Monster Hunter Wilds: Complete Main Story Walkthrough

This comprehensive walkthrough covers the entire main story of Monster Hunter Wilds — from the opening expedition in the Windward Plains to the final confrontation in Wyveria. We detail every monster encounter in order, HR progression milestones, and critical unlock nodes from HR 1 through HR 100.

Story Structure Overview

Monster Hunter Wilds is structured into three distinct Chapters, each representing a major narrative arc and corresponding biome unlock:

• Chapter 1 (HR 1–8): Windward Plains → Scarlet Forest. Low Rank (LR) quests. Introduction to the Forbidden Lands, the Seikret mount, and the mystery of the White Wraith.
• Chapter 2 (HR 9–40): Oilwell Basin → Iceshard Cliffs. High Rank (HR) quests. The Keepers, the Frenzy Virus, and Arkveld's true nature.
• Chapter 3 (HR 41–100+): Wyveria and the endgame. HR cap removal, Tempered monsters, and the final siege quest.

Chapter 1: The Forbidden Lands (HR 1–8)

Opening: Into the Windward Plains

The game opens with your hunter arriving in the Forbidden Lands as part of the Research Commission's expedition. You are introduced to:

• The Seikret Mount: Your raptor-like companion for traversal. The Seikret auto-navigates to quest targets, can be called mid-combat for emergency escapes, and carries a secondary weapon for mid-hunt swaps. Master Seikret movement early — it is the foundation of Wilds' open-zone hunting.
• Alma the Handler: Your quest manager and field support. She provides contextual hints during hunts and manages your supply box.
• Gemma the Smithy: Your equipment crafter. She travels with the expedition and sets up a mobile forge at each camp.

HR 1 — First Hunt: Chatacabra

Quest: "The White Wraith" — Urgent Quest.
Target: Chatacabra (Amphibian, Windward Plains).
Strategy: Chatacabra is the tutorial monster — a large frog-like creature that attacks with tongue lashes and body slams. Its moves are slow and heavily telegraphed. Use this hunt to practice basic weapon combos, clutch claw tenderizing (if using that mechanic), and Seikret mounting. Target the head and forelegs for maximum damage.

After the hunt, the expedition establishes Base Camp in the Windward Plains. You unlock the Canteen (food buffs), Item Box, and basic crafting at Gemma's forge.

HR 2 — Doshaguma

Quest: "Sandstorm's Fury" — Key Quest.
Target: Doshaguma (Fanged Beast, Windward Plains).
Strategy: Doshaguma is a bear-like monster that fights in packs. You may encounter 2–3 Doshaguma at once. Use Dung Pods to separate them — focus one at a time. Doshaguma's key attacks include a rushing charge, a double claw swipe, and a body slam. Its red, enraged state (signaled by glowing scars) increases its speed and damage but makes it take more damage in return.

Unlock: First Palico gadget — Vigorwasp Spray (healing). Palico support becomes active from this quest onward.

HR 3 — Balahara

Quest: "Beneath the Sands" — Key Quest.
Target: Balahara (Leviathan, Windward Plains).
Strategy: Balahara is a sand-swimming leviathan. It burrows beneath the sand and erupts beneath you — watch for the sand disturbance on the ground and dodge. Balahara spits sticky mud that slows your movement and reduces stamina recovery. Bring Cleansers or use the Windward Plains' natural water pools to wash off mud. Sonic Pods force Balahara out of the sand early.

Unlock: Windward Plains camp upgrade 1 (additional fast travel point).

HR 4 — First Expedition: Scarlet Forest

The story transitions to the Scarlet Forest, a lush jungle biome accessible via the Seikret's traversal through a canyon pass. The Scarlet Forest introduces verticality — use the Wedge Beetle grapple points to navigate the canopy.

HR 4 (continued) — Lala Barina

Quest: "The Scarlet Dancer" — Urgent Quest.
Target: Lala Barina (Temnoceran, Scarlet Forest).
Strategy: Lala Barina is a spider-like monster that weaves silk traps across the forest floor. Its silk strands slow your movement and can immobilize you if you stay in them too long. Lala Barina's primary attack is a spinning silk slash that releases paralytic spores — bring Herbal Medicine or Antidotes. Break its silk-spinning legs (the four back limbs) to reduce its trap-laying frequency.

Unlock: Scarlet Forest camp.

HR 5 — Uth Duna

Quest: "The Crimson Flood" — Key Quest.
Target: Uth Duna (Leviathan, Scarlet Forest).
Strategy: Uth Duna is the apex monster of the Scarlet Forest. It fights near water and can flood the arena, forcing you to fight on semi-submerged terrain. Uth Duna uses water jets, tail sweeps, and a devastating body slam that creates waves. Its red "veil" fins can be broken to reduce its water-based attacks. Thunder element weapons are highly effective.

Unlock: First gear upgrade tier (Rarity 2 weapons).

HR 6 — Congalala + Yian Kut-Ku

Quest: "Jungle Menace" — Key Quest.
Targets: Congalala (Fanged Beast) and Yian Kut-Ku (Bird Wyvern).
Strategy: A double monster quest in the Scarlet Forest. Congalala uses poison gas — bring Antidotes. Yian Kut-Ku is a classic fire-breathing bird wyvern — Sonic Pods stun it when it calls for backup. Prioritize Congalala first (it is more aggressive and its poison gas affects both you and Yian Kut-Ku).

HR 7 — Rompopolo

Quest: "The Poison Swamp" — Urgent Quest.
Target: Rompopolo (Brute Wyvern, Scarlet Forest — cave region).
Strategy: Rompopolo is a poison-themed brute wyvern found in the Scarlet Forest's deep cave system. Its body is covered in toxic mushrooms. When enraged, it releases poison gas clouds that linger. Break the mushrooms on its back to reduce gas production. It also uses a rolling charge — dodge perpendicular to its path.

HR 8 — Final Low Rank Boss: Arkveld (LR)

Quest: "The White Wraith Revealed" — Urgent Quest (LR Finale).
Target: Arkveld — the chained wyvern, the White Wraith.
Strategy: This is the first encounter with Arkveld, the flagship monster. Arkveld uses chain-like appendages to whip, grab, and slam. Its attacks have unusual range — dodge early rather than late, as the chains have lingering hitboxes. Target the chain appendages (breakable). When Arkveld absorbs energy from the environment (absorbed elemental energy glows along its chains), its attacks gain that element.

HR 8 unlocks: High Rank. All LR quests now offer HR versions. The Forbidden Lands open fully for exploration. The Canteen upgrades to provide stronger meal buffs.

Chapter 2: The Keepers and the Frenzy (HR 9–40)

HR 9–12: Oilwell Basin

The Oilwell Basin is a volcanic/industrial zone beneath the Windward Plains. The environment features flowing oil rivers, explosive gas pockets, and extreme heat zones requiring Cool Drinks.

HR 9 — Ajarakan

• Fanged Beast. Fast, aggressive, uses explosive oil attacks. Its glowing fists ignite oil patches on the ground. Lure it away from oil pools to avoid constant fire damage.

HR 10 — Black Flame Nu Udra

• New elder dragon-level threat. A cephalopod-like monster that uses black fire attacks. Water element weapons are essential. Its ink attacks obscure your vision — use the Seikret's auto-track to maintain target lock.

HR 11 — Gravios

• Classic brute wyvern with rock-hard armor. Its heat beam is its most dangerous attack — it sweeps across the arena and deals massive damage. Use Water or Ice element weapons. Break its chest to expose the weak point.

HR 12 — Oilwell Basin Apex: Talioth

• The apex of the Oilwell Basin. A massive, serpentine leviathan that swims through oil. Its oil-coated body deflects attacks until you use fire weapons to ignite the oil (or water weapons to wash it off). Explosive barrels in the environment can be triggered for massive damage.

HR 13–20: The Frenzy Virus Arc

The story introduces the Frenzy Virus — a corrupted version of the Frenzy Virus from Monster Hunter 4, linked to the Keepers and a mysterious Elder Dragon.

HR 14 — Frenzied Yian Kut-Ku

• First Frenzied monster encounter. Frenzied monsters are faster, hit harder, and have purple-tinged attacks. Overcoming the Frenzy Virus through aggressive damage (the "Frenzy meter" mechanic) grants an attack boost. Failing to overcome it inflicts the Frenzy debuff (reduced healing).

HR 15 — Frenzied Congalala

• Frenzied version with enhanced poison gas and increased aggression. Use Nulberries to manage Frenzy buildup.

HR 18 — Frenzied Rathian

• The first Frenzied apex-tier monster. Rathian's backflip tail attack now has the Frenzy virus component. Bring Antidotes and Nulberries. Break the tail early to eliminate the poison threat.

HR 20 — Gore Magala

• Quest: "The Black Eclipse" — Urgent Quest.
• Target: Gore Magala. The source of the Frenzy Virus. Gore Magala uses its feelers (wing-arms) to sense you even through smoke or darkness. When its feelers are erect (Frenzy Mode), its attacks become faster and the Frenzy buildup intensifies. Break the feelers to force it out of Frenzy Mode temporarily. Fire and Dragon element are most effective.

Unlock: High Rank armor sets. The Smithy now offers Alpha and Beta armor sets with decoration slots.

HR 21–30: Iceshard Cliffs

The Iceshard Cliffs are a frozen vertical zone requiring Hot Drinks. Blizzards reduce visibility, and ice platforms can shatter under heavy monster attacks.

HR 22 — Blangonga

• Fanged Beast. Fast, uses ice breath and leaping attacks. Break its fangs to reduce ice attack potency. Fire element weapons.

HR 24 — Goss Harag

• Fanged Beast with ice blade arms. Its ice blades can be broken. When it sharpens its blades (iconic animation where it uses its breath to freeze its arms), attack aggressively — it is vulnerable during the animation.

HR 26 — Kushala Daora

• Elder Dragon. Wind barriers deflect ranged attacks and push melee hunters back. Poison weapons suppress Kushala's wind aura. Flash Pods knock it out of the sky. Break the head and wings.

HR 28 — Iceshard Apex: Oroshi Kirin

• A new ice-element Kirin variant. Fast, small target, lightning-fast ice lance attacks. Thunder element (ironically) is effective. Stay mobile — Oroshi Kirin punishes stationary hunters with targeted ice spikes.

HR 30 — Frenzied Arkveld

• Arkveld, now corrupted by the Frenzy Virus. It combines its chain attacks with Frenzy buildup. This fight is a significant difficulty spike. Bring Nulberries, Max Potions, and prepare for a 25–35 minute hunt.

HR 31–40: The Keepers' Revelation

The story reveals that the Keepers — an ancient civilization — created Arkveld as a guardian. The Frenzy Virus is a weapon developed by the Keepers' enemies. The narrative sets up Chapter 3.

HR 35 — Shagaru Magala

• Quest: "Heaven's Wheel" — Urgent Quest.
• Target: Shagaru Magala, the mature form of Gore Magala. Shagaru Magala's Frenzy virus is passive and constant — the entire arena becomes a Frenzy zone. Nulberries are essential. Dragon element weapons deal bonus damage. This is the Chapter 2 final boss. Defeating Shagaru Magala ends the Frenzy Virus threat (narratively) and sets up the Chapter 3 reveal.

HR 40 Unlock: HR cap removed. Player can now progress beyond HR 40. The max HR is initially 100, with additional uncap quests at HR 50, 70, and 100.

Chapter 3: Wyveria (HR 41–100)

HR 41–49: The Road to Wyveria

The post-story content transitions into the endgame loop. Wyveria, the ancient city of the Keepers, is the final biome.

HR 45 — Tempered Arkveld

• First Tempered monster encounter. Tempered monsters have metallic sheen, increased HP, higher damage, and drop Streamstones for augmentation. This is the definitive Arkveld fight — learn it thoroughly, as Tempered Arkveld becomes the primary endgame farm target.

HR 49 — Tempered Elder Dragon (random)

• A random Tempered Elder Dragon (Teostra, Kushala, or Chameleos). This quest serves as the HR 50 uncap gate. Defeat it to unlock HR 50+.

HR 50–69: Tempered Investigations

At HR 50, Tempered Investigations become the core gameplay loop. Threat Level 3 Tempered monsters (Elder Dragons, Arkveld, Deviljho-level threats) drop the best decorations and Streamstones.

HR 60 — Tempered Shagaru Magala

• One of the most challenging Tempered fights. Shagaru's constant Frenzy zone combined with Tempered damage scaling means many attacks are one-shots without adequate defence. Invest in fully augmented armor before attempting.

HR 70–99: The Arch-Tempered Arc

HR 75 — Arch-Tempered Arkveld (Event Quest)

• The ultimate Arkveld variant. New attacks, higher HP, higher aggression. Rewards exclusive layered armor and the Arkveld Gamma armor set.

HR 85 — Arch-Tempered Gore Magala

• Punishing but rewarding. Exclusive Gamma set and layered weapons.

HR 100: The Final Uncapping

HR 99 → HR 100 Urgent Quest: "The Sapphire Star's Guidance" — a quest requiring you to hunt three Tempered Elder Dragons in a single locale. This is the traditional "final exam" of the game.

Complete Monster Encounter Order

Order	Monster	HR	Biome	Notes
1	Chatacabra	1	Windward Plains	Tutorial
2	Doshaguma	2	Windward Plains	Pack monster
3	Balahara	3	Windward Plains	Sand swimmer
4	Lala Barina	4	Scarlet Forest	Silk trap
5	Uth Duna	5	Scarlet Forest	Apex
6	Congalala	6	Scarlet Forest	Poison
7	Yian Kut-Ku	6	Scarlet Forest	Fire bird
8	Rompopolo	7	Scarlet Forest	Poison brute
9	Arkveld (LR)	8	Windward Plains	Flagship
10	Ajarakan	9	Oilwell Basin	Explosive
11	Nu Udra	10	Oilwell Basin	Black flame
12	Gravios	11	Oilwell Basin	Armored
13	Talioth	12	Oilwell Basin	Apex
14	Frenzied Yian Kut-Ku	14	Scarlet Forest	Frenzy intro
15	Frenzied Congalala	15	Scarlet Forest	Frenzy
16	Frenzied Rathian	18	Scarlet Forest	Frenzy apex
17	Gore Magala	20	—	Frenzy source
18	Blangonga	22	Iceshard Cliffs	Ice
19	Goss Harag	24	Iceshard Cliffs	Ice blades
20	Kushala Daora	26	Iceshard Cliffs	Elder Dragon
21	Oroshi Kirin	28	Iceshard Cliffs	Ice elder
22	Frenzied Arkveld	30	Multi-locale	Major difficulty spike
23	Shagaru Magala	35	—	Chapter 2 boss
24	Tempered Arkveld	45	Wyveria	Tempered intro
25	Tempered Elder	49	Random	HR 50 gate
26	Tempered Shagaru	60	Wyveria	Endgame challenge
27	AT Arkveld	75	Wyveria	Event
28	AT Gore Magala	85	Wyveria	Event
29	Triple Tempered Elders	99	Wyveria	HR 100 uncap

Critical Unlock Nodes

HR	Unlock
1	Seikret, Base Camp, Canteen
2	Palico gadgets, Smithy
4	Scarlet Forest access
8	High Rank, full map exploration
9	Oilwell Basin access
14	Frenzy Virus mechanic
20	HR armor (Alpha/Beta sets)
22	Iceshard Cliffs access
30	Augmentation system
40	HR cap removed (initial)
41	Wyveria access
45	Tempered Investigations
50	HR 50 uncap, Tempered Elder tier
70	HR 70 uncap, Arch-Tempered events
100	HR 100 uncap, highest tier Tempered content

Progression through Monster Hunter Wilds is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time between urgent quests to farm materials, upgrade your gear, and experiment with different weapons. The endgame at HR 100 with fully augmented equipment and optimized decorations represents hundreds of hours of rewarding gameplay. Happy hunting.