Just getting started in Monster Hunter Wilds? Here’s the ultimate beginner guide with must-know settings, early-game tips, and combat tricks to help you get started the right way.
Monster Hunter Wilds is finally here, and the launch has been nothing short of incredible. With over 1 million concurrent players on Steam within hours of release, it’s clear that this is one of the biggest games of the year. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just getting into Monster Hunter for the first time, there’s a lot to take in.
This guide is here to help you hit the ground running. We’ll go over important settings to change, essential early-game tips, and combat mechanics that will make your life much easier. Let’s get started!
Best Monster Hunter Wilds Settings to Change Right Away
Before jumping into the action, tweaking a few settings will make the game way more enjoyable. Here’s what you need to adjust:
1. Turn Off Seikret Auto-Explore
Your Seikret (mount) has an auto-explore feature that constantly moves it around, even when you don’t want it to. This makes it frustrating when you just want to stay in one place. Go to Game Settings, then switch to Page 3 and you’ll find the “Seikret Auto-explore” setting.
Turn this off so you have full control over where you go.
2. Increase Camera Distance Zoom
The default camera is zoomed in too much, making it hard to see what’s happening, especially in big fights. Go into Camera Settings > Page 2 > Camera Distance Zoom, and set it all the way up to 10. This makes a huge difference in visibility.
3. Disable Auto-Sheath
By default, your character will automatically put away their weapon after a few seconds of not attacking. This is super annoying in the middle of fights. Go to Controls > Page 1 > Auto-Sheath and turn it off so your weapon stays out when you need it.
4. Turn Off Monster Sighting Camera
The first time you see a monster, the game forces a zoom-in cutscene. That’s cool the first time, but after a while, it gets old. Go to Camera Settings > Page 4 > Monster Sighting Camera and turn it off so you can stay focused on the fight.
Must-Know Monster Hunter Wilds Early Game Tips
Once your settings are in order, here are some essential tips to help you get started:
5. Claim Your Bonus Items
If you played previous Monster Hunter games or the beta, you’re eligible for free bonus items! Head over to Conut (the Support Desk cat) at your base camp to claim them. These include extra healing items, materials, and even cosmetic gear.
These freebies might not seem like much at first, but they can make a noticeable difference in the early game when resources are scarce.
6. Equip Your Free Layered Armor
Even though you won’t unlock full layered armor right away, you can still equip any cosmetics you got from the deluxe edition or other bonuses. Go to Base Camp Menu > Appearance Manu > Equipment Appearance to access your free outfits.
This not only lets you personalize your character’s look early on, but it also allows you to experiment with different visual styles while waiting to unlock full customization options.
7. Upgrade Your Starter Gear ASAP
Your starting weapon and armor might seem decent at first, but upgrading them early on can give you a noticeable edge in combat. Early upgrades improve your damage output, and defense, and even add helpful weapon-specific skills.
Some weapons have critical hit bonuses, sharpness improvements, or speed buffs, which can drastically change how they perform. Even if you don’t plan on using a weapon long-term, upgrading it can make your early fights much smoother.
8. Use the D-Pad to Find Gathering Spots
Gathering materials is a core part of Monster Hunter Wilds. Whether it’s ore for upgrading weapons or plants for crafting potions, knowing where to find materials quickly is essential. Press right on the D-pad to open the Filters list. Then, select the Filters Icon > Press Triangle > Select Gathering, which highlights useful resource locations.
This makes it way easier to track down important materials without wandering aimlessly.
9. Always Pick Up Honey
Honey is one of the most important early-game resources because it’s used to craft Mega Potions. Without honey, you’ll have to rely on weaker healing items, which can put you at a disadvantage in longer fights.
Any time you see a honey gathering spot, grab it, it’ll save you in tough battles.
10. How to Change the Weather
Can you change the weather in Monster Hunter Wilds? Yes! To do so, go to the Base Camp Menu > BBQ Menu > Rest. Under here, you’ll be able to change the Environment settings to your liking, as well as the Time of Day. Changing this setting costs 300 Guild Points.
Keep in mind, that you may need to progress the storyline a bit in order to unlock this setting.
How to Use Your Seikret (Mount) Effectively in Monster Hunter Wilds
Your Seikret isn’t just for riding around, it has some hidden tricks that will make your hunts way smoother.
11. Call Your Seikret to Escape Attacks
If you get knocked down during a fight, press Up on the D-Pad to call your Seikret. It will pick you up automatically and you can move around quickly, which can save your life. This is especially useful if you’re knocked down in a dangerous spot where a monster is about to follow up with another attack.
12. Use the Quick Turn for Faster Movement
Holding R2 (or the stop button) lets you do a fast 180° turn. This is a game-changer when navigating tight areas or repositioning quickly in combat.
Monster Hunter Wilds Cooking & Food Buffs: What You Need to Know
Eating before a hunt is just as important as your gear. Here’s how to get the most out of your meals:
13. Always Use the Recommended Meal
This ensures you get a good balance of attack and defense buffs. Custom meals are great too, but for starters, stick to the recommended meal to avoid wasting ingredients.
14. Take Advantage of Village Feasts
These give you a 60-minute food buff with extra skills. If a feast is available, always take it before heading out. The buffs gained from these meals can provide a significant advantage in tougher hunts, making you more resilient and increasing your overall survivability.
15. Gather Unique Ingredients for Special Buffs
Different locations in Monster Hunter Wilds have rare ingredients that grant unique buffs. Some increase stamina regeneration, while others improve resistance to certain status effects. Be on the lookout for these and stock up whenever you can.
Monster Hunter Wilds Combat Tips That Will Make Your Hunts Easier
Now that you’re geared up and well-fed, here are some combat tips to help you take down monsters more effectively.
16. Use Focus Mode (Aim Lock) with Toggle Setting
Focus Mode lets you lock onto a monster, making it easier to track its movements and aim your attacks. However, the default setting requires you to hold down the button, which can be uncomfortable over long fights. Instead, go to Controls > Aim/Focus Mode Control and set it to Toggle.
This way, you only need to press the button once to activate it, freeing up your fingers for dodging and attacking.
17. Use Focus Mode to Close the Distance
One of the lesser-known benefits of Focus Mode is that it slightly increases your forward movement during attacks. This means if you’re just outside a monster’s range, activating Focus Mode before attacking can push you closer, allowing you to land hits more consistently.
Use this to your advantage when chasing down a moving target.
18. Attack Wounded Areas for Maximum Damage
As fights progress, monsters will develop wounded spots where they’ve taken repeated damage. These areas act as weak points, meaning your attacks will deal significantly more damage if you target them.
Always prioritize these wounded spots whenever possible.
19. Learn Offset Attacks to Counter Monsters
Some weapons have Offset Attacks, which let you counter an enemy’s attack with your own. If timed correctly, these counters can stagger the monster, giving you a huge advantage.
20. Take Advantage of Monster Knockdowns
If a monster gets knocked down, this is your chance to unleash your strongest attacks. Heavy weapons like Greatswords and Hammers are best suited for landing massive hits during knockdowns, while faster weapons like Dual Blades and Longswords can rack up combos.
Whenever a monster falls, go all in before it gets back up.
Monster Hunter Wilds is packed with mechanics to learn, but these starter tips should make your first few hours way smoother. Remember to tweak your settings, upgrade your gear, and use your Seikret wisely to stay ahead of the game.
While you’re here, make sure to check out our Monster Hunter Wilds hub for more guides, tips & tricks for the game.
