Your First Hunt Starts Here
Monster Hunter Wilds drops you into a vast, dynamic world where towering beasts roam and every hunt is a test of preparation and skill. After 60+ hours in the Forbidden Lands, here’s everything new hunters need to know to survive — and thrive — in Capcom’s most ambitious Monster Hunter yet.
Quick Summary:
- Start with Sword and Shield or Long Sword for easier learning
- Always eat at camp before every hunt
- Focus on upgrading armor before weapons early game
- Use your Seikret mount for traversal and restocking
- Don’t rush — observe monster patterns first
Table of Contents
- Choose Your First Weapon Wisely
- Master the Combat Fundamentals
- Your Seikret is Your Best Friend
- Hunt Preparation Essentials
- Early Game Progression Path
- Understanding Focus Mode
- Co-op and SOS Flares
- FAQ
Choose Your First Weapon Wisely
Monster Hunter Wilds features 14 weapon types, each with unique movesets and playstyles. As a beginner, some weapons offer gentler learning curves:
Best starter weapons:
- Sword and Shield — Fast attacks, can use items while unsheathed, great mobility
- Long Sword — Balanced reach and damage, satisfying counter mechanics
- Dual Blades — Aggressive, fast-paced, good for learning monster openings
Avoid as first weapon:
- Charge Blade — Complex mechanics require understanding fundamentals first
- Hunting Horn — Song management adds extra complexity
- Gunlance — Shelling mechanics and slow movement punish positioning errors
Visit the Training Area to test every weapon before committing. You can switch weapons freely — there’s no penalty for experimenting.
Master the Combat Fundamentals
Combat in Monster Hunter Wilds rewards patience over aggression. Every monster has tells before attacks — learn to read them.
Core combat rules:
- Sheathe to heal — You can’t use potions with weapon drawn (except Sword and Shield)
- Dodge has i-frames — Time your rolls through attacks, not away from them
- Stamina management — Never let stamina fully deplete; you’ll be vulnerable
- Hit and run — Get 2-3 hits, dodge out, repeat. Greed kills hunters.
Targeting weak points:
Monsters take more damage on specific body parts (usually head, tail, or wings). Watch for orange damage numbers — that’s a weak point. The new Focus Mode highlights these areas clearly.
Your Seikret is Your Best Friend
The Seikret mount is new to Wilds and transforms how you hunt. This isn’t just transportation — it’s a mobile base.
Seikret capabilities:
- Fast travel — Traverse the massive maps quickly
- Item restocking — Access your item box from the saddle
- Weapon switching — Change weapons mid-hunt without returning to camp
- Auto-follow — Set it to track monsters while you manage inventory
Your Seikret can be customized with different gear that provides bonuses. Prioritize stamina and speed upgrades early.
Hunt Preparation Essentials
A prepared hunter is a successful hunter. Never enter a hunt without:
Always bring:
- Mega Potions (10) — Stronger healing than regular potions
- Max Potions (2) — Full heal + temporary max HP boost
- Antidotes or Herbal Medicine — Many early monsters inflict poison
- Well-Done Steaks — Stamina recovery
- Trap Tools + Thunderbugs/Nets — For capturing monsters
Always eat before hunting:
Camp meals provide massive buffs to health, stamina, attack, and defense. The Dango system from Rise returns — eat for skills that match your weapon or the monster you’re fighting.
Early Game Progression Path
Focus on these priorities in order:
1. Complete Village Quests first
Village quests are solo-scaled and teach mechanics gradually. Don’t skip to Hub quests — they’re harder and expect you to know the basics.
2. Upgrade armor before weapons
Defense keeps you alive. A weapon upgrade adds maybe 10% damage; an armor upgrade can mean surviving one more hit. That hit is often the difference between carting and completing.
3. Unlock camps and fast travel points
Each map has multiple camps. Finding them makes hunts significantly easier — you can restock and respawn closer to the action.
4. Gather everything
Herbs, honey, bugs, ore — collect it all. You’ll need these materials for potions, traps, and equipment upgrades. The Seikret can auto-gather while you ride.
Understanding Focus Mode
Focus Mode is Wilds’ signature new mechanic. When activated:
- Time slows briefly
- Weak points glow on the monster
- Your attacks become Focus Strikes with bonus damage
- Wounds you create become permanent weak points
How to use effectively:
Focus Mode drains a gauge that refills over time. Don’t spam it — save Focus Strikes for big openings when the monster is staggered or recovering from an attack. Creating wounds compounds your damage for the entire hunt.
Co-op and SOS Flares
Monster Hunter shines in multiplayer. Here’s how it works in Wilds:
SOS Flares:
Fire an SOS flare during any quest to open it to random players. Useful when you’re struggling, but monster HP scales up with more players.
Lobbies:
Join or create lobbies to hunt with friends or find groups for specific monsters. Coordinated teams are far more effective than randoms.
Multiplayer etiquette:
- Don’t wake sleeping monsters without coordinating (someone should place bombs)
- Bring Lifepowder to heal teammates
- Call out traps before placing them
- If you cart twice, play more defensively
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best early game armor set?
The Chatacabra set offers solid defense and Health Boost, perfect for learning. Upgrade to Doshaguma pieces once you can farm it comfortably.
Should I capture or kill monsters?
Capture when possible — it ends hunts faster and often gives better/more rewards. Use traps when the monster is limping (blue icon on map).
How do I get more Zenny (money)?
Sell excess monster materials, complete optional quests, and gather trade-in items during expeditions. Don’t hoard materials you’ll never use.
What are Decorations?
Decorations slot into armor to add skills. You’ll unlock them after progressing through the story. Early game, focus on armor with built-in skills you want.
How long is the main story?
Around 30-40 hours if you focus on story quests. Completionists can expect 100+ hours including all optional content and endgame.
Summary
Monster Hunter Wilds is challenging but fair. Every failed hunt teaches you something. Start with an approachable weapon, prepare thoroughly, use your Seikret efficiently, and learn one monster at a time. The Forbidden Lands have plenty to discover — take your time and enjoy the hunt.
Good luck, hunter. The Guild is counting on you.
