For a newcomer in Monster Hunter, Wild’s sudden success may seem out of nowhere. However, Capcom has been tweaking the Monster Hunter series, which has been a hugely successful one for global domination over the years. As a result, it has become one of the best-selling games in the series.
With over 1 million simultaneous players on Steam, everyone is playing Monster Hunter Wild. But if you feel like an outsider is watching, and you don’t know how and where to start, I have the secret to maximizing the fun of Monster Hunter with this one simple trick.
In Monster Hunter Wild, players can quickly choose from almost overwhelming weapon weapons, each with their own unique playstyle.
There is temptation – because it is the most iconic weapon of Monster Hunter – first you start using the large sword and switch axes, but these troublesome weapons must be used in a very specific way to prioritize intentional swings instead of brute force. So, gripping is not the easiest thing to do at first. Instead, I would opt for something a little more agile, like a dual blade. This unlocks the world of fast attacks and shelters. The difference is transformational. When maining the big sword, Monster Hunter reflects the thoughtful approach of the battles considered and Dark Souls. Using dual blades, it is reminiscent of combat focused on Devil May Cry’s action.
Certainly, compared to previous Monster Hunter, Wild changes the battles and makes it a little more inline with modern action games. You still need to cover your weapon if you want to heal, but I feel that combat is more intuitive for those who have played action RPGs in the past five years. That said, the main differences and the reasons why you choose the best weapon for the way you play are different from other action RPGs.
The first decision you make defines the experience you have. If your preference is very fast and heavy with combos, then it makes Dante feel like he’s been transported to the Monster Hunter series and go for the dual blades. Dual blades build meters that can attack quickly, dodge quickly, and fully unleash quick combos on fallen enemies.
Conversely, if you prefer something that can take a lot of damage while maintaining defense and maintaining mobility, swords and shields are great starter weapons. Lance is one of the game’s least popular weapons, as it favors defense over flashy attacks, combining both large weapons and shields. That parry and counter attack are not for everyone, but practice gives you a very unique combat experience.
There are also ranged weapons like bowguns. This is equally if not more powerful than melee weapons. If you choose any of these, make sure you pack enough ammunition and have the best ammunition for the particular monster you’re fighting for.
There are 14 weapons each with unique abilities and traits, but they are effectively divided into three main types – speed, quick attack, and deal significant damage in exchange for technical weapons. However, there are also some that sit between these archetypes. Gunlance has range abilities, and the charge blades can be large ax or small blades with button presses, and use insect glaives and hunting horns to obtain unique buffs with the correct corvo.
There are plenty of options, but don’t be overwhelmed. Try all the weapons in the game tutorial before fully committing. Whether you kick the insanity like Dante or prioritize strategies like Dark Souls, you’re definitely finding the one that suits you.
Matt Kim is Passthecontroller’s senior feature editor.
