Trapping monsters in the future Monster Hunter Wilds provides a tactical option to simply killing them, with special rewards and benefits. Hunters can gain precious materials and conclude hunts quickly by learning the skill of trapping and sedating. This guide will explore the basics of capturing monsters, the benefits it provides, and important information about monster weaknesses to various traps.
How To Capture Monsters
To capture a monster, you need to have the right tools ready, specifically, traps like shock traps or pitfall traps, and tranq bombs in your item pouch. You don’t have to add them to your radial menu, but make sure you can access them from your item bar.
Capturing a monster happens in two main steps. First, you need to weaken the monster by fighting it until it’s on the brink of collapse. A good sign is when your palico says something like, “It’s looking weak! Almost there!” The most reliable clue, though, is seeing a skull icon next to the monster’s icon on your minimap.
Once the monster is weak enough, it’s time to set the trap and capture it. Place a trap, either a shock or pitfall trap, and lure the monster into it. When it’s caught, quickly throw a few tranq bombs on or near its head. If the monster is weak enough, this will knock it out. Sometimes, you might need to use both the trap and the bombs to finish the job. Once the monster passes out, the capture is complete! You’ll get special rewards for capturing it, just like you would if you had carved its body after a kill.
Why To Capture Monsters
The biggest advantage of capturing a monster is that it ends the fight instantly, much faster than battling it to the death. Most of the time, though, you’re hunting monsters for specific materials to craft armor or weapons. Capturing a monster wraps things up quickly, only costing you a trap and a couple of tranq bombs. On the other hand, killing a monster takes more time, burns through your potions, and increases the risk of failing the hunt. That said, slaying a monster does give you a slightly better chance of getting the materials you need.
Which Monsters Can We Capture
Some large monsters are immune to certain traps, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
- Rey Dau, Zoh Shia, and Gypceros can’t be paralyzed by shock traps.
- Jin Dahaad and Zoh Shia won’t get caught in pitfall traps.
Knowing which traps work and which don’t, can save you a lot of trouble during a hunt.
