Monster Hunter Rise: 10 insights I wish I had before diving in

What are some essential tips for newcomers to Monster Hunter Rise? This game has its unique features, and whether you’re entirely new to the Monster Hunter franchise or have experienced every previous installment, there are likely some aspects that will catch you off guard. This is especially true if you’ve recently started playing with the release of the Sunbreak DLC, whether you’ve taken a break since the base game launched on PC or are diving into the series for the first time.

To make matters worse, the tutorials in the game are not always presented at the most opportune times, leading you to click through numerous pop-up text boxes without fully absorbing the information, which you might later regret not paying closer attention to. There are numerous aspects I wish I had grasped before diving into my initial quests, so in this article, I will share the key insights I’ve gained about getting started in Monster Hunter Rise.

There’s no need to grab the most powerful weapon immediately.

I have a weakness for large swords, which led me to equip the Great Sword during my initial outing. While this choice wasn’t disastrous, it certainly didn’t showcase the full potential of MHR’s combat system. In the early hunts, I faced off against swarms of quick, agile foes, and I found it challenging to connect a hit with the Great Sword. It became clear that nearly any other weapon would have been a more suitable option.

At the start of the game, your character is provided with the Long Sword, which is the most well-rounded option available and likely the one Capcom suggests for players. If you’re unfamiliar with melee combat mechanics or need to brush up on your skills, the Sword and Shield is the ideal weapon for practice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for quick-paced action, the Dual Blades are the way to go (this is the weapon I ultimately chose as my favorite). This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are various other weapon types to explore, so be sure to check out our guide on the best weapons in Monster Hunter Rise for a comprehensive overview of the top starter weapon options.

Certain weapons are more suited for multiplayer scenarios.

Connecting to the previous discussion, Monster Hunter Rise is designed with multiplayer gameplay in mind. Heavier, slower weapons such as the Great Sword or Hammer become significantly more effective when used in conjunction with teammates wielding lighter, quicker weapons. The Hunting Horn is incredibly potent in multiplayer settings, but it can be nearly ineffective when playing solo. In fact, this is the only weapon I would advise against bringing on solo hunts, unless you’re seeking a particular challenge.

3. Loot the supply crate at the beginning of a mission.

Right across from your base camp tent, at the entrance to each zone, you’ll find a supply box. Taking a look inside shows that it holds several valuable items, such as First Aid Kits and Rations. The items inside the box are replenished at the beginning of each new quest, so you can always benefit from stocking up on health and stamina-enhancing supplies before you head out. Make sure to grab everything you can!

4. Have a meal prior to embarking on a hunting trip.

When you step into your tent at the beginning of each quest zone, you’ll find several choices awaiting you. First and foremost, this is the place to select your weapon and armor configurations, along with any useful items you intend to bring. Additionally, you have the option to request a serving of Bunny Dango.

You have the option to create a custom trio of Dango flavors, each providing a unique status effect that lasts for the duration of the hunt. Your Palico and Palamute will also receive their own portions and reap the rewards. Initially, you’ll have a limited variety to select from, but as you advance in the game, you’ll unlock additional flavors. You can enjoy another meal every 10 minutes, so if you have multiple camps in a region, it’s beneficial to visit them a few times during a hunt to gain extra Dango advantages for your team.

5. The quests have a time limit, although it’s quite accommodating.

As a newcomer to Monster Hunter, I was caught off guard by the timed quests in MHR. Nevertheless, the timer shouldn’t discourage you. Each quest in the game is allotted a set time of 50 minutes, but I discovered that by heading straight to the objective, I typically finished a quest in no more than 15 to 20 minutes, even with the occasional detour, falling off a cliff, or needing to retrace my steps. For reference, if you hop on your Palamute and explore a bit, you can reveal a whole area of the map in roughly 10 to 15 minutes.

If you’re looking to blend a mission with a relaxed search for materials, you’ll likely have the opportunity to accomplish both. Keep in mind, however, that once you complete the last objective, you’ll be transported back to Kamura Village in 60 seconds, so prioritize your gathering before you start hunting. Additionally, make sure to collect resources from the quest target right after you defeat it, as the countdown will begin as soon as the objective is fulfilled.

Wirebugs can lead you to concealed resources.

Wirebugs introduce a fresh element of gameplay in Monster Hunter Rise, functioning as an advanced grappling hook. While Great Wirebugs are restricted to specific spots on the map, they allow players to access higher elevations than the standard Wirebugs. With the regular Wirebug, players can target any raised area to see if they can reach it. Occasionally, the height may be too great, but other times, it can lead to a convenient shortcut. Additionally, players may discover hidden spots that are otherwise inaccessible on foot, often accompanied by valuable resources ready to be collected.

Collect Spiribirds to enhance your abilities.

As you explore the diverse biomes in Monster Hunter Rise, you may come across luminous, winged beings gliding through the air. These creatures are known as Spiribirds, and you will automatically gather them as you walk or ride nearby. It’s highly beneficial to collect every Spiribird you encounter, as they provide lasting enhancements that boost your stats for the duration of your current quest.

In Monster Hunter Rise, you can find five different colors of Spiribirds, each enhancing a specific attribute: Green boosts Health, Yellow increases Stamina, Orange enhances Defense, and Red amplifies Attack. The elusive Rainbow Prism Spiribirds are extremely rare, but if you manage to find one, it will fully maximize your skills.

As you gather a Spiribird, take a moment to scan your surroundings for any additional ones in the vicinity. Spiribirds frequently appear along pathways or main routes in the area, and if you notice a few of them aligned, it’s a good idea to pursue them, as they might be leading you to a stash of valuable resources.

Yellow numbers indicate that you are striking a vulnerable area.

No matter which weapon you decide to use, it’s important to monitor the damage numbers you inflict on your targets. In this game, monsters lack health bars, making the damage numbers a reliable measure of your impact in the moment. Additionally, the colors of these numbers are significant. Typically, they appear in grey, but if you strike a weak point of that specific creature, they will change to yellow.

9. Monitor the sharpness level of your weapon.

In Monster Hunter Rise, while there isn’t a traditional weapon durability system, maintaining your gear in excellent shape is still crucial. Each melee weapon features a sharpness meter, located above your health and stamina indicators in the top left corner of the screen, which decreases with every successful hit. Although a weapon won’t become completely ineffective, if its sharpness drops into the red zone, it will only inflict 50% of its maximum damage. Fortunately, you can easily perform maintenance in the field with a Whetstone. This item is infinitely reusable and comes pre-stocked in your inventory, allowing you to sharpen your weapon by simply selecting it and pressing E.

Caution is advised: if your weapon becomes dull during combat, enraged monsters may still pursue and strike you while you attempt to sharpen it. This interruption prevents your character from completely restoring the sharpness level, leaving them vulnerable to damage. When facing a large monster, I recommend seizing the moment when it retreats to quickly enhance your weapon. As long as you maintain your focus on the target, you can spare a few seconds to do this without consequence.

10. Avoid stockpiling your resources, including your Armor Spheres.

You can utilize most of the materials you collect globally or obtain from defeated foes to create armor, along with a few other items, such as gear for your Buddies. There are a total of 142 distinct armor sets available for your character, which means only the most committed players will manage to collect them all. Specifically, the armor you acquire early in the game will likely become outdated by the time you progress to the endgame, along with the materials used to craft them. Therefore, feel free to create any armor that catches your eye and experiment with different combinations to find what suits you best. Keep in mind that the items you gather from the Shrine Ruins will become less useful as you advance to the later stages, so take advantage of them while you can.

The same applies to your Armor Spheres. Although you may hesitate to spend them on armor you’re not fond of, it’s beneficial to utilize them to enhance any armor you frequently wear. While the ultimate aim in Monster Hunter Rise may be to acquire the top armor sets, the journey involves creating numerous low- and mid-tier armor pieces to assist you. Don’t hesitate to invest in the gear you enjoy using.

Here are the ten key insights we wish we had before diving into Monster Hunter Rise! If you’re seeking additional technical guidance, we also offer a comprehensive guide on the system requirements and optimal performance settings for Monster Hunter Rise on PC.

Check this out next.

• Monster Hunter Rise and Lego Star Wars will be available on Game Pass soon.
• The latest free title update for Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak introduces the ability to wield an enormous corn on the cob.
• Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak has announced the addition of two new monsters that will be included in the free update arriving tomorrow.

Rebecca Jones is currently diving deep into multi-platform games over at VG247. There’s a playful rumor that if you say “Indiescovery podcast” three times while facing your computer screen, she might just show up in the comments section of RPS.

In this piece of writing

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, personal computer, Nintendo Switch.

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