Monster Hunter World: Beginner's Guide To Hunting Monsters

Hey there, new hunters! Welcome to the vast and exciting world of Monster Hunter World (MHW)! This game can seem a bit daunting at first, with its complex systems and massive creatures. But don't worry, we're here to help you get started. This beginner's guide is packed with Monster Hunter World tips for beginners that will have you slaying monsters and crafting epic gear in no time. We'll cover everything from the basics of combat and exploration to understanding your equipment and preparing for hunts. So, grab your weapon, sharpen your skills, and let's dive into the thrilling world of Monster Hunter!

Getting Started: Understanding the Basics

Alright, first things first, let's get you acquainted with the fundamentals of Monster Hunter World. Think of this section as your basic training course before you head out into the wild. One of the initial things to grasp is how to move around. Your hunter can run, jump, and roll. Rolling is your primary defense. Timing a roll just before a monster's attack will give you invincibility frames, which is critical. Also, remember that you can climb walls and navigate the environment. Another key element is understanding the different weapons and armor. There are 14 unique weapon types, each with its own playstyle. Some are great for close-range combat, while others are better from a distance. Experiment to find what suits you best. Armor provides defense and offers skill bonuses that can significantly impact your hunting effectiveness. Learning how to manage your stamina is also important. Stamina is used for running, dodging, and attacking, and is essential for survival. Keep an eye on your stamina bar, and use items like the Well-done Steak to replenish it. The game world is filled with resources, which are crucial for crafting items and upgrading your gear. Keep your eyes peeled for gathering spots like mining outcrops, bone piles, and plants. Finally, always remember to eat before a hunt! Eating at the canteen provides buffs that can boost your health, stamina, and other useful stats. Choose your meal wisely, depending on your hunting needs. Remember that you can customize your hunter with different hairstyles, faces, and outfits. Don’t hesitate to experiment with the different options available, as the game has some nice cosmetic choices! Before heading out on your first hunt, take some time to explore the training area. This allows you to practice with the various weapons and get a feel for the controls.

Weapon Selection: Finding Your Perfect Match

Choosing a weapon is a big deal in Monster Hunter World. There are 14 different weapon types, and each one has its own unique playstyle and moveset. Let's break down some of the most popular choices for beginners, helping you find the perfect match for your hunting style. For beginners, the Great Sword is an excellent choice. It's slow but hits like a truck, and it's perfect for learning the game's mechanics. The Sword and Shield is a versatile weapon that offers both offense and defense, and it’s easy to use. The Long Sword is a flashy weapon with high mobility and a counter-based playstyle, excellent for those who like to dodge and counter-attack. The Hammer is your blunt-force trauma specialist. It’s ideal for breaking monster parts and stunning them. The Hunting Horn buffs your teammates. If you like supporting your team while dealing damage, give this a shot. Dual Blades are fast-paced, close-range weapons that deliver a flurry of attacks. The Insect Glaive allows you to leap through the air and mount monsters, and is a pretty advanced weapon. The Lance has great defensive capabilities, but it's a bit slow. The Gunlance adds explosive attacks. The Switch Axe switches between axe and sword modes. The Charge Blade is a technical weapon that combines sword and shield with a powerful axe mode. The Light Bowgun is a ranged weapon that offers mobility and versatility. The Heavy Bowgun is a slower, hard-hitting ranged weapon that deals massive damage. The Bow is a ranged weapon that offers mobility and good damage output. Experiment with a few weapons in the training area to get a feel for their controls and playstyles. Try to pick the weapon that matches how you want to play. You'll likely develop preferences as you play the game.

Armor and Gear: Protecting Yourself and Boosting Skills

Once you’ve got your weapon sorted, let's talk about armor and gear! Armor and gear are essential in Monster Hunter World, offering protection against monster attacks and boosting your skills. Armor comes in sets, and each piece offers defense stats and skill points. When you wear multiple pieces of the same set, you can unlock set bonuses that provide additional skills. Skills are special abilities that can greatly impact your hunting effectiveness, such as increased attack power, better defense, or improved item usage. When selecting armor, consider the monsters you'll be facing and the skills that will be most beneficial. For beginners, focus on armor sets that offer good defense and helpful skills. You can acquire armor by defeating monsters and using their materials to craft new sets. As you progress, you'll be able to craft more advanced armor with better skills. It is important to know that you can upgrade your armor to increase its defense. Use armor spheres to enhance your armor's defensive capabilities. The higher the armor's defense, the better protected you'll be. Beyond armor, your gear also includes weapons, charms, and decorations. Weapons determine your attack power and playstyle. Charms provide passive skills. Decorations can be slotted into your armor to add additional skills. Always keep your gear updated and choose the best combination of armor, weapon, charms, and decorations that suit your hunting style and the monsters you're facing. This can involve mixing and matching armor pieces from different sets to create a build that matches your needs.

Hunting Strategies: Slaying Monsters Like a Pro

Alright, now that you know the basics of Monster Hunter World, let's dive into some hunting strategies that will help you slay monsters like a pro. Preparation is key. Before each hunt, gather resources, craft items, and eat at the canteen to get buffs. Identify your target and learn its attack patterns. Observe how the monster moves, what attacks it uses, and the openings you can exploit. Always use the environment to your advantage. Use environmental traps like shock traps, pitfall traps, and flash pods to stun and immobilize monsters. Learn where the monster will be, and try to use the environment to your advantage. Try to focus your attacks on the monster's weak spots, which are areas where you can deal more damage. Pay attention to the monster's behavior. Different monsters have different behaviors and attack patterns. Watch for tells, which are visual or auditory cues that indicate an incoming attack. Use these tells to predict the monster's moves and react accordingly. Utilize different weapons to target a monster’s specific weak points. When a monster is enraged, it becomes more aggressive and deals more damage. Learn how to identify when a monster is enraged and adjust your strategy accordingly. When it comes to healing, use your health potions wisely. Don't be afraid to take a step back and heal when you need to. Also, try to learn how to time your rolls to avoid monster attacks. Learning to dodge attacks is crucial. If you are having trouble with a certain monster, don't be afraid to ask for help from other players. The Monster Hunter community is very helpful. By following these hunting strategies and practicing your skills, you'll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned monster hunter.

Tracking and Scouting: Finding Your Prey

One of the initial things to do while hunting is tracking down your prey. This is the first step in starting your hunt and is key to a successful monster hunt. When you start a quest, you'll need to locate your target monster. To do this, use your Scoutflies. These little insects will guide you toward the monster's tracks and other clues. Collect tracks, footprints, and other traces of the monster's presence. As you collect more clues, the Scoutflies will become more accurate, and eventually lead you to the monster's location. Pay attention to the environment. Often, monsters will leave signs of their presence in the environment, such as broken trees or claw marks. Utilize the Hunter's Notes. The Hunter's Notes contain information about the monsters you've encountered. They offer a good reference for monster weaknesses, behaviors, and rewards. This information is key to your hunting success. Use the map to navigate the areas. Familiarize yourself with the layout of each map, and learn the different paths you can take to track your target. Once you find the monster, use the environment to your advantage. Use environmental traps to stun or immobilize the monster. This will give you an advantage. The key to successful tracking is patience and observation. Take your time, and pay attention to your surroundings, and you'll find your prey. Understanding the monster's path is also important. Some monsters follow set paths, while others roam around the area. Knowing the monster's path can help you predict its movements and set up ambushes.

Combat Tactics: Mastering the Hunt

Now that you know how to find your prey and prepare, let's look at combat tactics in Monster Hunter World. In combat, positioning is very important. Always try to position yourself so that you can see the monster and anticipate its attacks. Try to position yourself to avoid unnecessary damage. Knowing when to attack, and when to defend is critical. Don't be afraid to dodge or block monster attacks. It is all about timing. Learn the monster's attack patterns. Different monsters have different attack patterns. Learning them will help you predict the monster's next move. Be aware of your stamina. If you run out of stamina, you'll be unable to dodge or attack effectively. Use items and environmental factors to your advantage. Use traps, flash pods, and other items to stun or immobilize the monster. Target the monster's weak spots. Every monster has weak spots, which are areas where you can deal more damage. Learn the different weapon combos. Each weapon has its own unique combos that can be used to deal damage. Always use the proper items for the situation. Bring the proper potions, traps, and other items to ensure your survival. Play as a team! If you are playing multiplayer, coordinate with your teammates to take down the monster. Communicate with your teammates, and call out the monster's attacks. Use the environment to your advantage. Take advantage of ledges and other environmental features to gain a tactical advantage. Be patient. Monster Hunter World is a game of patience and skill. Don't get discouraged if you fail. Learn from your mistakes, and keep practicing. With practice, you'll be able to master the hunt.

Crafting and Resources: Building Your Arsenal

Crafting is a core aspect of Monster Hunter World, allowing you to create new weapons, armor, and items. Start by gathering resources. Gather resources from the environment, such as plants, ores, and monster parts. Explore the map for gathering points. When you obtain these resources, you can begin crafting. Many items and equipment can be crafted. Learn the crafting recipes. As you progress through the game, you'll unlock new recipes. Pay attention to the item descriptions. The item descriptions will tell you the resources needed for crafting. Upgrade your equipment. Crafting and upgrading equipment are essential to your success. Visit the Smithy. The Smithy is where you can craft weapons, armor, and other items. The Smithy also allows you to upgrade your gear, which enhances its stats and skills. Pay attention to your inventory. Managing your inventory is important. Make sure you have enough space for resources and items. Use your Palico. Your Palico is your companion. They can gather resources for you, and provide support during hunts. Consider resource management. Always have resources ready. Always be ready for a hunt by crafting the items you need. Utilize the item box. Your item box stores crafting materials. Regularly organize your items. This will help you keep track of your resources and make crafting easier. When crafting, the game will indicate what the item does, so you know exactly what the item is and when to use it.

Resource Gathering: Maximizing Your Yield

Gathering resources is a vital part of Monster Hunter World, and it's essential for crafting and upgrading your gear. When gathering resources, always be aware of the environment around you. The environment may have traps or dangers that you need to avoid. Search areas thoroughly. Explore all areas of the map and look for gathering points. Look for resource-rich areas. Some areas have a higher concentration of resources than others. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for monsters and other dangers while gathering. Utilize your Palico. Your Palico is your companion and can gather resources for you. Take advantage of quests. Quests often provide good rewards, including resources. Upgrade your gathering skills. Certain skills will increase your gathering speed and the amount of resources you gather. Be patient. Gathering resources can be a time-consuming process. Gathering resources is the key to building your arsenal. As you learn the location of resources, you will be able to make better decisions and save time when gathering. Experiment with different gathering methods. Try different gathering methods to see which ones are the most effective. Pay attention to the item descriptions. The item descriptions will tell you what resources are needed for crafting. Make gathering part of your regular gameplay loop. Try to gather resources regularly to ensure that you always have a sufficient supply. Keep track of your inventory. Keep track of what resources you have and what resources you need. By following these tips, you'll be able to maximize your resource gathering and build a powerful arsenal in Monster Hunter World.

The Smithy: Your Crafting Hub

The Smithy is your central crafting hub in Monster Hunter World, where you can craft new weapons, armor, and other useful items. Learn about the features offered at the Smithy. The Smithy provides a variety of features, including crafting, upgrading, and customizing weapons and armor. Visit the Smithy regularly. Check the Smithy regularly for new recipes and items. Utilize the weapon tree. The weapon tree shows the progression of weapons. This will help you plan and choose your upgrades. Use the armor set bonuses. Plan your armor sets to take advantage of set bonuses. Be sure to use decorations. Decorations add skills to your armor, which enhances your performance. Customize your gear. The Smithy lets you customize your gear to match your playstyle. Experiment with different weapon types. Try different weapons to see which one you like best. If you don't know what to build, ask the Smithy for recommendations. The Smithy is a key part of the game. Using the Smithy frequently will enhance your hunts and make you a better hunter. The Smithy plays a pivotal role in your progression. Mastering the Smithy is key to creating and upgrading your equipment. Learning the Smithy is key to succeeding in the game and provides endless possibilities.

Multiplayer and Co-op: Hunting with Friends

Monster Hunter World really shines when you're playing with friends. When playing in co-op mode, you can team up with other hunters to take down powerful monsters and have a blast. You can join your friends and take on quests together. You can also form squads. Squads allow you to join up with other players. This can make coordination much easier. When playing in co-op mode, make sure that you communicate with your teammates. Communication is essential for coordinating attacks and strategies. Coordinate your attacks to maximize damage. Use the monster's weaknesses to your advantage. Try to support your teammates. Use items like healing potions and buffs to support your teammates. Adjust your strategy based on your teammates' weapons and skills. When playing multiplayer, it is essential that you learn to work together. Have fun! Co-op mode is a great way to experience the thrill of monster hunting with your friends. Multiplayer is an essential part of the game, and can be fun with your friends. Make sure that you are prepared. Make sure that you bring the proper items and equipment. Be sure to play fair. Be respectful of your teammates, and don't try to hog all the resources. Try to stick together. Staying close to your teammates will help you to survive and coordinate your attacks. Communicate. Use voice chat or text chat to communicate with your teammates. Coordinate attacks and strategies. Try to plan your attacks so that you hit the monster at the same time. Be a team player! Help your teammates, and celebrate your victories together!

Joining and Hosting Quests: Tips for Group Hunting

Joining and hosting quests is a core part of the multiplayer experience in Monster Hunter World. When hosting a quest, it is your responsibility to set the quest difficulty, monster, and other parameters. When hosting, you can also set restrictions, such as requiring specific weapon types. Ensure you are prepared. Make sure you have the proper items and equipment before you start the hunt. Communicate with your teammates. Communication is essential for coordinating attacks and strategies. When joining a quest, it is your responsibility to select a quest that matches your level. Ensure you are ready. Make sure that you have the proper gear and equipment before you join a hunt. Be patient. Sometimes, it can take a while to find a group. When joining a quest, it is also important to communicate with the host and other hunters. Let them know what you are good at, and what you need help with. It is important to play fair. Be respectful of your teammates, and don't try to hog all the resources. Also, you can change your SOS settings if you would like to have other players join your hunt. You can also set a password if you want to keep the hunt private. Choose a quest that fits your level. Start with quests that are appropriate for your level and experience. Always be aware of your teammates. Coordinate attacks, and watch out for each other. Make sure you know the goals. Before starting a hunt, make sure that everyone understands the goals and objectives. Be patient. When playing multiplayer, it is essential that you are patient. Multiplayer can be extremely fun, and working with your friends and teammates is an excellent way to slay monsters.

Communication and Teamwork: Hunting Effectively Together

Communication and teamwork are the heart of successful hunts in Monster Hunter World. Effective communication is crucial for coordinating your attacks, sharing information, and supporting each other. Use the in-game chat. This feature allows you to type messages to your teammates. Voice chat is the best way to communicate. Using voice chat makes communication much easier. When hunting, let your teammates know what you are doing. If you are going to use a trap or a flash pod, let your teammates know in advance. When playing multiplayer, learn to work together. Coordinate your attacks to maximize damage. Try to watch out for each other. If a teammate is in trouble, help them out. Always use the monster's weaknesses to your advantage. Every monster has its own unique weaknesses. Support each other. Use items like healing potions and buffs to support your teammates. Be positive. Have a positive attitude, and don't get discouraged. Always be respectful of your teammates, and don't try to hog all the resources. It is all about teamwork. Work together, and celebrate your victories together. Hunting is more fun when you hunt with other people. If you have a strategy, share it! Let your teammates know your plans. If you are having trouble with a certain monster, don't be afraid to ask for help from your teammates. Be flexible. Be prepared to adapt to different situations. Learn from your mistakes. Learn from your mistakes, and try to improve. Work together, and you will be a successful hunting team!

Conclusion: Embrace the Hunt!

Well, that wraps up our beginner's guide to Monster Hunter World! We've covered a lot of ground, from the basics of combat and crafting to hunting strategies and teamwork. Now you're ready to head out into the New World and begin your hunting journey! Remember to take things at your own pace, experiment with different weapons and playstyles, and most importantly, have fun. The world of Monster Hunter is vast and full of exciting challenges. The more you play, the more you'll learn and discover. So, keep hunting, keep learning, and keep enjoying the thrill of the hunt. Happy hunting!