MHWilds Beginner's Guide: Early Game Progression & Weapon Choices

This article is written based on information as of June 5, 2026, Ver.1.041. The game has now been released (February 28, 2025), and a seasonal system has not been adopted. Instead, multiple free title updates have been implemented. The latest major expansion, "Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance," is scheduled for release in 2027.

Welcome to the vast world of Monster Hunter Wilds! To all new hunters excited by the hunting life unfolding amidst a harsh yet beautiful nature. If you're unsure where to start, or which weapon suits you best, we've prepared a guide to help you smoothly navigate the early game. This article will cover everything from hunting basics to utilizing new elements. Now, let's go on a hunt with your trusty companion Secreto!

First Steps in Your Hunting Life! Here's What to Do

Once you start the game, it's important to clear the objectives in front of you one by one. Especially in the early game, it's designed so you can naturally learn the ABCs of hunting while enjoying the grand story. Take your time and slowly get accustomed to this world.

Advance the Story to Learn the Basics

In Monster Hunter Wilds, advancing "Assigned Quests" is the top priority. These quests form the main story, and by completing them, you'll gradually learn controls, item usage, how to fight target monsters, and important new elements of this title. First, follow the story and engrain the basic hunting cycle into your mind: "Accept Quest → Explore → Hunt → Carve → Return to Base → Craft/Upgrade Gear."

Early Game Priority Task List

We've listed what you should do specifically in the early game. By progressing with these in mind, you can grow efficiently as a hunter.

1. Just Keep Advancing Assigned Quests: As mentioned, this is the foundation of everything. New fields, target monsters, and convenient features will be unlocked one after another.
2. Master Your Companion "Secreto": "Secreto," the mount that dramatically changes the hunting experience in this game, is not just a means of transportation. While mounted, you can sharpen your weapon with a "Whetstone," use "Potions," or even switch to a spare weapon, making it indispensable for regrouping during combat. If you're in a pinch, call Secreto immediately and create distance.
3. Set Up Pop-Up Camps: By setting up "Pop-Up Camps" at specific locations on the field, you can create fast travel points. These are crucial as respawn points if you faint or as supply points from your item box, so actively establish them whenever you find a suitable location during exploration.
4. Craft Recommended Early Game Gear: In the early game, target monster attacks are harsh, and low defense will quickly lead to fainting. For now, any armor crafted from easily obtainable target monster materials will do, so gather a full set to secure your defense. The "Chatta Series" is particularly recommended. This armor activates the "Speed Eating" skill, which increases the speed of using recovery items, significantly improving your survival rate.
5. Gather Materials with Free Quests: If you get stuck on an Assigned Quest, make use of "Free Quests," which allow you to challenge previously cleared quests at any time. These are ideal for gathering materials needed to upgrade weapons and armor.

Choose Your Companion from 14 Weapon Types! Recommended Weapons for Beginners

One of Monster Hunter's charms is its 14 unique weapon types. Each has its pros and cons, and finding a weapon that suits your playstyle is key to enjoying your hunting life. We strongly recommend trying out all weapons in the training area first.

4 Recommended Weapons for Beginners

Here, we introduce four weapons that are relatively simple to operate and easy for beginners to handle.

• Dual Blades: A weapon boasting numerous hits and overwhelming rapid attacks. While Demon Mode requires stamina management, the controls are intuitive and easy to use, allowing you to swiftly overwhelm target monsters. Recommended for those skilled in action games.
• Long Sword: Characterized by its long reach and flowing combo attacks. It uses the Spirit Gauge, which builds up by landing attacks, to unleash powerful "Spirit Blade" attacks. "Foresight Slash," which counters a target monster's attack, is incredibly satisfying and popular among hunters who want to fight stylishly.
• Great Sword: A "romantic" weapon boasting one of the highest single-hit destructive powers among all weapon types. Its movements are slow, but the sense of accomplishment when you predict a target monster's actions and land a powerful "Charged Slash" in its opening is exceptional. It's also an ideal weapon for learning the fundamentals of hit-and-run tactics.
• Hammer: A blunt weapon specialized in attacking target monster heads. Continuously striking the head can stun the target monster, creating significant attack opportunities. While simple to operate, its charged attacks allow for diverse combat approaches, making it highly valued in party play.

Must-Know! Explaining MHWilds' New Systems

Monster Hunter Wilds introduces numerous new elements not seen in previous series. Understanding and mastering these is key to gaining an advantage in your hunts.

• Focus Mode and the "Wound" System
  For MH Beginners: By continuously attacking specific target monster parts (like the head or tail), that part will receive a "Wound." Wounded parts become softer, making attacks more effective. Imagine creating a weak spot on the enemy; start by wounding easier-to-hit areas like the legs.
  For MHW/IB Veterans: Unlike the wounding mechanic from the Clutch Claw, the "Wound" is generated by precisely targeting a part with "Focus Mode" and landing specific attacks. This requires a new playstyle that is more proactive and strategic in aiming for part breaks.
  For Rise/SB Veterans: Unlike flashy actions such as Wirebug skills, this system emphasizes Monster Hunter's original deliberate strategy, requiring you to observe a target monster's hitzones and movements, continuously aiming for precise weak points.
• Cooperation with the Mount "Secreto"
  For MH Beginners: Secreto is your best companion for comfortable traversal across vast fields. Since you can heal and sharpen your weapon while mounted, if a target monster chases you, don't panic; call Secreto, escape to a safe location, and regroup.
  For MHW/IB Veterans: The pace of exploration and combat on the seamless map has dramatically improved. Disengaging from and re-engaging in combat is easier, and weapon switching while mounted, in particular, creates new tactics like inflicting status ailments with a ranged weapon and then rushing with a melee weapon once the target monster is downed.
  For Rise/SB Veterans: Secreto combines the mobility of a Palamute with more strategic elements. In addition to its ability to traverse varied terrain with elevation changes, it assists the hunter's combat flow even more than a Palamute, especially in terms of engaging and disengaging from combat.
• Two-Weapon Carry System
  For All Hunters: You can now bring two types of weapons into a quest and switch between them at camp. For example, by carrying a "Long Sword," skilled at tail cutting, and a "Hammer," which easily stuns by hitting the head, you can efficiently aim for both part breaks in a single quest. Adapt your tactics flexibly according to the target monster and quest objective.
• Dynamic Weather and Environmental Changes
  For All Hunters: Field weather dramatically changes in real-time, from clear skies to sudden sandstorms or intense thunderstorms. Weather affects not only the scenery but also target monster behavior patterns and field terrain. Constantly being aware of your surroundings and leveraging them in your hunt is one of the main appeals of this title.

Summary

The early stages of Monster Hunter Wilds might seem challenging with much to learn, but the most important thing is to enjoy it. Start by progressing through Assigned Quests and fully explore this vast and beautiful world. Try out various weapons and discover your unique hunting style. By mastering new elements like cooperation with Secreto and the Wound system, you'll surely overcome any formidable large monster. Aim to be the best hunter with your reliable companions. Let's hone your skills now in preparation for the major expansion, "Ascendance," scheduled for 2027!