Why the Health Changes in Monster Hunter Wilds May Seem Tedious but Are Actually Beneficial

Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest iteration in the revered franchise, is set to redefine the gaming experience by introducing notable changes aimed at enhancing accessibility. Capcom is taking significant strides with this title, marking several firsts for the series, particularly with its open-world design and expansive 100-player lobbies. This installment also seeks to deepen narrative engagement, featuring a fully voiced player character and interactive dialogue choices when conversing with NPCs. While it remains a mainline title akin to Monster Hunter World, Capcom is unafraid of pushing boundaries.

Traditionally, new gameplay mechanics and experimental features have been limited to spin-off titles such as Generations and Rise. However, elements from these spin-offs are clearly influencing Wilds, including the introduction of Selkret mounts, reminiscent of the Palamutes from Rise. Capcom is not only embedding fresh ideas but is also incorporating dynamic weather systems that impact both the environment and monster behavior. Notably, one feature has particularly captured the attention of the fanbase: monsters in this iteration will exhibit increased health compared to their counterparts from World, which might signal a beneficial shift for the overall gameplay experience.

Monsters in MH Wilds Have More Health Than in World

As Confirmed By Director Yuya Tokuda

In a recent discussion with IGN, director Yuya Tokuda confirmed that the monsters in Wilds will have increased health and enhanced flinch resistance relative to those in Monster Hunter World. At first glance, this decision might seem like an arbitrary method to heighten game difficulty, especially in a series already linked with challenging gameplay. However, acknowledging the trajectory the series has taken since the release of World, such a move appears to align with the ongoing trend towards greater accessibility.

Monster hunts have always demanded a significant investment of time and effort. My own experiences with hunting the formidable Raging Rajang during Iceborne’s expansion highlighted the importance of persistence in tackling more challenging foes. Granting monsters a health boost could indeed test this persistence; however, the innovative mechanics introduced in Wilds seem to be geared toward expediting hunts. Like in Rise, the inclusion of mounts can facilitate quicker encounters, while having access to two distinct weapons offers hunters a broader range of strategies to confront their targets.

To date, the Monster Hunter series has featured 18 different weapons. Notably, the Tonfa, Magnet Spike, Accel Axe, and Medium Bowgun will not be present in Wilds.

The new mount system particularly stood out during my initial experience with the game’s open beta. By selecting both a melee and ranged weapon (specifically, the Charge Blade and Light Bowgun), I could engage monsters in close combat and take advantage of open terrain to attack from a distance.This variety of tools not only simplifies hunting compared to World, but the additional health and resistance features for monsters seem necessary to balance these advantages, although I believe that the underlying rationale for these health modifications runs deeper.

Higher Health Monsters Work With Focus Mode

And It Is Likely The Reason For The Change

Monster Hunter Wilds Smithee — Custom Image by Steven Garrard

The recently debuted Focus Mode has garnered positive feedback, enabling players to target specific monster parts with Focus Strike, resulting in greater damage. These targeted areas behave like wounds, giving players the opportunity to maximize their damage output. Feedback from the beta suggests that adjustments to damage mechanics may be required before the official release, particularly for the Insect Glaive. Nevertheless, this focus on specific targeting encourages players to leverage new mechanics, and the increased health of monsters likely plays a central role in this design.

Looking ahead, a second open beta for Monster Hunter Wilds is scheduled for February 7–10 and February 14–17.

By enhancing monster health and flinch resistance, Capcom appears to be incentivizing players to utilize the new mechanics effectively, while not overly rewarding repeated strategies. With hunters capable of inflicting increased damage compared to World, identical health pools would accelerate the pace of hunts too much in **Wilds**, leading to potentially unsatisfying experiences. These adjustments also discourage mindless gameplay—important in a game centered around strategy and skill. Director Tokuda reassured fans that these health modifications will not result in a tedious experience.

Although Wilds adopts numerous elements from MH Rise, it aims for a tactical pace unlike the rapid-fire style typical of that spin-off.Rise is well-suited for on-the-go gaming, allowing players to complete quick hunts in transit. In contrast, Wilds encourages more dedicated gameplay sessions, offering a deliberate pace reminiscent of the rewarding hunt experiences found in **Monster Hunter World**.

MH Wilds Will Force Me To Be More Tactical

I’m Guilty Of Doing The Same Thing Every Time

Monster Hunter Wilds Stick — Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

In past hunts, I frequently defaulted to a repetitive strategy—starting by attempting to sever a monster’s tail before targeting its head to deliver a knockdown blow. This habit may reflect my relative inexperience, being predominantly familiar with World, Rise, and the open beta of Wilds. While this strategy has proven effective previously, Wilds will necessitate a shift in approach. As someone who enjoys wielding the Switch Axe and Charge Blade, I’ll need to adapt by reserving my strongest attacks for the monster’s vulnerable points.

The multiple weapon-carrying mechanic in Wilds also encourages a more diverse playstyle, pushing me to experiment beyond the four weapons I’ve primarily engaged with thus far. Adopting the right weapon for specific monster behavior—such as choosing a ranged weapon when dealing with airborne foes—will be crucial. This newfound diversity prompts strategic thinking, enabling swift adaptability during hunts.

Despite the ambitious direction Capcom is pursuing, Monster Hunter Wilds promises thoughtfully designed gameplay features. The additional monster health offers a counterbalance to the enhanced damage potential provided by Focus Mode, a change I fully support. Such innovations not only inject fresh dynamics into each hunt but also discourage mindless repetition, enhancing the overall experience in a game heavily focused on grinding and farming for specific loot.

Source: IGN

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