Monster Hunter Wilds is an enriching game that offers a complex experience beyond its straightforward gameplay loop. Even after dedicating countless hours to hunting, players continue to discover new strategies and nuances.
The game excels in enhancing the novice player experience, with improvements aimed at newcomers. Indeed, Wilds is regarded as the most user-friendly installment in the franchise yet. However, many aspects of the game are not covered in tutorials, leaving players to fend for themselves.
This guide provides a curated list of valuable tips and tricks, including expert insights that may not even be shared in the farthest reaches of gaming communities like Discord. Spoilers are minimal, but some creatures showcased in the game’s promotional material may appear in the accompanying images.
10 The Seikrets Secret Pouch
Umm… Where Is The Prompt?
Let’s begin with a relatively straightforward tip that players may overlook if they are not attentive to initial game prompts. The Seikret features an item pouch that refills periodically throughout hunts, often including mission-specific items like Deodorant, especially useful against monsters with debilitating stink attacks.
This tip stands out because the button prompt to access the Seikret’s stash is not displayed in the control guide. To utilize this feature, simply mount your Seikret and hold left on the D-Pad. You can transfer items from this pouch to your inventory, provided you have sufficient space.
9 Learn How To Sleep Bombing
It’s An Etiquette Thing
While Monster Hunter Wilds introduces many mechanics, unwritten rules exist that are important for playing online. One such practice is the technique known as sleep bombing. When a monster falls asleep during a co-op hunt, players are expected to place Large or Mega Barrel Bombs around the creature’s head or tail.These items are invaluable and should be in your inventory for every hunt.
Once the barrels are set, the player wielding the highest-damage weapon is advised to detonate the bombs by attacking them, ideally striking the monster simultaneously to maximize damage. This tactic is particularly effective if a hard-hitting weapon like a Hammer or Greatsword triggers the explosion, but any weapon can do the job.
8 Master Your Trap Tech
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
When venturing out, it is essential to equip traps, but players soon realize that their effectiveness varies based on the target. Shock Traps generally work better on certain monsters than Pitfall Traps, and some creatures may not trigger a Pitfall due to their flight capabilities.
A notable point in the Monster Hunter series is that Elder Dragons cannot be captured at all, so don’t attempt to do so if you encounter them; in prior games, some even had mechanisms to resist traps, such as Lunastra. Capcom’s ongoing additions of new monsters will continue to evolve these dynamics.
7 You Can Launch Your Teammates
Unconventional Team Work
Within the cooperative realm of Monster Hunter, it is important to note that you cannot inflict damage on your teammates, yet interactions can still have surprising consequences. Always remain vigilant of your allies when preparing a strong attack, as you might inadvertently disrupt their actions. Conversely, if a teammate falls asleep, you can wake them up with an attack before they face danger from monsters.
Some offensive actions can launch teammates, which can serve as a tactical advantage if timed correctly. Additionally, it is possible to mount monsters even without a ledge, provided your timing is impeccable.
6 Use A Draw Finisher When Mounting
It’s Not A Bucking Bronco
While mounting is a fundamental mechanic in Monster Hunter, its intricacies are often underappreciated and inadequately explained. To mount a creature, you typically need to jump onto it mid-attack, usually from a ledge. Once mounted, you can maneuver to different body parts using the left stick.
To effectively deal damage, inflict wounds by consistently slashing the mounted creature and utilize the ‘Draw Finisher’ option once it appears on-screen by pressing R1. As the monster struggles, you can choose to brace (by holding R2) or switch your position across the beast’s body. Successfully remounting is possible but becomes increasingly challenging as monsters develop mounting resistance.
5 You Can Hold The Carve Button
The Hours I’ve Wasted
This tip is particularly relevant for veterans returning to Monster Hunter after an extended break. In earlier titles, hunters had to tap the carve button manually to gather rewards from defeated monsters, which was tedious and often led to hand cramps.
In the current version, simply holding the carve button allows your character to automatically gather available rewards from the carcass. Although the animation requires time, it’s a significant improvement over manual tapping. Also, hunters can now halt the countdown timer immediately by holding the touchpad; just ensure all desired items are collected beforehand.
4 More Players Make The Game Harder
Mmm, Damage Scaling!
While Monster Hunter Wilds encourages players to summon others via SOS flares and to team up for hunts, this can inadvertently increase the difficulty level.
The scaling of monster health and damage is influenced by the number of hunters in combat, which means a solo player might face a more manageable challenge than a group. Despite this, teaming up can enhance the experience, even with the added difficulty. Just be well-informed of the potential implications before you send out that SOS for assistance.
3 Use The Sneak Attack Mechanic
It Hurts More When They Don’t See It Coming
Although Monster Hunter has not traditionally emphasized stealth, Wilds introduces a rewarding mechanic for players who can approach monsters undetected. If you manage to close in on a creature without being noticed, press Circle when close enough to perform a stealth attack. This maneuver delivers significant damage and serves as an excellent tactic to initiate combat.
While the challenge lies in sneaking up on monsters, you can crouch for a slower movement and utilize your environment, such as bushes, to conceal yourself. While stealth isn’t critical in Wilds, taking advantage of this mechanic can yield free damage that can be pivotal in combat.
2 Traps Can Be Repositioned
It’s A New Era
One of the more frustrating moments in Monster Hunter is successfully laying a trap only to have your target wander away. Thankfully, in Wilds, you can now pick up and reposition traps, a first for the series, though the game lacks adequate explanation for utilizing this function.
To retrieve a trap, approach it and press Circle to dismantle it; the trap will then return to your inventory for future use. You can do this repeatedly as needed. Even if the logic behind a hunter dismantling a hole in the ground raises questions, this quality-of-life feature showcases Capcom’s commitment to creating a more user-friendly experience.
1 Brightmoss Is OP Vs Flying Foes
Secret Anti-Air Tech
Having invested extensive hours into the Monster Hunter series, I can affirm that the mechanic involving Brightmoss truly stands out in Wilds. Each map is filled with flora and fauna, and some items hold niche roles in crafting, but Brightmoss can significantly impact combat.
Available for collection on the field, this item can be loaded into your Slinger. At first, the ammo appears ineffective, but its true value emerges when facing flying monsters. When these creatures ascend, you can launch Brightmoss at them to bring them crashing down.
While I haven’t assessed every monster, I’ve confirmed its efficacy against one crucial adversary I haven’t revealed here. Brightmoss is particularly beneficial for melee users wielding slower weapons, like the Hammer.
Leave a Reply