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Compared to previousMonster Huntergames,Monster Hunter Wildsfeels a bit too easy for some players. Theepic feeling of fighting gargantuan monstersis still there, of course, but because of all the new mechanics (like wounds), and what appears to be lower HP pools for most monsters, many have started looking for ways to makeMonster Hunter Wildsmore difficult.
Though there is always the option to install mods to increaseMonster Hunter Wildsdifficulty, there are plenty ofself-imposed challenges players can take onto artificially raise the game’s challenge. Don’t take advantage of broken mechanics, limit your upgrades, and don’t rely on outside help to makeMonster Hunter Wildsfeel significantly harder.
Don’t Use Focus Mode To Target Wounds
Some players find thatMonster Hunter Wilds' Wound systemmakes it way too easy to stun-lock Monsters, especially if you build into certain skills that enhance your ability to create wounds. When using Focused Attacks on a wound, your character locks into an animation with invincibility frames that destroys it and often sets the monster reeling.
You don’t have to Focus on a wound to destroy it, but it does make it significantly easier. To raise the challenge inMonster Hunter Wilds, avoid using Focus Mode on any weapon except ranged weapons. You’ll still be able to destroy wounds, but you won’t get the i-Frames or massive damage boost from repeatedly targeting them directly.
Never Upgrade Your Armor – Rely On Base Stats & Skills
Another way players can raise theMonster Hunter Wildsdifficulty is by artificially impairing their build. To make the game harder, players shouldonly use base armor sets without any upgrades.
All armor sets provide at least some defenses, resistances, and skills – but if you don’t use Armor Spheres to upgrade the base defensive stats, you’ll be significantly more vulnerable than players who upgrade their armor to the max.
IfMonster Hunter Wildsfeels too easy, try to only use the basic versions of each armor set. Even if you allow yourself to use High Rank armor sets, the lack of upgraded stats means you will have to think of other ways to boost your defenses, like with specific consumables or combinations of armor skills.
Stay “Offline” In Online Singleplayer Mode
One of the biggest ways to makeMonster Hunter Wildseasier is to engage in multiplayer. By using an S.O.S. flare, or by joining public servers, you’ll be able toconnect with otherMH Wildsplayersand team up on quests and hunts.
Though monsters do get harder with more players, having more people to distract the monster makes it significantly easier than going at fights alone. To makeMonster Hunter Wildsfeel more difficult, don’t join a lobby upon entering the game and take on everything solo.
If you want to play a Hardcore version ofMH Wilds, abandon and re-start quests the very first time you faint and cart back to camp. This arbitrary restriction will force you to think about every aspect of your build to avoid dying and re-starting from the beginning.
No Consumables Or Food Buffs
Some of the biggest sources of power inMonster Hunter Wildsare granted by consumables like the Adamant Seed, self-buffs like those granted by the Hunting Horn, andFood Buffs gained from eating meals. These temporary buffs can significantly empower your offense and defense beyond normal levels, and eating food raises your max HP and Stamina bars.
A major self-imposed handicap to increaseMonster Hunter Wilds' difficulty is to avoid eating meals at all. If you never sit down to enjoy a meal, you’ll have about 25% less HP, less Stamina, and no extra skills that would normally be granted by meals, like the Defender Meal buff.
If this isn’t enough to make the game feel harder, take out all high-tier Healing Potions from your Item Pouch and only use the basic Healing Potion to heal during combat.
Avoid Using Lala Barina Paralysis Weapons
Some of the most broken weapons across the board inMonster Hunter Wildsare Lala Barina weapons. Just about every Lala Barina weapon in every weapon tree creates Paralysis buildup on hit, andParalysis works on every single monster in the game.
High Rank versions of Lala Barina weapons can cause a monster to become Paralyzed four or five times over the course of the encounter, which trivializes just about every fight.
To makeMonster Hunter Wildsfeel harder, don’t use any Lala Barina weapons during the campaign or endgame. Not being able to rely on the paralysis status effect means you’ll have to consider your position and timing to connect lengthy combos and charge attacks – using a Switch Axe without the ability to cause Paralysis, for example, means you won’t have as many windows to fully charge up a Full Release Slash.
Install Mods To Raise Monster Hunter Wilds Difficulty
If setting self-imposed challenges doesn’t makeMonster Hunter Wildsfeel harder,try installingMH Wildsmods instead. There are a handful of mods that promise to raise theMH Wildsdifficulty.
Though one should always install mods at their own risk, as long as you play in Online Single Player mode and don’t play with others, you should be fine. Capcom has not historically bannedMH Wildsplayers who use mods, but don’t host quests or interfere with other players just to be safe.
There are two major mods you can get to increaseMH Wildsdifficulty: Harder Difficulty Presets, and Hard(er) Mode.