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Monster Hunter
MHGU Newbie Guide

New to Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate? Welcome, hunter! This guide walks you through MHGU at a pace that actually teaches you the game — instead of dumping you into G-Rank with no skill and a lot of carting.

Work in Progress — and probably forever

This guide will never be "done" — but that's the point. The goal is to cut through the noise: skip the trolling you get when asking on Twitch chat, Twitter, or random Discords; skip the elitist takes telling you to rush to G-Rank; skip the bad advice that gets new hunters frustrated and dropping the game early. If this helps even a few more people stick with MHGU and actually enjoy it, the page does its job. Spotted something wrong or missing? Hit me up and it gets fixed.

The Golden Rule: Don't Rush to G-Rank

Yes, you'll get there eventually. But the moment you arrive without knowing your weapon, monster patterns, or how skills and decorations actually work, the game stops being fun fast. The journey from Low Rank to G-Rank is where you learn — not a hurdle to skip. Rush past it and you'll spend your G-Rank time carting on basic attacks, frustrated, and probably done with the game soon after.

The Two Tracks: Village vs. Hub

Both tracks are open from the start — you don't need to finish Village to access the Hub. Doing Village first is still strongly recommended: it's a built-in tutorial that teaches your weapon before multiplayer scaling slaps you. The only hard gate is G-Rank, which requires clearing the Hub 7★ Urgent "Legendary Skills?" (Diablos).

Village Quests (Solo)

  • Tiers: Low Rank ★1–★5, High Rank ★6–★10
  • Why first? Learn your weapon without multiplayer scaling
  • Cross-village: Village ★2 Urgent "Vaulting Outlaw" unlocks Kokoto / Pokke / Yukumo
  • Late gate: Village 10★ end-bosses (Nakarkos, Akantor, Ukanlos, Amatsu, Alatreon) require Hub 7★ "Legendary Skills?" cleared first
  • What you miss skipping: Armor sets, palico unlocks, canteen ingredients, prowler training

Hub Quests (Multiplayer)

  • Tiers: Low Rank 1★–3★, High Rank 4★–7★, G-Rank G1–G4
  • Available: From the start — no Village prerequisite
  • HR credit: Only the Urgent host ranks up — being carried doesn't move your HR
  • HP: Hub monsters have a flat, fixed HP pool roughly 25–35% higher than Village — it does not scale up or down with party size. Soloable, just slower
  • G-Rank gate: Hub 7★ Urgent "Legendary Skills?" (Diablos) unlocks G-Rank

Pick Your First Weapon

Pick ONE and stick with it for at least 10 hours. You're not married to it — but switching too early means relearning everything.

Tip: Try every weapon (and every hunting style) for free at the Training Quests in the Village Quest Counter. Preset gear, no item cost, no time pressure. Best way to find your fit before committing.

All 14 weapon types, grouped by learning curve. None of these are "wrong" picks — but starting on a complex weapon is a faster route to frustration.

Beginner-Friendly

  • Sword & Shield: Fastest learning curve, can block in panic moments, item use mid-combat
  • Long Sword: Mid-range, intuitive combos, great reach, Spirit gauge is satisfying
  • Lance: Walking tank, blocks almost everything, teaches positioning
  • Hammer: Big damage, simple combos, KOs monsters. No block — has a positioning skill ceiling but easy to start

Try After 10+ Hours

  • Dual Blades: Stamina hungry, elemental focus, Demon Mode juggling
  • Switch Axe: Two modes (axe/sword), phial timing
  • Insect Glaive: Vaulting + Kinsect buff management, fun but two systems
  • Gunlance: Lance + shells + shelling types (normal/long/wide)
  • Bow: Ranged, coatings, charge levels — gentlest of the ranged trio

Save for Later

  • Great Sword: Slow charged swings, brutal commitment windows
  • Charge Blade: Most mechanically dense weapon (phials, axe/sword modes, guard points)
  • Hunting Horn: Song memorization + recital timing, support-oriented
  • Light Bowgun: Ammo crafting, positioning, recoil/reload stats
  • Heavy Bowgun: Heavy ammo prep, siege mode, slow movement

Hunting Styles: Don't Pick Aerial First

MHGU's six hunting styles change how your weapon plays. Tempting to grab Aerial right away — don't. You'll skip learning your weapon's actual mechanics.

Start Here

  • Guild: Base combos, no gimmicks. Learn weapon flow first
  • Striker: Hunter Art gauge fills fast. Good for art-timing practice

After 10–15 Hours

  • Aerial: Mounting feels great. Best on hit-and-run weapons
  • Adept: Rewards perfect dodge timing

Advanced (20+ Hours)

  • Valor: High risk, high DPS reward
  • Alchemy: Barrel system, support-flavored, niche

Your Progression Path

Five stages, each with a goal. Don't skip — the next stage assumes you learned the last one.

Tier labels match the in-game quest menu (and Kiranico): an "★2 Urgent" appears in the ★2 quest list. Note this differs from the community spreadsheet's labeling, which numbers urgents by the tier they end.

1

Village ★1–★5 (Low Rank) — Bherna & beyond

Goal: Learn ONE weapon. Master dodge/block timings, monster tells, basic combos.

Key Quests

  • • ★1 keys: Find the Ferns, A Fungal Hunt, Wipe Out!, Another Pack Attack
  • • ★2 Urgent: Vaulting Outlaw (Great Maccao) — unlocks Kokoto / Pokke / Yukumo
  • • ★3 Urgent: Tusked Tantrum (Tetsucabra)
  • • ★4 Urgent: The Nocturnal Enchanter (Malfestio)
  • • ★4 keys: Rathian, Najarala, Khezu, Shogun Ceanataur, Nargacuga
  • • ★5 Urgent: The Dark Age (Yian Garuga)
  • • ★5 keys: Lagiacrus, Rathalos, Uragaan + Fated Four trio (Astalos / Gammoth / Mizutsune)

Focus On

  • • Defense > skills on early armor
  • • Clear the Kokoto, Pokke, and Yukumo quest chains — each unlocks one Fated Four monster at ★5 keys (Astalos / Gammoth / Mizutsune respectively)
  • • Don't hunt for Hunter Arts yet
  • • Stick with your starter weapon for 10+ hours
2

Village ★6–★10 — Fated Four urgents, flagships & MHGU additions

Goal: Hunt the Fated Four. Cap your weapon. Progress through MHGU's added Village content (★7+).

Key Quests

  • • ★6 Urgent: The Scorching Blade (Glavenus) — opens HR Village
  • • ★6 keys: Zinogre, Tigrex, Gore Magala, Seregios, Brachydios
  • • ★6 Urgents (after keys): Stop the Wheel (Shagaru) + The Fated Four (all four at once)
  • • ★7 Urgent: Research Team's First Rodeo (Congalala) — opens MHGU Village content
  • • ★8 Urgent: Primal Forest Arachnids (Nerscylla)
  • • ★9 Urgent: Wish upon a… Gravios?
  • • ★10 Urgent: Beware the Comet of Disaster (Valstrax)

Focus On

  • • Transition to Rathalos / Tigrex / flagship armor
  • • Equip your palico with healing & status Support Moves
  • • Pattern recognition > gear chasing
  • • Final Village end-bosses (Nakarkos / Akantor / Ukanlos / Amatsu / Alatreon) require Hub 7★ "Legendary Skills?" first
3

Hub ★1–★3 (Low Rank)

Goal: Learn multiplayer pacing. Meet the community. Practice teamwork.

Key Quests

  • • ★1 keys: Gypceros, Lagombi, Yian Kut-Ku, Tetsucabra, Royal Ludroth
  • • ★2 Urgent: The New Tenant (Blangonga)
  • • ★2 keys: Najarala, Nargacuga, Rathian, Malfestio, Nibelsnarf, Yian Garuga
  • • ★3 Urgent: A Shocking Scoundrel (Astalos)
  • • ★3 keys (build HR-ready gear before opening High Rank)

Focus On

  • • HOST your Urgents — only host gets HR credit
  • • Don't join ★3 lobbies in ★1 gear
  • • If you post a quest, you lead it
  • • Failing together > being carried
4

Hub ★4–★7 (High Rank) — earning G-Rank

Goal: Farm HR endgame armor. Beat the Hub flagships. Earn G-Rank access.

Key Quests

  • • ★4 Urgent: Two-headed Carcass (Nakarkos repel) — opens HR Hub
  • • ★5 Urgent: A Plesioth in the Misty Peaks
  • • ★6 Urgents: A Bewitching Dance (Mizutsune) + The Unshakable Mountain God (Gammoth)
  • • ★7 Urgent: Seer of Swords (Seregios)
  • • ★7 keys: Shagaru, Brachydios, plus dual hunts
  • • ★7 Urgent (cap): Hellfire Star (Nakarkos slay)
  • • ⚡ MHGU Urgent: Legendary Skills? (Diablos) — UNLOCKS G-RANK

Focus On

  • • Craft Astalos / Seregios / Diablos / Rajang HR sets
  • • Skills now matter: Attack Up (L/XL), Tenderizer (MHGU's Weakness Exploit), Critical Eye
  • • Upgrade your weapon's HR-tree path before G-Rank materials become available
  • • "Legendary Skills?" also unlocks Village 10★ end-bosses
5

G-Rank (G1–G4) — the real endgame

Goal: Master your weapon. Build optimized sets. Hunt Deviants. This is where mastery lives.

Key Quests

  • • G1 Urgent: Dirty Deals (Barroth)
  • • G2 Urgent: Giant Dragon Invasion (Lao-Shan Lung)
  • • G3 Urgent: Sky Render (Valstrax)
  • • G4 keys: Diablos, Deviljho, Tigrex, Rajang + dual hunts
  • • G4 Urgent: Castle on the Run (Ahtal-Ka — final boss)

Focus On

  • • NOW Athena's ASS armor optimization matters
  • • One armor set per element matchup
  • • Deviants drop unique weapons & charms — chase them
  • • You're here because you're ready, not rushed

Common Newbie Mistakes

Every veteran hunter has seen new players fall into these traps. Skip the regret.

"I'll rush straight to G-Rank"

Why it fails: Even if you blitz through it, you arrive at endgame with no idea how the game actually works. You haven't learned monster patterns, you haven't practiced your weapon's moveset, you don't understand the armor or skill systems, and you've never tried different hunter arts or styles. You end up dead weight in every lobby — and the game stops being fun the moment you cart on basic attacks.

Reality: The grind isn't the point — the learning is. Low Rank and High Rank are where you internalize armor crafting, decoration slotting, monster tells, and weapon flow. Skip that and G-Rank is just a frustrating slog. Slow down. Practice. The endgame will still be there.

"My gear doesn't really matter"

Why it fails: Defense prevents one-shots. Resistances block status. Skill slots enable damage boosts. HR gear in G-Rank means carting on basic attacks.

Reality: Gear enables skill expression. Master crafting by mid-High Rank.

"I'll just pick Aerial style"

Why it fails: Aerial and Adept have built-in mechanics that feel "automatic". You'll skip learning your weapon's actual combos and positioning.

Reality: Start Guild or Striker. Branch out after 10+ hours of base combos.

"G-Rank is where the game really starts"

Why it fails: If Low/High Rank weren't fun, G-Rank is just faster carting. The game IS the journey.

Reality: Not having fun? Try a different weapon. The fun should start NOW, not later.

"I'll grind one perfect armor set early"

Why it fails: Optimal armor changes every rank. Spending 5 hours grinding LR Rathalos armor wastes time you could use learning the game.

Reality: Stack defense. Upgrade when you outgrow it. Optimize at G-Rank, not before.

What You Lose If You Skip Village

Village isn't mandatory to access the Hub — but huge swathes of MHGU's meta-progression are locked behind Village quests and requests. Examples below are verified against the community spreadsheet. There are dozens more.

The Other Villages

Bherna is just one of four. The Village ★1 Urgent "Vaulting Outlaw" unlocks Kokoto, Pokke, and Yukumo — each with their own quest chains and exclusive monster lines.

  • Kokoto chain: required for 5★ Astalos unlock
  • Pokke chain: required for 5★ Gammoth unlock
  • Yukumo chain: required for 5★ Mizutsune unlock
  • Each village has its own quest receptionist, requests, and rewards

Canteen Ingredients (food buffs)

A huge slice of canteen ingredients is unlocked exclusively via Village quests. No Village = weaker meals = lower attack/defense buffs forever.

  • Hot Heart (Yukumo Chief)
  • Superior Rice / Bherna Greens / Ancient Seabream (★1 Urgent)
  • Bamboo Sprouts, Rheno Prosciutto, Bherna Eggplant (★2)
  • Loc Lac Peanut, Moga Mussel (★3)
  • Spring Rice, Cathar Tomato (★4)
  • Fluffy Waffle (★5 "Island Heat" — Rathalos)
  • Master Ale (★6 "The Bellowing Zinogre")
  • Dragontail (★7), Cannon Lettuce (★8), Megabagel (★9)

Prowler / Palico Upgrades

Most prowler quality-of-life upgrades come from Village quests — palico hire limits, scouted cat levels, and trading systems.

  • Palico Hire Limit raised to 36 → 48 → 60 → 78 (all Village)
  • Mushroom Trading (★2 Village)
  • Bug Trading (★3 Village)
  • Fish Trading (★4 Village)
  • Trading Cart #2 (★5 Village)
  • Trading Cart #3 (★6 Village)
  • Scouted Cat level boosts (multiple Village tiers)

Hunter Arts

Several Hunter Arts only unlock through Village quests, and some specifically require multi-village quest chains.

  • Hunter's Oasis — clear 5 Bherna quests
  • Mass Combiner — clear 5 Pokke quests
  • Castle Walls — clear 5 Yukumo quests
  • Arisen Phoenix — clear 5 Kokoto quests
  • Brimstone Slash II (GS) — Village 6★ "The Scorching Blade"

Armor Sets & Equipment

Cosmetic and stat-significant armor sets gated behind Village quests — many with no Hub equivalent.

  • Scholarly Set (★3 Village)
  • Derring Set (★4 Village)
  • Ancient Set (★6 Village)
  • EX S. Magala Ticket (★6) — for crafting EX Arc / Storage sets
  • Cheerful Set, Mariner Set (★9 Village)
  • Ancient X Set (★10 Village)
  • Stargazer Flower (★2) — for crafting Ivory Bow

Housekeepers & Room Decor (cosmetic)

Cosmetic only — these change the appearance of the housekeeper NPC and Poogie costumes in your room. Not gameplay-impacting, but if you care about presentation, almost every unlock comes from Village quests.

  • Moga Sweetheart (★3 Village)
  • Headwhiskress (★3 Village)
  • Tanzia Sweetheart (★6 Village)
  • Lil Miss Forge (★8 Village)
  • Poogie: Mejor Hamigo (★4 Village)

Research Lab & Item Box (huge!)

The entire Research Lab feature — including the Item Box Expansion and Supply Box upgrades — is gated behind one Village quest: 7★ "Husk Hunter". No Village means no Research Lab, period.

  • ⚡ Research Lab itself (the whole feature)
  • ⚡ Item Box Expansion: Starter (more storage!)
  • Basic Supplies: Gathering box
  • Basic Supplies: Navigation box
  • Cold Region Supplies box
  • Hot Region Supplies box

A handful of unlocks have alternate Hub paths (e.g. some Hunter Arts can be earned via Hub or Village). But many of the items above are Village-only. The smart play is doing both tracks in parallel — Village quests are short and slot in between Hub sessions.

Hunter Arts: Unlock Reference

Every Hunter Art in MHGU and how to unlock each tier (I, II, III). Most weapons have 5 arts. Don't grind these intentionally early; most unlock naturally as you progress. Use this as a reference, not a checklist.

Click a weapon to expand its arts. Quest tiers match the in-game / Kiranico menu (where the quest appears). For OR conditions, either path works. Data sourced from the community spreadsheet by Axellion & AleHitti.

General10 arts

Absolute Evasion

  • IAvailable from start

Absolute Readiness

  • IHub ★3 "Wyvern Sand Runners"

Heal Gain

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"

Escape Runner

  • IAvailable from start

Hunter's Oasis

  • IComplete 5 Bherna quests

Mass Combiner

  • IComplete 5 Pokke quests

Frenzy Fever

  • IHub ★6 "Watch Your Steppe"

Castle Walls

  • IComplete 5 Yukumo quests

Fortress Walls

  • IHub ★5 "Fight or Uragaan!"

Arisen Phoenix

  • IComplete 5 Kokoto quests
Great Sword4 arts

Ground Slash

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★6 "From Beyond the Sands", then talk to Hell Hunters in Kokoto

Lion's Maw

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIPalico Lv. 25+
  • IIIHub ★7 "A Shocking Revelation!"

Brimstone Slash

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIVillage ★6 "The Scorching Blade"
  • IIIHub ★7 "Show Me Your Shaka-Strength"

Moonbreaker

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Feeling Generally Crabby"
  • IIIHub G4 "The Big Push" (Hyper Gammoth)
Long Sword4 arts

Sakura Slash

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Elder Dragon of Mist"

Unhinged Spirit

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIHub ★3 "Tigrex by the Tail"
  • IIIHub ★6 "Topple the Monarch", then talk to Argosy Captain in Kokoto

Critical Juncture

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • II400+ points in Yukumo Village
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Hunter Games"

Devouring Demon

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Sky Tribe: Savior of the Skyway"
  • IIIHub G4 "Jungle Funk" (Hyper Congalala + Hyper Nargacuga + Hyper Mizutsune)
Sword & Shield4 arts

Sword Dance

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIVillage ★5 "Kut-Ku Earbreaker" OR Hub ★3 "Two-headed Carcass"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Marshlands Nightmare"

Round Force

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Hunt, Sweat, and Tears", then talk to Ace Cadet in Bherna

Shoryugeki

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • II400+ points in Kokoto Village
  • IIIHub ★6 "A Three Hour Tour"

Chaos Oil

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Face-off in the Jungle"
  • IIIHub G4 "A Tragedy in Silver and Gold" (Hyper Silver Rathalos + Hyper Gold Rathian)
Dual Blades4 arts

Blood Wind

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Hunt, Sweat, and Tears", then talk to Ace Cadet in Bherna

Aerial Slam

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIPalico Lv. 20+
  • IIIHub ★6 "At the Slayground"

Wolf's Maw

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIHunt a Deviljho
  • IIIHub ★7 "Triumphant Rage"

Spiral Slice

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Face-off in the Jungle"
  • IIIHub G4 "If These Rocks Could Talk" (Hyper Astalos)
Hammer4 arts

Spinning Meteor

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★6 "For Whom the Gong Tolls"

Provoke

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIHub ★5 "Nargacuga Throwdown"
  • IIIHub ★5 "The Hunter Games"

Typhoon Trigger

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIVillage ★5 "The Unwavering Colossus"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Fanged Beasts"

Impact Press

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Earn Your Strength"
  • IIIHub G4 "Deranged Desert Deviljho" (Savage Deviljho)
Hunting Horn4 arts

Euphony

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★6 "Topple the Monarch", then talk to Argosy Captain in Kokoto

Sonic Smash

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIArena Quest "Grudge Match: Najarala"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The End of the Trials"

Harmonize

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIHub ★4 "The Land Sharq"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Status: Effected"

Invigoration

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Earn Your Strength"
  • IIIHub G4 "A Bed of Sand" (Hyper Barroth + Hyper Tigrex + Hyper Glavenus)
Lance4 arts

Shield Assault

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Serpentine Samba", then talk to Ace Lancer in Bherna

Corkscrew Jab

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • II400+ points in Pokke Village
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Frozen Dictator"

Enraged Guard

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIHub ★3 "The Shogun's Encampment"
  • IIIHub ★6 "Bugging Out"

Healing Shield

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Commission: Basarios"
  • IIIHub G4 "It Takes Mizutsune to Tango" (Hyper Mizutsune)
Gunlance4 arts

Dragon Blast

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIHub ★3 "Emperor of Flame"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Beasts of Brawn"

Blast Dash

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Serpentine Samba", then talk to Ace Lancer in Bherna

Dragon Breath

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIVillage ★5 "Island Heat"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Flames of War"

AA Flare

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Commission: Basarios"
  • IIIHub G4 "Death at My Greaves" (Hyper Gravios + Hyper Nerscylla)
Switch Axe4 arts

Trance Slash

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★6 "For Whom the Gong Tolls"

Demon Riot

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIHub ★5 "The Walls Have Eyes"
  • IIIHub ★7 "Child of Destruction"

Energy Charge

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIVillage ★5 "Double Vision"
  • IIIHub ★6 "Firefight to the Finish!"

Tempest Axe

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Share the Load (and the Reward)"
  • IIIHub G4 "Setting the Barioth High" (Hyper Barioth)
Charge Blade4 arts

Energy Blade

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IISlay a Kirin
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Winged Wyverns"

Limit Breaker

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Status: Effected"

Healing Phial

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • II400+ points in Bherna Village
  • IIIHub ★6 "Dances with Wyverns"

Ripper Shield

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Share the Load (and the Reward)"
  • IIIHub G4 "All Creatures Cleaved and Small" (Hyper Glavenus)
Insect Glaive4 arts

Extract Hunter

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★6 "From Beyond the Sands", then talk to Hell Hunters in Kokoto

Swarm

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIHub ★3 "Topple the Monarch"
  • IIIHub ★7 "Searching for Secret Baths"

Bug Blow

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIHub ★4 "A Powerful Team"
  • IIIHub ★6 "Marshlands Rag"

Bug Majeure

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Feeling Generally Crabby"
  • IIIHub G4 "Heaven and Hell" (Chaotic Gore Magala)
Light Bowgun4 arts

Bullet Geyser

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIVillage ★5 "The Thunderclaw Wyvern"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Descending Fog"

Full House

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Status: Effected"

Rapid Fire Rain

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIHub ★3 "Stop the Wheel"
  • IIIHub ★7 "A Man's Arena is His Castle"

Charge Shot

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Through Thick and Fin"
  • IIIHub G4 "Brachydios Brute Squad" (Raging Brachydios)
Heavy Bowgun4 arts

Super Nova

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIVillage ★6 "Break the Brachydios"
  • IIIHub ★7 "Emperor of Flame"

Guns Blazing

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIVillage ★5 "The Entrancing Water Dancer"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Insomnia? Meet Hypnotism x 2"

Gunpowder Infusion

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★6 "A Hollow Defense"

Void Piercer

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Sky Tribe: Savior of the Skyway"
  • IIIHub G4 "Pinnacle Problems" (Hyper Basarios + Hyper Zinogre + Hyper Astalos)
Bow4 arts

Triple Volley

  • IAvailable from start
  • IIVillage ★4 "The Nocturnal Enchanter" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIIHub ★7 "The Birds of Prey"

Haste Rain

  • IVillage ★3 "Tusked Tantrum" OR Hub ★3 "A Shocking Scoundrel"
  • IIArena Quest "Grudge Match: Kecha Wacha"
  • IIIHub ★5 "Insomnia? Meet Hypnotism x 2"

Blade Wire

  • IVillage ★2 "Vaulting Outlaw" OR Hub ★2 "The New Tenant"
  • IIVillage ★6 "Surrounded by Blue and Green" OR Hub ★5 "A Plesioth in the Misty Peaks"
  • IIIHub ★6 "Wild Gunman"

Tactical Retreat

  • IHub ★7 "Research Team's First Rodeo" (MHGU)
  • IIHub G2 "Through Thick and Fin"
  • IIIHub G4 "The Jungle VIP" (Furious Rajang)

Milestones to Celebrate (Not Skip)

Each of these is an actual accomplishment. Take a screenshot. Share it. Don't blow past them chasing G-Rank.

  1. 1Vaulting Outlaw (Village ★2) — your first Great Maccao, Kokoto/Pokke/Yukumo unlocked
  2. 2The Scorching Blade (Village ★6) — Glavenus down, HR Village opens
  3. 3Stop the Wheel (Village ★6) — Shagaru Magala slain, you've graduated Village core
  4. 4A Shocking Scoundrel (Hub ★3) — your first Hub Urgent on your own quest
  5. 5Hellfire Star (Hub ★7) — Nakarkos slain, the Hub's endgame conquered
  6. 6Legendary Skills? (MHGU Urgent) — Diablos hunted, G-Rank doors open
  7. 7Castle on the Run (G4 Urgent) — Ahtal-Ka defeated, the journey complete

Bookmark These

These are the references hunters actually use. The Compendium has the full list — these are the must-haves for your first 50 hours.

Kiranico MHGU Database

The reference: every quest, monster moveset, weapon tree, armor stat, and drop rate.

MHGU Weapon Trees

Visual upgrade trees for all 14 weapon types. Plan your weapon path early.

Important Quests Spreadsheet

Community-maintained checklist of key Village/Hub quests, deviant unlocks, canteen ingredients.

r/MHGU on Reddit

Active subreddit. Ask anything — newbies welcome.

GU Junkies Discord

Active MHGU Discord community. Hunt lobbies, beginner-friendly.

MHGU Database App

Open-source Android/iOS app. Offline reference for everything in the game.

See the full MHGU Compendium →

Built on the shoulders of giants

Every fact on this page is cross-referenced against the sources below. None of it would exist without the years of work the MHGU community has poured into databases, guides, and shared knowledge. Go give them love.

Primary quest data

Game databases & wikis

Weapon & mechanic guides

Community & progression discussions

Tools referenced

Missing a source you think belongs here? Use the feedback form below.

Spotted Something? Tell Me

This guide is a work in progress. If something is wrong, missing, or unclear — or if you have advice that would help future newbies — drop it here. Veteran corrections especially welcome.

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The Bottom Line

MHGU isn't a race. It's a mastery checklist. G-Rank is the start of the endgame, not the finish line. Take your time. Learn the patterns. The game will be there when you're ready — and so will the community. Happy hunting, hunter.

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