I see a ton of hate on it. Maybe someone can correct me on this.

I'm normally a lance user and I know the charge does a small amount of damage but from what I read the ending thrust is the lances most powerful hit. So, I use the thrust for only two things.

1. To bridge the gap between me and the monster. This is, IMO, the most important thing with the thrust. I hate it when everyone is spread out and the monster runs back and forth. I like to stay close to the others, unless they are gunning.

2. To use the thrust attack. I feel the people who use the charge attack haven't read the damage charts because it should only be used for 1-3 hits and end with a thrust and quickly go into a 3 hit combo.

Anyway, I really don't send people flying when I use it. I do sometimes but it few and far between. I see more GS, LS, SA users hit people more often then me.

I actually enjoy using the Lance charge, and i use it a lot solo. But once you get into a larger group, it becomes more difficult to use the charge attack.

Yes, the charge finisher does good damage, but if you consider how much "extra" damage it does vs what that other guy there is dealing for damage, usually charging (finisher or not) does less total damage to the monster because you've sent someone rolling.

I usually try to avoid it entirely in 4-person rooms, but if there's only 2 or 3 people I can usually manage to avoid hitting anyone with the charge on the rare occasion that I use it.

One thing about the lance charge that I feel I should mention though, is that it is VERY useful against Agnaktor. If you're looking to break his claws, once he's armored up your weapon will bounce, but you can still cut through with lance charge. If you time it right you can broadside him with a lance charge, going all the way down and getting a few hits on both claws on that side, dropping the finisher in his back claw (which is uaually harder to hit). As long as he's not doing a spinmove, you should be far enough back to avoid whatever attack he was about to do when you charged ... just don't do it right AS he's about to attack, do it right after he picks his target.

Although, I usually end up NOT charging Agnaktor unless there's no one on that side of him ... so I don't get much chance to use it. It doesn't neccesarily deal a ton of damage, but it's hard to get him to sit still so you can wail on his claws.

I use the lance charge quite a bit. Not a lot of people know how to use it correctly though. One of my favorite ways to use the lance charge is on retreating monsters. This is actually a great way to stop them or cut tails on many monsters. I use it a lot on R. Ludroth, Agi, and lagi. Aiming is difficult and a bad lance user does not stop when they need too and runs team mates down. Also a lot of people feel it is too weak of an attack. Which again is untrue if used correctly.

The reason we use it so much is because our character makes a funny noise, and when the sharpness is green or higher we don't bounce if, and if we're lucky, we get stuck on the monster and get in 15+ hits (until the sharpness goes down to normal/yellow, at which point charges bounce). If a monster is trapped/stunned/fell then charging is a great way to do a bunch of damage. It's also very helpful for the really tough guys like Barroth. Yesterday I was on a team with a Hammer, a Gunner, and two Lancers (I was one). We kept 'em sharp and just kept charging, getting in a good 6 or more hits, and then ending up on the other side of him. And the few times he turned around, we countered.

IMO, if the sharpness is <green, charge is only good for getting to a monster, and for traveling accross a big area (just point yourself at the exit, press the button, and away ya go!).

Also, I'm stupid, how do you do the finisher? Does it have something to do with that red glow?

I agree with dcj91x, it's good for retreating guys, but again, only if the sharpness is high. And as for hitting people, sometimes I use it to push people out of the way (it's tough to time it right though).

The finisher is done by hitting the (x) button on classic style 1. you can hit (b) to stop charge instantly. Also you can look in the manual that came with the game to find out more.

I use the charge sparingly, mostly for mobility without the superbly slow weapon sheathing/unsheathing. And yes, if a monster falls on its side and there's an opening, I will charge their stomach for a most of it and hopefully end with the finisher. I've caught a friend in these before by accident though. (Isn't in front of me when I start, but that 200 millisecond ping or so is just enough time to change that.)

Ah, I'm using Wiimote and Nunchuk first (gonna try classic styles.....later....) and it doesn't show up. I never use the finisher because all it looks like is a stab. And again, what's with the red glow?

Are you talking about the counter? HAve you even looked at the lance section on the wiki or in the game manual?

Thank you psiwri, that's what I needed. I did read the game manual, almost cover to cover, but in the Lance section for Wiimore+Nunchuk controls it doesn't mention the finisher. It never occurred to me to look in the classic controller section because I wasn't using it....

Manuals are for the unexplorative!

Hmm... odd.....

I'm not afraid to admit when I am wrong....



In this case capcom is wrong for leaving it out of the manual!!!NOT ME!!!

Since you used the word "or" I'll accept that response.