General Combat Tips

Equipment

• There are 14 different weapon types, split between 11 Blademaster weapons and 3 Gunner weapons. Each weapon type has a large variety of weapons. Some weapons (and weapon types) are more advantageous against certain monsters, and using a weapon with an advantageous match-up will make hunts easier.
• Weapons can be swapped in the town or in the camp. Swap weapons as needed to gain an advantage over monsters.
• Keep Blademaster weapons sharp to maximize their damage. Use Whetstones to maintain Sharpness.
• When using a Gunner weapon, stay in critical distance to maximize damage.
• Double check to make sure that appropriate items are in the inventory before going out on a hunt! For example, don't forget to bring Hot Drinks when hunting in very cold areas, or Cool Drinks when hunting in very hot areas.

Skills

• Equipping armor, charms, and Decorations Jewels provide the player with defense and elemental resistance, and various skills. These skills can confer Attack bonuses, Defense bonuses, or just general utility.
• Having a set of active skills that negate some of a monster's behavior can be beneficial. For example, equipping a Poison resistance skill against a monster that can poison will make the hunt less stressful.
• Investing more skill points into the same skill will yield stronger effects.

Buffs and Debuffs

• The player can consume meals at the camp or consume items mid-battle to strengthen themselves.
• During combat, players may be afflicted with a detrimental ailment. Knowing how to cure these ailments will reduce the risk of carting.
• When stamina is depleted, the player will not be able to sprint, evade, or guard. Stamina recovers naturally.

Finding monsters

• Train Scoutflies by collecting and analyzing tracks. Trained Scoutflies can be instructed to lead the player to the monster.

Engaging, Hunting, and Surviving Against Monsters

• Observe monsters to learn their behaviors and traits. Knowing how a monster attacks, moves, and reacts will reduce the riskiness of a hunt.
• Evade () or reposition to safe spots to avoid monster hits.
  • However, because the Evade Window (i-frames) is short, it can be risky to depend on Evades to avoid damage.
• Some weapons come with a shield that enables Guarding to block attacks. Blocking a very powerful attack may cause the player to take chip damage. Some attacks can only be guarded after the Guard Up skill is active.
• Carting reduces the quest's monetary reward. Quests automatically fail when the quest reward hits 0.
• A monster's body is divided into different parts called Hitzones. Some Hitzones are weaker than others, and landing attacks on weaker Hitzones will deal more damage.
• Monster Hitzone weaknesses may change depending on the current condition of the monster.
• Inflict various status ailments to damage or immobilize monsters.
• Use traps or environment hazards to immobilize monsters. However, take note that in certain circumstances, monsters may be immune to certain traps or status ailments.
• Mount the monster and topple them to open up a large window for attacks.
• Items can provide utility or damage, such as:
  • Blinding monsters with the Flash Pod. Flash Pods only work if they are in a monster's line of sight.
  • Dazing certain monsters with Scream Pods.
  • Using barrel bombs on sleeping monsters.
  • Using items to heal or remove detrimental status ailment.
• After dealing enough damage, the monster begins to limp and may return to its nest. A monster in this state can be captured with a trap and tranquilizers. Alternatively, the player may opt to slay the monster in its nest while it is vulnerable.

Working with Teammates

• When hunting in a team, be careful and avoid friendly fire or tripping teammates. Accidentally flinching teammates can render them vulnerable to monster attacks.
• Immobilized teammates can be freed with an attack.
• Use wide range healing items to heal teammates if necessary.