were specifically against gaismagorm, so i figure there's something about the matchup that makes it unique--maybe the number of attacks it has that can't be properly countered due to distance?

[@KazuYuuu]

Great to know! I have seen one speedrun today with synchronized 4 man run against gold rathian using tempered spirit blade to counter bomb explosions, pretty unique but still a very niche strat. Might make a video on TSB later!

[@Yessirskitv]

Man fuxk these bots ur content smacks bro it’s taught me so much and your editing skills are super impressive

[@KazuYuuu]

thanks, I'm glad you enjoy the content it really makes the time put into these videos super worthwhile ^^ and yeah those bots are quite annoying...

[@Yessirskitv]

@@KazuYuuu also valor longsword is actually a viable play style in sunbreak if u want to mix things up with something wacky

[@White_Tiger93]

you said after iai spirit slash, you can combo into special sheath again after that but during my testing, after doing special sheath>iai spirit slash> it got me rolling instead so what give? so basically on my pro controller, I hit X > R+A(special sheath) > R(iai spirit slash) >(so this the moment that I tried spamming R+A but my hunter going rolling instead)

[@ZeroRulz0]

The other great thing about helm breaker is when the game randomly decides that it only hits twice despite connecting. Had that happen several times lol Also I think it's possible to run a hybrid play style. But I haven't tested it to check it's validity yet but I think if you run harvest moon with tempered spirit blade and scared sheath it's entirely possible to get your counters off while having your power move

[@DripLordGogeta]

That's how I play, it's really fun to use HM and both serene pose and TSB and the kill times aren't half bad

[@zeehero7280]

I currently have been having fun using Sakura Slash and Sacred sheath combo with LS

[@starryskyhighway9628]

I finally realized why ppl hate wirebug/switch skills...i main dual blades and wirebug is more to utility rather than specific playstyle...but for other weapons it completely changed your weapon playstyle...gonna look for other weapon next...

[@KazuYuuu]

silkbind moves are critical to the LS moveset because they're so impactful! For us, WW3 is almost mandatory xD

[@shikniwho7215]

yes... alot of weapons have really underwhelm wirebug skills... compare to some can pretty much changed how you play like long sword, switch axe, charge blade...

[@ThiensucoonLA]

I have a question, how I can use a double special sheath like this? 10:10 I always got an animation to place the sword in its scabbard that can't cancel after successfully countering.

[@ninjay345]

Idk how you don't know this and I'm sure somebody else has told you, but you CAN heal and use items in Harvest Moon. The trick is to use the radial menu. For whatever reason the game doesn't interpret you as entering the "sheathed" state, it just skips you to the "drinking" state. I have also seen speedrunners do the sheath after Iai Spirit Slash and immediately do drawn double slash, and Harvest Moon stays up. Be sure to draw your weapon as soon as you can afford to though.

[@KazuYuuu]

thanks for mentioning. I am aware and do use the sheath into double drawn, but I haven't actually tried the radial menu trick until after you mentioned it. I thought it got patched out in TU1, but it does still work! harvest moon is now *slightly* less annoying :)

[@Mirranda096]

@@KazuYuuu I believe it did get patched out in TU1. I know for sure you can't do the Sheathe after ISS and then immediate draw attack anymore.

[@mb9484]

Why does Tobi have red spots on his tail? Maybe I'm crazy but I don't remember him having that.

[@zimablue3166]

Base World LS was the best imo. Foresight slash, counter, increase meter, helmbreaker repeat. Nice and simple, not too OP. I miss those days :)

[@KazuYuuu]

yeah I had a lot of fun in world with LS, I felt like helmbreaker was flashier and cooler back then! Still had a jank ass hitbox tho tbh

[@zimablue3166]

@@KazuYuuu True! The Helmbreaker hitbox was garbage sometimes 😄

[@CROACED]

Good job. Longsword is life ! 👍😉

[@leonfrancis3418]

I've seen a lot of people not recommend playing Special Sheathe LS, strong-arm GS, or SAED CB in multiplayer because they rely on monster aggro to do damage. I just put on a Diversion 1 deco in all those builds and I don't need to care about that. Since no one seems to know about Diversion, no other player with Diversion seems to be even be challenging me for aggro. I get a lot of multiplayer hunts that feel like single player hunts in terms of how many times I'm targeted and attacked.

[@KazuYuuu]

I've usually swap in one slots for brace and diversion in multiplayer, diversion is... Inconsistent or placebo in its effects, I haven't seen any analysis done on it but it doesn't seem to improve aggro for me much with 3 other players. Sometimes it does feel like the monster will attack you more often than not, but not enough that you could keep a harvest moon active for full duration and continuously counter to upkeep DPS vs. other weapons Even if you land every single spirit slash against a monster in online, if you don't have harvest moon active your base DPS is typically below all other weapons, whereas with SSC it will be higher as long as you can use openings/trips/cc to land spirit release slash

[@plus-delta4477]

I know 5 like a yeat later, but how do u think this has changed since the Harvest Moon buff and Final Title Update content?

[@Shaklor]

Great breakdown and analysis. As an aside, it is courtesy to blur out others names in dps meters when posting videos.

[@verminking921]

Can we get a setup up and options for your Dps counter, I have the same one and it seems pretty basic comapred to youres

[@akbarrizky1120]

Sir i just play MHR, and i want to be a swordman. but my skill is only 2 option. how to get switch skill or completed it?

[@joegarcia4550]

I like sacred sheath but it just doesn't flow well for me and thats okay maybe practice some more or its just not for me but man does it look awesome seeing others use it 😢❤

[@user-ow4hb9ed6w]

How do you make the sheath on special sheath so fast ?

[@plex4107]

Great video

[@fulgord4134]

how do you make the broken monster part red like that in the video ?

[@RAIN_DREVNE]

I've been wondering what's the layered armor in 10:06?

[@javierbordespastor1792]

What skin are you use when you fight vs magnamalo?

[@zomBieGirl115]

Do I need sunbreak dlc to do special sheath or just the new version because I cant do the special sheath. Do I need sunbreak to do any of that?

[@alfredsonramirez]

in 2:56-3:00 is that spirit blade you use to counter the roar?

[@terryems88]

Used to Speedrun back in the day but I prefer sacred sheath due to the fun factor.

[@guillaumegac7331]

I just use both playstyles, i usually start with HM/SS and if the monster is being a littlr bitch or i just get hut too often i switch scroll to use Sacred Sheathe to get good damage in until i have another good opportunity to use HM

[@yhuyhd2222]

You have a program you can see the dps ,damage etc... Pls i need

[@Shaklor]

Is using sacred sheath play style viable with harvest moon in solo play?

[@zeroshadowzs]

No, Harvest Moon is meant to buff the damage that Iai Spirit Slash does. It's other effect to give infinite meter doesn't apply to the color of the bar, and doesn't benefit the sacred sheath attack.

[@leonfrancis3418]

It is viable. Most people just won't use it, though. Harvest Moon buffs the damage of far more moves than just ISS. It buffs Sacred Sheathe counters, (manual) Tempered spirit Slash, and foresight Slash. I've used it for fun in certain Sacred Sheathe fights and it does increase DPS if you're able to upkeep it, but you won't see it done because most people use Sacred Sheathe to avoid Harvest Moon, and if you have the skill to have good uptime on Harvest Moon, you might as well play Special Sheathe.

[@shindukess]

I want to enjoy this game but the combat is just not a good fit for me. It makes me feel like I have cement boots and am playing in high stance of NiOh at all times. I can't even play the way I want at higher ranks because I'm forced to do nothing but sheathe>counter>sheathe>counter. I try using the counters and I either get hit because it missed, I get the counter but none of the hits register, I get the counter and the attack continues so I still get hit. I can't stand how I can't control my attack direction mid animation and waste all of my resources on a whiff. The lock on eludes me too because helm breaker just pole vaults me over the monster most times costing me wirebugs. It's frustrating because I want to keep playing but I know I know gIT gUUd.

[@KazuYuuu]

Longsword is counter focused. I recommend you try dual blades or light bowgun if you want a different change in pacing! Don't give up yet xD

[@steffenaltmeier6602]

how is it with status weapons on longsword? tobi in particular is weak to poison and with the lune helmet you get a very slot efficient piece to run foray builds with. in terms of blast builds, theo ls might also be really good as it has good raw as well as good blast. also i have been wondering how well grinder s + pp on the ibushi ls stacks up against the competition. 10% more raw damage seems pretty great and i find myself running it more and more often.

[@KazuYuuu]

I'm not really sure how to adequately compare DPS of blast or poison builds with raw builds, but in my previous video covering the TU1 longsword I did showcase status builds and how they perform over a short hunt. Poison is honestly decent with status trigger and foray, blast doesn't benefit from foray and tbh feels pretty mediocre even with teostra soul for 240 damage per proc. Grinder(S) is an amazing skill that only works with certain weapons, but the higher the base raw is the better this skill will be. I haven't tried the ibushi LS but maybe I'll look into it!

[@leonfrancis3418]

Dreaming SunTide released his TU1 builds if you're interested, and it has both Gold Rathian LS and Scorned Mag's LS with Grinder (s) as better than the pure raw alternatives.

[@Megaman8880]

I just started to hit around 180 dps and thought I was starting to get pretty good with it :|

[@J-B-Jordan]

I hope they rework harvest moon or just scrap it.

[@KazuYuuu]

I think if they reworked it a little so that special sheath wasn't as dependent on harvest moon as it is now for DPS that would be great. Increasing the duration, reducing cost to 1 wirebug, or increasing the size of the circle would also make it a much less frustrating silkbind skill to use for the average player

[@Metheny72]

@@KazuYuuu or maybe just turn it into a buff like power sheathe/impact burst or something. A stationary circle for a melee weapon is never gonna work out imo.

[@GowtherMonet]

Can anyone help me ? I don't know how to do the 3hit thing after the slash like at 0:23 I've tried looking at other vids but no one talks about it 😭

[@Medved-]

3 months late but it depends on spirit level.

[@Mirranda096]

Which damage meter mod is that? It seems more accurate than the one I'm using and I don't see it on NexusMods.

[@KazuYuuu]

coavins damage and dps overlay

[@Metheny72]

I really hate wirebugs as a global resource for movement, utility and weapon skills. I feel weapon skills should have individual cooldowns.

[@qtiemoth8909]

Hi there! So i'm pretty much just a casual player, i absolutly love the game even though i know i'd never be able to accomplish anything shown in this video😅. With that said, i was just wondering if Sacred Sheath is overall more forgiving and more effective? I really love playing longsword but i still dont feel like i'm using it to its full potential. Even if i cant play perfectly i just wanted to know if Sacred was better for casuals like to me and be reliable on damage and participation in a hunt (im mostly playing with my friends). Thank you in advance if anyone read this and respond, i really appreciate it!

[@crescentsweep2460]

Sacred sheath is way more forgiving. For really good casual and forgiving dps use sacred sheath with quick sheath 3, sakura slash, serene pose, and the double draw slash. Even just sakura slash spam does great damage

[@IIIDzire]

At 13:10 what does R/G stand for? Also, where can I find the damage mod?

[@KazuYuuu]

ruby/gold wirebug, they give you reduced wirebug CD and stack with wirebug whisperer

[@IIIDzire]

@@KazuYuuu Ah got it! By the way I just want to let you know how amazing your videos are! I just watched your guide on how to install the damage overlay mod as well which was really easy to follow. All your videos are such high quality (especially this one) and great to watch!

[@gialice8656]

Then why don't we just use the best of both world with Switch Skill Swap?

[@KazuYuuu]

you can! Just not if you're running dereliction and want to maintain all the qurios..

[@RodMarcel]

whats ur layered armor. looks cool.

[@KazuYuuu]

which one did you want to know about? I run a lot of different fashion sets

[@RodMarcel]

@@KazuYuuu i like the one with the mizutsune ls. I want that cherry blossom samurai whatever aesthetic

[@KazuYuuu]

@@RodMarcel wyverian earrings, floral yukata, medium's prayer, kamurai obi and kamurai leggings

[@RodMarcel]

@@KazuYuuu is there a way to get the kamurai stuff without the deluxe edition thingy?

[@chuushuumaru]

And here I am who only uses sakura slash all of the time.

[@solarbear7017]

How do you get sacred sheathe??

[@lubbo5261]

You unlock it by playing through Sunbreaks story, i think it was around Masterrank 3.

[@SignumCruxis0]

@@lubbo5261 No, not MR3, you can get it along with the almost all the weapon's first set of switchskills after you get into Elgado (starting Sunbreak) at MR1, for LS you get Harvest Moon at MR3 though.

[@amit212543]

Why don't the monsters attack your buddies?

[@KazuYuuu]

they do occasionally, I use diversion jewel and do multiple runs tho so it doesnt look like they ever aggro

[@amit212543]

@@KazuYuuu oh interesting thanks. I heard diversion jewel doesn't really work but maybe I heard wrong or it just makes a small difference.

[@KazuYuuu]

@@amit212543 yeah tbh I don't think it really works that well but as long as you play in the monster's face it should maintain aggro most of the time in solo

[@kahadek146]

TLDR: Sacred Sheath is better for casuals. Special Sheath is better for pro speedrunners.

[@xxcaptaindragxx7819]

I can’t get the shit to work

[@danieldickinson5853]

MH on PC is hella weird