Before you dive off the cliff, though, there are some ground rules that should be laid out. Online etiquette seems to be overlooked very often, so this section will brief you on a few Monster Hunter specific unspoken rules that, when followed, give a smooth, fun experience for everyone.

1. Hunt within your rank.¶

If you are still in Low Rank, do not jump into High Rank and expect hunters there to help you do your keys to carry you. There are two reasons why this is rude. First off, nobody has the responsibility to go back to your rank and help you; chances are, they’re trying to further their own hunting career in the game. Second, you will never improve by letting a bunch of hotshots destroy everything for you.

The solution? Find others who are in the same rank as you and work your way up together. That way, everybody improves, and it’s still fun!

2. The lives become communal¶

Fainting (oft referred to as “carting”), is a no-no. When you’re playing solo, you have three lives, and the third cart results in failure of the quest. Online, you probably think that everybody has three lives. That’s not the case. Everybody has to share these three lives. So if you doublecart, then nobody else can make any mistakes. Carting even once is deeply frowned upon, especially if you do it over and over again. Remember: 3 lives divided by 4 people means you have 0.75 carts as your share so if you use 1 cart, you are using more than the share allotted to you.

You must make sure you are properly prepared before you tackle a big bad monster online, even more so than in solo play.

3. Weapons are disruptive¶

Not in the traditional way of actually removing health, but if your weapon hits a fellow player, it will knock them onto their butt or, even worse, send them flying . So while there is no true friendly fire, there is disruption and tripping, and the worst is upswinging. If you use a weapon with either a huge range (Gunner weapons come into mind) or a capability to upswing (Hammer and Switch Axe, for example), you must be incredibly careful with where you choose to hit.

In the same vein, some weapons are better for other purposes than other weapons. This has two implications. First off, if you’re not using that weapon and you insist on popping shots at that part, you’re going to be very bothersome to those with weapons better suited! And second off, if you actually have a hammer but you refuse to smack the head, you’re being very rude by not doing what is optimal for the team!

Head: Hammer, Hunting Horn

Tail: Long Sword, Switch Axe

Legs: Dual Swords, Sword and Shield

4. If somebody mounts the monster, do not attack¶

A new feature in 4 Ultimate is that you can ride the monster like it’s a bull in the rodeo, and you can then knock the monster over. However, if you attack and cause the monster to flinch, the other player will be thrown off . So while the player is wrestling with the monster, stand back and wait until the monster falls over.

If your weapon relies on constant hits to keep its power up, it is reasonable that you find the need to keep attacking (Long Swords, for instance) but you are being incredibly rude in doing so. It is especially so when some monsters have breakable parts that are very hard to reach unless a player succeeds in a mount! Then you have potentially ruined the opportunity for rare rewards and ain’t nobody out there who likes a party crasher.

5. Communicate your intentions clearly¶

This is more or less self-explanatory. If a monster is ready for capture and you want to capture, tell everybody that you are putting down a trap. That will convey the message. Don’t say nothing, then get mad when the monster is killed. If you’re briefly leaving the Gathering Hall to swap equipment or make new things or check the Wycoon, do let everyone know so that they’re not waiting around twiddling their thumbs while you fell off the face of the planet. They might leave without you.

Of course, be polite as you communicate your intentions.