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There are two ways to defeat monsters inMonster Hunter Wilds: capturing monsters, or killing them. If you capture a monster instead of killing it, it will still grant youmonster materials you would have harvestedfrom its slain carcass. Because you don’t have to finish off the rest of the fight, it actually ends up saving a lot of time in the long run.
But tocapture monsters inMonster Hunter Wildsyou’ll have to prepare ahead of time and know the right moment when a monster is weak enough to be captured. This guide walks players through how to capture monsters inMonster Hunter Wilds,and explains which items you must craft – and how to use them – to successfully capture a boss.
How To Capture Monsters In Monster Hunter Wilds
To capture monsters,Monster Hunter Wildsplayers need to do three things:craftthe required items,weakena monster, thenTrap and Tranqthe monster to capture it.
You will need to craft both aTrapand anyTranqitem, such as Tranq Bombs, Tranq Knives, or Tranq Ammo. Once you have acquired these items, you’re ready to head out into the field and get ready to capture a monster.
Engage your target, and continue tofight it as you normally would until it starts to limp. You can alsolook for a flashing white skull icon next to the monster’s symbol on the minimap, whichindicates the monster is weak enough to be captured.
Sheath your weapon, then hold down L1 (LB) and use the Square (X) and Circle (B) toscroll through the item pouchuntil you get to a Trap item.
To save some time and maximize the window of opportunity, set up a custom Radial Menu containing only Traps and Tranq items. This way, you won’t have to scroll through your whole pouch.
Stand directly next to the monster, or in a location where it will path to, andplace down the Trap. It will take a few seconds to activate. Once the boss walks over the trap, it will be rendered immobile for about ten seconds.
During this window, throw down Tranq Bombs, shoot it with Tranq Ammo, or throw Tranq Knives at it until you capture the monster. The camera will pan out as the monster falls docile and the fight ends, and you will receive monster materials, Guild Points, and Palico XP as a reward.
How To Craft & Use Traps In MH Wilds
There are two types of traps inMonster Hunter Wilds:Pitfall Traps and Shock Traps. Depending on the type of monster you are fighting, one of these two traps may be more effective than the other and keep the boss restrained for longer. Some monsters are immune to one type of trap, sokeep one of each in your Item Pouchto always have a way to trap monsters inMonster Hunter Wilds.
To use a trap,equip it to your Item Bar, then press Square (X) while standing on the location you wish to place the trap. Place it either beneath a monster’s feet while it isstanding still or sleeping, or in a location that the monster will walk over. If a monster is far away, but looks like it’s going to charge towards you, place down a trap and the monster will be caught in it during the attack.
You cantrap any monster to restrain it temporarily, butonly monsters with the white skull icon next to their symbol can be captured.
Shock Trap
The Shock Trap will restrain an enemy frozen in place with all parts exposed. This gives players a wider area to hit with Tranq Bombs and other Tranq items, but is ineffective against enemiesresistant to Shock like the Rey Dau.
Pitfall Trap
ThePitfall Trapwill force the monster underground with only its head and upper body exposed. The monster will flail about, but the hitbox is still easy to hit. This is especially effective against flying enemies.
How To Craft & Use Tranq Bombs In MH Wilds
Once the monster has been caught in your trap,Monster Hunter Wildsonly gives playersa few seconds to tranquilize and capture it. There are three items you can use to tranquilize and capture a monster inMonster Hunter Wilds:Tranq Bombs, Tranq Knives, and Tranq Ammo.
Tranq Bombsare used at close range and are an ingredient to craft Tranq Knives and Tranq Ammo, whichcan only be used in the Slingerand in Bowguns, respectively.Tranq Knives and Tranq Ammoare useful if you want to capture a monster from a range, but good old Tranq Bombs are generally easier to use.
Theeasiest way to capture a monster inMonster Hunter Wildsis to trap it while it is sleeping after weakening it to the point of exhaustion.While the monster is trapped, stand next to it, then drop two Tranq Bombs.
Tranq Bombs are thrown at the Hunter’s feet when used, which doesn’t require you to aim a precise reticle and risk missing. No matter which Tranq item you use,you need to hit it twice, one after the other, to put a monster to sleep and capture it.
Quickly drop the bombs before the monster breaks free from the trap, and as long as it’s weak enough, you will successfully tranquilize and capture the monster.
Tranq Bomb: Crafting Materials & Use
When used, the Hunter will throw this at their feet and tranquilize a nearby trapped monster. Only effective at close range.
Tranq Ammo: Crafting Materials & Use
When used, the Hunter will shoot the target with a laced arrow to tranquilize a distant to long range monster. Thismust be loaded into a Bowgun.
Tranq Blade: Crafting Materials & Use
When used, the Hunter will launch a Tranq Blade to tranquilize a monster using the Slinger. Effective at close to medium range.
