Novacrystals are among the most coveted materials in Monster Hunter Wilds, being highly valued for their scarcity and utility in crafting. But getting them is not always easy. Although they can be obtained from mining outcrops in different regions, they also have a possibility of dropping from a particular monster, Gypceros. In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to farm Novacrystals, including hunting methods, mining locations, and useful tips to make the process easier.
How to Get Novacrystals
Novacrystal is one of the rarest materials you can get in the game, and finding it often comes down to luck. It’s typically obtained from mining outcrops, but there’s also one particular monster that can drop it, Gypceros. This bird wyvern is commonly found in the Windward Plains and Iceshard Cliffs, but players need to be at high rank before they can hunt it or mine for Novacrystals. Specifically, Gypceros won’t appear until players reach HR 8, and low-rank mining outcrops don’t contain Novacrystals at all.
Hunting Gypceros for Novacrystals
When hunting Gypceros, breaking its head increases the chance of obtaining a Novacrystal. At the end of the hunt, there’s a 30% chance of receiving one as a reward. Additionally, if you destroy any wound points on its body, there’s a smaller 12% chance that it will drop another Novacrystal. This makes targeting its head and weak points an effective strategy if you’re specifically looking for this rare material.
If you prefer mining instead, you’ll need to find mining outcrops scattered throughout the map. These spots tend to be grouped closely together, making some areas much more efficient for farming. Once you interact with a mining outcrop, it breaks open and gives you up to three random materials from its loot pool. This method can sometimes yield Novacrystals, but it still depends on chance.
Help from Palico and Alma
Your Palico and Alma can also lend a helping hand while you’re exploring. They have a chance to randomly discover extra materials, which will be automatically added to your item box. This bonus find can sometimes include Novacrystals, making it worthwhile to have them along on your journey.
Mining outcrops don’t provide unlimited resources, though. Once you completely harvest one, it goes on a cooldown for 15 real-world minutes before it can be mined again. This means that after clearing an area, you’ll need to either wait or move on to another location if you’re looking to gather more materials.
Whether you choose to hunt Gypceros or focus on mining, getting your hands on a Novacrystal takes patience and strategy. With the right approach and a bit of luck, you’ll be able to collect this rare material and put it to good use.
Efficient Mining Zones in Each Region
While some rare mining materials are only found in specific regions, Novacrystals can be mined across multiple locations. No matter where you choose to explore, there’s always a chance to find this valuable resource. The regions where Novacrystals can be mined include Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs, and the Ruins of Wyveria.
The maps in this episode of Monster Hunter are very large, with some having several levels. Thankfully, each map is segmented into numbered zones, so it is easy to find major areas to mine. Some zones are especially full of mining outcrops, which raises the chances of discovering Novacrystals.
Windward Plains
In the Windward Plains, zones 7 and 9 are excellent spots for mining. Just to the right of the base camp, you’ll find two outcrops, with two more located nearby in zone 9. These outcrops are relatively close together, making it easier to farm for materials efficiently.
Scarlet Forest
The Scarlet Forest, zone 8, has the most outcrops of mining in one location. Five outcrops are found towards the top of the zone, which is one of the best places to collect Novacrystals. Players can also place a Pop-Up Camp in the center of the zone, which serves as a nice resting spot while running mines.
Oilwell Basin
Within the Oilwell Basin, zones 4 and 6 both have two outcrops. There is also a good place to place a camp between these two zones, and it will be convenient to traverse back and forth when mining. The closeness of the two areas makes it a good farming path for those looking for Novacrystals.
Iceshard Cliffs
For the Iceshard Cliffs, zone 8 is the best place. This zone contains three outcrops in a circular route around the perimeter of the region. This design enables players to travel in a loop, constantly mining every outcrop as they respawn.
Ruins of Wyveria
Finally, the Ruins of Wyveria boasts fewer mining locations than the other areas. Zone 1 features a lone outcrop situated just past the base camp. Players can go back to the entrance of the camp and proceed to the right, along the route that leads to zone 2, where another outcropping lies. Though this zone is less populated, diligent exploration will still reward Novacrystals.
With all of these areas in mind, the mining of Novacrystals becomes a less daunting task. Whether it’s a dense area such as the Scarlet Forest or a methodical path such as the Iceshard Cliffs, you will be able to find this rare material more effectively if you know where to search.
