Basic Controls — Monster Hunter Wilds Guide

Basic Controls

Mastering the basic controls of Monster Hunter Wilds is the first step to becoming a successful hunter. Understanding how to move, attack, defend, and interact with the environment will lay the groundwork for your journey through this challenging world.

Movement is fundamental. You'll use the left analog stick to control your hunter's direction and movement speed. Tapping the stick can result in a walk, while holding it down allows for a sprint. The right analog stick is used for camera control, allowing you to look around the environment and keep track of monsters. A dedicated button will allow you to recenter the camera behind your hunter, which is invaluable during combat.

Attacking is performed using the face buttons. Different combinations of button presses will execute various attacks specific to your chosen weapon. For example, a standard attack might be a quick jab, while holding down a button might charge up a more powerful strike. Your weapon will have a unique move set, and learning these combos is essential for dealing effective damage. The shoulder buttons often control actions like dodging, blocking (if your weapon allows), and using items.

Defense is crucial for survival. Dodging is typically performed by pressing a specific button while moving the analog stick in the desired direction. This allows you to evade incoming attacks. Some weapons, like the Lance or Gunlance, have a dedicated block function, which can negate or reduce incoming damage. Learning when to dodge and when to block is a key skill.

Interaction with the environment is handled through a context-sensitive button. This button will allow you to pick up items, gather from nodes, open doors, use levers, and interact with various objects in the world. Your Palico companion will also have its own set of commands, often accessible through a dedicated menu or button combination, allowing you to direct its actions during hunts.

Familiarizing yourself with the in-game control scheme, which can usually be accessed through the pause menu, is highly recommended. Practice these basic controls in the Training Area to build muscle memory before venturing into the wilds.