Monster Hunter World: Tips and Tricks

It is out and it is playable, and it is amazing. I could talk about this game ad infinitum, but I know not everyone wants to hear me rant on for hours, and the more time I spend on this blog, the less I'm playing actually playing MHW. Since you're reading this, you either don't own this game because I haven't finished selling you on it, or you're stuck in it. Either way, I'm here to help:

A lot of people are having a little trouble with this game because it ultimately tosses you into the game without knowledge. It gives new players all the tools they need to get started, but it does explain much. This is because it’s easy to say "The second charge attack on the Great Sword does more damage and charges faster," but unless the player understands that risking that second move can lead to death, it’s pointless.

So, I'm going to give a few tips for the game, but I'm also going to relate them to famous war quotes, because, 1) you need to take this game seriously, it’s a blast to play but, this game doesn't bend its rules because you don't understand them. and 2) it just sounds so cool.

Know thy Self, Know thy Enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories — Sun Tzu

First, understand how you want to play the game. I'm not asking do you like to heal, or do you want to tank. Those rolls don't really exist in this game. I'm asking more basic questions. What skills do you have? Can you roll fast enough to dodge attacks, or is guarding more your speed? Do you want to do little damage fast, or a lot of damage but need time to do so? Take time to experiment with each of the 14 weapons, use the training grounds. (Accessed from your house.) They are all worth playing, each one is totally different from the next, but tricks you learned from the each will carry over.

A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand

― Seneca

Now, my advice. Find the weapon that calls to you. If it looks cool, it probably is. Use it. None are 'simple' and all have super advanced techniques. I recommend learning one to 'main' then have a backup, learn what weapons you want to mix and match with. I main the Gunlance, while I have the Charge Blade for backup. They use similar skills for armor and play similarly, yet are different enough to be something different. Remember all weapons are designed to be balanced, but this isn't a game about you versus another player. Some weapons might deal way more damage over less time, but they also have drawbacks.

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory;

Tactics without strategy, is the noise before defeat.

— Sun Tzu

And now that you know yourself, and your weapon; time to learn your enemy. Now everyone has a different way of doing this. Mine is just doing battle with the monster. Fight it until you lose, then retry. Bring new items, try out new traps and tactics. Look at the hunter's guide! There is great info in there. See learn what works, but most importantly, learn what doesn't. Keep changing it up till something works, then use it. Now, don't be afraid to look online for advice. This game is tough, but we are all working together to beat it. Just because you know how to dodge an attack, doesn't mean you can. Reading about it online might help you pick up things you missed while in the heat of battle.

First, learn to become invincible then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability — Sun Tzu

Monsters have 'tells' when they are open for massive amounts of damage, as well as times when you might as well as sheath your blade and just run. Learn the tells, know what you can do when. This will save your life.

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious — Sun Tzu

Know when to leave and heal. Make sure you know how much damage you can take till you faint. Each monster does a wide variety of attacks doing different damage values. Don't just assume you can take another hit, know.

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack — Sun Tzu

You can spend the entire hunt dodging and blocking attacks, but unless you start doing damage, you're wasting your time. Don't be so scared to get hit, you forget to kill it. You have armor and health potions for a reason. Sure, you want to use them as little as possible, but don't waste a hunt.

To know your enemy, you must become your enemy

— Sun Tzu

Monster Hunter doesn't have a leveling system, you can't run off and get more Experience Points to help you. Yet, it does have armor and weapons that can be crafted that do more damage and have skills to assist you. The only way to craft these, is to gather parts from Monsters. So if you’re having trouble with a monster, go fight a weaker one. Gather its parts, see what you can make. If the Rathalos is getting you, get armor that is resistant to fire or immune to poison. Plus, mixing and matching sets has never been so efficient, craft the set with the skills that fit you the best. Remember a high armor rating is good, but don't craft a set based only on that, look at skills to. And use armor spheres, they give them out like candy now.

Even the finest sword, plunged into salt water, will eventually rust — Sun Tzu

Don't forget to take time and sharpen your weapon. The sharper it is, the more damage it does. Whetstones are infinite now, spam them if you need to, nothing wrong walking off to sharpen.

No financial pressure has stopped a war in progress

— Lord Kitchener

Don't worry about money. It exists in the game for both realism and more as a way to make sure you understand the rules of the world. There are tons of ways to get money in game, selling monster parts, doing hunts. The economy works fine and isn't something you should worry too much about. Plus, lower hunts pay well and can be done in succession if need be.

Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more

— William Shakespeare

Don't expect to beat everything on the first try. Nothing is more painful than losing to a monster purely because it timed out. Yeah, it sucks, but it means you’re doing something wrong. This is where the game is so much better with friends, nothing makes losing better than with friends.

Man, Sun Tzu would crush at Monster Hunter, he's got a lot of great advice, he should write a book. Anyway, this was fun, hope people enjoyed it! If anyone has any more questions or comments, feel free to ask. I'm always down for talking more about the Monster Hunter! Up next, something completely different.