After 100+ hours in Monster Hunter Wilds, Focus Mode is the single most important mechanic separating good hunters from great ones. Understanding how to use it effectively—and exploit the wounds system—can triple your damage output and cut hunt times in half.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Focus Mode, from basic controls to advanced wound manipulation. Whether you’re a series veteran or jumping in fresh, mastering this system will transform your hunts.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer
- What is Focus Mode?
- Focus Mode Controls (PC, PlayStation, Xbox)
- Understanding the Wounds System
- Focus Strikes Explained
- Focus Strike Moves by Weapon
- Pro Tips
- FAQ
- Related Guides
- Summary
Quick Answer: Focus Mode in 30 Seconds
- What it does: Highlights monster weak points and wounds, enables precise targeting and powerful Focus Strikes
- How to activate: Hold L2/LT (controller) or Mouse Button 5/Alt (keyboard)
- Why it matters: Hitting wounds deals massively increased damage; destroying wounds stuns monsters and drops materials
- Key tip: Use Focus Strikes on open wounds to destroy them instantly and trigger a damage window
What is Focus Mode?
Focus Mode is Monster Hunter Wilds’ signature combat mechanic that allows hunters to precisely aim their attacks and guards. When activated, a crosshair appears on your screen, and the camera shifts to an over-the-shoulder view.
More importantly, Focus Mode highlights all wounds and weak points on the monster in glowing red. This visual feedback is essential because attacking these highlighted areas deals significantly more damage than hitting armored or neutral body parts.
Focus Mode also unlocks your weapon’s Focus Strike—a powerful move that can instantly destroy open wounds, stun the monster, and create massive damage opportunities for you and your hunting party.
Focus Mode Controls
Controller (PlayStation/Xbox)
Activate Focus Mode: Hold L2 (PS5) or LT (Xbox)
Focus Strike: While holding L2/LT, press R2/RT + Triangle/Y (or your primary attack)
Keyboard and Mouse
Activate Focus Mode (Melee): Hold Mouse Button 5 (side button) by default
Activate Focus Mode (Ranged): Hold Alt key
Focus Strike: While in Focus Mode, press Shift + Left Click
Important: If you don’t have a mouse with side buttons, rebind Focus Mode in the Keyboard Configuration menu under System options. Many PC players bind it to a more accessible key like Middle Mouse or a thumb button.
Understanding the Wounds System
The wounds system in Monster Hunter Wilds has three distinct stages. Understanding this progression is crucial for maximizing damage.
Stage 1: Tear (White Mark)
When you repeatedly attack the same body part, a white scratch appears. This is a “tear”—the first sign that a wound is forming. At this stage, you can use a Focus Strike to force it open immediately, or continue attacking to progress it naturally.
Stage 2: Open Wound (Red Gash)
Further attacks on a tear create an open wound—a glowing red gash visible even without Focus Mode. Open wounds are your primary damage targets:
- All attacks on open wounds deal increased damage
- Weapons no longer bounce off tough monster parts when hitting wounds
- Bowgun ammo gets damage bonuses on wounded areas
- A single Focus Strike destroys the wound instantly
Stage 3: Scar (Black Mark)
When a wound is destroyed (either through accumulated damage or a Focus Strike), it becomes a scar. Scars cannot be re-wounded until they naturally heal over time. However, when a monster enters its “last stand” (final enrage before death/capture), all scars temporarily re-open as wounds.
Tempered Wounds (Blue Gash)
When hunting Tempered Monsters, wounds appear as blue gashes instead of red. These function identically but drop Heavy Pods when destroyed—valuable slinger ammo that deals significant damage.
Focus Strikes Explained
Every weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds has a unique Focus Strike. These powerful attacks share common properties:
- Instant wound destruction: Landing a Focus Strike on an open wound destroys it immediately
- Monster stun: Destroying a wound with Focus Strike briefly staggers the monster
- Material drops: Wound destruction has a chance to drop monster materials mid-hunt
- Follow-up attacks: Many weapons gain special follow-up moves after a successful Focus Strike
The stun window from Focus Strikes is your best opportunity to land high-damage combos. Coordinate with your hunting party to maximize these openings.
Focus Strike Moves by Weapon
Great Sword
Performs a sweeping drag slash. On wound hit, can hold the attack button to charge directly into True Charged Slash—the weapon’s highest damage move.
Long Sword
Executes a thrusting attack. Hitting an open wound triggers an automatic follow-up slash that can also destroy wounds.
Dual Blades
Launches into a leaping overhead slash. On wound hit, latches onto the monster and performs the Heavenly Blade Dance—a devastating aerial combo.
Sword and Shield
Quick stab attack. On wound hit, latches onto the monster part. Can follow up with either an uppercut or downward slash.
Hammer
Spinning ground slam. On wound hit, accumulates charges. Can hold to transition into Mighty Charge for massive KO damage.
Hunting Horn
Stab attack with the horn. On wound hit, triggers a “guitar solo” allowing you to input 5 notes for powerful songs.
Lance
Upward shield bash that can KO. On wound hit, initiates a charging attack that hits multiple times.
Gunlance
Drilling attack that can both open and destroy wounds. Automatically releases a Wyrmstake. Press attack again to release the Wyrmstake early.
Switch Axe
Forward slash attack. On wound hit, transitions to fast Wild Swing. Can follow with Power Axe Finisher (Axe Mode) or Elemental Discharge Finisher (Sword Mode).
Charge Blade
Two-hit slash combo. On wound hit, automatically enters Savage Axe Mode. Continue attacking for SAED combo.
Insect Glaive
Leaping thrust followed by kick-back. On wound hit, launches kinsect to deal damage and returns with all three essences.
Light Bowgun
Fires a grenade that explodes on impact and can open wounds. Hold the button to charge for increased damage.
Heavy Bowgun
Launches a delayed explosive missile with piercing damage. During Ignition Mode, can charge Wyvern Howl Shot.
Bow
Fires tracking arrows that home in on wounds and attached Tracer arrows, followed by Dragon Piercer.
Pro Tips for Focus Mode Mastery
- Target tears proactively: Use Focus Strike on white tears to force wounds open faster, especially on heavily armored parts
- Focus Mode ≠ Target Lock: These are separate systems. You can use Focus Mode without locking onto the monster
- Adjust camera mid-attack: While winding up attacks in Focus Mode, you can still move the camera to fine-tune your aim
- Coordinate wound destruction: In multiplayer, call out when you’re about to pop a wound so teammates can prepare their big damage moves
- Watch for last stand: All scars reopen when the monster enters its final enrage—massive damage opportunity
- Use the Flayer skill: This armor skill makes wounds open faster (but doesn’t add extra monster damage)
- Practice on Great Jagras: The training area is fine, but real hunts on easy monsters teach wound timing better
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use Focus Mode to deal good damage?
Not strictly, but you’re leaving significant damage on the table. Focus Mode’s wound highlighting alone makes targeting weak points much easier, and Focus Strikes provide guaranteed stun windows. Even casual players will benefit from learning the basics.
Can I change the Focus Mode keybind on PC?
Yes. Go to System → Options → Keyboard Configuration. Many players rebind Focus Mode to something more accessible than the default Mouse Button 5, especially if their mouse lacks side buttons.
Does Focus Mode work differently for ranged vs melee weapons?
The core mechanics are identical—highlighting wounds, enabling Focus Strikes. However, ranged weapons already aim naturally, so Focus Mode’s targeting feels more intuitive. The main benefit for ranged users is still the wound highlighting and Focus Strike access.
What’s the difference between wounds and weak points?
Weak points are permanent vulnerable areas on the monster (usually head, tail). Wounds are temporary damage opportunities you create by attacking. Both glow red in Focus Mode, but wounds can be destroyed for bonus damage and stuns.
How long do scars last before I can wound that part again?
Scars heal over time during the hunt, but the exact duration varies by monster and difficulty. In longer hunts, you’ll typically get 2-3 wounding cycles per body part. Focus on fresh areas while waiting for scars to clear.
Related Guides
- Elden Ring Nightreign Beginner Guide: 10 Tips to Survive Limveld
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Beginner Guide — Combat, Survival, and Exploration Tips
- Duel Corp Beginner Guide: Master Directional Combat and Classless Builds
Summary
Focus Mode and the wounds system are the foundation of effective combat in Monster Hunter Wilds. By holding L2/LT (or your keybind) to highlight wounds, targeting those glowing red areas, and landing Focus Strikes to destroy them, you’ll deal dramatically more damage and create consistent openings for your best attacks.
Start by practicing on easier hunts until wound targeting becomes second nature. Once Focus Mode clicks, you’ll wonder how you ever hunted without it.
