Monster Hunter Wilds: Strategies for Battling Low Rank Monsters in High Rank Quests

In the world of Monster Hunter Wilds, players begin their journey in the Low Rank tier, which serves as the primary stage for the campaign. This section of the game introduces enthusiasts to a vast array of monsters, including the flagship creature, while also covering essential gameplay mechanics.

However, the adventure takes an unpredictable turn upon reaching High Rank, presenting both exciting opportunities and certain challenges. A notable issue arises when players require specific monster materials that can only be effectively harvested from their Low Rank counterparts.

Finding Low Rank Monsters After Unlocking High Rank

As you transition into High Rank, you’ll notice that most encounters are now with High Rank monsters. The quests that populate your quest board generally direct you toward these more formidable foes. This necessitates the question: how can you locate Low Rank monsters in this new tier?

The process isn’t as straightforward as toggling a setting. Sadly, Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t allow players to shift between Low and High Rank at will. Once you’re in High Rank, that’s the realm you stay in. Nevertheless, some strategic actions can help you hunt those Low Rank monsters:

Survey the environment for Low Rank monsters.
Join ongoing Low Rank hunts by other players.
Replay earlier story missions from your campaign.

The first method involves actively exploring the in-game map. Look for monster icons to verify their rank. You may encounter multiple versions of the same monster in a given area, including their Low Rank variants.

When you find a suitable Low Rank monster, you can initiate a quest by attacking it directly, launching a Field Survey. Alternatively, spend some Guild Points to create an Investigation for later. To quickly ascertain the rank of a monster, simply select Details (A/Cross) while hovering over the creature. The rewards screen will display potential drops; a series of plus (+) signs next to an item indicates you’re examining a High Rank monster.

High Rank Monster Example — This Lala Barina is classified as High Rank.| Image credit: Capcom

Another effective method for engaging with Low Rank monsters is to assist fellow players through their SOS Quests. By visiting your handler, Alma, and selecting Post/Join Quests, you can filter your search based on the desired monster and its difficulty. Focus on searches that yield ongoing Low Rank hunts, but be cautioned: if the quest has been underway for a considerable time, the Low Rank monster may have already been defeated due to its lower HP.

For optimal chances of finding an active hunt, aim to join quests that began only a few minutes earlier. Participation in these hunts is significantly easier when the game enjoys a vibrant player base, so keep this in mind during quieter periods.

Old Quest Example — Replaying earlier quests offers more Low Rank encounters.| Image credit: Capcom

Lastly, you can check the Optional Quests menu via Alma to identify quests you can retry. These quests often include Low Rank monsters that you faced during the initial hours of gameplay. Look for quests bearing a blue star in the top right corner, indicating a Low Rank status.

While not every monster will have a repeatable Low Rank quest, don’t worry if you can’t find your desired target. You can always revert to one of the methods discussed to continue your hunt.

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