Building a strong character in Monster Hunter Outlanders requires more than simply increasing your level. There are several progression systems that can improve your damage, defense, elemental abilities, and overall hunting performance. From upgrading equipment to training Buddies, each system plays an important role in making your character stronger.
The good thing is that Monster Hunter Outlanders gives players plenty of opportunities to collect materials. You can keep hunting monsters to craft new weapons and armor without worrying about a limited number of hunts. If you are still learning the game, here are 9 ways to strengthen your characters and improve your hunting performance.
One of the best features of Monster Hunter Outlanders is the abundance of chances to gather materials. You can embark on hunts without feeling anxious about a cap on your monster-slaying adventures. If you’re still finding your footing in the game, here are 9 fantastic strategies to enhance your characters and take your hunting skills up a notch!
1. Increase Your Character Level and Ecology Rank
Every player starts off with the need to improve their character level, as it forms the foundation for progression. This can be done through the character upgrade menu, where materials are used to enhance stats, but unlocking every level also hinges on your Ecology Rank. For instance, reaching character level 60 requires Ecology Rank 5. To elevate your Ecology Rank, fulfill Adventure Rank requisites and complete specific challenges, which can be tracked via the menu or the screen’s bottom-right indicator.
Here are some things to remember:
- Progress through the game to increase your Adventure Rank.
- Complete challenges to unlock higher Ecology Ranks.
- Always check your Ecology Rank before upgrading.
- Collect upgrade materials while hunting.
Think of Ecology Rank as a world-level system—higher ranks unlock more progression options.
As an illustration, reaching a character level of 60 necessitates achieving Ecology Rank 5. To boost your Ecology Rank, you’ll have to fulfill specific requirements related to your Adventure Rank and conquer the challenges laid out before you. You can easily check your current Ecology Rank via the menu or spot it on the bottom-right corner of your screen—keeping you well-informed on your progress!
Here are a few essential tips you might want to keep in mind:
- Earn more Adventure Rank by making progress throughout the game.
- Tackle and complete the required challenges to climb up to higher Ecology Ranks.
- Double-check your Ecology Rank before pushing your character upgrades further.
- Don’t forget to gather character upgrade materials while you’re out on those hunts!
Consider Ecology Rank as a sort of world-level system for your progression. As your rank climbs, you’ll unlock even more options to grow and develop your character!
2. Use Engraving to Unlock Additional Character Effects
Engraving is another awesome option to elevate your characters in Monster Hunter Outlanders. This system grants you various additional effects that can significantly boost your performance while hunting. Just keep in mind that activating these shiny bonuses comes at a cost in Zenny, so choose wisely when deciding which characters to focus on!
If you’re just diving into the game, it’s a smart move to pour your resources into your main character first instead of spreading your Zenny thin across all the heroes on your roster. If you happen to have Midori in your lineup, she can definitely be worth your investment as well since her Engraving effects can grant you some pretty useful bonuses that will enhance your gameplay.
When it comes to maximizing the Engraving system, keep these handy tips in mind:
- First and foremost, focus on bolstering your main DPS character.
- If you frequently use Midori, think about giving her an upgrade.
- Make sure to evaluate the available effects before parting with your Zenny.
- Hold onto your Zenny if you foresee needing it for other crucial upgrades down the line.
Engraving can really nibble away at your Zenny, especially when you’re activating multiple effects at once. There’s no rush to unlock every single option right away, so take a moment to assess your resources. It’s wise to save up and invest when you’re fully prepared to dive deep into this system.
3. Craft and Upgrade Weapons and Armor
Your equipment choices are critical for leveling up your characters in Monster Hunter Outlanders. Each weapon and piece of armor offers unique stats and abilities, and combining certain armor pieces can unlock powerful set effects. So, when it comes to gearing up, don’t just choose items based on how rare they are or their defensive stats—dive a bit deeper and think about what will actually empower your character’s journey.
When selecting your weapons, always take a moment to consider the elemental weaknesses of the monster you’re hunting. For instance, if you’re facing a beast that’s vulnerable to Thunder, then a Thunder weapon is going to do you wonders in terms of damage output. Remember, you can whip up various weapon types at the Forge Weapon menu, so explore your options like Hammers and Long Swords to find what fits your playstyle!
When it comes to armor, it’s pretty exciting how each piece can offer unique bonuses, especially depending on which monster it was obtained from. For instance, if you grab three pieces of Anjanath armor, you’ll get a sweet boost in Fire damage. And if you mix in two pieces of Rathian armor, you can activate some fantastic effects. Take the Flawless bonus, for example; it boosts the damage you deal by 3% as long as your health is at full capacity. This little synergy can really give you the edge you need in tougher battles!
Keep an eye on these important features when you’re gearing up for your next adventure:
- Elemental Weapons: Make sure to equip Fire, Water, Thunder, and other elemental weapons so you can effectively take on various monsters.
- Armor Set Effects: It’s all about combining those armor pieces for maximum benefit; activating bonuses from having two or three pieces from the same set can give you an upper hand.
- Equipment Upgrades: Don’t forget to upgrade your gear whenever you’ve got the materials handy—higher rarity can make a significant difference!
- Dismantling: If you end up with some gear you don’t want, break it down! You can scoop up useful materials to use in enhancing your other equipment.
One fantastic aspect of the game is that you can actually upgrade your early-game equipment to a higher rarity without needing to toss the entire set aside. There’s no rush to constantly switch out your armor just because you’ve leveled up. Just gather the necessary materials, and keep enhancing your current gear whenever you can. This approach can save you resources and keep you prepared for whatever the hunting grounds throw at you!
4. Create Elemental Loadouts for Different Monsters
Once you start amassing a variety of weapons and armor, managing everything manually can become a bit cumbersome. But luckily, Monster Hunter Outlanders has got your back with a handy Loadout feature! This nifty tool lets you save different combinations of equipment to streamline your hunts.
With the Loadout feature, feel free to create specialized setups for each elemental configuration. For instance, having separate loadouts ready for Water, Thunder, and Fire will serve you well, especially against those early-game foes. Whenever you’re gearing up to face a monster that has a particular weakness, you can just switch to the appropriate loadout and jump right into the action!
The Loadout feature is a fantastic tool that helps you automatically swap out your equipment and Visage cards, giving you the flexibility to prepare for whatever foes you face. It’s super convenient to have different loadouts, especially for your support characters—this way, you’re not just focusing solely on your main character but ensuring everyone on your team is ready for action.
It’s important to realize that a character’s elements aren’t always locked down just by their names. For instance, just because a character is called Pyro doesn’t mean they have to wield Fire equipment exclusively. You have the freedom to tweak the element and pick the right gear to counter whatever monster you’re tackling, allowing for a more strategic approach.
To maximize your effectiveness in battle, it’s wise to ensure that the element of your weapon aligns with your armor bonuses. For instance, wielding a Fire weapon while wearing armor that amplifies Fire damage can significantly enhance your overall damage output, creating a harmonic synergy that will help you take down tougher adversaries more efficiently.
5. Train and Upgrade Your Buddies
Buddies play a crucial role in your character’s journey as they provide fantastic support abilities that can really turn the tide in hunts. These loyal companions can offer healing and grants elemental damage boosts, which can give you the upper hand. When selecting a Buddy, think about its specific role and skills rather than just picking one that’s rare; it’s all about finding the right fit for your playstyle.
For instance, if your character specializes in inflicting elemental damage, you might find Ikarus to be a perfect match due to its valuable elemental damage bonus. Remember, different Buddies come with unique abilities, so take a moment to review what they offer before settling on which one to bring along for the adventure.
You have the opportunity to enhance your Buddies through the Training section by utilizing your Buddy Token materials. Investing in upgrades can really elevate their abilities, making them even more effective in assisting you during battles. Better-trained Buddies mean more potent support and can give you that much-needed edge in tricky fights.
Managing your Buddies can be a breeze with the right approach! Here are some friendly tips to keep your game experience smooth and enjoyable:
- Make sure to align your Buddy’s role with what your character truly needs to thrive.
- Always take a moment to check out their abilities before you finalize your choice.
- Focus on Buddies that offer beneficial healing or damage bonuses, as they can turn the tide in tough battles!
- Don’t forget to upgrade their levels to help them shine in your team, using those handy Buddy Token materials.
- Keep an eye out for additional Buddies through the recruitment system—you never know what awesome allies you might find!
If you’re aiming for those high-rarity Buddies, the Exchange Shop is the place to be! You’ll find both SR and SSR options waiting for you, but just a heads up: SSR Buddies require a bit more in terms of exchange resources. Thankfully, you can gather these resources through recruitment, so be sure to manage your vouchers and exchange currency wisely!
6. Collect and Upgrade Visage Cards
Don’t forget about Visage cards! They’re another cool piece of equipment that can enhance your characters further. You’ll unlock these gems as you progress on your main story adventure, reaching specific Adventure Ranks. These cards come with their own stats and set effects, almost like armor, which can significantly improve your overall character build.
Visage cards add another layer of strategy to your character’s build. Unlock these through story progression and Adventure Rank increases. These cards provide unique stats and effects, similar to armor sets. For instance, the Pukei-Pukei Visage set can boost damage output based on how many pieces are equipped.
When selecting Visage cards, consider:
- DPS Characters: Focus on cards that enhance damage output.
- Support Characters: Seek cards that improve squad buffs.
- Elemental Builds: Use cards that complement your weapon’s element.
Daily Hunts are a great source for collecting these cards while also yielding materials needed for progression.
What’s even better is that this collection of cards packs a powerful four-piece effect! When your Adventurer receives a buff, it grants a sweet 6.5% squad buff for 60 seconds. This is especially handy for builds aiming to support the whole team effectively!
When diving into the world of Visage cards, keep these considerations in mind:
- For DPS Characters: It’s a smart move to focus on cards that boost your damage output or enhance elemental damage. The right set of cards can make a world of difference in your attacking capabilities.
- When Playing Support Characters: Keep an eye out for cards that enhance healing and provide buffs for your squad. You’ll want your team to stay in fighting shape, and the right cards can help keep everyone energized and ready for action.
- Disruptors: Don’t overlook the benefits of cards that boost your Ultimate Charge Rate. They allow you to unleash your abilities more often, which is a game-changer in tight situations.
- For Elemental Builds: Be sure to complement your cards with the element you’re wielding through your weapon. This synergy can enhance your effectiveness and create more powerful attacks.
If you’re on the hunt for Visage cards, you can snag them through the Daily Hunts found in the Field Hunts section. These sessions don’t just net you cards; they also reward you with various materials that are essential for leveling up your characters and progressing through the game.
The rarity of your cards is closely tied to your progression level. As noted in the guide’s drop rates, you’ll find that Blue cards have a 100% drop rate up until you hit level 9. Once you reach level 10, your chances for Purple cards start at a solid 30% and grow by an additional 10% with every level you conquer, all the way to a guaranteed 100% drop at level 17.
Once you hit level 18, you’ll begin to see Yellow cards dropping, starting at a 30% chance. So if you aim to gather the best Visage cards, keep pushing through higher-level content to boost your chances of obtaining these sought-after treasures.
7. Upgrade and Resketch Your Visage Cards
But collecting Visage cards is just the start of your adventure! You can also take the time to upgrade and resketch them, allowing you to enhance their stats. This flexible system gives you the power to fine-tune your cards to suit various builds and strategies you want to explore.
To upgrade your cards, you’ll need specific materials, which are best gathered through those hunts and various other activities in the game. Once you’ve gathered enough resources, head over to the Visage menu, pick the card you wish to enhance, and start improving it to fit your playstyle!
Oh, the Resketch feature is a gem in your toolkit! It opens up a whole new world of additional stats that can really elevate your gameplay. Picture yourself snagging Elemental Critical Damage or an array of other bonuses that take your character’s performance up a notch. It’s like discovering a hidden treasure chest that adds a dash of flair to your adventures!
That said, it’s important to remember that not every stat you roll will fit seamlessly into your current build. Some of those shiny bonuses might not align with your weapon or gear setup, so it pays to be mindful of the effects you end up with. Keep your eyes peeled and make sure what you unlock truly enhances your gameplay!
When you’re diving into the world of Visage card upgrades, there are a few key things that can really steer you in the right direction:
- Focus on upgrading cards that correspond with your character’s role to maximize effectiveness.
- Seek out elemental damage bonuses that align perfectly with your current weapon to unleash its full potential.
- Don’t forget to utilize the Resketch feature to snag even more relevant stats that can help diversify your playstyle.
- Try to avoid pouring too many materials into cards that you won’t actually incorporate into your strategy.
- Always verify that the additional effects of a card are compatible with your current gear; synergy is the name of the game!
For instance, if you’re wielding a Water weapon, make it a priority to seek out Visage effects that amp up Water damage. It’s far more effective than investing your resources in bonuses for elements that won’t benefit your current setup!
8. Use Insight and Proof of Mastery
Now, let’s chat about Insight—a fantastic progression system that bags you some sweet character bonuses. You can find it by tapping the book icon nestled in the bottom-right corner of the character menu. Think of it like gathering character duplicates; collecting extra copies grants you Insight points that can really bolster your abilities!
Once you’ve amassed those points, you can unlock some really cool effects tailored to the type of weapon you’re wielding. Take Bow users, for instance; they have the option to choose bonuses that can speed up their Ultimate Charge Rate or even ramp up their damage output significantly. It’s all about making the most of your weapon and enhancing your gameplay experience!
Keep in mind that each effect comes with its own point requirement, and some of the more powerful bonuses can demand up to 30 points. If you find yourself low on points, don’t worry too much—just prioritize activating the effects that you can currently use. It’s all about making gradual progress, so take your time to build up your abilities!
Remember, Insight works best when you adapt it to different characters, so take the time to tailor your bonuses based on not only the weapon but also the role you’re playing. For example, SR characters might feel a bit easier to develop within this system since grabbing duplicates of them is typically more straightforward. This opens up new avenues for enhancing your gameplay and experimenting with builds!
There’s also another awesome feature called Proof of Mastery that you can check out in the Explorer section from the main menu. This system is great for providing your characters and Adventure Squad with extra bonuses, which definitely helps you in your adventures!
For instance, one of the rewards from an Explorer Season offers some nice bonuses like:
- 65 Physical Attack
- 32 Elemental Attack
Raising your Proof of Mastery rank isn’t just a walk in the park; you’ve got to hit some specific goals to make it happen. For instance, there are certain upgrades that will require you to achieve a certain amount of Adventure Power first, like 5,220 Adventure Power. Keep that number in mind as you work towards your upgrades!
If your characters haven’t quite hit the power levels needed yet, don’t sweat it! Focus on leveling up their weapons, armor, Visage cards, and other essential progression elements. Once you give them some TLC and upgrade them thoroughly, then you’ll be in a better spot to push forward again.
9. Use Food Buffs and Target Monster Weaknesses
Don’t underestimate the importance of food buffs in preparing for hunts. The cooking system allows you to create dishes that enhance your performance—boosting damage or reducing incoming damage, among other effects.
You’ll need to unlock these recipes through quests, often requiring special items from your hunts. Knowing the target monster’s weaknesses is equally vital. Always check the monster stats to determine which element to use before heading into battle.
For breaking parts, choose appropriate weapon types, like:
- Bow and Heavy Bowgun: Great for breaking wings.
- Hammer: Ideal for breaking heads and bodies.
- Long Sword: Effective against forelegs and tails.
Utilize the Radiant effect on monsters to maximize damage by targeting affected body parts.
When it comes to food, you’ll find that certain dishes can provide a kick of up to a 5% damage boost, and some of the fancier, higher-tier recipes can even dish out more impressive effects! Plus, there are delightful food buffs out there that can help you minimize damage taken by 9% or crank up your damage by 15%. Definitely worth a taste!
On a side note, remember that you have to unlock the recipes before you can whip them up in the kitchen. Most of these tasty recipes are gathered through quests, so make sure you go through your available missions and tick off those objectives to get the delicious rewards!
Don’t forget, some recipes come with ingredient requirements that might surprise you! For example, one of the damage-boosting recipes calls for a hefty 75 Heaven Berries. If you need help tracking these down, just peek into the Local Specialty section to see where you can snag these must-have ingredients.
Beyond the delicious food buffs, having a good grasp of monster weaknesses is crucial for your hunting success. Before heading out for a monster hunt, take a moment to check out the monster info. This will guide you on which elemental weapon and weapon type will serve you best during the chase.
Take the Radiant Barroth as an example; this big guy is pretty vulnerable to Fire. So, if you equip a Fire weapon, you’re going to deal a nice chunk more damage! Plus, the game does a fantastic job of guiding you with weapon suggestions tailored to help break specific parts of monsters, ensuring you’re getting the most bang for your buck during battle.
Let’s dive into some solid weapon options based on the parts you want to target:
- Bow and Heavy Bowgun: These are perfect tools for shattering monster wings—great for getting those aerial advantages.
- Hammer: This beast is your go-to for smashing the head and the body, delivering some heavy hits!
- Long Sword: This weapon shines when you’re gunning for the forelegs, hind legs, or the tail—swift and effective!
- Great Sword: If you’re looking to tackle several major monster parts, then this massive blade is your best bet.
- Dual Blades: If speed and agility are your style, these blades will help you target legs and tails with ease.
- Lance: A reliable choice for targeting the legs and possibly more vulnerable parts of monsters.
- Charge Blade: Versatile enough for breaking specific monster parts, this one’s a solid option as well.
It’s super important to remember the unique mechanics that come with Radiant monsters. When you spot that Radiant effect lighting up a specific body part, be sure to lock onto it and unleash a flurry of attacks using whatever elemental weakness that monster has. This strategy will make your fights much more fruitful!
Here’s a quick tip: if you notice the Radiant effect glowing on the monster’s head, that’s your cue to focus your attacks there. And if it shows up on the hands instead, don’t hesitate to switch your targeting and adapt on the fly.
In Monster Hunter Outlanders, there’s a world of opportunities to boost your characters, and sticking to just one upgrade path won’t cut it against tougher enemies. Aim to improve your character level, delve into Engraving, craft higher-grade equipment, and utilize Visage cards, Buddies, and Insight to truly enhance your capabilities and take on the challenge!
Strengthening your characters in Monster Hunter Outlanders involves a multi-faceted approach—focusing on level progression, Engraving, equipment crafting, and more to adapt to tougher monsters. Balance all these methods for optimal performance and prepare effectively for each hunt to assemble a formidable team.
Consistently upgrading your gear, smartly using elemental loadouts, and mastering the art of cooking will lead to enhanced hunting success. Keep exploring, collecting materials, and pushing your character to new heights.
Welcome to the exciting world of Monster Hunter Outlanders, where thrilling adventures await you at every turn! This game invites all you brave hunters out there to band together and take on gigantic monsters in a beautifully constructed universe. Gear up and get ready to strategize because every hunt will put your skills to the ultimate test.