How to gain phials: Sword Form charged circle gives a lot, normal auto attacks give a bit. Press R2 and circle to enter Charge Phials stance. This gives you phials. How to cash in phials and charge your shield: Press R2 during Amped Element Discharge. Your hunter will pull his weapon back and do a weapon transformation. During this, press R2 to load up your phials into your shield. In sword form, the fastest way to charge your shield is Charge Phials > Shield Thrust > Amped Element DIscharge > Cancel with R2 into sword form. Technical Input: R2+Circle > Triangle+Circle > Triangle+Circle > R2 In Axe form, just press Triangle+Circle while standing still. Once your shield is charged, you can inbue your sword by doing Charge Phials > Condensed Element Slash Technical Input: R2+Circle > Hold triangle and release on second transform animation (the sword goes into the axe)