Monster Hunter World: Key Skills, Weapons, and Monsters
So, you’ve dived into the vast world of Monster Hunter World (MHW). Great choice. You join a large community hunting beasts that range from ‘a bit grumpy’ to ‘very angry’. But let’s face it, understanding game mechanics can feel like solving ancient runes.
No worries, brave hunter! We will explore key parts of MHW, from skills to weapons, and some monster traits. Think of this as your guide for monster hunting, minus secret handshakes. Let’s jump into the wild world of Monster Hunter World!
Airborne Skill: Soaring Attacks
Do you feel your hunter is too grounded? The Airborne skill adds verticality to your hunts. It enhances your jumping attacks. Simple, right? Not necessarily. There are details to consider.
For hunters, equipping Airborne boosts jumping attack power by 10% in the base game, World. In Iceborne, that jump increases to a whopping 30%. A huge boost for those who enjoy mid-air assaults.
Insect Glaive users benefit greatly. If you zoom around with the Glaive, Airborne boosts attack damage for aerial attacks by 30%. Imagine the monster-hitting potential! It turns your glaive into a miniature missile.
However, Longsword users should take heed. The Helm Breaker strike does not get the Airborne bonus. While it seems airborne, the game registers you as grounded when the attack hits. It’s a classic case of ‘looks are deceiving’ in monster hunting.
Hammer Time: Embrace Blunt Force
Now let’s look at the Hammer, the weapon for those who prefer brute force. Hammers focus on two main things: smashing and stunning.
A signature move is the Spin Attack. To unleash it quickly, avoid rotating the control stick like you’re stirring soup. Instead, flick the control stick and press the Sword button to start spinning fast. Efficiency matters in hunting!
Hammers are the masters of lockdown tactics. They excel at blunt damage which is great for stunning monsters. A stunned foe is an easy target for repeated hammer strikes. A brutal cycle for both parties.
The best hammers deliver high damage while keeping monsters down. It’s like crowd control but with a really big hammer.
In moments of defensive foes, hammers shine. They excel against shielded enemies. They are known as “knight-killers.” So, next time you face a shield-wielding monster, remember: it’s hammer time!
Hammer Showcase: Tools of Mayhem
Let’s peek at some notable hammers in your arsenal.
The Black Ox Hammer comes first. This Tier III hammer balances damage and stun well. It’s your workhorse hammer for smashing monster skulls.
Next, there’s the Insect Hammer, a Tier II weapon. It may be less than Black Ox but still hits hard and offers good stun. A nice stepping stone to hammer skills or a fun insect-themed option.
Now for the Rock Hammer Geology Tool. Not for monster hunting unless you hunt rock creatures, if they exist. This hammer is ideal for campers and miners needing to break rocks or concrete. If bricklaying is your new calling, this tool is perfect.
Lastly, we have the Paladin Hammer. Its modifiers are “Godly” or “Demonic.” Both options boost average damage equally. So whether feeling holy or demonic, the Paladin Hammer is ready to deal pain.
For a different approach, there’s the Salvaged Hammer. This tool is not for MHW but for raiding sheet metal doors in other games. It’s great for breaking things if you’re ever raiding a door.
MHW Mechanics and Skills: Beyond Basics
MHW is not just about swinging weapons at monsters. It contains many mechanics and skills that change your hunting greatly. Let’s discuss some essential ones.
Adrenaline boosts stamina reduction when health dips below 40%. It’s like your hunter’s instinct kicking in during dire moments, allowing more movement when danger looms.
The Heavy Artillery skill increases the power of cannons and ballistae in hunting grounds. It transforms you into a siege machine, perfect for explosive confrontations.
Speaking of explosions, Bombardier amplifies damage of explosive items. If you enjoy blowing things up, Bombardier makes your bomb tactics more powerful.
Flinch Shot serves as your defense when monsters get too close. You need to grab a monster’s head with the Clutch Claw (an Iceborne mechanic). Release a Flinch Shot and make the monster stagger. This interrupts attacks and creates openings.
Your Hunter Rank (HR) signifies your skill level in monster hunting. It rises as you gain Hunter Rank Points through hunting. Higher HR means more quests and challenges open up for you.
Then there are Tempered Monsters, the stronger versions of regular foes. Unlock Tempered Monster investigations to face them. Look for purple outlines – that signals your entry to Tempered challenges.
MHW Weapon Overview: Quick Arsenal Tour
MHW features an array of weapons with unique playstyles. Here’s a speedy tour of some options.
The Greatsword offers massive single-hit damage potential. With proper setups and timed charged attacks, it delivers powerful strikes. While it is slow and deliberate, its power is substantial.
connects. Think of it like a monster-hunting sledgehammer.
Dual Blades. These are the fastest weapon type. They focus on rapid attacks and quick moves. If you enjoy dancing around monsters and hitting them with quick blows, Dual Blades are perfect for you. It’s like being a giant blender but with swords.
Long Sword. The Long Sword offers balance. It combines reach, damage, and mobility well. This weapon adapts to many hunting situations. If you don’t know what to choose, the Long Sword is always a safe pick. It’s the reliable ally when monsters get angry.
Monster Spotlight: Know Your Enemy
Let’s explore some notable monsters and their quirks.
Tigrex. This monster is not just about strength; it uses elemental damage based on its environment. Near lava, its attacks cause Fire damage and Fireblight. In water, it deals Water damage and Waterblight. In ice, it’s Ice damage and Iceblight. Tigrex is a walking elemental hazard.
Odogaron. This quick wyvern has one weakness: Water. The Ebony Odogaron variant is especially weak to it. It has a 3-star weakness to the head and a 2-star weakness to the rest. Bring Water weapons and deal damage to Odogaron.
Fatalis. This is the legend, feared by many hunters. It is difficult to defeat. Even expert hunters struggle for days. Fatalis still carts good hunters left and right. Facing Fatalis tests skill, patience, and luck. Consider it the final test in Monster Hunter World.
Other Game Mechanics: A Glimpse Beyond MHW
Let’s explore a few mechanics from other games connected to this one.
Aura for Hammerdin (Diablo II). In Diablo II, the Hammerdin Paladin uses Concentration. This aura buffs Blessed Hammer damage directly. Maximize those spinning holy hammers!
Paladin’s Shield (Terraria). In Terraria, the Paladin’s Shield benefits multiplayer first. Yet, it gives single-player benefits too. It provides immunity to knockback and a +6 defense boost. So, it’s good even for solo adventures. Who doesn’t want to be tankier?
Miscellaneous Tidbits: Random Fun Facts
Now for a few random facts.
Fastest Spinning Object. Scientists made the fastest spinning object: a tiny ball of silicon dioxide rotating at 300 billion times per second. Imagine hitting that with a hammer. Good luck, monster hunters!
Eating for Felyne Bombardier. Back to MHW! To activate the Felyne Bombardier skill, eat at the canteen. Look for Artillery ingredients – they are yellow at the bottom of the meat/fish/veggies list. Artillery is the second skill and requires four yellow ingredients. Happy feasting!
So there you have it. A quick tour through Monster Hunter World with extra game-related tidbits included. Now go forth, hunters, armed with this knowledge, and show those monsters who’s in charge! Or at least, who has the bigger hammer.
