Power Clash is described as a ‘struggle between hunter and monster’ that will occur when blocking certain attacks. When you succeed in pushing the monster back, the monster will get knocked off balance and open for attack. This move seems like a perfect tool to turn the tide of any battle in your favor; but how can you perform it? Turns out, only select weapons and situations can trigger a Power Clash in Monster Hunter Wilds. We’ll explain how below.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Power Clash Explanation
Simply put, Power Clash in Monster Hunter Wilds is a counter mechanic for all weapons that can block. Guard attacks often, and once you block a specific move, you will perform a Power Clash. It’s not clear how many blocks you need to perform, but the ‘Power Clash effect’ basically builds up with every attack you guard. Perfect Guard, or blocking a split second before an attack hits, doesn’t seem to accelerate the build-up.
Then, once you’re locked against your enemy, you need to mash Y/Triangle/Left Click to not fail the Clash. That means all 5 shielded weapons — and an additional one — can perform this special defensive move:
- Lance.
- Gunlance.
- Heavy Bowgun.
- Sword and Shield.
- Charge Blade.
- Great Sword.
After your first Power Clash, the guarding build-up for the next Clash will be exponentially increased. Say, it only takes 4 random blocks and then blocking the specific move to trigger the Power Clash. For the second Power Clash, you might have to block 20 attacks before you can perform another Clash.
Monsters will flinch from a Power Clash, and usually, it’ll give you a brief window for a couple of counter-attacks. Using Gunlance against Arkveld as an example, it’s always safe to follow up a Power Clash with a double Y/Triangle into Wyrmstake combo.
For weaker monsters like Catachabra though, more often than not they will, they will just instantly be knocked down. Giving you even more time to deal damage or heal up.
Not all attacks in Monster Hunter Wilds can be blocked as a Power Clash, however, as it mostly works on just specific moves. Notable ones are Catachabra and Doshaguma’s windup slam and Arkveld’s red-colored chain-arm slam. You will need to experiment to know which attack can lead to Power Clash when blocked.
Meanwhile, Rey Dau and Balahara don’t even appear to have an attack that can trigger a Power Clash. Nevertheless, this is just based on the open beta, the mechanic could be changed in the full release.
Fortunately, Perfect Guarding makes you take less damage from monsters’ attacks. For that reason, accessing the Training Area and honing your guarding skills first would be a good idea before you test out Power Clash triggers.
