In Monster Hunter Stories 2 (MHS2), weapon choices play a vital role in how players approach battles and tailor their strategies. Among the many powerful options available, the Imperious Saber stands out as a formidable greatsword with striking design and immense potential in combat. Whether you’re aiming to defeat large monsters quickly or survive intense multi-turn battles, this weapon offers both power and durability. Understanding how to unlock, enhance, and use the Imperious Saber effectively can make a significant difference in your overall performance in the game. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the Imperious Saber in MHS2, including how it fits into various playstyles, its crafting process, and tips to maximize its impact in your adventure.
Overview of the Imperious Saber
What Is the Imperious Saber?
The Imperious Saber is a high-tier greatsword in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Greatswords are known for their heavy-hitting capabilities and type advantage mechanics. This particular weapon boasts a combination of strong raw attack power and useful passive effects that benefit both offensive and defensive playstyles. Due to its stats and performance, it becomes especially useful during the late game and in battles involving elder dragons or high-difficulty co-op missions.
Weapon Type: Greatsword
Greatswords in MHS2 are powerful, slow weapons designed to deal heavy single-target damage. They require careful timing and tactical choice usage, as they rely on Charge mechanics and Kinship builds. The Imperious Saber, like other greatswords, performs best when players can predict enemy patterns and exploit openings.
Crafting the Imperious Saber
Materials Required
To forge the Imperious Saber, you’ll need specific monster parts from the elder dragon Kushala Daora. Since this is a high-rank monster, preparing adequately for the hunt is essential. Here are the typical materials:
- Kushala Daora Horn
- Kushala Crystaclaw
- Kushala Cortex
- Elder Dragon Bone
Make sure to bring Monsties that can inflict status effects or break parts easily. Breaking Kushala’s parts increases your chances of obtaining rare materials like the horn or crystaclaw.
Upgrade Path and Rarity
The Imperious Saber is considered a top-tier endgame weapon. It falls under the 6-star to 8-star rarity bracket depending on enhancement levels. Upgrading the weapon increases its attack power significantly, along with added bonuses to its elemental resistance or affinity, depending on the path taken.
Weapon Stats and Elemental Alignment
Base Stats
The base stats of the Imperious Saber make it one of the most powerful greatswords available in the game. The stats listed below may vary slightly depending on upgrade levels:
- Attack Power: 180220
- Element: Ice (sometimes non-elemental based on upgrade path)
- Affinity: +10% to +20%
- Skills: Wind Resistance Up, Defense Boost
Elemental Strategy
While the Imperious Saber may be ice-aligned, some variations can be upgraded into non-elemental weapons for players who prefer consistent performance across all enemy types. However, when facing fire-aligned monsters, such as Teostra or Rathalos, the ice element becomes especially useful.
Battle Performance and Techniques
Using Greatsword Mechanics
To use the Imperious Saber effectively, players must understand how the Charge mechanic works with greatswords. Charge attacks increase in damage as they stack over turns, so timing and skill prediction become critical. Ideal combos include using Power attacks during enemy Technical patterns or Tactical Charge when expecting a Head-to-Head clash.
Best Techniques to Use
- Charged Slash: Deals extra damage when used after building Charge.
- Brutal Strike: A powerful single-target move that costs more Kinship but can break parts easily.
- Guard: Helps reduce incoming damage, useful in boss fights where timing is crucial.
Battle Tips
- Save Kinship Gauge for hard-hitting finishing moves or mounting your Monstie for big damage.
- Use Guard or Defensive Skills when the enemy powers up a special move.
- Target specific body parts to farm materials for upgrades.
Synergy with Monsties and Battle Buddies
Choosing the Right Monsties
The effectiveness of the Imperious Saber increases when paired with Monsties that complement a slow, charge-based fighting style. Monsties with Power attacks and buff abilities like Defense Up or Heal Song are excellent choices. Some recommended Monsties include:
- Silver Rathalos High damage output and Fire Counter to offset elemental weakness
- Kushala Daora Wind-based abilities and great synergy with status ailments
- Tigrex Power-heavy attacker that supports your offensive rhythm
Best Battle Buddies
Your AI-controlled companions can also enhance your combat potential when using the Imperious Saber. Choose allies who provide support or healing, such as:
- Avinia Offers consistent Ice elemental damage and healing support
- Alwin Known for his technical patterns and support role
- Kayna Balanced attacker who can assist with break synergy
Advantages of the Imperious Saber
Why Choose This Weapon?
The Imperious Saber offers several advantages that make it a top-tier choice in Monster Hunter Stories 2:
- High base attack suitable for late-game content
- Elemental versatility with upgrade options
- Excellent for part breaking and sustained damage
- Great synergy with defensive playstyles and tactical patience
When to Use It
Deploy the Imperious Saber in missions where single-target boss fights are expected, or when farming rare materials. Its damage potential shines in long fights where players have the opportunity to stack Charge and deliver punishing strikes. Avoid using it in fast-paced multi-enemy encounters where lighter, quicker weapons like sword & shield might fare better.
The Imperious Saber in MHS2 stands as a symbol of power and control. It’s a weapon that demands patience and rewards precision. With its impressive stats, elemental potential, and compatibility with strategic combat, it’s ideal for players who enjoy mastering their timing and executing devastating final blows. Forging and upgrading this greatsword takes effort and rare materials, but the result is a weapon that can dominate any battlefield. If you’re looking to elevate your greatsword experience in Monster Hunter Stories 2, the Imperious Saber is a top choice worthy of your time and investment.