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Monster Hunter World (MHW)
Beginner's Guide | How to Play MHW
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Welcome to our complete beginner's guide for Monster Hunter World (MHW). Read on to find different tips and tricks for how to get up and running in the game or refresh your memory if you're a veteran player!
List of Contents
All Beginner Guides
Monster Hunter World Guides
Stat Guides
| Stat Guides | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Does Attack Do? | What Does Defense Do? | What Does Elemental Resistance Do? | |||
| What Does Affinity Do? | What Does Elemental Attack Do? | What is Elderseal? | |||
How to Track Grimalkynes
| Grimalkyne Tribes | ||
|---|---|---|
| All Grimalkyne Tribes and Rewards | ||
| Bugtrappers | Protectors | Troupers |
| Plunderers | Gajalaka | Boaboa |
Tips for Beginners
Choose Your Name Carefully
Your character and Palico name cannot be changed once confirmed so make sure you pick a name that you want to stick with for the rest of the game.
You Can Change Your Appearance Later
After you create your character you can change things like their hair, make up, etc, later on. To change more aspects of your character's appearance you will need to use a Character Edit Voucher, the first of which you can obtain for free.
Keep in mind that using a Character Edit Voucher will not allow you to change your Palico's appearance.
Close Range Weapons Recommended for Beginners
Using close range weapons is recommended for beginners to practice the Monster Hunter tradition of hit and run tactics. The Sword & Shield or Great Sword are especially good for this and provide high damage output with general ease of use for those just starting out.
On the ranged weapon side of things, the Bow is a good choice. Bowguns can be more complicated and require you to change out ammo types so stick with the Bow until you get used to how ranged weapons work.
Progress Through the Story and Raise Your Hunter Rank
Complete Assigned Quests
You can generally proceed through the story by finishing Assigned Quests so this is the best place to start.
As you clear Assigned Quests your Hunter Rank (HR) will rise allowing you to take on even higher level quests. There are a lot of quests that can't be done without a high enough HR so your first order of business should be to clear these out.
Take On the Strongest Monsters
Once your HR is high enough, you can take on strong monsters like Arch-Tempered Monsters or Behemoth. These foes are difficult to take down without the right gear so raise your HR and forge powerful gear before taking them on.
Things to Do while Progressing
Prepare Items Before a Hunt
The variety of monsters in Monster Hunter can be overwhelming. To enjoy easier hunts, it is recommended for new players to find out information regarding the monsters before they set out on a hunt.
Each monster has different mechanics and weaknesses tied to them. Be sure to prepare the proper items and gear to make your hunts easier!
List of All Monsters and Strategies
Farm for a Variety of Gear
Monster parts gained from hunts and quest rewards can be used to make armor and weapons. Be sure to thoroughly read through the equipment effects in order to prepare for future hunts.
Refrain from Using Guardian Armor
Guardian Armor is a free set of armor given to players at the start of the game. Players begin the game with it equipped, and it boasts massive defense boosts.
However, it is recommended to play the early game without relying on the Guardian set. Overuse of the set can cause players to rush through the early game, failing to experience certain features and the different interactions between monsters, items, and equipment.
Craft and Upgrade the Earplugs Charm
Every monster has a roar attack, which will stagger players. For this, it is recommended to upgrade the Earplugs effect to Level 3 in order to withstand roars in the earlier stages of the game.
Earplugs Effects and Required Equipment
Upgrade the Ancient Tree
The Ancient Tree is a farming mechanic that allows players to gain resources between hunts. We recommend doing the quests related to the ancient tree as you progress, so that players can have a strong and unlimited supply of Mega Potions and other crafting materials.
If You Struggle With the Story
Restock on Items
When you have trouble completing a quest, make sure you have the right items on hand before trying again. Bring recovery items like Potions or Mega Potions to keep yourself alive when your health is low.
When going up against flying monsters like Rathalos, bringing Slinger Ammo like the Flash Pod can make things much easier on you.
Recommended Items
| Item | How to Obtain |
|---|---|
| Potion | Purchased from the Provisions Stockpile |
| Mega Potion | Combine a Potion with Honey |
| Ration | Cook Raw Meat with the BBQ Spit |
| Antidote | Purchased from the Provisions Stockpile |
| Large Barrel Bomb | Purchased from the Provisions Stockpile |
| Flash Pod | Crafted from Flashbugs |
| Shock Trap | Combine a Trap Tool with a Thunderbug |
| Pitfall Trap | Combine a Net with a Trap Tool |
Eat at the Canteen For Stat Boosts
It's highly recommended to eat up at the Canteen before taking on a quest. Each meal will both boost your HP and stamina as well as provide other boosts to attack or defense that can aid you in your hunt.
As you're starting out there's no need to try and create your own meals so just focus on increasing your health with the preset platters.
Canteen Ingredients | Food Guide
Call For Help if Going it Alone is Too Tough
When firing an SOS flare, you can receive help from another player online. If you find yourself in a pinch, get help from another player to move on.
You can fire an SOS flare as soon as a quest begins by selecting Fire SOS flare from the Quest menu.
Give Your Palico Weapons With Status Ailments
Your Palico can equip a variety of weapons, but those that can inflict status ailments are most highly recommended. Specifcally the Kitt-of-the-Valley Rod which can inflict paralysis or the Felyne Baan Ball that can inflict sleep, helping your hunt go more smoothly.
Create 3★ Equipment or Upgrade Armor
As you progress through the story, you'll encounter strong monsters like Tobi-Kadachi and Anjanath that can be difficult to defeat on your first try. To aid in your fight, you should make stronger armor or upgrade your existing armor with Armor Spheres before taking them on again.
Recommended 1★ and 2★ Equipment
| Head | Bone Helm | |
|---|---|---|
| Torso | Bone Mail | |
| Arms | Alloy Vambraces | |
| Waist | Jagras Coil | |
| Feet | Alloy Greaves | |
| Skills | ||
| Attack Boost Level 1 | Defense Boost Level 1 | |
| Health Boost Level 1 | Fortify Level 1 | |
| Speed Sharpening Level 1 | - | |
Recomended 3★ Equipment
| Head | Rathian Helm | |
|---|---|---|
| Torso | Butterfly Thorax/King Beetle Thorax | |
| Arms | Ingot Vambraces | |
| Waist | Lumu Coil | |
| Feet | Rathian Greaves | |
| Skills | ||
| Health Boost Level 2 | Recovery Up Level 2 | |
| Quick Sheath Level 1 | Divine Blessing Level 1 | |
High Rank Recommended Armor
| Head | Rathian Helm α | |
|---|---|---|
| Torso | Kulu Mail α | |
| Arms | Alloy Vambraces α | |
| Waist | Lumu Coil α | |
| Feet | Alloy Greaves α | |
| Skills | ||
| Speed Sharpening Level 3 | Health Boost Level 2 | |
| Divine Blessing Level 2 | Defense Boost Level 1 | |
| Poison Resistance Level 1 | Critical Eye Level 1 | |
| Stamina Surge Level 1 | - | |
Monster Hunter World Related Links
| Equipment & Skills | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Weapons |
 Armor |
 Layered Armor |
 Mantles |
 Skills |
 Set Bonuses |
 Food Skills |
 Charms |
 Decorations |
 Palico Equipment |
 Pendants |
 Best Builds |
Monsters & Materials |
 Monsters |
 Quests |
 Collabs |
 Materials |
 Assigned Quests |
 Optional Quests |
 Event Quests |
 Maps |
Other |
 Beginner Guides |
 Guiding Lands |
 Updates |
 Characters |
 Furnitures |
 Iceborne Guides |
 Tier Lists |
 Message Boards |
Author
Beginner's Guide | How to Play MHW
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