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Monster Hunter WildsDual Blades Guide

"Designed for continuous, ferocious attacks. Demon Mode makes your hits more powerful but will gradually drain stamina. Guarding: None."

Overview

The Dual Blades are the fastest attacking weapon in the game. Their moves allow for quick damage output and chaining powerful combos together.
This weapon excels at staying on the offensive, offering incredible dodging options to maneuver through hunts, and rewarding hunters who can perfectly dodge monster attacks while performing theirs. Players who love stylish, blinking-speed attacks will love the Dual Blades.
The Dual Blades have powered-up states called Demon Mode and Archdemon Mode, which boost damage and unlock stronger moves.
For another weapon focused on offense, take a look at the Switch Axe. Be sure to run through all the weapons to find the best one for you.
This article was written by @dxvis.

Strengths and Weaknesses

StrengthsDual Blades have very high elemental damage and status effect buildup.
While the weapon is drawn, a better, faster dodge can be performed immediately between attacks.
Demon Mode and Archdemon Mode reward further aggression and power up the weapon’ moveset.
WeaknessesTheir Sharpness quickly depletes due to how often the Dual Blades attack, so sharpening-related skills a must.
Demon Mode drains out stamina very quickly, so hunters must keep track of their stamina bar and use items such as Energy Drinks to combat this.
They cannot block or offset monster attacks, and cannot trigger a Power Clash.

Changes from Monster Hunter World

The Dual Blades have gotten slight additions to their move set in Wilds:
While in Demon Mode, perfect dodges are now ‘Demon Dodges’, which boost damage for a short time.
The Blade Dance combo is now split into 3 parts, and there’s a new Demon Flurry move which can be performed in between Blade Dances, creating a more flexible and lethal combo.
Check the ‘Moveset highlights’ section for more details.

Moveset Highlights

The Dual Blades have simple attacks such as Double Slash (△) or Lunging Strike (◯) that can be used repeatedly if needed.
However, your utmost priority should be to enter Demon Mode (R2) so you can access the stronger versions of the moves and fill up the Demon Gauge as soon as possible.
Entering Demon Mode (R2)

The true power of the Dual Blades is unlocked when in Demon Mode. By pressing (R2), Hunters enter a stance in which Stamina will be continuously drained, in exchange for stronger and faster moves. 
Remember to exit Demon Mode (R2) before you run out of stamina to avoid getting stuck in place for a time.
Archdemon Gauge and Archdemon ModeWhen using the Dual Blades, the Demon Gauge will appear below your sharpness gauge. Landing hits with △ and ◯ attacks  in Demon Mode will fill up the gauge.
Once the Archdemon Gauge iis filled, the Archdemon Mode will become active. Despite its name, Archdemon Mode does NOT override the regular Demon Mode. Both can be used together, as they power up different parts of your move set.
Certain powerful attacks consume the Archdemon Gauge:
Flurry Rush (△ + ◯ while not in Demon Mode)
Blade Dance (△ + ◯ in Demon Mode)
Demon DodgeWhile in Demon Mode (R2), perfectly timing a dodge (X) as a monster’s attack lands will perform a Demon Dodge. This will boost damage for a short time.

Demon Dodge encourages players to test the limits of their aggression, using dodges to attack again immediately.
Blade Dances and Demon FlurriesThe Dual Blades’ signature move, the Blade Dance, can be performed by pressing (△ + ◯ while in Demon Mode). After that, players can either perform a Blade Dance II (△ + ◯) or a Demon Flurry I (R2). It is possible to switch back and forth between Blade Dances and Demon Flurries by pressing (R2) continuously.
The Blade Dances and Demon Flurries are the highest damaging moves of the Dual Blades. Check the ‘Recommended combos’ section for more information on these moves.
Focus Strike: Turning Tide (L2 + R1)The Dual Blades’ focus strike is called Turning Tide. It will perform a downward slash and, if connecting with a monster wound, the Hunter will leap into the air and use their Slinger to grapple onto the monster and spin on its back in true Attack on Titan fashion.

This move consumes much less sharpness than its previous iteration in Monster Hunter: World, which could lower your sharpness by a whole level by itself alone.

Recommended Combos

Demon Flurry Rush Combo (While in Demon Mode, (◯) →  (◯) →  (◯)Pressing (◯) while in Demon Mode will perform a Demon Flurry Rush, which will cover a significant distance in the desired direction while dishing out damage. 
This combo is great for repositioning during a fight.

Quick Blade Dance Combo (While in Demon Mode, (△ + ◯) → (△ + ◯) → (△ + ◯) )The Blade Dance is the bread-and-butter of Demon Mode attacks and is best used when there is a short or average opening and you are beside a monster.

This combo can be combined with a Lunging Strike (◯) to cover distance beforehand. It is also possible to integrate Demon Flurries I and II in between Blade Dances, as shown below in the Full Archdemon Mode Combo.
Full Archdemon Mode Combo (While in Demon + Archdemon Mode, (△ + ◯) → (R2) → (R2) → (R2) → (R2)This is the Dual Blades’ highest damaging and longest combo and can be used against monsters that are vulnerable for an extended time.
Remember you need to activate Archdemon Mode to perform the Demon Flurries.

Recommended Skills

Depending on your Dual Blades build, here are the sort of skills you'll often see DB players using.
Agitator
Increases attack power and affinity when large monsters become enraged.
Antivirus
Slightly increases recovery rate after contracting the Frenzy. Affinity +3% if cured.
Burst
Continuously landing hits gradually increases attack and elemental attack (Amount increased depends on weapon).
Constitution
Reduces stamina depletion when evading, blocking, or doing other actions.
Evade Extender
Increases evade distance.
Evade Window
Extends the invulnerability period when evading.
Handicraft
Extends the weapon sharpness gauge, However, it will not increase the gauge past its maximum.
Maximum Might
Increases affinity if stamina is kept full for a long period of time.
Partbreaker
Makes it easier to break large monster parts, and increases damage dealt when destroying a wound with a Focus Strike.
Razor Sharp
Prevents your weapon from losing sharpness.
Stamina Surge
Speeds up stamina recovery.
Weakness Exploit
Increases the affinity of attacks that exploit a monster's weak points and wounds.

Agitator	Increases attack power and affinity when large monsters become enraged.
Antivirus	Slightly increases recovery rate after contracting the Frenzy. Affinity +3% if cured.
Burst	Continuously landing hits gradually increases attack and elemental attack (Amount increased depends on weapon).
Constitution	Reduces stamina depletion when evading, blocking, or doing other actions.
Evade Extender	Increases evade distance.
Evade Window	Extends the invulnerability period when evading.
Handicraft	Extends the weapon sharpness gauge, However, it will not increase the gauge past its maximum.
Maximum Might	Increases affinity if stamina is kept full for a long period of time.
Partbreaker	Makes it easier to break large monster parts, and increases damage dealt when destroying a wound with a Focus Strike.
Razor Sharp	Prevents your weapon from losing sharpness.
Stamina Surge	Speeds up stamina recovery.
Weakness Exploit	Increases the affinity of attacks that exploit a monster's weak points and wounds.

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