Monster Hunter Wilds: Insect Glaive Guide - Extracts, Combos, and Focus Mode

『Monster Hunter Wilds』 was released on February 28, 2025. As of June 10, 2026, no seasonal information or major balance adjustment patches have been distributed. This article explains the basic specifications and playstyle based on information from the initial release version (Ver 1.0.1).

The aerial dance that traverses the vast fields of Monster Hunter Wilds freely—that is the Insect Glaive. Wielding a Kinsect, you absorb extracts from monsters to enhance yourself, launching relentless assaults from both sky and ground. This article thoroughly explains all the charm and operations of the Insect Glaive, from its basics to advanced tactics utilizing the new "Focus Mode" system. Grab this guide and dance elegantly in the unseen hunting world!

What is the Insect Glaive? Aerial Dance with Self-Enhancement from Kinsects and Extracts

The Insect Glaive is a technical weapon that allows hunters to control a bug called a Kinsect and fight while enhancing themselves with "extracts" gathered from monsters. By combining direct attacks with the glaive and the Kinsect's ranged attacks and self-enhancement, a variety of tactics can be deployed. Particularly, aerial attacks using "Vault" are a hallmark of the Insect Glaive, boasting high mobility.

Extract Color Effects and the Importance of Triple Up

At the core of the Insect Glaive's playstyle is "extract gathering." By directing the Kinsect to specific parts of a monster, three types of extracts can be collected. In "Wilds," the reticle for targeting the Kinsect now displays the extract color that can be gathered, significantly improving visibility.

• Red Extract: Enhances attack motions, changing and increasing combos. An essential extract for dealing damage. (Mainly gathered from offensive parts like the head)
• White Extract: Increases movement speed and vault height, improving mobility. (Mainly gathered from agile parts like wings or legs)
• Orange Extract: Grants flinch resistance (super armor), making it harder to be staggered by attacks. (Mainly gathered from tough parts like the body or tail)

Collecting all three colors activates the "Triple Up" state. During Triple Up, in addition to all the above effects, further bonuses are applied to attack and defense, allowing the Insect Glaive to unleash its full potential. Maintaining this enhanced state for as long as possible is the most crucial challenge in hunting.

New Features and Changes in Monster Hunter Wilds

In this title, new systems have been introduced while carrying over comfortable elements from previous series, adding new depth to the Insect Glaive's playstyle.

New "Focus Mode" System and its Synergy with the Insect Glaive

The newly added "Focus Mode" in "Wilds" is a system that allows hunters to gain significant returns by precisely targeting a monster's weak points or wounds. The Insect Glaive has a very high affinity with this system. By accurately guiding the Kinsect to a weak point and firing a marking shot while gathering extracts, you can create a starting point for subsequent coordinated attacks. Coordinated attacks with the Kinsect unleashed during Focus Mode will be extremely effective for aiming at part breaks.

Evolution of Aerial Combat and the Importance of Ground Combat

Aerial combat, the hallmark of the Insect Glaive, remains intact in this title. However, it is expected that simply repeating aerial attacks, as in 『Monster Hunter World: Iceborne』 or 『Monster Hunter Rise』, may not yield high damage efficiency. A playstyle that emphasizes a clear distinction between ground and aerial combat will be required, where aerial combos are used for positioning or evading specific attacks, and powerful ground combos are precisely unleashed during a target monster's knockdown or large openings.
【Comparison with Rise】 Instead of special Wirebug-based attacks like in Rise, "Focus Mode" becomes the strategic core. This specification allows players to be freed from gauge management and concentrate more on the interplay with the target monster.

Insect Glaive Basic Controls and Combos

Here, we introduce the main actions of the Insect Glaive and combos usable by both beginners and advanced players.

Main Actions and Combo Routes

A summary of the Insect Glaive's basic actions and collaborations during "Focus Mode."
※Motion values are actual measurements in the training area as of Ver 1.0.1. Source: Game Rack Editorial Department research

For Beginners: Basic Combos Aiming for Triple Up First

Hunters new to the Insect Glaive should prioritize gathering all three extract colors to achieve Triple Up status.

1. When encountering a monster, first maintain distance and control your Kinsect. Hold L2 to aim, then target the head (red), wings or legs (white), and body (orange) to strike with the Kinsect and collect extracts.
2. Once all three extracts are gathered and "Triple Up" is activated, approach the target monster.
3. Deal damage with the basic ground combo: "Consecutive Upward Slash (△) → Enhanced Wide Sweep (○)."
4. If the monster performs a large attack, use "Vault (R2+×)" to evade while looking for a counterattack opportunity.
5. While airborne, attack with "Aerial Slash (△)," and if the monster has a large opening, finish with "Plunging Thrust (R2)."

For Advanced Players: Advanced Techniques to Maximize Damage

Once you've mastered the basic controls, incorporate these techniques to further increase your damage output.

• Kinsect Auto-Attack with Marking Shot: By applying a marking shot (R2) to a target monster, the Kinsect will automatically attack that part and generate Kinsect powder. Attacking this powder with your glaive will cause it to explode, aiming for additional damage or status ailments.
• Part Break Combo Starting with "Focus Mode": Apply a wound to the desired part (e.g., tail) with "Focus Mode," then execute a "Vault" followed by a "Plunging Thrust" onto that wound. This makes it easier to achieve part breaks in a short amount of time.
• Utilizing Aerial Evade: While airborne, you can perform an aerial evade with the × button. Use this to avoid target monster attacks while maintaining optimal attack positioning and continuing combos. It pairs well with stamina management skills like "Constitution" and "Stamina Surge."
• Managing Extract Duration: The "Power Prolonger" skill is very useful as it extends the duration of Triple Up. Be mindful of recollecting and re-launching your Kinsect to replenish extracts before the enhancement wears off.

Practical Playstyle Guide

This section explains specific Insect Glaive playstyles aligned with the flow of a hunt.

Early Game: Aim for Triple Up as Fast as Possible

Immediately after combat begins, prioritize gathering all three extract colors above all else. Frame-evade the target monster's roar or maintain distance before calmly operating your Kinsect. Red Extract is crucial for offense, so it's recommended to secure it first, followed by White Extract to boost mobility. Orange Extract can be collected later, but the overall enhancement benefits from Triple Up are immense, so it's always best to quickly gather all three colors.

Mid-Game: Maintain Triple Up While Dealing Damage

Once in Triple Up state, begin your full-scale assault. Primarily engage in ground combat, accumulating consistent damage with combos centered around "Enhanced Wide Sweep." For wide-range attacks like a target monster's breath or charge, perform a three-dimensional evade with "Vault" and counterattack from the air. "Focus Mode" is effective when activated when the target monster is fatigued and slows down, or when it's knocked down, to concentrate damage on its weak points. If the extract's effect duration is about to expire, prioritize recollecting it, even if it means momentarily disengaging.

Late Game / During Knockdown: Unleash Maximum Firepower

When a target monster is knocked down or caught in a trap, exposing a large opening, it's a chance to unleash maximum firepower. For weak points, repeatedly using the ground combo loop of "Consecutive Upward Slash → Enhanced Double Slash → Enhanced Wide Sweep → Leaping Slash" will likely yield the best damage efficiency. Additionally, if "Focus Mode" is active, landing a "Plunging Thrust" on a wounded weak point can deal high burst damage. Choose the optimal combo according to the situation.

Summary

In Monster Hunter Wilds, the Insect Glaive is a weapon with extremely high potential, featuring self-enhancement through Kinsects, high mobility for freely moving between ground and air, and strong synergy with the new "Focus Mode" system. Mastering basic "extract management" and switching between ground and aerial combat according to the situation are key to improvement. While it may initially feel like there's a lot to learn, the exhilaration upon mastering it is unparalleled. Referencing this article, please showcase your unique aerial dance in the field.