Monster Hunter: World (PS4, Xbox, PC) offers a steep learning curve, even for series veterans. To make your start in the new installment easier, our author and complete beginner Robert presents you with 18 tips he wishes he had known beforehand!
Monster Hunter: World explains more than previous installments, but you have to figure out a lot on your own. Although there are tutorials that explain the basic mechanics of the game, you won’t really get smart from them – especially if you’ve never played any installment of the series before.
As the difficulty increases noticeably early in the game, we now present you with 18 tips that would have made my start much easier. The tips are aimed at newcomers and veterans alike. Some tips cover mechanics that have never been in a Monster Hunter before!
Tip 1: Set up controller settings before starting the game
For console players: You cannot change the controller settings directly at game start. This is only possible after a certain point in the campaign. As soon as you first make your way to the base camp, you can adjust the settings. Just press the options button and go to the settings. Here you can reassign the buttons.
Are you playing with inverted axes? Make sure to set this before starting the game. Without wanting to reveal story-relevant details: You will thank me!
For PC players: You can either play with a mouse and keyboard or connect a controller. It is always possible to freely change the key assignments. You will find this option in the settings.
Tips for the base camp in Monster Hunter World
The base camp is somewhat like the hub of the game. Here you take on new quests, buy items, and can exchange ideas with other players online. In your personal space, you can manage your inventory and practice with your weapons.
To help you keep track in the city, we have put together a few tips for you that will make it easier to get started and navigate.
Tip 2: Always talk to all NPCs
The city is home to a variety of people going about their business. Since the story of Monster Hunter World is not served to you on a silver platter, always talk to everyone in the city as soon as you return from a main quest.
Some NPCs often have an exclamation mark above their heads. This signifies an optional quest, which you should always accept! Why? Many optional quests provide you with improvements such as armor spheres for upgrading your gear, new recipes in the canteen, and research points!
Tip 3: Visit the forge after each quest
Create new armor and weapons from monster materials: After successfully completing a quest and gathering materials from the slain monster, you should head directly to the forge. From the remains of large monsters, you can always craft special armor sets that further enhance your defense.
While you won’t be able to assemble the complete armor right away, you will receive upgrades after every mission. Additionally, you can improve the attributes of your armor using armor spheres. You often receive armor spheres as rewards from quests and side missions. With these, you can enhance the defensive stats of your armor.
You will spend a lot of time in the forge, so visit it as often as possible!
Tip 4: All weapons can be tried out in the training area
In the city, you have access to a dedicated room, complete with a loot chest and household Palico. The housekeeper is also your contact for the training area. Here you can try out all the weapons you own.
Practical: The various combos possible with the weapon will be displayed directly. If you’re a beginner and have no idea which weapon to start with, it’s recommended to test all available weapons thoroughly at first.
Tip 5: Go on expeditions!
To try out your new skills, simply start an expedition. Here, you don’t have to fulfill a specific quest; you can just hunt freely.
Expeditions have neither goals nor time limits – you can try out weapons, collect items, catch insects, or simply enjoy the scenery.
Tip 6: The gathering hub is the gateway to multiplayer!
In the gathering hub, you can see other players: Don’t want to venture into the adventure alone? Visit the gathering hub in the base! This serves as a social hub where you can connect with other hunters and form a group to hunt together in co-op.
You will find the gathering hub at the top level of the base camp (Level 4F). You can also just take the elevator. This can be found at central points in the camp and is identifiable by the thick chains leading up and down.
Fight together in the arena: And why not use the arena to practice group play? There, your hunters will receive advanced equipment, and you can fight directly against a boss monster. You can even earn rewards for victory.
Tip 7: Pet Poogie
Just do it; it will definitely bring something.
The little pig roams freely around the village. When you see Poogie, interact with him. If an exclamation mark appears above Poogie’s head, you need to press a button at the right moment. Poogie will then happily jump around and little hearts will circle around the pig. Once the hearts appear, Poogie will follow you step by step through the village.
According to the “Monster Hunter” legend, Poogie possesses special powers and is a lucky pig. It is possible to pet Poogie or even pick him up and carry him around. Those who cuddle with Poogie before the hunt are said to have an increased chance of finding rare items when carving monsters. However, this is just a rumor, and the developers remain silent on whether Poogie is truly a lucky pig or not.
Quests in Monster Hunter: World
Monster Hunter: World features hundreds of quests, side missions, and gathering quests. So it’s not always about hunting big creatures; you will often be sent to collect certain plants or mushrooms.
Many aspects of the quest system can be overlooked if you’re not paying close attention. With our tips, you will be well prepared!
Tip 8: Always eat before starting any quest!
Use the canteen in Astera or at the camp: As soon as you start a quest or side mission, you will land at a small camp on the map. A little away from the tent, you will find four stools where you can eat. You should always take advantage of this opportunity. You can also choose the canteen in Astera.
A full stomach brings various bonuses. Among other things, you can choose from the following buffs:
- Increased attack power
- Increased defense
- Increased elemental resistance
Additionally, some dishes increase your stamina and health. An invaluable advantage in battle!
Tip 9: Loot the chest in the camp!
Don’t make the same mistake I did by ignoring the chest in the camp once you start a quest. This chest doesn’t contain your equipment, as I believed for much too long, but helpful items that will serve you well during missions.
Use useful consumables: In addition to healing items, there may also be poisoned daggers or other useful things that give a first hint on how to approach the quest boss. You find poison daggers in the chest? Why not try out how the boss reacts to that!
You can of course change your equipment, just head to the tent in the middle of the camp! By the way, you can fast travel to base camps at any time outside of battle. Just click on the corresponding spot on the map.
Tip 10: Pay attention to the mission timer!
Quests in Monster Hunter: World come with a timer. If the time runs out without fulfilling the quest, you will have to return to the base camp and think about what you did wrong. To avoid this, always keep an eye on the clock displayed at the top left.
Expeditions have no restrictions: If, like me, you waste half an hour at first, you will find it hard to complete the quest in the given time. If you want to collect materials at leisure, start an expedition. This is possible at any time from the base camp. Just leave the city without taking a quest.
Tip 11: The egg timer announces the end of the mission!
Did you send your opponent to the afterlife after a long battle? Congratulations! However, if you dawdle afterward, you might regret it. After defeating the quest target, you have exactly 60 seconds to carve the fallen opponent.
Always carve the monsters with your knife: So try not to get distracted! The top priority is collecting materials from the boss monster. Because from these resources, you can forge new armors or improve weapons.
If you don’t manage to do this within the 60 seconds, you’re out of luck and the material is lost.
General combat tips for Monster Hunter: World
The core of the game is hunting dangerous and monstrous creatures. You will find these all around the game and they will challenge your skills. To ensure you don’t frequently faint, the following tips are essential for survival.
Tip 12: Use the whetstone regularly!
The whetstone can be used an infinite number of times: The whetstone should be a familiar mechanic for veterans. While the whetstone was limited in earlier installments, you can use it as often as you want in Monster Hunter: World. With the whetstone, you sharpen your weapons that become dull and blunt during a fight.
Some weapons need to be sharpened more frequently than others – even during a battle. Always keep an eye on the weapon indicator at the top left of the screen. If the weapon is freshly sharpened, the weapon indicator will appear green. With continuous use, this color will turn yellow and finally red.
Now you should quickly sharpen your weapon. Find a suitable cover during a fight or wait until the monster flees. Boss battles in Monster Hunter: World are divided into several phases. Especially utilize the “calm phases” for this. You don’t have to chase right away.
Weapon sharpening in Monster Hunter World explained – here’s how to improve it
Tip 13: Help, the monsters have no health bar!
When attacking a creature in Monster Hunter: World, you will quickly realize that it has no health bar. Fortunately, Capcom has implemented other indicators that allow you to gauge the remaining health of the opponent.
Is the monster showing signs of weakness? Observe the monster – is it limping? Are wounds visible on its body? Are its movements uncoordinated? All of these are sure signs that you’ve seriously injured your opponent.
If your opponent makes its way to its nest, the last phase of the fight is upon you. The monster is so badly injured that it needs to retreat and regenerate. A seriously injured beast can be recognized by the skull symbol on the map, which has replaced the normal monster symbol.
Tip 14: Those on the ground are invulnerable!
You’ve taken a series of heavy hits and were knocked down by the opponent? Don’t get up right away! Especially if you took severe damage, any further hit could lead to fainting.
So stay down until the monster turns its attention elsewhere. Because as long as you’re down, you’re invulnerable. Your character will automatically get back up after a few seconds.
This “playing dead tactic” unfortunately doesn’t work if you’re dazed. If you’ve taken particularly hard hits, you’ll automatically get back up after being knocked out and hold your head. You can recognize whether your character is dazed by the symbol above the health bar. It contains two stars and leaves you defenseless for a brief moment.
Tip 15: Always investigate monster tracks!
You will encounter large monster tracks all over the Monster Hunter: World map. When you investigate such a track for the first time, you will see a progress bar on the right side of the screen.
If you investigate more tracks, the progress bar will fill up and eventually level up. The bar represents the level of the scout flies that guide you. What do you gain from this?
- The higher the level, the more efficiently your scout flies will track the monster.
- Additionally, this is your way to discover the strengths and weaknesses of the monsters. By researching the monster tracks, you gradually unlock entries in a monster encyclopedia.
Once you reach the maximum scout level of the monster, you can select the creature directly on the map from the bottom left and mark it with a waypoint!
Tip 16: Keep an eye on your stamina!
Your character consumes stamina when sprinting and using certain attacks – and much more during a fight. When you ride a monster, you will continuously lose stamina. So keep a close eye on the bar, as you will be thrown off as soon as it runs out. The stamina bar is yellow and is located at the top left, beneath your health bar.
Cook yourself a juicy steak: Stamina regenerates over time, but the maximum value of the stamina bar decreases over time. You can increase the maximum value of the stamina bar by consuming grilled steaks or other food.
Tip 17: Craft mega potions
These greatly refill the health bar. You only need potions and honey, which you should find in the area.
Tip 18: Loot the severed body parts of monsters!
Some body parts of monsters can be broken or severed. If you manage to cut off a tail, make sure to remember where it lies. You can loot the body parts for additional loot.
More tips for Monster Hunter World:
- Here are all weapon classes in Monster Hunter World
- Monster Hunter World: How to capture monsters
- How to play together with others in Monster Hunter World
- Monster Hunter World: All high-rank armors
- How to quickly earn Zenny, the money of Monster Hunter World
- Anjanath Guide: How to defeat the beast!
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