Monster hunting used to be a simple affair - you find a monster out in the wilds (see what we did there?) and pummel it with whatever weapon you have on hand. Maybe you eat a meal before setting out, perhaps chug a potion or three, have a side order of buffs, and when the unfortunate monster starts limping you follow it back to its lair and finish it off. Then Capcom graced us with the dual blessings of Focus Mode and Wounds and monster hunting became a bit more nuanced. This page will discuss how to use Focus Mode to target your attacks and destroy Wounds in Monster Hunter Wilds!
Page Breakdown¶
| Quick Search |
|---|
| Inflicting and Destroying Wounds |
| Using Focus Mode |
Inflicting and Destroying Wounds¶
As you attack monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds you may inflict Wounds on them, which typically look like open gashes on the monster’s flesh. Dealing repeated damage to a specific appendage or organ on a monster was always a good idea in Monster Hunter games, as destroying that part could hobble the monster, limit its mobility, and prevent it from using certain attacks. Plus, destroying monster parts often dropped bonus materials, some of which were impossible or very hard to get any other way. Destroying monster bits still works like in the old days, but Wounds are a way to make this more explicit - destroying a Wound will often yield some component or another and in conjunction with Focus Mode may deal massive damage as well. Note that destroying a wound on, say, the tail (or any other limb or organ), doesn’t necessarily destroy the tail, and destroying a monster’s tail doesn’t necessarily inflict a wound. These are, as far as we can tell, two separate mechanics, but dealing enough damage to a creature’s tail by destroying a wound there may also destroy the tail.
Damage a monster to inflict Wounds - areas which can be targeted to deal extra damage and ultimately destroyed to score materials.
Using Focus Mode¶
Wounds and Focus Mode are two different things, but Focus Mode is an accessory to Wounds, and by using attacks available to your Hunter in Focus Mode to target down Wounds you can deal massive damage to monsters, so the two kind of go together. To enter Focus Mode, press or hold down the assigned button (by default it’s 
/ 
) to create a reticle on-screen, which helps you target your attacks better. Aside from this reticle, Wounds will be highlighted in Focus Mode, making them easier to spot, and your weapon may get new attacks best fit to exploit Wounds in Focus Mode (although you do not have to target Wounds with these attacks, of course).
For example, in Focus Mode the Charge Blade gets the “Double Rend” attack, a leaping, vertical, two-stroke slash with the sword and shield. If this hits a Wound it may trigger a larger followup attack which can deal massive damage if you can target the Wound with it further. Again using the Charge Blade as an example: hit a wound with “Double Rend” and you’ll turn switch from sword mode to axe mode, turning your axe head into a circular saw that deals tremendous damage. The flavor varies by weapon type, but the concept remains the same - inflict Wounds, then target Wounds while in Focus Mode to deal big damage!
(1 of 2) Use Focus Mode to make Wounds more visible, and strike them with Focus Mode exclusive attacks,
Use Focus Mode to make Wounds more visible, and strike them with Focus Mode exclusive attacks, (left), to deal massive damage to enemies! (right)
All in all, Focus Mode makes it easier to target specific parts of a monster, and Wounds formalize and enhance the limb/appendage/organ breaking mechanic from older games and make fights less monotonous by giving you an objective to constantly target. If you’re not targeting wounds during fights in Monster Hunter Wilds, you’re just leaving damage on the table!
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