Monster Hunter is a franchise that makes no bones about its objective - it’s right in the name, in fact. Monster Hunter World is no different, you’re an aspiring hunter of the Fifth Fleet, traveling to the New World to aid the Research Commission. One of your key goals is to investigate the Elder Crossing, a phenomenon where Elder Dragons cross the ocean for a unknown purpose. As you cross the ocean, the need to solve this mystery is emphasized by a close encounter with Zorah Magdaros - an Elder Dragon currently making the crossing. After washing up on the New World, you’ll rendezvous with the Research Commission in their forward base, Astera, and begin unraveling the mystery behind the Elder Crossing… which naturally involves hunting lots of monsters!

The Monster Hunter series made its debut on home consoles in 2004, and after a long absence (during which it persisted on hand-held consoles like the Nintendo 3DS) the franchise finally made a victorious return to consoles in 2018. Primarily a third-person action game with light RPG elements, the core gameplay loop involves hunting down monsters of various sizes and difficulties. Hunt or traps these foes to gain materials from them, which you can use to craft arms and armor with different properties, including skills, resistances and levels of potency. You’ll also need to scour the game’s various wilderness areas for resources, which you can use to craft traps, bombs, ammo and consumable items (buffs, restoratives, etc.) that will aid you in your hunts.

Character progression is achieved largely through the creation of different arms and armor, and your play-style will vary considerably depending on what weapon(s) you use. A Bow-user who dodges repeatedly to unleash a torrent of charged shots will play quite differently from a Charge Blade user who switches in between different weapon forms while charging their weapon, storing, then unleashing said charges in devastating combos. The character can further customize their character with different skill loadouts by equipping various charms, decorations and armor that grant these skills. Different monsters (and the hazardous environments they dwell in!) may encourage the use of different skills, weapons, and armor.

This guide features a full, beginning-to-end walkthrough written in an “ideal chronological order of events” format. Main quests are interspersed with side quests in the order in which they unlock, although some side quests and arena challenges may only be referenced instead of fully explained. These are typically quests that have you facing a monster you’ve already fought under similar circumstances that offer no unique reward for completion. For example, after completing most main quests you won’t be able to attempt that quest again, but you’ll usually unlock an identical side quest allowing you to hunt the same monster in the same area with the same success/failure conditions.

Monster strategies will be discussed in detail as you encounter them throughout the walkthrough, featuring elemental and status information and drop lists. The guide also features a fully detailed bestiary for those who just want information about specific monsters unaccompanied by a walkthrough. Trophy/achievement information can also be found in a separate trophy/achievement guide, although be warned: many trophies/achievements in Monster Hunter World are easier said than done.

Other features of this guide include:

– Information on crafting/harvesting.
– Side quests that unlock mantles, ingredients and other useful features.
– Field Researcher quests including where to catch rare fish, how to capture small monsters, and where to locate Grimalkynes/Gajalaka.
– Grimalkyne/Gajalaka quests.
– How to upgrade the Ancient Tree/Harvest Box and how to unlock various fertilizers.
– How the Elder Melder works, melding different items and decorations.
– Where to find the Powertalon and Armortalon, and how to upgrade them into the Powercharm and Armorcharm.
– Detailed information on how to unlock Tempered Monsters, the difference between Threat Level 1, 2 and 3 Tempered Monsters.
– Information on Feystones, including drop rates, the differences between the types (Mysterious, Gleaming, Worn and Warped).
– How to get Warrior’s Streamstones and Hero’s Streamstones.