Fans of Monster Hunter Rise know this Nintendo Switch title offers a more fast-paced, tactical version of Capcom's critically-acclaimed Monster Hunter franchise. In Rise, players have more fluid controls, open areas, and verticality to use in hunting their prey. And thanks to Wirebugs, Palicoes and Palamutes, as well as new ride and capture mechanics, Rise adds plenty of new approaches to hunting monsters.
However, multiple hunting options give room for more mistakes. In Monster Hunter, mistakes can end up costing players the hunt. What are some common mistakes, and how can both franchise newcomers and veterans avoid them?
11 Skipping Hunter's Notes
Gamers who played "git gud" titles such as Dark Souls know the fun in encountering a difficult monster and besting it through sheer trial and error. In Rise, lack of study makes the difference between an effective Hunter and a slacker. And in teams, "going with the flow" can waste everyone's time.
Players who want to become pros shouldn't skip Hunter's Notes. This handy journal has evolving information about Monsters (Small and Large), Endemic Life, and even a Notebook for stories about the region. In difficult hunts, Hunter's Notes can become an invaluable tool when learning about monster patterns.
10 Forgetting About Verticality
Granted, Monster Hunter already had a vertical component in the form of climbing and falling. However, Rise transforms verticality into an active component of the hunt. Players who can't keep up with a monster head-on might want to try attacking from above.
Players should always keep verticality in mind as part of their hunts. Thanks to platforms and ledges, they can level the playing field against larger, taller, or flying targets. For instance, wall-climbing via Wirebug can help hunters avoid an incoming attack. Likewise, running off the ledge is a good way to jumpstart fierce mid-air combos with Long Swords against a much larger opponent.
9 Ignoring Attack Space
Reckless attacking in team scenarios can ruin multiplayer. Horizontal attacks can hit teammates if they're close enough, which can ruin someone's combo or flow. Aside from being disruptive, this mistake can cost the entire Quest. Players should always remain mindful of their position in battle.
It's also important to be mindful of what body parts the player's weapons will hit. Slow but hard-hitting Hammers and Great Swords work best against heads, while Long Swords work great against tails. Meanwhile, fans of Dual Blades and lovers of Swords & Shields usually work against feet and other accessible body parts.
8 Forgetting The Dodge Button
While Rise does have a perfectly good dodge mechanic, wouldn't dodging just interrupt the battle? Nope – in tactical combat games, dodge is easily a player's best friend. Remember, even the simplest monster movements are embedded into their programming.
When timed right, players can skillfully dodge attacks and counter with fierce combos without ever feeling "out of flow." Dodge is also useful outside of just avoiding enemy blows. Some players can dodge-cancel out of healing to evade an incoming attack. Likewise, skillful players can dodge "into" an attack to get up close and personal with a monster.
7 Ignoring Wirebug & Silkbind Mobility
Thanks to the new game addition of Wirebugs, players can zigzag across the battlefield. This new tool "pulls" players in various directions. Players who get frustrated with Wirebug mechanics might want to learn to use them to their tactical advantage.
Combat-wise, using Wirebugs with Weapons will open up Silkbind Attacks. These are fast-paced, Wirebug-dependent combos that add variety to mid-air attacks. Additionally, Wirebugs can suspend players in the air for navigation or even send them to a wall for a quick climb. Wirebug dashes can also help players instantly recover from hard hits.
6 Wyvern Riding Isn't A Gimmick
Essentially, Wyvern Riding gives players the opportunity to let other monsters in the area do their dirty work. Remember, aside from climbing and running, players can just tackle another monster – like their target – with their mount.
This is a good way to get free hits without losing Weapon Sharpness. Likewise, players who do mount their targets can have them bash themselves in the wall until they fall on the ground. This gives players a few seconds to get in a some heavy-hitting combos to the target's head and other body parts.
5 Persistence Is An Unnecessary Risk
Players who overextend their combos risk getting caught by a surprise attack, getting them closer to a Quest restart. To avoid this situation, players should normalize retreating. Tactical retreats can give Hunters the advantage they need in combat.
For instance, players should regularly dodge-cancel their last hits to avoid getting hit by surprise attacks. Likewise, retreating to higher ground or stunning a monster is always a valid tactic. Players can ride the Palamute while healing, be it to retreat towards a hidden safe zone, or while in pursuit of a monster. As soon as players need to regenerate a resource or avoid an attack, dodge and do that first!
4 Underestimating Endemic Life
Thanks to Endemic Life, Rise further populates the Monster Hunter universe with little critters that coexist with their larger monstrous cousins. Interestingly, failing to use Endemic Life can make Hunters waste their time, resources, and efforts, since these little critters can do much of the job for them.
For instance, different-colored Spiribirds can give quest-long defense, attack, stamina, or health buffs. Likewise, Toads, Beetles, and other critters can do some damage to monsters. Hunters should study Endemic Life unique to their quest environment so they can use them to their advantage in their upcoming hunt.
3 Ignoring Special Licenses
Hunters in Rise encounter two types of Quests depending on their setup. Single-player Village Quests get them through the main story, while Gathering Hub Quests are geared towards multiplayer. Both Quest types follow the same star format. This can get annoying, especially since this implies players have to play the same Quests twice just to proceed in the game.
Thankfully, Special Licenses can remove this caveat entirely. Special License Tests are challenging missions that, when accomplished, will immediately grant a 1-Rank increase to Gathering Hub Quest level. Players should finish Special License Tests as soon as they appear, so they can play more challenging hunts in multiplayer without redoing that annoying Village Quest.
2 Manually Managing The Inventory
Players can find themselves ten minutes deep into a hunt only, to realize that they forgot their Bombs or Potions back at base. These things wouldn't have to happen if players fixed their Inventory before starting the Quest. It might get exhausting to manage the Inventory during every single hunt, but this doesn't have to happen.
In fact, players should create Item Loadouts to customize which Items to bring for specific missions – no need to manually reorganize the Inventory in between hunts. Likewise, players should maximize the use of the radial menu and configure their go-to items, so they're always accessible. These should always include Potions and Rations, the Whetstone, and reliable Bombs.
1 Ignoring The Best Sales
It's one thing to be a shopper, but it's another thing to always get the best discounts and deals from stores. Remember, it's not just smart to optimize resource gathering to build the best Weapons and Armor out of rare parts. It's just as important to shop for essential items such as Potions, Bombs, or useful Traps in order to remain ready for Quests.
Of course, shops around Kamura Village aren't always as generous when it comes to pricing their wares. However, players should note that sales do happen to these stores. When prices drop, players should take advantage and stock up on essentials.