There are two ways to defeat monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds: capturing monsters, or killing them. If you capture a monster instead of killing it, it will still grant you monster materials you would have harvested from its slain carcass. Because you don't have to finish off the rest of the fight, it actually ends up saving a lot of time in the long run.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Offset Attacks Explained
In Monster Hunter Wilds, Offset Attacks grant certain weapons the ability to parry – if you can master the timing, that is.
But to capture monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds you'll have to prepare ahead of time and know the right moment when a monster is weak enough to be captured. This guide walks players through how to capture monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds, and explains which items you must craft – and how to use them – to successfully capture a boss.
How To Capture Monsters In Monster Hunter Wilds
To capture monsters, Monster Hunter Wilds players need to do three things: craft the required items, weaken a monster, then Trap and Tranq the monster to capture it.
You will need to craft both a Trap and any Tranq item, such as Tranq Bombs, Tranq Knives, or Tranq Ammo. Once you have acquired these items, you're ready to head out into the field and get ready to capture a monster.
Engage your target, and continue to fight it as you normally would until it starts to limp. You can also look for a flashing white skull icon next to the monster's symbol on the minimap, which indicates the monster is weak enough to be captured.
Sheath your weapon, then hold down L1 (LB) and use the Square (X) and Circle (B) to scroll through the item pouch until you get to a Trap item.
To save some time and maximize the window of opportunity, set up a custom Radial Menu containing only Traps and Tranq items. This way, you won't have to scroll through your whole pouch.
Stand directly next to the monster, or in a location where it will path to, and place down the Trap. It will take a few seconds to activate. Once the boss walks over the trap, it will be rendered immobile for about ten seconds.
During this window, t hrow down Tranq Bombs, shoot it with Tranq Ammo, or throw Tranq Knives at it until you capture the monster. The camera will pan out as the monster falls docile and the fight ends, and you will receive monster materials, Guild Points, and Palico XP as a reward.
How To Craft & Use Traps In MH Wilds
There are two types of traps in Monster Hunter Wilds: Pitfall Traps and Shock Traps. Depending on the type of monster you are fighting, one of these two traps may be more effective than the other and keep the boss restrained for longer. Some monsters are immune to one type of trap, so keep one of each in your Item Pouch to always have a way to trap monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Play With Friends
To play Monster Hunter Wilds with friends, you must either add your friend in-game or establish a private server to invite them to.
To use a trap, equip it to your Item Bar, then press Square (X) while standing on the location you wish to place the trap. Place it either beneath a monster's feet while it is standing still or sleeping, or in a location that the monster will walk over. If a monster is far away, but looks like it's going to charge towards you, place down a trap and the monster will be caught in it during the attack.
You can trap any monster to restrain it temporarily, but only monsters with the white skull icon next to their symbol can be captured.
Shock Trap
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How To Craft Shock Trap: 1x
Trap Tool, 1x
Thunderbug Capacitor
The Shock Trap will restrain an enemy frozen in place with all parts exposed. This gives players a wider area to hit with Tranq Bombs and other Tranq items, but is ineffective against enemies resistant to Shock like the Rey Dau.
Pitfall Trap
- How To Craft Pitfall Trap: 1x Trap Tool, 1x Net
The 
Pitfall Trap will force the monster underground with only its head and upper body exposed. The monster will flail about, but the hitbox is still easy to hit. This is especially effective against flying enemies.
How To Craft & Use Tranq Bombs In MH Wilds
Once the monster has been caught in your trap, Monster Hunter Wilds only gives players a few seconds to tranquilize and capture it. There are three items you can use to tranquilize and capture a monster in Monster Hunter Wilds: Tranq Bombs, Tranq Knives, and Tranq Ammo.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Weapon Bouncing Explained
If your weapon bounces off of monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds, it might be time to get it back into fighting shape.
Tranq Bombs are used at close range and are an ingredient to craft Tranq Knives and Tranq Ammo, which can only be used in the Slinger and in Bowguns, respectively. Tranq Knives and Tranq Ammo are useful if you want to capture a monster from a range, but good old Tranq Bombs are generally easier to use.
The easiest way to capture a monster in Monster Hunter Wilds is to trap it while it is sleeping after weakening it to the point of exhaustion. While the monster is trapped, stand next to it, then drop two Tranq Bombs.
Tranq Bombs are thrown at the Hunter's feet when used, which doesn't require you to aim a precise reticle and risk missing. No matter which Tranq item you use, you need to hit it twice, one after the other, to put a monster to sleep and capture it.
Quickly drop the bombs before the monster breaks free from the trap, and as long as it's weak enough, you will successfully tranquilize and capture the monster.
Tranq Bomb: Crafting Materials & Use
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How To Craft Tranq Bomb: 1x
Sleep Herb, 1x
Parashroom
When used, the Hunter will throw this at their feet and tranquilize a nearby trapped monster. Only effective at close range.
Tranq Ammo: Crafting Materials & Use
- How To Craft Tranq Ammo: 1x Tranq Bomb, 1x Normal Ammo
When used, the Hunter will shoot the target with a laced arrow to tranquilize a distant to long range monster. This must be loaded into a Bowgun.
Tranq Blade: Crafting Materials & Use
- How To Craft Tranq Blade: 1x Tranq Bomb, 1x Throwing Knife
When used, the Hunter will launch a Tranq Blade to tranquilize a monster using the Slinger. Effective at close to medium range.
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Engine
- RE Engine
- Franchise
- Monster Hunter
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
