The Dual Blades (DB) in Monster Hunter Wilds are the undisputed kings of speed and Elemental DPS. If you enjoy seeing a flurry of damage numbers and sticking to a monster like glue, this is your weapon.
However, great power comes with great stamina costs. This MH Wilds Dual Blades guide breaks down how to manage your Demon Mode, leverage the new Focus Mode to fix range issues, and construct the ultimate elemental meta builds.
Weapon Mechanics: Demon Mode & Archdemon Mode
To master Dual Blades, you must manage two distinct states. Understanding the flow between them is the key to high DPS.
Demon Mode (R2 / RT):
Effect: Increases attack speed, changes dodge to a fast dash, and grants knockback resistance.
Cost: Drains Stamina continuously.
Archdemon Mode:
Effect: Once you fill the gauge while in Demon Mode, you enter Archdemon Mode. This allows you to use powered-up moves even when you turn off Demon Mode to recover stamina.
Essential Combos
The Stationay Blender: (Demon Mode) Triangle + Circle (Blade Dance).
Use: Only use this when the monster is down; you are locked in place.
The Gap Closer: Circle / B (Demon Flurry Rush).
Use: spins you forward to close distance or dodge attacks while dealing damage.
The Spine Ride (Heavenly Blade Dance): Dash off a ledge or slide down a slope + Attack.
Use: Performs the iconic "Attack on Titan" style spine roll down the monster's back.
Focus Mode: Fixing the "T-Rex Arms"
Focus Mode is a massive quality-of-life upgrade for Dual Blades in Wilds. Historically, DBs suffered from short reach, often missing tails or high heads.
Magnetic Tracking: Focus Mode helps your attacks "stick" to the specific part you are aiming at, reducing the chance of whiffing your Demon Dance.
Wound Targeting: Dual Blades hit fast. Using Focus Mode allows you to surgically target wounds to trigger massive bleed/break damage rapidly.
Aerial Precision: Helps align your aerial attacks so you actually land on the monster rather than flying past it.
Best Skills for Dual Blades in MH Wilds
Dual Blades are "Element Hungry" and "Stamina Hungry." Your build must feed both.
| Skill | Priority | Why It Matters |
| Element Attack Up | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mandatory. DBs have low raw motion values but hit fast, making Element the main damage source. |
| Marathon Runner | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Reduces the continuous stamina drain of Demon Mode. (Crucial for uptime). |
| Constitution | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Reduces the fixed stamina cost of dodging/dashing. |
| Weakness Exploit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Grants 50% Affinity on weak points. Essential for Elemental Crit. |
| Critical Element | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ensures your elemental damage also deals critical damage (requires high affinity). |
| Sharpness Management | ⭐⭐⭐ | (Master's Touch / Protective Polish) DBs eat sharpness fast; you need a way to mitigate this. |
Dual Blades Progression Builds
1. Early Game Build (Low Rank)
Target: Stamina Comfort.
Weapon: Defender DBs or early Ore Tree.
Armor: Bone / Alloy Mix.
Key Skills: Look for Marathon Runner or Constitution to help you stay in Demon Mode longer.
Goal: Learn to toggle Demon Mode on and off before your stamina hits zero.
2. Mid-Game Progression
Target: Elemental Matching.
Weapon: You MUST craft one DB for each element (Fire, Water, Thunder, Ice, Dragon).
Skills: Prioritize [Element] Attack Lv3+ and Weakness Exploit.
Decorations: Slot in Element Attack Jewels specific to the monster you are fighting.
[Internal Link: Monster Hunter Wilds Elemental Weakness Chart]
3. Endgame Meta Build (Elemental Shredder)
Target: Infinite Stamina & Max Element.
Weapon: Best-in-slot Elemental DB (High Affinity).
Talisman: Marathon Runner or Element Attack.
| Slot | Recommended Skills |
| Helm | Critical Element / Crit Eye |
| Chest | Marathon Runner Lv2-3 |
| Arms | Weakness Exploit Lv3 |
| Waist | [Element] Attack Lv5 |
| Legs | Critical Boost / Master's Touch |
⚡ Meta Tip: Never run a "Raw Damage" build on Dual Blades in the endgame. The damage difference compared to a proper Elemental Build is massive (often 30%+ lower).
Conclusion & FAQ
Are Dual Blades beginner-friendly?
Yes. They have the highest mobility in the game and simple controls. However, the skill ceiling lies in stamina management—managing your bar so you don't get caught with zero stamina when a monster attacks.
Raw vs. Elemental Dual Blades?
In Monster Hunter Wilds, Elemental is king. Always check your Hunter's Notes before a quest and switch your weapon to match the monster's weakness.