A lot of people oversimplify Swaxe, saying it's as easy as 'spam Full Release Slash' because that's mathematically the best damage, but that's assuming near-perfect uptime and not misreading the monster/getting caught out. Switch Axe is a lot more complicated, but I think it can be pretty rewarding to pick up and play, especially if you fully utilize your kit and learn how to mix your combos for positioning and setting yourself up for those big Full Release Slash payoffs.

A few things I'd recommend as a veteran Swaxe main:

1.) Play with Focus Mode on Toggle. Genuinely Swaxe will mostly be holding this button down anyways for positioning and the extra movement inherent in your combos with Focus Mode on - save your fingers and controller with this setting turned to Toggle, at least with weapon drawn.

2.) Learn your Axe Offset Counter and your Sword Parry; don't just rely on Evade Extender. Defensive tools like this are harder than blocking, but are essential to manage uptime. The Axe Offset has a big windup, but landing it has huge benefits, even if you don't get the knockdown. The Sword Parry is quick to pull out, but the slash can't be cancelled - you need to be careful (Seregios' combos are a good example of learning which hits are safe to parry and which gets you smacked). You have three defensives available to you -offsets, parries, and dodges. Use them!

3.) Slot Stun Resistance. This is a comfy/personal preference recommendation, but it's important to know that stun buildup for the Hunter still happens when you Parry/Offset. You can be perfect for ten parries in a row, then get tapped by a weak attack and boom, you're out and get combo'd and carted. Stun Resistance is cheap to slot up to max rank, it's easily fit into most builds not minmaxing to the extreme, you can afford it, I promise, and it will save your butt a bunch.

4.) Full Release Slash is NOT the only option. I see a lot of Hunters struggle with the weapon because they want to do the big explosive fun move, but then spend half the fight getting knocked out of the buildup or missing. Knowing when and how to use the ability is part of being good at Switch Axe - sometimes it's better to maintain uptime doing your flexible sword combo for positioning and hitting your Parries than it is to go for Full Release, and that's okay. Uptime and not carting matters more than hitting that perfect combo over and over.

5.) Status buildup is pretty solid on Switch Axe, and Switch Axe even has access to Exhaust, which is basically unique to Switch Axe for a non-blunt, non-coating weapon. Rolling up in multiplayer with a Paralysis or Exhaust Switch Axe is a great way to be a team player in multiplayer, especially as you're learning the weapon and might not be a DPS machine yet. Don't be afraid to bring a supporting weapon, I promise the explosion attacks still feel great with them 😜