The Maul is a heavy weapon in Wild Hearts that utilizes slow, methodical attacks to beat the enemy down. Using the momentum of the Maul, you perform impressive attacks that use the weapon's weight to your advantage.
At first glance, the Maul may seem like a simple weapon. However, with its extension mechanic, the Maul has a considerable number of combos for a variety of situations. Below, we'll take a look at everything you need to know about this weapon, including its moves, combos, and tips for wielding it.
The Maul
The Maul is primarily a Pummel-type weapon, using brute force and blunt attacks to deal high damage. Due to its slower attack speed, each move you make with the Maul matters, so you'll need to think carefully in every situation and plan your attacks.
Using its combo attacks and extension mechanic, you can chain between Light and Heavy Attacks to adapt on the fly with satisfying fluidity.
Basic Moves
- Light Attack (Left Click, Square, or X) - A series of three pummeling attacks. After each attack is an extension flash.
- Heavy Attack (Middle Mouse Button, Triangle, or Y) - A slow but powerful overhead slam attack. An extension flash occurs after this attack.
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Special Attack (F or RT) - Hold down the button to repeatedly twirl around, striking with the Maul. Stamina rapidly drains while spinning.
- Pressing this button after a Light or Heavy Attack, as the extension flash occurs, will have the handle of the Maul extend, increasing the power of the next attack and chaining into new attacks.
- Pressing this button when next to a Basic Karakuri will have you bash the Karakuri, sending it flying. Each Karakuri deals a different amount of damage when launched in this way.
Using extension flashes, you can combo your normal attacks into different attacks, and even cross between Light and Heavy combo chains. We'll take an in-depth look at this below, but first, let's go over the Maul's Karakuri-based attacks.
Karakuri Attacks
- Crate - Jump off a Crate, performing a double swipe attack while descending.
- Spring - Leap off a Spring, performing a jumping attack while moving forward.
- Torch - Jump forward while igniting the Maul.
- Glider - Hold the Special Attack button while gliding to perform an aerial whirlwind attack, spinning around while striking with the Maul as you descend.
Maul Combos
By mixing the Special Attack button into your normal combo strings, you can extend the Maul and perform different attacks. Below, you can find several useful combos utilizing this mechanic.
Your standard Light Attack combo will look like this.
- Light Attack, Special Attack, Light Attack, Special Attack, Light Attack
This will deal massive damage to the Kemono, but requires that it is in the same position for the duration of the combo. Because of this, it's better to use this combo when the Kemono is knocked down or trapped in a Chain Trap Fusion Karakuri. This will ensure that you have enough time to complete the combo, as the most damage comes from the final attack.
By using a Light Attack, then a Special Attack, you can also shift into the Heavy Attack combo, bypassing the long animation of the first Heavy Attack in the combo. This short combo is great for dealing a bit of damage between Kemono attacks.
The standard Heavy Attack combo will have you jump into the air to attack, and requires timing your extension Special Attack just right to move into the next attack.
- Heavy Attack, Special Attack, Heavy Attack, Special Attack, repeat
Note that the final two strikes in this combo can be chained infinitely, as long you have stamina to spend. Unlike other extension Special Attacks, this one must be used while the Heavy Attack is still going. The timing of this attack will take some practice, but if you can get the hang of it, this combo is great for dealing consistent damage to the Kemono, and pairs especially well with armor skills that can reduce stamina spending.
Maul Tips And Tricks
The Maul is a slow weapon that can be tricky to use against fast Kemono. To get around this, you will need to utilize your Fusion Karakuri, specifically the Chain Trap. This Karakuri allows you to pin a Kemono in place, enabling you to attack with your slower but more powerful attacks. The Chain Trap's effectiveness drops as you continue to use it, but it can be invaluable later in the fight when the Kemono is enraged.
Speaking of Karakuri, the Maul has a special emphasis on utilizing basic Karakuri. Whether you're jumping off a Crate or Spring to quickly get into the fight, or launching Karakuri at the Kemono with the Maul's special attack, you'll want to think carefully about your Karakuri loadout before each hunt.
Due to the Maul's slow attack speed, learning when to dodge is especially important. Against fast Kemono, don't get greedy with your attacks. You aren't meant to be repeatedly using your long combo attacks and extending your weapon. Instead, use one or two Light Attacks to deal some damage before dodging out of the way.
Using the Maul's extension flash is the key to the weapon, but learning the timing will take some practice. When in doubt, set up a training bear and practice until you get the exact timing of each extension flash down. This will help immensely in your hunts as your extension attacks become muscle memory.