Kinsects are essential companions for Insect Glaive users in Monster Hunter Wilds, enhancing mobility, buffs, and damage. Understanding the Kinsect tree helps optimize your build for different playstyles. This guide covers all Kinsect trees, the best Kinsects for early and late-game, and how to upgrade them for maximum efficiency. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, mastering Kinsects can elevate your hunting experience.
What Are Kinsects in MH Wilds
Kinsects are specialized insects that work in tandem with the Insect Glaive, gathering monster extracts to provide buffs. Depending on the type of Kinsect equipped, they can also deal either severing or blunt damage when attacking monsters.
There are three methods to harvest extracts:
- Melee Extraction: Hold R2/RT and press Triangle/Y to send the Kinsect to harvest extracts. Holding the button allows the Kinsect to pierce the target and collect multiple extracts.
- Ranged Extraction: While holding R2/RT, aim and press R1/RB to fire the Kinsect at a monster from a distance. This method requires precise aim.
- Focus Mode Extraction: In focus mode, the Kinsect attacks alongside your focus attacks. When using ranged extraction, you can activate the extract buff by recalling your Kinsect with R2+Circle/RT+Y.
Kinsect Trees in MH Wilds
Kinsects follow a tree system similar to weapons. Players start with Mauldrone and Culldrone, which branch into two distinct upgrade paths. Below is a detailed breakdown of each tree and its features.
Severing Kinsect Tree
Culldrone
┣ Alucanid
┃ ┣ Monarch Alucanid
┃ ┗ Empresswing
┣ Rigiprayne
┃ ┣ Cancadaman
┃ ┗ Fiddlebrix
┗ Windchopper
┣ Grancathar
┗ Pseudocath
Blunt Kinsect Tree
Mauldrone
┣ Foebeetle
┃ ┣ Carnage Beetle
┃ ┗ Bonnetfille
┣ Gullshad
┃ ┣ Bullshroud
┃ ┗ Whispervesp
┗ Ladytarge
┣ Ladypavise
┗ Arkmaiden
Purchasing the Mauldrone or Culldrone costs 100 Zenny. Upgrading them requires various resources, typically ore or Monster Fluid.
Note: Players can nurture their Kinsects to gain additional effects. This process is similar to weapon upgrades, requiring players to encounter specific monsters and gather certain materials to unlock enhancements and new abilities.
Best Kinsects in MH Wilds
Best Early-Game Kinsects
- Gullshad
- Windchopper
Players can start nurturing Kinsects after defeating Rey Dau in Chapter 2. For early-game choices, Gullshad and Windchopper are highly recommended due to their superior speed. Faster Kinsects can reach targets more quickly, making extract collection and buff delivery more efficient.
Best Late-Game Kinsects
- Fiddlebrix
- Arkmaiden
Once players can nurture rarity 4 Kinsects, Arkmaiden and Fiddlebrix become the top choices. Both feature Kinsect Boost: Harvest Extract, which increases the number of buffs a Kinsect can hold at once. This reduces the need for frequent returns between the player and the monster, making extract gathering much more efficient.
Unlocking Higher-Rarity Kinsects in MH Wilds
Rarity 2 Kinsects – Chapter 2
To unlock rarity 2 Kinsects, players must defeat Rey Dau in Chapter 2: The Eye of the Storm. Kinsect nurturing becomes available when visiting Gemma.
Rarity 4 Kinsects – Chapter 4
To unlock rarity 4 Kinsects, players must capture Yian Kut-Ku in Chapter 4: New Ecosystems. Completing this mission unlocks High Rank, allowing players to nurture rarity 4 Kinsects, the highest rarity in the game. This grants access to all available Kinsects.
