Slaying monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds is fun and all, but I'm here to tell you that capturing is secretly the better option

If you managed to snag the rewards from participating in the Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta 2, or been poking around in your crafting list, you'll have noticed things like pitfall traps, shock traps, and tranq bombs available to you. There's more than one way to hunt a monster, and the answer isn't always necessarily to hack, bonk or shoot it to death. Sometimes, you might want to use these items to capture your prey instead.

Capturing monsters is surprisingly easy in Wilds, and it works exactly the same as in other Monster Hunter games. However, if you're looking for a pacifist method of monster hunting, capturing still requires you to whack your foe for a good while until a flashing skull appears next to the monster's icon on the minimap.

How to Capture a Monster in Monster Hunter Wilds

Here's a step-by-step guide to capturing a monster:

  • Deal damage to the monster until its weak enough to be captured, indicated by a flashing skull next to its icon on the minimap.
  • Keep an eye out for Alma or your Palico (if deployed) alerting you when the monster is ready to be captured.
  • If the monster starts moving towards another zone, follow it and wait for the right moment to deploy your trap.
  • Use a shock trap or pitfall trap to immobilize the monster. Make sure it successfully steps in the trap before proceeding.
  • Equip tranq bombs and throw them down next to the monster. You'll need at least two bombs to knock the monster out, by which point you'll have secured the capture and can walk away with your rewards.

Capturing vs. Carving: Which is Better for Long-Term Success?

In Wilds, capturing monsters seems like the better option in the long run due to its flexibility and accessibility. Since every monster can be captured (except for the final boss in low rank), you have a wide range of options at your disposal.

Carving, on the other hand, requires precise calculation and strategy to maximize your material gathering. While it's still a viable method, capturing monsters provides more flexibility and adaptability in your hunt.

The Benefits of Capturing

Capturing monsters has several benefits over carving:

  • Flexibility: With the ability to capture any monster (except for the final boss), you have a wide range of options at your disposal.
  • Accessibility: Capturing is easier and more accessible than carving, making it a great option for new players or those who prefer a more straightforward approach.
  • No precise calculations required: Unlike carving, capturing doesn't require precise calculations to maximize material gathering. You can simply focus on whacking the monster until it's ready to be captured.

Of course, there are scenarios where carving might be better suited, such as when you need specific materials that are only obtained through carving. However, for general-purpose monster hunting, capturing seems like the better option.

Conclusion

In Monster Hunter Wilds, capturing monsters is a viable and accessible way to obtain materials. While carving still has its benefits, capturing provides more flexibility and adaptability in your hunt. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a new player, capturing is definitely worth considering as an alternative to traditional carving methods.