Monster Tracking & Scoutflies
Monster tracking and the effective use of Scoutflies are fundamental mechanics in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, essential for locating monsters, finding valuable resources, and understanding your environment. Mastering these systems will significantly improve your hunting efficiency and success rate.
How Scoutflies Work
Scoutflies are small, glowing insects that accompany you in the field. They are attracted to various stimuli, including monster tracks, gathering nodes, and endemic life. When you first enter an area, your Scoutflies will be relatively inactive. By interacting with monster tracks (footprints, dung, broken environmental objects, etc.), you gradually increase your Scoutfly gauge. Once the gauge is filled, your Scoutflies will glow brightly and can be directed to follow a specific trail, leading you to the monster's current location.
Utilizing Monster Tracks
Monster tracks are the primary way to engage your Scoutflies. These can be found scattered throughout the various locales. Different monsters leave distinct tracks, and observing them can sometimes provide clues about the monster's condition or recent activities. Always take the time to examine these tracks, especially when you're unsure of a monster's whereabouts. The higher your Scoutfly level in a particular area, the more easily your Scoutflies will detect and follow these tracks.
Gathering and Scoutfly Levels
Scoutflies are also attracted to gathering nodes (mining outcrops, bonepiles, herb patches, etc.). Interacting with these nodes also contributes to your Scoutfly gauge. Furthermore, Scoutflies have different "levels" within each locale. As you gather more information about a specific monster (by finding tracks, observing it, or breaking its parts), your Scoutfly level for that monster increases. A higher Scoutfly level means your Scoutflies will automatically highlight more tracks and gathering nodes, and they will be more adept at leading you directly to the monster.
Advanced Scoutfly Usage
- Tracking Specific Monsters: Once you have a high Scoutfly level for a particular monster, you can often "ping" your Scoutflies to have them actively search for that monster's trail. This is invaluable when a monster has fled to a new area.
- Environmental Clues: Pay attention to other environmental cues besides tracks. Broken trees, disturbed earth, and even the behavior of smaller endemic life can indicate a monster's presence or recent passage.
- Scoutfly Gadgets: Your Palico can equip gadgets that interact with Scoutflies. The Plunderblade, for instance, can help gather extra monster materials, and other gadgets might offer passive bonuses related to tracking or resource discovery.
- The Guiding Lands: In the Guiding Lands, Scoutflies play an even more critical role. They help you track specific monsters you're hunting for materials, and they also highlight special gathering nodes that yield unique materials for crafting and augmenting gear.
By consistently engaging with monster tracks and utilizing your Scoutflies effectively, you'll become a more efficient hunter, capable of tracking down even the most elusive prey and gathering the resources you need with ease.