Beginner's Guide to Monster Hunter Wilds: Top Tips

Stepping into Monster Hunter Wilds for the first time can feel like stepping into a wild, untamed jungle - exhilarating, but a little daunting. With a vast array of weapons, mechanics and monstrous enemies, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Fear not, fellow hunters! This guide is packed with practical tips and insights to help you make your way through the wilds, combining fresh perspectives with tried-and-tested strategies.

Choosing a weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds is like choosing your trusty sidekick - a big decision, but the game makes it easier by letting you carry two into battle. Newcomers may gravitate towards the sword and shield for their versatility and forgiving learning curve, offering a mix of offence and defence. Want something with more oomph? The Great Sword delivers slow, crushing blows that reward patience and timing. For speed demons, the Dual Blades offer quick combos and mobility, but require stamina management.

Here's a pro tip: head to the training area at the back of your base camp. It's a pressure-free zone where you can test each weapon against a barrel and discover combos that click with your playstyle. Since Wilds allows you to swap weapons mid-hunt via your Seikret (press right on the D-pad), try pairing a melee option like the Hammer (great for stunning) with a ranged choice like the Bow for flexibility. Experiment early - your perfect weapon combo is out there waiting for you!

Armor isn't just about looking cool (although that's a bonus). Early on, you should prioritise boosting your defence stats to survive those first brutal encounters. As you progress, tailor your gear to counter specific threats - think fire-resistant armour for flame-spitting beasts. Endgame players will love chasing set bonuses, which add powerful perks to your build.

Don't sleep on your Palico's equipment either. Upgrading their equipment will keep them in the fight longer, drawing aggro or lending a paw. And as you unlock talismans around ChapterGear Up Smart: Armor and Beyond

Armor isn't just about looking cool (although that's a bonus). Early on, you should prioritise boosting your defence stats to survive those first brutal encounters. As you progress, tailor your gear to counter specific threats - think fire-resistant armour for flame-spitting beasts. Endgame players will love chasing set bonuses, which add powerful perks to your build.

Don't sleep on your Palico's equipment either. Upgrading their equipment will keep them in the fight longer, drawing aggro or lending a paw. And when you unlock Talismans around Chapter 2, use them for extra skills or stat boosts - they are subtle but game-changing. Add decorations to your weapons and armour for fine-tuned effects, such as increasing the exhaust damage of a hammer. Mix and match - decorations aren't one-size-fits-all, so tweak to your heart's content.

Cooking may sound like a chore, but in the Wilds it's your secret weapon. Before each hunt, head to your tent, tab to the grill menu and grill up a meal. Customised meals are easy to master: meat boosts attack, fish boosts defence, and extra ingredients extend the duration of buffs (30-50 minutes). Forget to eat and you'll regret it when a monster claws your health bar to pieces.

Gather ingredients such as herbs, honey and meat from small critters in the field. During the Plentiful Weather phase, your haul will increase, so stock up. Forgotten to cook? Pull out the portable grill for a quick well-done steak - it restores health, stamina and maximum stats in the middle of a battle. Trust me, a full stomach beats a full beating every time.

Your inventory is your lifeline, so stock up on these essentials:

Potions/Mega Potions: Quick health boosts for rookie hunters.

Max Potions: Full heals plus a health boost for emergencies.

Dust of Life: Area-of-effect healing for you and your party.

Antidote/Herbal Medicine: Poison's a bitch; these fix it fast.

Flash Pods: Blind and crash enemy planes for free hits.

Traps/Tranq Bombs: Stun and capture for bonus loot.

Crafting: Press the key in your tent or on the pause menu to mix items such as herbs and honey into potions. Map your go-tos to the radial menu (L1 + d-pad) for instant access. As you explore, grab everything you can; reading item descriptions will build your knowledge base for tougher hunts.

Fighting in the Wilds is a dance - learn the steps and you'll thrive. Healing is universal: draw your weapon (or not, with sword and shield) and pop a potion, or call your Seikret to retreat and recover. For melee combat, use Focus Mode (hold L2) to aim precise strikes at glowing wounds - break them with R1 for high damage and stun.

Use the environment to drop rocks or trigger vine traps for freebies. Keep an eye on your sharpness meter; a dull blade hits like a wet noodle, so sharpen it with a whetstone if you can (Seikret's back is perfect). Mounting is a blast: charge with your Seikret, leap and stab. Brace during bucks, then break wounds for a knockdown. If your health bar flashes red, dodge quickly - a big hit is coming.

Monsters don't have health bars, but a limp or a skull icon on the minimap means they're close to death. Chop off parts for extra loot - use the Monster Field Guide (Info menu) to target them for specific equipment.

Save time with loadouts. Tab to Equipment in your tent, press L3, and save your gear and item setups. Make one for combat, another for gathering (think Botanist skill), and swap on the fly. It's a little trick with a big payoff. 

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