When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Monster Hunter Wilds has finally been set loose!
As I said in myMonster Hunter Wilds review, this is an easy contender for game of the year.
There are also some new mechanics that veteran players have to contend with.
Given some of this games opaque tutorials, youll need a helping hand to get started.
Study monster behavior
At launch, Monster Hunter Wilds features 29 different beasts to slay.
And though some share certain characteristics, all of these creatures exhibit unique behavior.
Yes, hunts typically have 50-minute time limits, but you shouldnt feel rushed.
When facing a new monster, dont hesitate to step back to see how it tries to attack you.
Conversely, see how it reacts to your attacks and adjust accordingly.
Every monster is a puzzle to solve, so keep a close eye on their behavior.
When utilized correctly, Focus Mode allows you to deal huge damage to monsters.
Attacking the same part on a monster may create wounds on that body partdenoted by a red gash.
When you spot that wound, it’s possible for you to enter Focus Mode to highlight these wounds.
Attacking wounds causes more damage than usual.
Focus Mode also highlights any weak points the monster might have exposed.
To truly bring the hurt, you’ve got the option to use a Focus Strike on wounds.
Every weapon has a unique Focus Strike animation, which is often flashy and brutal.
In certain cases, these strikes will stun a monster or make it topple over.
Thankfully, you wont have to hunt alone.
Your trusty Palico feline companion follows you and lends a paw during hunts by default.
And while your furry friend can be useful, its not a seasoned hunter.
you’re free to do this while youre on foot or when riding on your mount.
The Slinger is also great for activating environmental hazards against monsters.
There are various pods you’re able to pick up and fire from your Slinger.
Pods have different properties, such as flash pods that temporarily blind monsters.
Its good to experiment with different pods you find to see which works best against specific monsters.
They are where youll do everything necessary to prepare for hunts.
Youre also able to select your weapons and gear within the tent.
Your circumstances will differ, so I cant tell you what to place in your radial menu.
My advice is to go through your items list when in your tent to best optimize the radial menu.
Always forge new gear
Successfully slaying or capturing monsters rewards you with monster parts and other items.
This forms the core loop of Monster Hunter Wilds and is something you shouldnt neglect.
Forging new gear requires you to visit the smithy, Gemma, at the base camps.
Its always best to visit Gemma after every hunt to see what she can forge for you.
