This guide explains how the Poison Element works in Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds). Including the list of best poison weapons and skills, is it strong or weak for hunts and more.
All Weapon Types ListTable of Contents
How Poison Damage Works and Duration
Poison Can Deal 255 - 570 Damage
| Monster Poison Resistance | Duration & Total Damage |
|---|---|
| ★★★ | [High Rank] Approx. 30 sec / Total Damage: 570 [Low Rank] Approx. 30 sec / Total Damage: 380 |
| ★★ | [High Rank] Approx. 24 sec / Total Damage: 360 [Low Rank] Approx. 24 sec / Total Damage: 240 |
| ★ | [High Rank] Approx. 17 sec / Total Damage: 255 [Low Rank] Approx. 17 sec / Total Damage: 170 |
In High Rank, Poison continuously deals a fixed 15 damage, with the effect duration varying based on the monster's Poison Resistance. The higher the Poison Resistance, the harder it is to inflict the Poison Status, meaning monsters with higher Poison Resistance will take less damage from poison.
Chance to Inflict Poison With Each Hit
When attacking with 'Poison Element Weapons', there is a chance to accumulate poison value. Once the accumulated value exceeds the monster's Poison Resistance, Poison Damage is triggered. Additionally, as the monster becomes affected by poison, its resistance increases, making it more difficult to inflict the Poison Status during prolonged battles.
Poison Still Accumulates When Already Poisoned
Even while a monster is in the 'Poisoned State', you can continue to accumulate poison value. To increase the number of poison procs, actively attack the monster even when it is already poisoned.
High Hit Count Weapons Inflict Poison More Easily
Status buildup is applied on a per-hit basis, so high-hit-count weapons like Dual Blades are ideal for applying poison effectively.
Best Skills for Poison Element Builds
| Skill | Effect |
|---|---|
| Rating: ★★★ Increases attack power and affinity against large monsters affected by poison or paralysis. | |
| Rating: ★★・ Extends the duration of your poison's effect on monsters. | |
| Rating: ★★・ Increases abnormal status effects (paralysis, poison, sleep, blast) when landing critical hits. | |
| Rating: ★・・ Temporarily increases elemental attack power and status effects after recovering from blights or abnormal status. | |
| Rating: ★・・ Increases element power and status buildup for charged attacks. |
Poison's greatest strength is its ability to deal damage continuously over several seconds. Because of this, it shines when combined with Foray, a skill that increases attack power while a monster is affected by a status ailment. For the same reason, it also synergizes well with Poison Duration Up, which extends the duration of the poison effect.
Best Poison Element Weapons
*Poison Element not available for Bowguns
Best Poison Element for Great Sword
- VarianzaRarity 81104Poison 3305%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceAttack Boost x5
- SieglindeRarity 81008Poison 30015%0③②①SharpSkill
Critical Status Lv3Poison Duration Up Lv1
For Great Sword users, the Best Poison Weapon choices are the Artian Weapon Varianza and the Forgeable Sieglinde. Sieglinde performs well enough until you can obtain a decently reinforced Varianza.
Best Poison Element for Long Sword
- DimensiusRarity 8742Poison 1505%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
- Wyvern Blade HollyRarity 8693Poison 20015%0③②①SharpSkill
Critical Status Lv3Poison Duration Up Lv1
The Best Poison Long Sword are the Artian Weapon Dimensius and the Forgeable Wyvern Blade Holly. Until you can forge the ideal Poison Artian Weapon, Wyvern Blade Holly is more than sufficient for battle.
Best Poison Element for Sword and Shield
- VerdolotoRarity 8315Poison 1305%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
- Queen RapierRarity 8294Poison 18015%0③②①SharpSkill
Critical Status Lv3Poison Duration Up Lv1
For Sword and Shield users, the Best Poison Weapons are the Artian Dimensius and the Forgeable Queen Rapier. Queen Rapier is a solid option until you're able to forge and reinforce Dimensius, the ideal Poison Artian Weapon.
Best Poison Element for Dual Blades
- TiltkreiseRarity 8315Poison 1205%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
The Best Poison Dual Blades are the Artian Weapon Tiltkreise. While the forgeable Final Battleaxes are a poison weapon option, they only offer a blue sharpness gauge, so it's highly recommended to aim for forging the Artian Weapon instead.
Best Poison Element for Hammer
- MoteurvankelRarity 81170Poison 2005%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
The Best Poison Hammer is the Artian Moteurvankel. While the Forgeable Death Venom Hammer is a poison option, it only offers a blue sharpness gauge, so it's recommended to aim for forging the Artian Weapon if possible.
Best Poison Element for Hunting Horn
- OmiltikaRarity 8966Poison 2005%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceAttack Boost x5
The Best Poison Hunting Horn is the Artian Omiltika. While the forgeable Crazed Melody is a poison option, the Artian Weapon focuses heavily on attack and outperforms it in every stat, making it the best recommended choice if you can forge it.
Best Poison Element for Lance
- SkyscraperRarity 8517Poison 1505%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
- Rompo TetrotoxRarity 8506Poison 2500%0③②①SharpSkill
Guard Up Lv3
The Best Poison Lances are the Artian Skyscraper and the Forgeable Rompo Tetrotox. Until you can forge the ideal Poison Artian Weapon, Rompo Tetrotox is more than sufficient for battle.
Best Poison Element for Gunlance
- ArgenesisRarity 8
529Poison 1505%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceAttack Boost x5
The Best Poison Gunlance is the Artian Argenesis. However, since its shelling type is only 'Normal' and poison does not apply to shelling attacks, forging it is not strictly necessary.
Best Poison Element for Switch Axe
- Mundus AltusRarity 8787Poison 1305%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
- Gríðr's LandmakerRarity 8735Poison 18015%0③②①SharpSkill
Critical Status Lv3Poison Duration Up Lv1
PhialElement Phial
For Switch Axe users, the Best Poison choice is the Artian Weapon Mundus Altus. Although Gríðr's Landmaker can be forged, Mundus Altus delivers greater offensive power thanks to its superior phial effects.
Best Poison Element for Charge Blade
- Chrono GearRarity 8810Poison 1505%0③③③TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
- Dear LutemiaRarity 8756Poison 20015%0③②①SharpSkill
Critical Status Lv3Poison Duration Up Lv1
PhialImpact Phial
For Charge Blade users, the Best Poison Weapons are the Artian Chrono Gear and the Rathian-forged Dear Lutemia. Dear Lutemia is a strong option until you're able to forge and reinforce the Chrono Gear.
Best Poison Element for Insect Glaive
- DiprielchaRarity 8697Poison 1305%0③③③KinsectLv8TypePoison Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceSharpness Boost x1, Attack Boost x4
- Queen RegaliaRarity 8651Poison 18015%0③②①SharpSkill
Critical Status Lv3Poison Duration Up Lv1
KinsectLv8
The Best Poison Insect Glaives are the Artian Diprielcha and the Rathian Weapon Queen Regalia. Until you can forge the ideal Poison Artian Weapon, Queen Regalia is more than sufficient for battle.
Best Poison Element for Bow
- AngelbeinRarity 8276Paralysis5%0③③③TypeParalysis Element Type x3ProductionAttack Infusion x3ReinforceAttack Boost x5
The Best Poison Bow is the Artian Angelbein. Forgeable Bows that support 'Poison Coating' tend to have underwhelming performance, so it's recommended to aim for forging the Artian Weapon instead.
How Strong Is the Poison Element?
Weak Without the Foray Skill
Poison damage is significantly affected by the monster's resistance and does not create attack opportunities like Paralysis or Blast. While it isn't the most potent damage source on its own, activating the
Potential Increases With More Equipment
In the current meta, where firepower-boosting skills are scarce, the ability to activate Foray stands out as a key advantage of poison. Should future updates introduce stronger Poison Weapons or make it easier to trigger Foray through armor, poison may become a more viable and versatile option.
Monster Hunter Wilds Related Articles
Recommended Weapon Guides
Weapon Trees and Best Builds
| Great Sword | Long Sword | Sword & Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Dual Blades | Hammer | Hunting Horn |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Lance | Gunlance | Switch Axe |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Charge Blade | Insect Glaive | Bow |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
| Light Bowgun | Heavy Bowgun | |
| Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build | Combos & Controls Weapon Tree Best Build |
Weapon Guide by Monster
Useful Weapon Information
| ▶ How To Switch or Change Weapons | ▶ Sharpness Modifier and Recovery |
| ▶ Weapon Adjustments | ▶ Immortal Equipment |
Great Sword
Long Sword
Sword and Shield
Dual Blades
Hammer
Hunting Horn
Lance
Gunlance
Switch Axe
Charge Blade
Insect Glaive
Bow
Light Bowgun
Heavy Bowgun