Surprising no one, players can customize their Hunter at the start of Monster Hunter Wilds. They can also customize their cute Palico cat-like friend. The game features more ways for players to customize their character beyond the startup menu from redoing their looks free of charge to armor.

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How to Have the Best Possible Start in Monster Hunter Wilds

Getting the best possible start in Monster Hunter Wilds can make a huge difference to one's playthrough while also saving a fair bit of time.

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As is tradition, the best way to “level up” in the game is by slaying monsters, taking their parts, and then crafting armor. That cycle is no different in Monster Hunter Wilds other than players can now transmogrify their outfits, retaining the best armor stats with the coolest armor flair. Fashion aside, these armor sets are what players should craft as soon as possible in the early hours of the game.

8 Alloy Armor

Mineral-Based Gear

Alloy Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Alloy Armor is not tied to any of the monsters in the game. Instead, players can mine various ores and crystals to piece this one together. One of the attached abilities is Quick Sheathe which can help players draw their weapons faster in Monster Hunter Wilds like bows. The other one is Tremor Resistance which will stop players from shaking and freezing in place upon quake attacks like against the sandworm adjacent monster, Balahara.

7 Balahara Armor

Become Like The Sandworm

Balahara Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Balahara Armor can be pieced together from the aforementioned Balahara creature. One of the abilities, Quick Sheathe, has already been mentioned with the Alloy Armor. The other ability is called Evade Extender which will give players a slight increase in their dodge distance. Both of these abilities make sense to attach to a monster like Balahara because it’s one of the fastest in the game.

6 Barina Armor

Use The Spider Against Itself

Barina Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Barina Armor can be crafted by defeating the Lala Barina monster. The name may make it seem like a graceful ballerina and while it does have poise on the battlefield, this spider is anything but cuddly.

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All Weapon Types in Monster Hunter Wilds (& The Differences)

There are many weapon choices to consider in Monster Hunter Wilds, and they each differ significantly.

Scary spiders aside, players can get Paralysis Resistance with this armor to decrease being paralyzed in battle, which will force players to stay in place like it does in so many RPGs. Recovery Up will boost the healing effects of items like Potions or bugs found while exploring.

5 Bone Armor

Drink Lots Of Calcium For This Gear

Bone Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Bone Armor is not as exciting or hard to acquire as other early sets in the game, but it does look cool when fully assembled and it has some decent stats attached to it. For example, Marathon Runner will drain stamina less which is a good ability for heavy stamina-draining weapons like the Great Sword or Hammer. Stun Resistance is like Paralysis Resistance but getting stunned will happen more frequently, unfortunately, making this ability more useful. Players can find various bones to craft this armor in bone piles typically in monster nests which have been this way for many generations of Monster Hunter games.

4 Chatacabra Armor

This Frog Can Boost Items

Chatacabra Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Chatacabra Armor can be made from the first monster players will fight in the game. The Chatacabra is a giant frog that can’t be too challenging for veterans but it can be for beginners. It has two attached abilities which is great including Item Prolonger which will make items last longer. Armorskin, for example, can boost defense and it will last longer thanks to this ability. Also, there is Speed Eating for when players have to cook on the go in Monster Hunter Wilds and want to eat fast.

3 Conga Armor

Eat Shrooms Like A Monkey

Conga Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Conga Armor is crafted from the evil monkey that is Congalala. Congalala is a returning monster from the series, first appearing in Monster Hunter 2. It can be annoying to take down but it does have some unique abilities attached.

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Monster Hunter Wilds Complete Monster List (Locations, Resistances, and Weaknesses)

All of the monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds have their own strengths and weaknesses and many can be found in multiple locations.

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Stench Resistance will lessen the Stench status effect which is good against Congalala in particular because it farts a lot. Mushroomancer sounds like a class in a Mario RPG but in Monster Hunter Wilds, it will negate the poisonous effects of mushrooms eaten in the wild.

2 Doshaguma Armor

A Rare Set That Grants Three Skills

Doshaguma Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Doshaguma Armor is one of the best toward the end of Chapter One, made from the Doshaguma. Doshaguma monsters are tough and will absorb a lot of blows even from full co-op parties of four in Monster Hunter Wilds. Item Prolonger has already been discussed with the Chatacabra Armor but Recovery Speed is new and it will increase how fast players refill their HP upon digesting certain items. Free Meal will increase the random chance that players will consume a food item in their pouch without having to do anything.

1 Quematrice Armor

Fire Resistant Gear

Quematrice Armor in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Quematrice Armor will make players look like they stepped out of Final Fantasy as a Red Mage. The Quematrice is a bird-like creature and one of the earliest encounters in the game. Flinch Free will prevent players from being knocked back by a heavy blow which is a better ability when facing a monster like Doshaguma and not Quematrice. Fire Resistance will increase elemental defense against fire if the ability name doesn’t give it away.

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Monster Hunter Wilds Tag Page Cover Art
Monster Hunter Wilds
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Released
February 28, 2025
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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ESRB
T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
Developer(s)
Capcom
Publisher(s)
Capcom
Engine
RE Engine
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
Yes, all platforms
Cross Save
No
Franchise
Monster Hunter
Number of Players
1
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
PC Release Date
February 28, 2025
Xbox Series X|S Release Date
February 28, 2025
PS5 Release Date
February 28, 2025
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure
X|S Optimized
Yes
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty