Capturing moonsters could be made a lot more interesting in Monster Hunter Wilds with a few tweaks to how the game approaches the topic. Monster Hunter Wilds has the chance to play with a lot of expectations that have been built up from recent games in the series. There are several directions that can be taken, but adding some new flourishes to some old standbys could be useful. In particular, the mechanic of capturing monsters could be explored more in the new game. If handled well, it could open a lot of new opportunities in Monster Hunter Wilds.

The task of capturing monsters in Monster Hunter without slaying them is an occasional goal in hunts. These hunts are primarily the same as any other, with the player having to track down and fight the monster in question. However, once the monster has taken significant damage, the focus of the fight shifts. The player needs to lay a trap, possibly with bait, and lure the monster into stepping into it. Once caught, the player must throw tranq bombs at the monster in order to knock it out. Once accomplished, the player will have successfully captured the monster, and will be rewarded accordingly.

Related

If Monster Hunter Wilds is on the Move, Its Canteen Should Be Too

Monster Hunter Wilds might need a Canteen that can keep up with the game's potentially chaotic nature, and there's a perfect way to ensure that.

Monster Hunter Wilds Can Do So Much More With Captured Monsters

Captured Monsters in Monster Hunter Don't Do Much Afterwards

While one could raise questions about how effective capturing monsters in Monster Hunter is, the monsters in question tend to have little role afterwards. In Monster Hunter Rise, they can be seen resting on a platform near some of the researchers, but aside from that, give or take some differences in rewards, capturing a monster does not change much compared to slaying them. Their presence only lingers for a short time afterward, and the player isn't capable of interacting with them while they are at the hub. This doesn't have to remain the case, and Monster Hunter Wild could give captured monsters more purpose.

Monster Hunter Wilds' Monster Could Make Camp a Little More Wild

A rework for captured monsters could make things interesting for Monster Hunter Wilds' camps. After capturing a monster, perhaps it could stay around camp for a while, staying for the duration of a hunt or two before returning to the wild. They could simply wander around, and they could also have idle animations depending on their species, such as a Kulu-Ya-Ku digging at the ground. Perhaps the player could even interact with them, either feeding or petting them. Captured monsters would help Monster Hunter Wilds feel more alive while also helping the game live up to its name.

Buffs From Captured Monsters Could Make For a Useful Mechanic

Captured monsters could even serve a unique purpose around camp after they've been caught. For a new gimmick in Monster Hunter Wilds, perhaps capturing a monster could provide a temporary buff for the player. For example, the poison-spewing Pukei-Pukei could give the player a bonus to poison damage while it's hanging around camp, while the armored Barroth could provide a defense boost during its visit. This would provide players with more incentive to catch monsters, since they would get greater benefits for doing so. Monster Hunter Wilds might be able to make capturing monsters for buffs into an important part of hunting preparation.

Capturing monsters could be made far more compelling than ever before if Monster Hunter Wilds is up to the task. The chance to have iconic monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds casually spending time around the player's camp would be a treat for longtime players who have been encountering those monsters for years. In addition, it would also add an element of coziness to a game that looks to be one of Monster Hunter's most chaotic entries yet.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest entry in Capcom's decorated franchise, and the game is expected to launch in 2025.