Monster Hunter Wilds: A New Era of Monster Hunting Begins

Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in Capcom’s beloved action-RPG franchise, is set to take the world by storm when it launches on February 28. Building on the massive success of Monster Hunter: World, which brought the series into the mainstream, Monster Hunter Wilds promises to deliver an enhanced experience with next-gen console improvements and gameplay refinements. While it retains the core appeal of the series—embarking on quests, hunting towering monsters, and crafting powerful weapons and armor from their remains—Wilds introduces several quality-of-life upgrades that make the game more accessible and enjoyable for both newcomers and veteran hunters.

Choosing Your Weapon Wisely: Find Your Perfect Match

One of the most crucial decisions in Monster Hunter Wilds is selecting the right weapon. The game offers 14 unique weapons, each with its own mechanics, strengths, and playstyles. To help players find their ideal match, Wilds introduces a short questionnaire at the beginning that recommends weapons based on your preferred playstyle. However, nothing beats hands-on experience. The training range is an essential stop for both new and returning players, allowing you to try out every weapon and learn their combos. For newcomers, experimenting with different weapons is a great way to understand their nuances, while veterans can use this space to see how weapons have evolved since previous games.

The game also provides helpful resources for each weapon, accessible via the Info tab in the start menu. Tips, move lists, and suggested combos can be found under the Tutorial List and Weapon Controls sections. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with your weapon of choice will make a significant difference in your early-game progress. Whether you’re a sword-and-shield novice or a bow-wielding veteran, mastering your weapon is key to success in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Eat Before You Hunt: The Power of a Good Meal

In Monster Hunter, preparation is everything, and that includes fueling up with a good meal. As in previous games, cooking and eating provides stat bonuses that can give you an edge in battle. While the options are limited early on, even the simplest meal can boost your health, which is crucial in the early stages. Unlike in past games, meals no longer expire after a single hunt; instead, they last for a set period, so you can enjoy their benefits across multiple quests.

To keep your meals fresh and effective, gather ingredients by exploring the world. Fishing with the fishing pole tool and collecting resources during your travels will give you the materials you need to craft meals. Once you unlock the Portable BBQ Grill, you can even cook on the go. Don’t forget to check in with the support team at camp for free rations, which can be used to whip up basic meals. Keeping your belly full and your stats boosted will make you a more formidable hunter.

Forge Your Way to Success: Crafting Armor and Weapons

After returning from a hunt, the smithy is your next destination. Crafting new weapons and armor is a cornerstone of the Monster Hunter experience, and Wilds makes it more intuitive than ever. When forging equipment, aim for the highest rarity tier available, as higher-tier gear offers better stats, skills, and resistances. This applies not just to your own gear but also to your trusty Palico companion’s equipment, ensuring both you and your feline friend are well-prepared for battle.

Don’t hesitate to use your materials liberally; the game is designed to provide a steady supply of resources as you progress. While some materials may be harder to come by than others, persistence pays off, and you’ll eventually gather what you need. Even if a weapon or armor set seems like a dead end at first, encountering new monsters will unlock more progression paths. The dense menu screens can feel overwhelming, but they’re packed with information to help you make informed decisions about your gear.

Understand Your Equipment: Skills and Synergy

Weapons and armor in Monster Hunter Wilds come with equipment skills, which are perks that enhance your abilities in various ways. These skills can improve healing, defense, elemental resistance, and even specific weapon mechanics. Your active weapon, armor pieces, and talismans all contribute to your skill set, allowing for deep customization based on your playstyle. For example, some skills boost attack power under certain conditions, while others enhance special ammo for ranged weapons. To get the most out of your gear, take the time to review your skills.

To learn more about your equipment’s skills, navigate to the Equipment Info section in the main menu or check the forge menu by selecting Skill Info. This will give you a breakdown of each skill and how it contributes to your overall performance. By carefully selecting weapons and armor with complementary skills, you can create a build that aligns with your playstyle and maximizes your effectiveness in battle.

Monster Intel: Know Your Enemy

Each monster in Monster Hunter Wilds has its own strengths, weaknesses, and unique traits. To take them down effectively, it’s crucial to understand these aspects. Once you’ve defeated a monster, you can access detailed intel about it via the Monster Field Guide in the Info tab. This guide reveals where to find the monster, its weak spots, breakable parts, and the best elemental attacks and status effects to use. It also shows material drop rates, making it easier to farm specific components for crafting.

Armed with this knowledge, you can tailor your equipment and strategy to exploit the monster’s vulnerabilities. For instance, targeting specific body parts with the right type of damage can stagger the monster, leaving it open to devastating combos. Repeat hunts become more efficient with this intel, allowing you to focus on the most rewarding targets for the materials you need.

Embrace the Challenge: Wounds, Staggering, and Persistence

Monster Hunter Wilds introduces a more interactive combat system, particularly with the expanded wound system. Any weapon can now inflict wounds on a monster by repeatedly attacking the same area. When a wound is formed, it will glows orange-red, indicating that targeting it further will deal bonus damage and potentially stagger the monster, leaving it temporarily vulnerable. Staggering is a great opportunity to unleash powerful attacks or set up your next move.

Death is an inevitable part of the learning process in Monster Hunter, and Wilds is no exception. If you die during a hunt, you’ll respawn at the nearest camp or town, giving you a chance to replenish supplies, cook a new meal, or adjust your equipment. While dying multiple times will penalize your reward, it’s important to remember that failure is part of the journey. Each death teaches you something new about the monster and how to approach it next time.

As Monster Hunter Wilds prepares to launch, players can look forward to a refined and engaging experience that honors the series’ legacy while introducing new features to welcome newcomers. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a rookie, Wilds promises countless hours of exciting adventures, challenging battles, and the satisfaction of forging your way to victory. So grab your weapon, sharpen your skills, and get ready to join the hunt!