Read this Monster Hunter World: Iceborne guide on how to defeat Pukei-Pukei. Learn Pukei-Pukei's weaknesses, recommended loadout, hunting tips, its moves & how to counter them!!!
Table of Contents
Currently Updating ICEBORNE Monsters!
All Monster List & Locations GuidePukei-Pukei - Tips and Tricks
Positioning - Fight Pukei-Pukei from its Sides, Near its Legs
Pukei-Pukei will dish out potent frontal Poison attacks, so fight Pukei-Pukei from its sides, somewhat near its legs. Don't get too close to its back, as Pukei-Pukei will whack unwary hunters with its tail spin.
Target the Tail First, Then its Head
Pukei-Pukei's weak points are its Head, wings, and tails. For slashing weapons, sever Pukei-Pukei's tail as you are standing next to its sides to weaken its tail attack, then focus on its head. For Ranged/ Blunt weapons, you can immediatley focus on its head.
Bringing Antidote is a Must
Pukei-Pukei comes after the hunter with many types of Poison attacks, so bringing ample amount of Antidote is a must.
Approach from Behind when the Tongue Attack Starts
When Pukei-Pukei initiates its iconic Tongue Attack, it stays mostly in place. Outflank Pukei-Pukei and approach it from behind so you can unleash your attacks. Start maneuvering when Pukei-Pukei starts to expose its tongue.
Check out Pukei-Pukei's Summary, Spawn / Hunt Location info here! Pukei-Pukei - Weaknesses & Weak Spots Chart
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Head (Breakable) | The Pukei-Pukei will get rocked and its head will go limp for awhile before getting back on its feet |
| Wings (Breakable) | The webbing on its wings will start to look tattered and have holes when it is broken |
| Tail (Severable) | The tail will fall off of the Pukei-Pukei when it is severed |
The Pukei-Pukei is weak in 3 areas of its body - its head, wings, and tail. When you break these parts, you will hear a cracking sound, and the part will start to look worn out. The tail will fall off if it is severed.
Effective Damage Type Per Weak Spot
| Part | Sever | Blunt | Ammo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Wings | ★★・ | ★★・ | ★★・ |
| Tail | ★★・ | ★★・ | ★★・ |
Pukei-Pukei - Element & Item Weaknesses
Elemental Affinity Reference Chart
| Fire | Water | Ice | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★★・ | × | ★★・ | |||||||||
| Thunder | Dragon | - | |||||||||
| ★★★ | ★・・ | - |
Status Effect Resistance Chart
| Poison | Sleep | Paralysis | Blast | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★・・ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★・ | ||||||||
| Stun | Exhaust | Mount | - | ||||||||
| ★★・ | ★・・ | ★★・ | - |
Item Weakness & Resistance Chart
| Item | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Flash Pod | ✓ |
| Shock Trap | ✓ |
| Pitfall Trap | ✓ |
| Vine Trap | ✓ |
| Dung Pod | ✓ |
| Screamer Pod | ✕ |
| Tinged Meat | ✕ |
Pukei-Pukei - Recommended Loadout
Recommended Elemental Weapons
| Elements | Description |
|---|---|
| Thunder | ★★★ Thunder is the most effective element against Pukei-Pukei |
| Ice Fire | ★★・ Ice & Fire is also effective against Pukei-Pukei |
| Water | × Pukei-Pukei is resistant to Water. Do not bring Water-based weapons |
Recommended Skills
| Skill | Recommendation Criteria |
|---|---|
| Thunder Attack | This skill boosts your weapon's Thunder attacks, exploiting the Pukei-Pukei's weakness to Thunder. |
| Weakness Exploit | You'll deal more damage to the Pukei-Pukei's weak areas with this skill. |
| Poison Resistance | Pukei-Pukei is packed with Poison attacks, being somewhat resistant to Poison will make the fight easier. |
| Earplugs (Lv2~3) | Reduces the effect of Pukei-Pukei's Roar, making the fight easier. Since its a Weak Roar, Lv2~3 will suffice. |
Recommended Items
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Shock Trap | Shocks monster to stay still for a few seconds |
| Pitfall Trap | Drops monster into pitfall for a few seconds |
| Mega Barrel Bomb | Deals explosive damage to monster when triggered |
| Flash Pod | Stuns monster for a few seconds with flash of light |
Use Traps and Status Effect to Root it in Place
Pukei-Pukei is weak against Paralysis and Sleep attacks, so there's plenty of opportunity to set up Barrel Bombs on Pukei-Pukei while its Paralyzed/Asleep. Pukei-Pukei also moves pretty swiftly, so bring traps to keep it in place.
Best Specialized Tools
| Tool | Tool Effect |
|---|---|
| Temporal Mantle | Automatically avoids fatal monster moves |
| Rocksteady Mantle | Reduces damage from attacks. Negates scream, wind, & tremor effects to an extent. |
| Evasion Mantle | Increases the invulnerability window while evading, making it easier to dodge the wide area poison attacks. |
Pukei-Pukei - Moves & Counters
| Moves | Counter |
|---|---|
| Charge | Charge toward the hunter. Be ready to Dodge when it points its head at you |
| Tail Swipe | Swings its tail to hit hunters behind it. Stand near its head t avoid the attack. Pukei-Pukei may attack twice in a row with this move. |
| Claw Rake | Jumps up and rake the ground beneath it. Dodge to the side when you see it rise up. May perform this attack after Tail Swipe |
| Tongue Attack | Unleash its tongue to unleash a flurry of blows. Move to Pukei-Pukei's sides when you see it expose its tongue. |
| Poison Spit Attack | Spits out a frontal Poison attack.The Poison will linger a bit at the place of impact. Gains potency if Pukei-Pukei eats local fauna. |
Enhanced Poison Attack if Pukei-Pukei Eats Plants
Pukei-Pukei would eat surrounding plants to enhance its Poison Spit Attack. If you see it eat something, be extra vigilant to evade its Spit Attack. Effect varies with what plants Pukei-Pukei consumes:
| Plants | Effect |
|---|---|
| Poisoncup | Increased Poison effect, Poison radiates around a wide area at impact point. |
| Scatternut | Increased range and damage of Poison Spit Attack, Poison spreads at impact point. |
| Sporepuff | Increased range of Poison Spit Attack, creates a lingering poison cloud at impact point. |
| Others | Increased range of Poison Spit Attack, damage increases somewhat. |
