Sword and Shield

The Sword and Shield weapon class is the most basic of all weapon types that hunters utilize in the Monster Hunter franchise. Also known as SnS, this weapon type exploits the natural speed and agility of the light-weight sword in conjunction with a small shield. A hunter is able to run and perform a rolling dodge with this weapon unsheathed, and is able to suppress certain types of attacks within the shield's meagerly-sized hitbox with a block.

While staying this impressively mobile, the typical SnS only has a limited damage potential; indeed, some of the lowest attack power in the game makes its home in the SnS category. To compensate, many of the weapons in this category are imbued with powerful elemental properties or status ailment inflictions.

Sword and Shield Mechanics
▲ = Vertical Slash / CS → ▲ = 2 Hits → ▲ → ● = 3 Hits → ▲ → ▲ = 4 Hits → ▲ → ▲ → ● = 5 Hits → ● = 2 Hits \ CF → x = Roll \ CC

● = Spinning Horizontal Slash / CF → x = Roll \ CC

▲ + ● = Jumping Slash → ▲ = Vertical Slash \ CS

x = Roll → ▲ = Vertical Slash \ CS

R = Block + ● = Horizontal  R + ▲ + ● = Instant Block

Longest Combo A = ▲ + ● → ▲ → ▲ → ▲ → ▲ → ● (7 Hits)

Longest Combo B = Run + ▲ → ▲ → ▲ → ▲ → ▲ → ● (7 Hits) (Weapon Sheathed)

Infinite Combo = ... → x → ▲ → ▲ → ▲ → ▲ → ● → x → ...Slash while blocking + ▲ = Vertical Slash \ CS (MHF2) + ■ = Use Item (MHF2)

Weapon Sheathed ▲ = Draw Weapon Run + ▲ = Jumping Slash