Monster Hunter: World Guide: Playing Nice Online

Part of what makes Monster Hunter: World such an enjoyable experience is that you can go online to get help with monsters that were too difficult for you to tackle alone. However, just because you’re with others doesn’t mean the game is going to go any easier on you. The same rules still apply and one wrong move can lead to a situation where you’ll want to hunt your teammates rather than the monster in question.

Here are some tips to ensure you and your team only goes for the throats of monsters and not each other:

You Are Responsible For Yourself

Just because there are other players in the game doesn’t mean you can ignore the core rules of the game. Bring the right items, know the boss’ attack patterns and stay attentive at all times. Unless the other players explicitly state they’re going to carry you, assume that they’re not.

Support Your Teammates

Though self-reliance is obviously important, there are certain items and abilities that can be beneficial to your entire party. For example, Hunting Horns can provide an array of buffs to your team and Bowguns have special ammo that can heal teammates when shot. A few buffs or support items can go a long way, so consider bringing them along if you’re able.

Watch Where You’re Swinging (Or Aiming)

As indicated in the previous tip, players can interact with one another. This isn’t always a good thing, however, as players can actually hit one another with their attacks; and while they won’t deal damage, affected players can be tripped and even launched into the air. Your teammates will not like this, and some will straight up leave if it happens too often. In fact, some will immediately leave if they see others using certain weapons, as a few of them are notorious for being exceptionally annoying in the hands of the inexperienced and careless.

Heads Are For Hammers

If someone in your party is using a Hammer, then they should be the one attacking the head. Hitting an enemy enough times in the head with impact-based damage can knock an enemy out and no weapon does that better than a Hammer. Yes, Great Swords and Hunting Horns can do the same, but it doesn’t matter — heads are for hammers. Everyone else can hit the sides or back.

Stay Alive

This tip isn’t exclusive to multiplayer, but it has an added importance there for one reason: every player has three lives combined. It doesn’t matter who does the dying, so long as your party suffers three deaths, then it’s game over. It’s one thing if three of the four players die one time each, but its a different matter altogether if one person dies all three times. Not only will it be embarrassing for the player in question, but it is sure to piss off the other three. Hell, at least one of them will likely leave a colorful message in the offending player’s inbox.

Don’t Be A Jerk

This is true for any team-based multiplayer game, but it’s of vital importance in Monster Hunter: World. Some of these, such as hitting teammates or targeting the wrong areas, have already been touched upon, but there are other things to mindful of as well. For example, don’t take your teammates supplies while at base camp or run off and start gathering materials while they’re fighting a boss.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

I said it three times just to emphasize its importance. There are numerous advantages to having a well-coordinated team, and the only way to truly reach that point is to properly communicate with everyone. Yes, there is a limit to how much communication is actually needed in Monster Hunter: World, but even simple messages like a greeting or revealing which language you speak can go a long way. Most importantly, though, communicating with others will help to illustrate that you aren’t some silent jerk. In fact, people are more willing to tolerate (and even forgive) errors committed by those who speak. Yes, getting hit with a Long Sword is irritating, but it’s at least more tolerable if the offender offers an apology and acknowledges their mistake.

So, there you have it. If you follow these brief guidelines then you’ll have no problems succeeding in Monster Hunter: World’s multiplayer. Happy Hunting!

Need help with something else? Head to the Hunter’s Index to find more guides.