How to Join Multiplayer

How to join Multiplayer guide for Monster Hunter Wilds (MHW). See how to join multiplayer, unlock, play with friends, and the maximum number of players in the online lobby.

How to Unlock Multiplayer

Unlock After Chatacabra & Story Quest

Mutiplayer in Monster Hunter Wilds will unlock after defeating Chatacabra and heading back to the main camp. Specifically, talk to the NPCs at the camp, watch the event in the research headquarters, then enter and exit your tent to proceed in multiplayer.

Multiplayer Usage Fees

Multiplayer is free on PC (Steam) version of Monster Hunter Wilds, but PS5 and Xbox require a monthly subscription to access online multiplayer. The cheapest plan for each platform is around 9.99 USD per month, so be sure to subscribe if you want to join multiplayer.

How to Play Multiplayer

Invite Your Friends Recruit Randoms Join a Quest Private Lobby

How to Invite Your Friends

1. Ask for Hunter ID of the Player You Want to Invite
2. Enter Hunter ID in Search
3. Invite Hunter Found in Search
4. Start A Quest
   ┗You Can Also Share Field Status With Environment Links

You Can Invite Anyone to Form a Party

By using the link party function, you can play multiplayer with both friends and anyone else, regardless of whether they are on the same platform. Crossplay invites are supported, allowing you to play with players from different platforms.

Ask for Hunter ID of the Player You Want to Invite

Ask the player joining the link party to share their Hunter ID. Your Hunter ID will be displayed in the upper left corner when you open "Hunter Profile" in the menu. If your ID is not displayed, please switch the display using R3. If the other Hunter is already on your friend's list, ID confirmation is no longer required.

Enter Hunter ID in Search

Navigate to Menu → Communication → Player List from the menu. On the player list window, select the search icon at the rightmost option. This will display the "Hunter ID Search" feature. Enter the ID of the player you want to invite in the Hunter ID search and then confirm.

Invite Hunter Found in Search

After searching using Hunter ID, the player's name will appear. Simply select them and send an invitation to the Link Party. The invited player can accept the invitation by navigating to Menu → Communication → Invite Notification List.
※If you search for another person, the current result may disappear. To perform additional searches, press the triangle button on PS5 or the R key on PC

Start a Quest

Once a Link Party is formed, all members can act as hosts, allowing quests to be shared simply by accepting the request. Approve the quest invitation through Menu → Communication → Invite Notification List.

Benefits of Becoming Hunter Friends

If you want to play multiplayer with the same person repeatedly, invite them as your Hunter friend. This allows you to easily invite them to future link parties without needing to enter their Hunter ID.

Share Field Status With Environment Links

While not in a quest, you can explore the field environment with your Link Party members. You can share your current field status from Menu → Communication → Link Party → Invite All to Environment Link. This feature is useful for monsters like Rey Dau, which require specific conditions to appear.

Availability May Vary Based on Story Progress

Please note that the environment links are tied to story progression. If there is a difference in progress between hunters, you may not be able to use environment links.

How to Recruit Random Players

1. Set Recruitment With Alma or in Pop-up Camps
2. Use SOS Flare During Quest
   ┗If You Don't Have Quests, You Can't Use SOS Flares.
3. Wait In Lobby When Using Password
   ┗Share Your Password in Chat.

Set Recruitment With Alma or in Pop-up Camps

Alma	Pop-up Camp

To play multiplayer using SOS Flare, talk to the NPC "Alma" or enter your Pop-up Camp to set the multiplayer recruitment settings.

Settings for SOS Flare Recruitment

Player Limit	Set number of participants from 1 to 4
Multiplayer Settings	Can be set for all players or support hunter-only
Automatic SOS Flare	ON or OFF
Recruitment Comments	You can input any recruitment message
Join Request Settings	Automatic or Manual
Password Setting	Lobby Only ※Can't be used for SOS Flares
Platform Permission	Choose between "the same platform only or crossplay."

Use SOS Flare During Quest

How to Use	Hold ＋ Move to Select

Please note that the SOS Flare can only be used after accepting a quest. Once you accept any quest, simply use the SOS Flare, and players or support hunters from across the country will join your party.

Types of Quest you can Accept

	[Request] Select a Monster in your field and turn it into a quest, and accept it.
	[Optional Quest] An Optional Quest unlocks by defeating a large monster. You can accept the optional quest from Alma.

Wait In Lobby When Using Password

If you've set a password in the settings, wait in the lobby after accepting a quest and share the password with the member you want to invite via chat. Participants can then talk to Alma and join the quest from the lobby. Please note that the password will be automatically canceled if you send out an SOS Flare.

Invites Is Recommended Over Using Password

Rather than using a password, it's recommended to invite players to a Link Party using a Hunter ID. This allows you to form a party with both friends and non-friends, making it easier to enjoy multiplayer.

How to Join a Quest

1. Open the Quest Counter Menu From Alma or Pop-up Camp
2. Select the Quest You Want to Join

Open the Quest Counter Menu From Alma or Pop-up Camp

Alma	Pop-up Camp

To join a multiplayer quest, talk to the NPC "Alma" or enter your Pop-up Camp and select Post/Join Quest.

Select the Quest You Want to Join

By selecting a quest from 'Optional Quest' or 'SOS Flare Quests,' you can join in multiplayer with other players. From here, you can participate in quests accepted by your lobby members, or join quests they've received if you've formed a link party.

Types of Quests
[Optional Quests] Join other players' optional quests
[Lobby Member Quests] Join quests of players in the same lobby
[Link Member Quests] Join link memebrs' quests
[SOS Flare Quests] Join quests where someone has sent up an SOS Flare

Multiplayer in a Private Lobby

1. From the Select Lobby menu, select "Private Lobby"
   ┗ You Can Also Do This From Alma.
2. Tell the Players You Want to Invite the Lobby ID
3. Search the Lobby ID and Make Them Join the Lobby
4. Play With the Lobby Members With “Lobby Members Quest"

Private Lobby Is a Place You Can Play With Invited Hunters Only

You can play with selected people only at private lobbies. You can do quest together with friends with "Lobby Member Quests". A max of 16 people can join the Private Lobby

From Select Lobby Menu, Choose "Private Lobby"

The person who will host the server should choose "Private Lobby" from Select Lobby or talk to Alma and select "Private Lobby". With this, you can create a lobby where only people who has the Lobby ID can enter.

Send the Lobby ID to People You Want to Invite

Tell the people you want to invite the Lobby ID of the private lobby for them to join. You can invite up to 16 players. You can check the Private Lobby ID from Menu → Communication → Member List to check.

The Joining Members Will Search for the Lobby and Join

The joining member can talk to Alma to search for the ID told by the host. You can find it at 'Change Lobby Menu' at 'Lobby ID Search' after talking to Alma to join.

Play "Lobby Member Quests" First

To play the same quest with members of the Private Lobby, you can talk to Alma and select Lobby Member Quest.

Multiplayer Player Limit

Up to 4 Players Can Play Together

Monster Hunter Wilds allows online multiplayer up to 4 players. If you want to change the number of players in multiplayer, you can adjust the settings by speaking to Alma.

Lobby Capacity Is up to 100 Players

Up to 100 players can join the 'Lobby,' where players gather for multiplayer. You can chat with others in the same lobby and invite them to participate in quests.

Up to 16 Players Displayed in the Lobby

The lobby can accommodate up to 100 participants, but only a maximum of 16 players will be displayed in the lobby at any given time.

Private Lobbies Also Has a 16 Player Max Limit

Private Lobbies are lobbies that only allows people who know the password. For private lobbies, you can only allow a maximum of 16 hunters as well.

Multiplayer vs. Solo

Enemy HP Increases With the Number of Players

※The assumption is that rockfall damage is based on percentage.

The main difference between multiplayer and solo is that the enemy's health increases based on the number of players in your party. When considering rockfall damage as a percentage, the damage increases to about 2.4 times when there are 4 players. This suggests that the enemy's health also increases by approximately 2.3 to 4 times.

Support Hunters Also Increases Enemy HP

Please note that "Support Hunters," which can be called via SOS Flare when playing solo or offline, is designed to increase the enemy's HP just like in multiplayer mode.

Enemy HP Changes With Party Size

The enemy's health will increase or decrease based on the number of participants in the quest. Therefore, if the number of players drops due to disconnections or other reasons, the enemy's HP will be adjusted according to the reduced number of players.

Multiplayer HP Increase Is From Previous Series

It's a common feature throughout the series that enemy HP increases during multiplayer. Looking at the recent past games, the maximum increase in enemy health is around 2.4 times, so it's safe to assume that Monster Hunter Wilds follows this pattern with monster HP increasing up to 2.4 times.

Monster HP Increase in Multiplayer From Previous Series

Is Multiplayer Crossplay Available

Crossplay Available for PC, PS5, and Xbox

Monster Hunter Wilds supports crossplay, so Steam (PC), PS5, and Xbox users can play together. But you can also disable crossplay in settings

Cross-Save Is Not Supported

Despite having crossplay available, your data cannot be shared between two different platforms. Keep in mind that you cannot transfer your save data when playing the game so choose the platform you really want to play Monster Hunter Wilds on.

Can't Play Multiplayer?

Check Your Internet Connection Status

If you can't play multiplayer in Monster Hunter Wilds, first check your internet connection. If you're not properly connected or there's an issue with your network, multiplayer will not work.

Try Restarting Your Console or PC

Although restarting your unit may not provide a permanent solution, it can resolve temporary issues. We recommend giving it a try to see if it helps.

Disband Environment Link & Try Again

If an error occurs during multiplayer, try disbanding the Environment Link and then remake the party. You can disband the Environment Link through Alma.

Send a Report for Unknown Errors

If you see a specific error code, it might be an issue beyond the player's control. There’s also a chance it's an unexpected bug, so if a feedback screen appears, be sure to report it.

Monster Hunter Wilds Related Articles

Useful Information

Game System

Character Creation Guide	Character Creation Recipes	Recommended Settings
Join Multiplayer	SOS Flare Guide	How to Change Name or Rename
Friend Request Guide	Hunter ID Guide	How To Cook
Layered Armor Equipment	How to Play Solo Online	FPS Comparison & Settings
How To Join a Lobby	Skip Button Guide	Arachnophobia Assistance
Craft Guide	Individual Strength Guide	Save Data Guide
Wound Guide	How to Hide Head Armor	How to Link Party
Receptionist Alma	Error Guide	Beginner's Guide
Support Hunter	How to Display FPS	Voice Chat Guide
Seikret Customization	Supply Items	Character Edit Voucher Guide
How to Lock-on	How to Pause	Photo Mode
Common Wood Minnow	Fishing Rod Guide	Whetstone Guide
Portable BBQ Grill	Camping Kit	Palico Guide
Tent Guide	How to Capture Monsters	Field Survey Quest
Mending Mantle	Canteen Guide

Hunting / Operation Method

Basic Controls	Combat Tips	How to use Focus Mode
What is a Wound?	Seikret Guide	Training Ground Location
Power Clash Guide	Offset Attack	Sneak Attack
How To Mount Monsters?	Radial Menu Guide	How to use Binoculars
How to Grill Meat	Capture Net	Ghillie Mantle
Slinger Guide	Large Barrel Bomb	Secondary Weapon
Evasion Guide	Perfect Evade	Radial Menu Guide
Perfect Guard	How To Switch Weapons

Map Information

Pop-up Camp List	How to Fast Travel Guide	Where to get Ore
Where to get Bone Material	Fish List & Fishing Spot	Endemic Life
Slinger Ammo	Check & Change Environment

Recommended Information before Purchasing

Release Date & Platforms	Save Data Bonuses	Pre-Order Bonuses
Recommended Specs	PS5 & PS5 Pro VS PC: Specs Comparison	Controller & Set Up Guide
Differences in Edition	How To Crossplay Guide	When Steam Version will be Released?
Will It Be Released On The Switch Or PS4?	Character Profiles and Voice Actor List	Predictions & Speculations
New Features	Storage & File Size Guide	How To Download Benchmark
Weapon Adjustments	Should You Buy an Xbox?