Complete One-Handed Sword (1HS) build guide for SAO: Hollow Realization. Stat priorities, best skills, combos, and tips for mastering Kirito's signature weapon.
Why Choose One-Handed Sword?
One-Handed Sword is the jack-of-all-trades weapon and the best choice for new players. It offers balanced speed, damage, defense, and utility without major weaknesses. Most importantly, it is the ONLY weapon that unlocks Dual Blades at higher proficiency.
Stat Priority
• STR -- Primary damage stat for physical attack power.
• VIT -- Survivability for melee combat; you will take hits.
• DEX -- Crit rate and accuracy; moderate investment.
• AGI -- Moderate investment for i-frames and quality of life.
Player Tip: If planning to unlock Dual Blades eventually, lean slightly more toward DEX and AGI as you approach that unlock, since Dual Blades benefit more from those stats.
Best Sword Skills for 1HS
• Horizontal slashes -- Wide-arcing attacks for crowd control.
• Thrust/linear skills -- Quick forward stabs for single-target damage and closing distance.
• Launcher skills -- Knock enemies into the air for Switch opportunities.
• Shield Bash -- Stun and stagger with short recovery (if using shield).
• Down-swing finishers -- Heavy overhead strikes for combo enders.
Playstyle Tips
• Use basic attacks to build SP and learn patterns before committing to sword skills.
• Perfect Guard frequently into launcher -> Switch is your bread-and-butter combo.
• Mix horizontal slashes for groups and thrusts for single targets.
• Keep a shield equipped for extra defense until Dual Blades unlock.
• Practice SSC chaining -- 1HS skills chain smoothly for 3-4 skill combos.
Transitioning to Dual Blades
• Keep 1HS equipped at all times to build proficiency.
• Save SP for the Dual Blades tree when it unlocks.
• Practice Perfect Guard and dodging without relying on your shield.
• Build DEX and AGI more aggressively as you approach the unlock.