Beginner Tips for Monster Hunter Wilds

“Monster Hunter Wilds” is the latest installment in the beloved franchise, where players hunt gigantic monsters in the open-world Forbidden Lands. Newcomers might find the game overwhelming due to its numerous mechanics, complex interface, and varied options.

Weapon Selection The game offers 14 different weapon types, each with unique combat styles. Avoid mastering all at once—it’s overwhelming. Start with something simpler:

Dual Blades: Quick and beginner-friendly. Stay close to monsters and target their legs.
Sword and Shield: Versatile, offers good defense and quick attacks.
Bow: Ideal for ranged combat. Aim at monsters’ weak spots.

Visit the training area at Windward Plains base camp before hunts to experiment with each weapon, learn basic combos, and find your favorite. Choose one primary and one secondary weapon (carried by your mount, Seycret). For instance, pick dual blades with fire damage as your main and poison dual blades as a secondary to tackle diverse monsters.

Preparation for Hunting Always prepare thoroughly before each quest:

Food: Eat meals at camp to boost health and stamina, or gain bonuses like increased attack power. Choose ingredients strategically (e.g., meat for higher damage).
Gear: Check your inventory in the tent. Bring Mega Potions, Antidotes, Nulberries, and Shock Traps. Save these selections as a Loadout for quick setup.
Sharpness: Always sharpen your weapon. Blunt weapons (yellow or red sharpness) deal less damage and can deflect off monsters.

Combat Basics Combat in Monster Hunter Wilds requires tactical thinking:

Focus Mode: A new mechanic highlighting monsters’ weak spots in red. Attack these spots and use the “Focus Strike” for significant damage.
Combos: Don’t spam attacks. Check basic weapon combos under Info → Guide. For dual blades, use quick strikes followed by jumping attacks.
Evade: A flashing red health bar indicates a deadly attack incoming. Evade or retreat quickly using Seycret.

Monsters become vulnerable when exhausted (limping or fleeing). Use traps and tranquilizers at this moment or finish them with bombs.

Using the Environment The Forbidden Lands are an ally, not just scenery:

Traps: Find natural hazards like falling rocks or vines. Lure monsters into these for extra damage or immobilization.
Resources: Gather everything—herbs, honey, insects—for crafting potions and upgrades. Use your Slinger hook (L2 + circle) to collect items from afar, even mounted on Seycret.
Weather: Consider day/night cycles and weather effects. Resource availability varies: plentiful during “Plenty,” scarce during “Fallow,” and dangerous conditions like sandstorms during “Inclemency.”

Progression and Upgrades

Story: Focus initially on main quests to unlock new areas and monsters. Avoid excessive farming until encountering “The Wall”—a challenging monster blocking progress.
Crafting: Defeat or capture monsters, collect parts, and upgrade gear at the blacksmith. Early-game upgrades are inexpensive—invest freely.
Allies: Your Palico companion and other hunters (through SOS signals) can assist during tough hunts. Call for backup if overwhelmed.

Helpful Tips

Take Your Time: The game’s complexity is part of the experience. Learn from mistakes instead of giving up after initial setbacks.
Practice: The training area is invaluable. Experiment with weapons and combos until you’re comfortable.
Learn Monsters: After each hunt, review the codex entries to identify monsters’ weaknesses (fire, ice) and breakable parts for extra rewards.