How to Capture Monsters

Capture Method and Timing in Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds). Includes information on how to capture, tips for capturing monsters, different drops, and more!

Pros and Cons

Pros

Faster Hunts

One of the advantages to capturing monsters is that it shortens the time it takes to complete a hunt since you do not need to continue fighting the monster once its HP is within the capture threshold. If you are expecting to be doing the same hunt multiple times, capturing is the better option if you want to prioritize efficiency.

Capture Rewards

Capturing monsters grants extra Capturing Rewards which replace materials acquired from carves. Note that capture rewards pull from the same rewards pool as carving a monster, so you can still receive materials that are not available as quest rewards, such as Gore Magala Feelers.

Cons

No Carves

Since a monster is tranquilized instead of slain during a capture, participating Hunters cannot carve the captured monster. Normally, this would not be a problem since you get capture rewards, but if you have the Carver Meal Skill active, the extra 1-3 carves will go to waste.

Quest Ends in 20s

Once a monster is captured, there is only 20s before the quest ends and you return to your Base Camp. When you know you are going to capture a monster, make sure to carve severed parts such as tails and collect surrounding materials beforehand.

When Can a Monster Be Captured?

Look for the Skull Icon

Map	Mini-map

An easy way to determine whether a monster can be captured or not is by keeping an eye out for a small skull that appears next to the monster's icon on both the map and mini-map. This small blinking skull is a designator that a monster is weak enough for capture.

Listen to Your Palico

Apart from the maps, you can also listen for audio prompts from your Palico. Once a monster is ready for capture, your Palico will say something along the lines of It's looking weak! Almost there!.

Limping Monsters

Once you notice that the monster is dragging its feet and is walking with a limp, it is a sign that the monster is ready for capture. Capturing a moving monster in a trap can be challenging, so we recommend capturing the monster after it has finished moving to its next destination.

Non-Capture Quests and Monsters

Slaying and Repel Quests

Quests marked as Slaying or quests with Repel in their objectives are non-capture quests.

Jin Dahaad

Jin Dahaad in Monster Hunter Wilds cannot be captured. You can stun it but you won't be able to capture it in any kind of quest.

How to Check Capture Rewards

Displayed as Notifications

Upon successfully capturing a monster, all participating Hunters will immediately receive a set of random capture rewards that appears on the righthand side of the screen.

If you want to re-check which items you received from the capture, check your Pouch before the quest ends!

No Extra Rewards

Unlike previous titles, capturing monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds does not provide extra capturing rewards apart from those that appear on the right side of the screen.

How to Capture Monsters

To capture monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds you first need to prepare the items to capture them, then weaken the monster before using an eligible trap. Finally, you need to hit the monster with any type of Tranq two times.

Prepare items used for capturing

Type	How to obtain Item
Trap	Pitfall Trap - Trap Tool + Thunderbug Capacitor
	Shock Trap - Trap Tool + Net
Tranq	Tranq Bomb - Sleep Herp + Parashroom
	Tranq Ammo - Tranq Bomb + Normal Ammo
	Tranq Blade - Tranq Bomb + Throwing Knife

To capture monsters, you need special traps and tranq items. Put them in your item pouch beforehand and start the quest. As long as you have enough materials to craft more, don't worry about attempting another capture if you fail the first time.

Remember to check if a monster can be captured

Make sure you're currently within the correct quest type and that the monster you are currently hunting is eligible for capture.

Some monsters are not affected by traps

Some monsters are not affected by Traps. For example, the Shock Trap does not work on Gypceros, so a Pitfall Trap is required when capturing it. Check which Traps are effective against the monster that you are targeting before deploying.

Weaken the monster

To capture a monster, you need to reduce its HP to a certain level. When it is low enough, a skull mark will appear on the monster icon on the Mini Map, and Palico will inform you, "It's looking weak! Almost there!".

Trap the weakened monster

Set a Shock Trap or Pitfall Trap to stop the monster. When setting it up during battle, there is a risk of being attacked by the monster, so it is necessary to take measures such as setting it up a little further away or putting it in a down state to stop its movement.

Unneeded traps can be retrieved

A feature that isn't present in older versions of Monster Hunter, Hunters can retrieve traps that have already been set by standing above the set trap and holding down the O button.

Catch monster while they are asleep

Some monsters return to their nests and sleep when they are weakened. You can safely set Traps while the monster is asleep, so one option is to wait until the monster sleeps.

Apply Tranq twice

You can capture a monster by applying a Tranq item twice while it is caught in a trap. The Gunner's Tranq Ammo or Slinger's Tranq Blade allows you to capture monsters from a distance.

You can also use the Tranq item first

It is possible to capture monsters even if you use Traps and Tranq items in the opposite order. However, since the effect of Tranqs do not last long, make sure to set Traps immediately after hitting them with the Tranq item.

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Useful Information

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Basic Controls	Combat Tips	How to use Focus Mode
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