Xu Wu Guide - Weakness, Drops, and How to Unlock

Wait for an Opening, Don't Attack Recklessly

In Monster Hunter Wilds, Xu Wu moves fast and frequently during its attacks. Its hardened tentacle attacks are especially powerful and can deal heavy damage at mid-range and head-on. Focus on its sides and rear. Don't attack recklessly; instead, wait for openings after its attacks to play it safe.

Some Weapons Perform Better Close Up

Xu Wu's attacks are powerful at mid-range, but its close-range behavior is more limited. If you're using weapons like the Great Sword with good guard or plenty of counter options, staying close may be easier. Find the distance that suits your playstyle.

Mouth Wide Open is a Huge Down Opportunity

Xu Wu's large mouth opening, followed by a fast dash attack, provides an opportunity for a long down if you deal significant damage during the attack. Offset Attacks are especially effective for knocking it down, allowing you to target its weak point, the mouth, for an extended period. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.

Be Alert When It Digs Into the Ground

When Xu Wu suddenly burrows into the ground, it will reappear from a random location and launch a mouth-open dash attack. Without knowing where it will emerge from, evading can be difficult, so stay alert and be ready to either counterattack or evade.

Use Slinger for Binding Attacks

When Xu Wu crosses its arms, it becomes a binding attack. For binding attacks, you can use the Slinger, or if it's the first binding, rapidly pressing knife attacks may help you break free.

Slinger is Best for Breaking Free from Binding Attacks

When Xu Wu fully opens its mouth, use the Slinger to knock it down for an extended period. Stone or Throwing Knives work fine for this. Be aware that using the Slinger right after a binding attack won't cause a down.

Utilize Slinger Ammo for Tempered Wounds

From Xu Wu's Tempered Monsters, you can obtain Tempered Wounds, including Slinger blunt pods. Blunt pods are particularly effective on Xu Wu's large head, which can cause a stun, creating valuable attack opportunities.

Dodge the Tentacle Spears

Xu Wu's hardened tentacle spears have a hitbox in the medium ranges and deal significant damage. Furthermore, these attacks come out quickly and can be difficult to avoid while you're still getting your bearings. It doesn't matter if you dodge left or right, simply make a habit of dodging in either direction once you notice the spears.

Hit Detection Near Tip

The hit detection for this attack is closer to the tip of the spear, so it may be possible to avoid the attack by dodging towards Xu Wu. If you can close in on Xu Wu, you can afford to damage it while it throws out this attack.

Be Wary of Ranged Attacks

Xu Wu has the ability to create needle-like protrusions from the tips of its tentacles, which it then throws at the Hunter. This attack has patterns wherein the needles are spread either vertically, or horizontally, so remember to dodge this attack backwards diagonally to ensure that you can avoid either attack pattern.

Watch for Spinning and Sweeping Attacks

In close range, the Xu Wu will perform large sweeping slashes with its tentacles, as well as spinning attacks. The sweeping slash has a very short wind-up, making it difficult to block, so it's better to position yourself closer to Xu Wu's side. For the spinning attack, it will wind its tentacles beforehand, so you should continuously dodge to create distance.

Prepare for the Dive Slash

The dive slash that Xu Wu uses when it's far from the Hunter has a strong forward reach, making it a difficult attack to evade. If Xu Wu uses this attack from a higher position, it may be possible to roll undernearth it. Alternatively, blocking with your guard is a safe way to deal with it.

Offset the Charging Attack

The full-mouth charge attack is essentially a fast attack that traverses a straight line, so you can avoid it by moving far enough to the left or right. When Xu Wu's mouth is fully open, try to time a powerful attack since this is an opportunity to use what is known as an offset attack.

Needle Throw→Tentacle SpearA

The attack where Xu Wu jumps and fires needles can temporarily obscure Xu Wu from the camera's view, so make sure not to miss the needle attack. Additionally, after landing, it may follow up with a tentacle thrust, so be aware of its movements and prepare to dodge.

Jumping Charge Attack

Xu Wu can occasionally perform a jump into a full-mouth charge attack. There is a slight delay before the charge begins, so use the monster's landing or rotation as a cue to react.

Tempered Monster with Tempered Wounds

As a Tempered Monster, Xu Wu will appear with Tempered Wounds. These wounds can be destroyed just like normal wounds, making them great targets for attacks. Additionally, destroying these wounds will result in dropping Slinger Ammo, which may make this hunt easier.

Quick Attack Strings

▲ Charges are now included in attack strings

The tempered version of Xu Wu has expanded attack strings, such as jumping → shooting needles, or extending tentacles for high-speed repositioning → charging attacks. As a result, it becomes much easier to lose sight of the monster. While the monster’s movements are intense, as long as you keep it in view, it’s easier to react to its attacks.

Distinguish Pinning Attacks

With tempered monsters being faster, it can be difficult to distinguish pinning attacks from tentacle attacks. Regular attacks deal damage, so its important to avoid them, however, a pinning attack can be interrupted with slinger ammo, which creates an opening for Hunters. Therefore, learn to distinguish a pinning attack and allow yourself to be grabbed to counter it and create an opening.

Attacks Use Tentacle Spears

In cases of tentacle attacks, four tentacles become spears. The hitbox itself isn't very wide, so you can avoid it by dodging backwards, using your guard, or, if you have the time, try to use a counter or a guard point.

Pins Use Sickles

The pinning attack only uses two sickle-shaped tentacles with the arms crossing over each other, making it easier to recognize. If you have slinger ammo, you can counter the pin, so it's a viable option to get caught intentionally.