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!

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 to use traps on them. Finally, you need to hit the monster with a 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. If you have enough materials to craft, you can safely start over even if you fail once.

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.

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.

Best Timing to Catch Monsters

Skull Mark on the Mini-map

To determine the Capture timing, check the monster icon on the mini-map at the bottom left of the screen. If a skull mark appears on the monster icon, capturing the monster is possible.

Palico Also Let's You Know

Other than the mini-map, Palico will tell you that the monster seems to be weakening. If Palico's language setting is set to human, it is easy to notice it not only from the subtitles but also by their voice.

Capture the Limping Monster

When the monster moves to another area and it seems to be dragging its feet, it is a signal that it can be captured. It's difficult to trap them while moving, so try capturing the monster in the area where they are moving to.

Advantages of Capturing a Monster

Hunting Takes Less Time

Capturing the monster doesn't require you to deplete all of the monster's health, so you can finish the quest faster than defeating the monster.

Easier to Obtain Rare materials

When you capture a monster, the drops are different to when you defeat them. Capture rewards are relatively easier to obtain rare materials compared to Carving. If you can't get it by defeating them, you can try Capturing instead.

Disadvantage and Precautions

Cannot Carve Monster

When you capture a monster, you cannot carve them. If there are materials that can only be obtained by carving them, you may not be able to obtain the materials you want even if you continue to capture them multiple times.

Only 20 seconds Before Quest Ends

If you complete a quest by capturing the monster, you only have 20 seconds to return to your base. Since you may not be able to carve the broken off parts in time, try to collect the materials as much as possible during the quest.

Monsters Become Resistant to Traps

When you use the same Trap many times, the monster will become resistant and the restraint time will become shorter. When aiming to capture a monster, be careful not to use Traps more than necessary.

Largest Monsters Cannot be Captured

In previous games, Capturing monsters classified as Elder Dragons or Giants was not possible because Traps didn't work on them. There is a high possibility that it will be the same for this game.

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?