Speed-type kinsects gather extracts faster and commonly grant White Extract Up bonuses that boost Affinity by +15% to +30%, which pairs great with crit skills.
Sources: GameFAQs — Kinsect Evolutions, GameSkinny.
Upgrade Flow (Cutting / Blunt names)
Tier 0 → Tier 1
- Culldrone (Mauldrone) → Windchopper (Gullshad) — Speed starter.
White Extract Up (S) = +15% Affinity.
Source: GameFAQs
Tier 1 → Tier 2 (pick one)
Grancathar (Bullshroud) — Pure Speed
Req: Kinsect Upgrade Lv 6; Speed Lv 10.
Gains: +20% Speed, faster flight, shorter charge.
Skill: White Extract Up (L) = +30% Affinity; Double Up+ extends extract durations.
Source: GameFAQs, GameSkinnyPseudocath (Whispervesp) — Balanced Speed
Req: mixed stats (Speed/Power/Weight).
Gains: +20% Speed, +20% elemental kinsect damage.
Skill: White (S) = +15% Affinity.
Source: GameFAQs
Tier 2 → Final Options
Foliacath / Fleetflammer — Hybrid Speed/Weight end-form: +30% Affinity (White), Tremor Res (Orange), Double Up++ utility.
Sources: Fandom — MHGU Kinsect Tree, GameFAQs board noteBilbobrix / Ladytower — Weight/Power hybrid alternative with utility (mount/defense/RO Double Up++) if you prefer that route.
Source: Fandom — MHGU Kinsect Tree
Community advice often recommends Grancathar/Bullshroud for pure speed/+30% Affinity and Fleetflammer for comfort-oriented hybrid play.
References: Reddit – Grancathar vs Foliacath, GameFAQs board
Quick Reference
| Stage | Kinsect (Cut / Blunt) | Key perks |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Windchopper / Gullshad | White (S) +15% Affinity |
| Tier 2 — Pure | Grancathar / Bullshroud | White (L) +30% Affinity, faster flight, Double Up+ |
| Tier 2 — Balanced | Pseudocath / Whispervesp | White (S) +15% Affinity, +20% elemental kinsect damage |
| Final — Hybrid | Foliacath / Fleetflammer | +30% Affinity, Tremor Res (Orange), Double Up++ |
| Final — Alt | Bilbobrix / Ladytower | Weight/Power-leaning utility (mount/defense/RO Double Up++) |
How to Upgrade (fast)
- Feed Ambrosia/Jelly to raise kinsect stats and unlock evolutions (Speed/Power/Weight).
Source: GameFAQs — Evolutionary Process - Hit the thresholds for your target branch (e.g., Speed Lv 10 for Grancathar/Bullshroud), then evolve at the Smithy.
Source: GameFAQs — Kinsect Evolutions - Continue into your final: hybrid Fleetflammer for comfort, or weight/power Bilbobrix/Ladytower for utility.
Source: Fandom Tree
Notes & Tips
- White (L) + crit skills (WEX / Crit Eye / Crit Boost) can push you near 100% effective Affinity on weakspots (thanks to the +30% White).
Community refs: Reddit - For weapon/kinsect pages, materials, and tree browsing while upgrading, keep Kiranico handy:
Kiranico MHGU → Insect Glaive