
You're absolutely right — Monster Hunter Wilds lives up to the series' tradition of using its story mode as a hands-on tutorial, gently guiding players through the fundamentals of hunting, crafting, and survival. Once you finish the main narrative, the real test begins: mastering the wilds, unlocking powerful gear, and taking on legendary monsters in their full fury.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown and guide to help you navigate both the main story missions and side quests, including tips on progression, key rewards, and when to revisit side quests.
🌿 Monster Hunter Wilds: Main Story Missions (Chapter-by-Chapter)
🔹 Chapter 1: The Call of the Wild
- 1-1: Desert Trotters
→ Your first real hunt. Introduces the Almudron and the desert environment. Learn to track, use the environment, and manage stamina. - 1-2: Back to Camp – The Beginning
→ Learn base mechanics: crafting, weapon upgrades, and the importance of gathering. - 1-3: To the Forest – Forest Findings
→ Enter the lush Verdant Vale. Meet Kushala Daora (early-game bird Wyvern). Learn how to use different weapon types and movement (climbing, rolling). - 1-4: The Investigation Continues – A Hunter’s Pride
→ You begin to understand the world’s lore. Encounter Narwa, a young hunter who inspires you. Learn to use traps and tamer mechanics. - 1-5: Pursuit of Solitude – Beyond the Deluge
→ Your first real challenge. Battle the Narwa (a powerful, aggressive monster). Introduces elemental weaknesses and the importance of weapon mastery.
✅ Post-Chapter 1 Goal: Level up to Rank 10, unlock the Fang Arc (greatsword), and prepare for the next chapter.
🔹 Chapter 2: The Shifting Sky
- 2-1: A Looming Shadow – Toward Fervent Fields
→ Enter the volcanic Fervent Fields. Fight Rathalos (flying wyvern). Learn aerial combat and using Flinch Attacks. - 2-2: An Unforeseen Storm – The Eye of the Storm
→ Introduces elemental weather shifts. Fight Kushala Daora again, but this time in a storm. Focus on evasion and timing. - 2-3: A Desolate Destination – Hopes of Home
→ Explore a ruined settlement. Learn about the Ancient Ones and the world’s history. Fight Tetsucabra (fish wyvern) in water. - 2-4: A Disquieting Dawn – Long-forgotten Flame
→ Face Seregios in a final test of skill. Learn about stamina management, elemental resistances, and endurance combat.
✅ Post-Chapter 2 Goal: Reach Rank 20, unlock Rathalos’ Materials, and begin farming for High-Rank weapons.
🔹 Chapter 3: The Flame Awakens
- 3-1: Born from the Flame – The Faithful Keepers
→ Final chapter. The world’s fate hinges on you. Fight Rathian and Rathalos together in a dual-boss event. Learn to use environmental hazards and brutal combat patterns. - 3-2: Indomitable Spirit – Nothing Frozen, Nothing Gained
→ Battle Zinogre in a blizzard. Focus on lightning resistance and terrain use. Learn the true meaning of resource management. - 3-3: Through the Dusk
→ Final story mission. Face the true threat: Nasodra, a corrupted beast. This is a multi-stage, stamina-heavy battle that tests everything you’ve learned.
🏆 After Chapter 3: The story ends, but your journey has just begun. The real Wilds are now open.
🌪️ Monster Hunter Wilds: Side Quests (Repeatable & Rewarding)
These aren’t just filler — they’re essential for gear, materials, and progression.
| Side Quest | Monster | Key Reward | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buggin’ in the Desert | Solanum | Desert Dung (for traps), Sand Pulse (material) | Early-game trap tools |
| A Sharp Sort | Tetsucabra | Crystal Shards, Adhesive Stalk | Healing items, crafting |
| Beware the Chatacabra | Chameleos | Skin of the Camouflage | Stealth gear, camouflage armor |
| Fire Starter | Rathalos | Fireproof Scales | Fire resistance gear |
| Every Rose… | Almudron | Shimmering Petals | Crafting parts for elemental weapons |
| Tussle in Pink Sand Sea | Kushala Daora | Feather of the Sky | High-tier flight gear |
| Sea Surges | Zinogre | Thunder Fang | Lightning-attuned weapons |
| Forest Outlaw | Diablos | Horn of the Beast | Heavy armor and weapons |
| Veiled by the Tide | Salamandra | Lava Core | Fire elemental weapons |
| Oilwell Basin Blast | Rathian | Fireproof Eggs | Guardian armor sets |
| Sultan of the Sand | Almudron | Sandfury Horn | Sand-based traps and projectiles |
| Dance of Shadows | Glavenus | Ice Cog | Cold resistance, ice-elemental weapons |
| Fleet Flight | Kushala Daora | Skyward Talon | Fast movement gear |
| Scorching Simian | Kulu-Ya-Ku | Firefruit | Healing, stamina recovery |
| Creeping Flames | Tetsucabra | Magma Spine | High damage fire weapons |
| Pallid Beast’s Lament | Narwa | Shadow Fang | Final form upgrades |
| His Eternal Reign | Nasodra | Heart of the Wild | Final legendary set (if you collect all parts) |
🔥 Pro Tip: Farm Salamandra and Zinogre side quests early for fire and lightning materials — they’re core to unlocking top-tier builds.
📌 Final Tips for New Hunters
- Complete All Side Quests Once — Even if not needed, they give you materials for crafting and help you practice against stronger monsters.
- Focus on Crafting: Use materials from side quests to upgrade your gear before tackling higher ranks.
- Don’t Skip the Wilds After Story: The best gear, builds, and monster forms are only unlocked post-credits.
- Use the Environment: Learn to trigger cracks, fires, and avalanches in missions to turn the tide.
- Master the New Mechanics:
- Fury Mode: Unlocks in Chapter 3 — supercharge your attacks.
- Tamer System: Use to control monsters mid-battle (e.g., distract Diablos while attacking).
- Stamina Management: Critical for dodging and climbing.
📚 Looking for More?
Check out The Escapist, Monster Hunter Wilds Wiki, and Monster Hunter Community Discord for:
- Build guides (e.g., Frostbite Bow, Rathalos Smash, Zinogre Cleave)
- New weapon mod tips
- How to unlock 4-star and 5-star hunts
- Endgame content: Legendary Monster DLC (if released), Gathering, Crafting, and Artisan Sets
🟢 Bottom Line:
Monster Hunter Wilds’ story is just the prologue. The real adventure — hunting, crafting, and conquering the wilds — starts after the final cutscene. So gear up, sharpen your blades, and prepare to rise.
🐉 "The wilds are not tamed. They are claimed."
Happy hunting, Hunter. 🏹⚔️
