Dual Blades: Controls & Combos

Here's how to play Dual Blades in Monster Hunter Outlanders: the controls, the best combos, how to use Demon Mode and Archdemon Mode, the weapons worth crafting, and the adventurers who use Dual Blades.

Dual Blades Features

Short Reach, but Fast and Hits Often

Dual Blades are a close-range weapon built on mobility and a high number of hits. With short reach and no guard they're hard to play well, but if you can stick to the monster they deal big damage.

Power Up With Demon Mode

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Demon Mode is a power-up unique to Dual Blades. While it's active your stamina slowly drains, but Skill 2 and Skill 3 unlock for stronger attacks and your movement speed goes up.

Spend the Demon Gauge on Archdemon Mode

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Landing hits in Demon Mode fills the demon gauge. Once it's full, leave Demon Mode to enter Archdemon Mode. Archdemon Mode spends the gauge as you fight, keeping your attacks strong until you go back into Demon Mode.

Your Evade Changes Too

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

In Demon Mode and Archdemon Mode your evade moves differently and gets nimbler. Use it to stay close to the monster.

Dual Blades Controls

Button	What it does
`Basic Attack`	Basic Attack. Pressing it while moving changes the motion.
`Skill 1`	Enter or leave Demon Mode. Raises attack and movement speed, strengthens some skills and prevents flinching, but drains stamina while active.
`Skill 2`	Demon Mode: Spinning Rush. Its first hit moves you far in the direction you're holding.
`Skill 3`	Demon Mode: Blade Dance.
`Sheathe`	Sheathe your weapon.
`Evade`	Evade. Basic Attack after an evade becomes Cross Slash, the motion changes in Demon Mode and Archdemon Mode, and Basic Attack after a Perfect Evade adds a follow-up.
`Ultimate`	Ultimate. What it does depends on the adventurer and type.

These are the controls for the Fated Adventurer. Each adventurer has different skills, so Keres, Haze, and Raya play differently (see their adventurer pages below).

How to Play Dual Blades

Start the Fight in Demon Mode

Input: Skill 1

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Right after a fight starts, press Skill 1 to enter Demon Mode. It drains stamina the whole time, but unlocks Skill 2 and Skill 3, and every hit fills the demon gauge. If a monster's attack or roar knocks you out of it, Demon Mode ends, so press Skill 1 again to get back in.

Deal Damage With Spinning Rush and Blade Dance

Input: (In Demon Mode)Skill 2Skill 3 ↻ repeat

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Demon Mode is your main damage window. Mix the first hit of Demon Mode: Spinning Rush with Demon Mode: Blade Dance. That first hit moves you a long way, which makes it great for chasing the monster.

Tip The first hit of Spinning Rush doesn't reset Blade Dance, so you can keep the dance going while you move.

Chain Blade Dance When You Have an Opening

Input: (In Demon Mode)Skill 3Skill 3Skill 3

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

When the monster is down or caught in a trap, chain Demon Mode: Blade Dance for big damage. Be aware it may not reach the part you want to hit.

Switch to Archdemon Mode When the Gauge Is Full

Input: (Gauge full, in Demon Mode)Skill 1

When the demon gauge is full, leave Demon Mode to enter Archdemon Mode. It sits between normal and Demon Mode, letting you recover stamina for your next Demon Mode while keeping your damage up.

Re-enter Demon Mode From Archdemon Mode's Skill 3

Input: (In Archdemon Mode)Skill 3Skill 1Skill 3

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

In Archdemon Mode, recover stamina and pick your moment to go back into Demon Mode. Following Archdemon Mode: Demon Flurry (Skill 3) with Skill 1 takes you straight back into Demon Mode while keeping the Blade Dance chain going.

Keres, Haze, and Raya Play Differently

In Monster Hunter Outlanders, skills differ from adventurer to adventurer, so the basic flow and controls change too. Their damage skills are different, so play to the skills of the adventurer you're using. Each adventurer page lists their skills.

Best Dual Blades Combos

These combos use the Fated Adventurer's skills. Text in parentheses is the state you need to be in first.

Combo	Rating	Input
Demon Mode: Blade Dance		(In Demon Mode)`Skill 3Skill 3Skill 3`
Blade Dance on the move		(In Demon Mode)`Skill 3Skill 2Skill 3Skill 2Skill 3`
Archdemon Mode: Demon Flurry		(In Archdemon Mode)`Skill 3Skill 1Skill 3`
Demon Mode: Spinning Rush		(In Demon Mode)`Skill 2Skill 2Skill 2Skill 2`
Cross Slash		`EvadeBasic Attack`

Demon Mode: Blade Dance

Input: (In Demon Mode)Skill 3Skill 3Skill 3

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Blade Dance on the move

Input: (In Demon Mode)Skill 3Skill 2Skill 3Skill 2Skill 3

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Archdemon Mode: Demon Flurry

Input: (In Archdemon Mode)Skill 3Skill 1Skill 3

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Demon Mode: Spinning Rush

Input: (In Demon Mode)Skill 2Skill 2Skill 2Skill 2

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Cross Slash

Input: EvadeBasic Attack

The footage is from the Japanese version of the game.

Recommended Dual Blades to Craft

These are the weapons in our Dual Blades builds. Craft the general-purpose one first, then the one that matches the element the monster is weak to. The builds article has the full armor and skills.

Build	Weapon	Element	Attack
General(Combo Enhancement)General(Demonic Strength + Instinct)	Radiant Madness Pangas II	Water	274
Fire Element	Radiant Blazing Hatchets II	Fire	274
Thunder Element	Radiant Kadachi Claws III	Thunder	251
Dragon Element	Blacksteel Twins II	Dragon	268

Dual Blades Builds

Dual Blades Adventurers

These adventurers use Dual Blades. Their rank and review come from our adventurer tier list.

Adventurer	Rank and review
Haze	Overall rank: SSSupport / Thunder Squadmate Skills give allies a versatile and powerful affinity buff The ultimate and Core Passive also raise allies' Elemental Critical Damage When controlled, deals damage while canceling out monster attacks
Fated Adventurer (Dual Blades)	Overall rank: S Fast combos in Demon Mode deliver an overwhelming number of hits Evasive attacks and spinning slashes let you attack on the move Staying close to a monster delivers high sustained damage
Keres	Overall rank: SDisruptor / Dragon The overwhelming number of hits in Demon Mode keeps damage flowing Demon Mode: Bone Piercer, which can also follow evades and ultimates, is powerful Suppression and increased Dragon damage taken also boost other adventurers using Dragon weapons
Raya	Overall rank: ADisruptor / Fire Ultimate sets a trap that binds monsters, which is powerful In Demon Mode, more hits and mobility deliver high fire damage Dodging an attack with Skill 2 enables a powerful counter with Rising Whirling Dance