10 Monster Hunter Wilds tips we wish we'd known before playing

Mastering Monster Hunter Wilds requires our tips and tricks; otherwise, your hunt may end in failure. We learned many aspects of the game on-the-go, and there are some pieces of advice we wished we knew earlier. Our guide covers combat strategies, inventory management, exploration tips, and more, making it beneficial for both newcomers to the series and experienced Hunters’ Guild members.

1. Pick two weapons and focus on them

To optimize your learning experience when starting the game for the first time, consider selecting one of the MH Wilds weapons to thoroughly understand its unique characteristics. As you progress, have another weapon handy as a backup, which you can gradually master with practice. It’s beneficial if these two weapons offer distinct playing styles (like long-range vs melee, or fast vs slow), but it’s not strictly necessary.

For beginners to the Monster Hunter World series, it might be beneficial to master a simpler weapon like the Long Sword or Dual Blades before attempting more complex ones such as the Insect Glaive or Hunting Horn. This way, you can build a solid foundation in the game before moving on to advanced techniques. Alternatively, you could choose a simple weapon initially and then make the intricate one your secondary focus once you’ve gained some experience.

2. Set up a good “default” loadout in your camp tent

At your base camp tent, you’ll find several pre-made gear sets that you can utilize. However, creating your own loadout is strongly advised because different players have unique strategies and playstyles. To maximize your effectiveness in Monster Hunter Wilds, consider stocking up on Potions, Mega Potions, Nulberries, various Trap types, and Tranq Bombs for capturing monsters. Don’t forget that you can customize the loadout by adding additional items as needed.

3. Look for white patches on enemy skin

In the beginning, you learn that vulnerable spots on monsters, which are essentially open wounds, can be attacked with focus strikes to inflict massive damage. However, there’s a catch. If you notice a part of the monster’s body that appears largely white due to scar tissue and seems devoid of hair or scales, this could be an exposed area close to the vulnerable spot you seek. Attack this specific location repeatedly, and eventually, it should transform into the vulnerability you can then exploit with your focus strike. Moreover, certain weapons such as the Monster Hunter Wilds Long Sword gain a boost when landing those Focus Strikes!

4. Watch the left-hand list of environmental objects for easily-missed advantages

On the left side of your screen, you’ll find a dynamic list of interactive items that come within view of your character. It’s beneficial to occasionally glance at this list as it may contain vital items that could otherwise go unnoticed – ranging from healing herbs, hidden traps and landscape hazards, to discarded parts of the monster you’re pursuing. Certain powerful creatures will even leave tracks, which can be used to craft materials for the Monster Hunter Wilds armor and weapons!

5. If you’re not attacking, get on the Seikret

Your velociraptor-like creature, known as a Seikret, is incredibly handy for both mobility and swiftness. However, it’s crucial to only engage in combat from it using specific weapons. For any other tasks, quickly hop on its back! Mounting and dismounting your dodo pet should be done according to necessity, as staying on foot can leave you exposed when drinking potions or sharpening your weapon. On the Seikret, you’ll find yourself a much harder target to hit.

6. Your Seikret has hidden treasures in its saddlebags!

In MH Wilds, you might not immediately notice this feature, but your character’s Seikret has a supply pouch which can be opened by pressing Left on the D-Pad. This pouch is filled whenever you embark on a new quest. It typically contains a blend of healing items, first aid kits, and rations, which are already quite beneficial. However, depending on the specific mission, additional specialized items may also be included – for instance, if you’re tasked with trapping a monster, you might receive actual traps to use, or if the quest is in a cold region, you might get Hot Drinks to counteract the harsh effects. Occasionally, equipment that can leverage MH Wilds’ monsters’ weaknesses may also be included.

7. Your charged abilities don’t have to just trigger on the scary monsters

Weapon abilities such as the Dual Blade’s Archdemon Mode or the Long Sword’s Gauge can be activated by landing attacks on monsters. It’s good news that this isn’t limited to just large creatures you’re pursuing! Even smaller, non-threatening ones present in the area can serve as targets for those minor special attacks. As a result, it becomes easier to fill up the required meter. Subsequently, when fully charged, you can engage with the main target of your hunt without having to build up your power level gradually.

8. Make custom meals on your BBQ according to need

At the start, you’ll receive a portable grill for cooking meals on-the-go. While standard rations simply restore your health and energy, complete meals offer temporary boosts lasting 50 minutes which can be quite advantageous. Additionally, throughout your journey, you’ll gather various ingredients that allow you to tailor the effects of your meals.

At the onset of a challenging pursuit, it’s wise to prepare yourself by eating a meal right away and strategizing about the optimal food for this quest. This could potentially provide benefits such as reduced damage from monsters, improved playstyle and weapon performance, or advantages in the environment. During downtime between missions, engage with Non-Player Characters (NPCs) and go fishing and hunting to maintain your supplies!

9. It’s not just wounds that you can Focus Strike

The Focus Strike skill is marketed as a means to inflict severe damage on enemies by exposing their wounds. However, it also has a hidden feature: striking certain enemy parts during specific actions. This capability differs from one monster to another. For instance, if Jin Dahaad is about to unleash an icy breath attack by rearing back its head, there’s a short period when the head becomes vulnerable to a Focus Strike, as part of the animation sequence.

Striking at the opportune moment unleashes a high-damage sequence similar to what you’d inflict on a wounded foe, and it also halts the enemy’s attack. Shrewd, quick-thinking players can discern when monsters expose such vulnerabilities and capitalize on them fully. Weapons like the Monster Hunter Wilds Bow are especially effective in maximizing this advantage when wielded skillfully.

10. White “Wylk” Crystals can be used to your advantage

During the course of the game, you’ll encounter monsters that produce white crystals from the ground as part of their assaults. These white crystals are called Wylk, a form of unstable energy. Over time, these monsters may use them against you, often triggering an explosion when struck with an elemental attack matching the crystal’s kind.

Why not take the initiative and strike first? Using a Slinger attack, such as Sparkflint, allows you to activate the Wylk when it suits you best. Aim carefully with the appropriate elemental attack, and you can select the one that will cause maximum damage. It’s crucial to wait until the monster has positioned itself near a crystal formation before striking, as this will inflict heavy damage and eliminate a potential threat that could otherwise be utilized against you first. If you’re using the Monster Hunter Wilds Light Bowgun, the variety of available ammunition makes it straightforward to detonate the Wylk by exploiting its vulnerabilities.

2025-02-27 14:26

10 Monster Hunter Wilds tips we wish we’d known before playing