Capcom has a smash hit on its hands as Monster Hunter World has already shipped over 5 million copies over the first three days of availability. Part of the appeal no doubt comes from hunting massive creatures in exotic locations, though Monster Hunter World gives players plenty of options for how to get the job done as well. From the various gear sets to the 14 very different weapons, hunters have plenty of options for overcoming a particular challenge.

One of the more unique and odd-looking weapons available to players in Monster Hunter World, besides the Hunting Horn, is the Insect Glaive. Just like other multipurpose weapons such as the Charge Blade, this glaive allows the player to strike quickly, utilize self-buffs, and strike at range using Kinsect abilities. Though the weapon does have a learning curve, it can also become a very rewarding tool to work with.

In order to get the most out of this weapon, here's everything a player needs to know about the Insect Glaive.

Overview

Classified as a technical weapon, the Insect Glaive is an agile weapon that also lets hunters launch themselves into the air for easy aerial attacks and monster mounting. Featuring dual blades on each end, players have access to plenty of sweeping and slashing attacks as well as good combo abilities, though it's the vault move that can really set this weapon apart. During combat, vaulting into the air lets the player essentially air dash, launch an aerial strike to a beast below you, or provide an easy way to mount the creature to continue the attack.

Players gain new options while mounted on the back of a monster. While players can continually attack the monster, they'll need to keep an eye on the stamina bar, which slowly depletes the longer the player is mounted and not bracing. If the yellow bar empties completely, players will be thrown back to the ground. To counter this, players should hold the right trigger to hold on and slowly regain lost stamina as well as when the minimap flashes red to prevent being tossed off. Stay on the monster long enough to tire it out and players will be able to perform a charge attack on the monster.

While the weapon is fast and fun to use, it does come with a few disadvantages hunters should be aware of.

• High weapon speed means a lower damage output.
• Defensively, players sole option is to dodge monster attacks.
• Higher than normal stamina cost.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEyRRODdvw0[/embed]

Kinsects

Arguably the most unique aspect to the Insect Glaive is the Kinsect. Essentially a support tool, players can fire these at a monster to either attack it or harvest the extract of a monster and apply a buff to the player. When the player commands the Kinsect to return, the extract applies a buff to the hunter, increasing their stats further.

Thankfully, the effects are color coded:

• White - Increase hunter speed for 90 seconds. Fire a Kinsect at the monster's legs or wings to gain this buff.
• Red - Increase hunter attack speed for 60 seconds and can also add new attack animations as well. Target the head for this buff.
• Orange - Increase hunter defense and resist knockback for 45 seconds. Hit the body with a Kinsect for this buff.
• Green - Health recovery. Buff is gained from the monster's tail.

These effects not only stack but combo together which can make seasoned hunters incredibly powerful and tough to bring down. Players who are able to harvest the maximum amount of Kinsects during a fight will be granted an effect that increases the overall buff time.

Upgrade a Kinsect

Like each weapon, players can upgrade Kinsects to become more effective. Head to the smithy and select the Nurture a Kinsect option to be taken to a familiar upgrade path. Spend monster items to increase the bug's power, speed, and healing values.

In addition, players can add an elemental effect to a Kinsect through the Kinsect Elements option. Doing so adds elemental damage to the bug, which can make life easier for players going up against a monster that's weak to a certain element. For example, the dragon creature Rathian is a fire-based monster, so equipping an ice imbued Kinsect will provide an added damage boost provided that players have the necessary crafting materials.

Kinsect Dust

The last element players should know about Kinsects is the dust effect. For every successful attack that a Kinsect does to a monster, a colored dust cloud will appear based on the element type it is imbued with. If players run into or hit the cloud, it'll explode and do added elemental damage to the monster. This ability opens up a lot of options for hunters in groups as an Insect Glaive user could basically stand back, fire off Kinsects, and allow close range teammates then trigger the dust cloud effect.

Monster Hunter World is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: US Gamer