Ultimate Beginner's Guide: How to Start Strong | Monster Hunter Rise | MHR (MH Rise)

This is a complete beginner's guide to Monster Hunter Rise (MH Rise) on the Nintendo Switch and PC. Check here for the best beginner weapons, armor, beginner tips and tricks to start hunting strong!

Best Starter Weapons

Monster Hunter Rise boasts a total of 14 weapon types, each with its unique combos and moves. Some combos could be hard to execute even for veteran gamers but with enough practice it can be achieved.

Below are the weapon types we think are best for beginner players of MH Rise:

Best Starter Weapons
Long Sword	Hunting Horn	Light Bowgun	Dual Blades

For a more in depth breakdown on the best starter weapons check out our full article below!
Best Starter Weapons

Individual Weapon Guides

All Weapon Guides
Great Sword	Long Sword	Sword and Shield	Dual Blades
Hammer	Hunting Horn	Lance	Gunlance
Switch Axe	Charge Blade	Insect Glaive	Bow
Light Bowgun		Heavy Bowgun

If you're just looking for the best weapon overall, head over to our Weapon Tier list page to see how we've ranked each weapon type in Monster Hunter Rise.

Weapon Tier List

Monster Hunter Gameplay Loop

Hunt Monsters for Materials

While the majority of quests require you to hunt a single target monster, there are also multi-target hunts. Gathering and delivery quests exist as well.

List of All Monsters

Craft Stronger Gear

After hunting or successfully defeating a monster, the materials you gather can be used to make stronger armor and weapons at the Smithy. You can also improve your Buddies' equipment!

Raise Your Hunter Rank

After every hunt, your Hunter Rank (HR) will increase passively. The higher your HR, the more challenging quests and monsters are made available to you!

Once you finish enough Low Rank quests, you can gain access to High Rank quests.

How to Unlock High Rank

Beginner Tips

Jump to a section!
Training Quests
Try to Master One Weapon
Adjust Your Settings
Always Take Supply Items
Use the Wirebug
Always Wyvern Ride Monsters!
Always Ride the Palamute
Interact with Spiribirds
Capturing Monsters
Always Eat Dangos

Fundamentals with Training Quests

Remember to go through the Back to Basics Training Quest, as Master Utsushi teaches you what you need to know to hunt Monsters efficiently.

Try to Master One Weapon

For a beginner, we recommend mastering one weapon at a time just to have a go-to weapon whenever you are in a pinch. You can always master other weapons later.

Adjust Your Settings

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Some settings can be tweaked in the game and could be a game-changer for some people.

For example, Monster Hunter World veterans are more comfortable with Focus Camera while older Monster Hunter vets welcomed the return of the Lock-on Camera.

List of Settings and Recommendations

Always Take Supply Items

Supply chests are always at the main camp of each locale. These usually contain Rations, First Aid-Meds, Traps, and Ammos & Coatings. What shows in the supply chest would always depend on the quest you are taking. The game assists you by providing appropriate supplies for each quests.

Use the Wirebug

The Wirebug is one of the recent additions in Monster Hunter Rise. It allows you to quickly pull yourself towards a direction. It can be used to climb high terrains, dodge monster attacks, and even as an attack!

How to Use Wirebugs

Always Wyvern Ride Monsters

Riding monsters is extremely useful! It allows you to either force a fight between two monsters, making them deal damage to each other, or slam the monster into a wall and momentarily stun the monster, giving you a window of opportunity to launch your strongest attacks.

Wyvern Riding:
How to Mount and Ride Monsters

Ride the Palamute

The Palamutes are your trusty canine companions in Monster Hunter Rise. Aside from aiding you in battle, the Palamutes can also be mounted. With their dashes, they will allow you to quickly navigate the map.

What Are Palamutes?

Riding Also Allows For Easy Sharpening

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For melee weapon users, sharpening has always been a big issue because the monsters can attack you while you're defenseless. But now you can sharpen and move around while on the Palamute!

How to Use the Whetstone

Interact with Endemic Life for Buffs

Interact and collect Endemic Life, such as Permabuffers (Spiribirds) and Temp Buffers (Butterflame) while in quest. These can aid you by providing buffs to your current stats.

List of Endemic Life

Capturing Monsters

If you need to capture a monster for a quest instead of slaying it, remember that you will need at least two Tranq Bombs and a trap (either a Pitfall Trap or a Shock Trap).

You can trap the monster first then deploy two Tranq Bombs or the other way around. The important thing is using two Tranq Bombs and a trap!

How to Capture Monsters:
Capture vs. Kill

Remember to Always Eat Dangos

Before you embark on a quest you must eat dangos at the canteen for your health and other status buffs and bonuses.

Do not worry if you have forgotten to eat, going to any camp in the locale lets you order Dangos during quests.

List of Dangos and Effects

What If I Cannot Defeat A Monster?

Learn Monster Attack Patterns

Most great hunters know monster attack patterns by heart that a single movement can give them an idea of the next move!

Monster List and Hunt Guides

Practice in the Training Area

Being good in Monster Hunter is like playing an instrument - it requires patience and rigorous practice. Remember, veteran players started as beginners—they only got good because of perseverance!

If you want to practice weapon combos, go to the Training Area in the game!

Training Area Guide

Hunt with Friends via Multiplayer

If you are really at the end of your wits, try asking for help. Monster Hunter is a cooperative game so it is built to be played with other people.

However in Monster Hunter Rise, Village Quests are exclusive to singleplayer, so look to Hub Quests for multiplayer quests!

You may also look for people to hunt within Multiplayer Boards and groups. The Monster Hunter Community is a pretty helpful bunch so do not hesitate to ask for help.

How to Play Online and Local Multiplayer

Monster Hunter Rise Related Links

All Tips & Tricks

All Tips and Tricks