Monster Hunter Rise: Unleashing the Ultimate Strategy - Capture or Kill?
Monster Hunter Rise: The Dilemma of Killing vs Capturing - Unveiling the Ultimate Strategy for Hunters to Decide the Fate of their Prey
In Monster Hunter Rise, players are faced with the daunting task of facing some of the largest and most formidable monsters in the beloved Capcom series. This challenge has only intensified with the release of the Sunbreak expansion, which adds a new layer of difficulty akin to the acclaimed Iceborn expansion. However, the approach to defeating these creatures is not as straightforward as mindlessly attacking until they perish. While this "button-mashing" tactic may work to some extent, especially in the early stages of the game, there is also the option of capturing monsters. This can be either a requirement for specific quests or side missions or simply a means of accelerating the hunt. The debate regarding the effectiveness of capturing versus killing monsters has long been a topic of discussion within the fanbase. This is particularly true when it comes to determining the default approach for online players who may not have communicated beforehand. Therefore, it is essential to explore the advantages and disadvantages of both strategies in Monster Hunter Rise to determine which one offers a more viable overall solution.
Updated October 1st by Jacob Buchalter: Despite the various changes undergone by Monster Hunter Rise over the years, such as Title Updates and the addition of new monsters, the fundamental gameplay remains unchanged (including Monster Hunter Now). However, has the approach to capturing or killing monsters, known as the 'meta,' undergone any modifications? Considering the continuous implementation of new quality-of-life features and Skills that streamline different aspects of the game, has Capcom made any adjustments to the rewards for either option? Let's delve into all the updates once again and determine whether Killing or Capturing Monsters in Monster Hunter Rise is the preferable choice.
Killing & Capture Methods Summary
To begin, let's quickly explore the methods of capturing (or killing) a monster, delve into the disparities between them, and highlight their similarities. For individuals unfamiliar with Monster Hunter or monster-hunting games, it is important to note that these methods do not follow the conventional approach typically seen in traditional hunting games. Capturing a monster does not necessarily yield more monetary rewards but rather results in fewer parts, albeit players still obtain most of the same materials from the creature. Now, let's delve into the specifics of these differences.
Killing Monsters
In simple terms, this method involves damaging the monster until it dies. Once the monster is defeated, players have approximately 60 seconds to carve it three times (four times for Elder Dragons like Velkhana) in order to obtain materials. It's important to note that the details menu for each monster provides information on which parts can be obtained through part breaks, captures, or carving.
After the time limit is reached, players will be taken to the results screen where they will receive Part Rewards for breaking certain parts of the monster during the battle, as well as Quest Rewards specific to that monster.
Capturing Monsters
The process of capturing a monster largely follows a similar path as killing it, with the exception of the final minutes of combat. When a monster reaches a certain health threshold, it enters a 'capturable' state and exhibits signs of distress, such as limping or hobbling when changing locations. In previous games, this was the main indication that the monster was weakened enough to be captured.
However, in Rise and Sunbreak, capturing monsters has become even easier (as many aspects have in Rise). Essentially, once the small blue "monster skull" icon appears over the monster on the mini-map or below its Target Icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen, it means the monster is in a 'Weakened State' and can be captured.
Similarities & Differences Between Killing & Capturing
To capture a monster in Monster Hunter games, players must first set a trap, choosing between a Shock or Pitfall trap. Once the monster is trapped, they need to attack it with two Tranq Bombs to put it to sleep. This unique concept of capturing monsters is exclusive to Monster Hunter games, with other titles that draw inspiration from MH often disregarding this aspect. After successfully capturing the monster, a prompt will appear, and players will have approximately 15-20 seconds to collect any materials scattered on the ground. They will then move on to the results screen, where they will receive their Capture Rewards, Quest Rewards (which include different parts when the monster is captured), and any additional materials obtained from breaking the monster's parts. However, it is important to note that Elder Dragons cannot be captured and are typically immune to traps as well.
Now, let's delve into the crux of the discussion: what differentiates the act of Capturing from Killing the monster? What factors contribute to a player's potential preference for one method over the other?
Differences | Similarities |
|---|---|
Killing takes longer. | Both count for general Hunt-type Quest Completion. |
Killing has the Hunters 'Carve' the monster's corpse. | Both methods can still have players gaining Materials from Part Breaks or Cut Parts, such as the Tail. |
From the monster kill to the Quest Rewards screen it takes about 60 seconds. | Both methods offer the same general number of Quest Rewards. |
Killing requires fighting a monster in its more aggressive Weakened State. | Both methods require fighting the monster for an extended period of time. |
Capturing is shorter overall. | Both methods follow most of the core gameplay loop of Monster Hunter Rise |
Capturing costs Resources every time of 1 Trap (Shock or Pitfall) and 2 Tranq Bombs. | Both methods are equally fun in a co-op or multiplayer lobby. |
Players only have sub 20 seconds from the Capture Success to the Quest Rewards screen. | Both methods reward players who learn the layout of the map and monster habits beforehand. |
There's no carving the monster after capturing it. | N/A |
Capturing allows players to skip the monster's Weakened State. | N/A |
Both methods have different materials they might offer as Quest Rewards | N/A |
Capturing and Killing have separate optional rewards such as the Special Goods Scrolls at the Argosy or Guild Card titles. | N/A |
Elder Dragons & Apex Monsters aren't capturable. | N/A |
It is evident that there exist numerous dissimilarities among these methods, which is generally considered reasonable. However, due to their significant divergence, one cannot simply state that either method is effective; there must be a superiority for one over the other. Hence, let's present arguments in favor of both sides, playing the role of the devil's advocate, so to speak.
Why Killing Is The Best Method
Generally, killing the monster is the easier option, as players don't have to worry about searching for icons, setting traps, or making Tranq Bombs. In addition, killing the monster allows players more time to explore during the 60-second period before the Quest Rewards screen. This time can be used to mine nearby Mining Outcrops, gather plants, or search through Bonepiles. Importantly, it also provides an opportunity to collect any materials dropped by the monster during the battle.
When using Wyvern-Riding to make one monster attack another, various parts can be knocked off between the two monsters. It is not ideal to collect these parts during the boss fight. However, the 60-second period allows players to do so, as well as carve off any severed tails or other carvable parts. While capturing certain monsters may reward players with specific materials, there are generally more materials that can only be obtained through carving, making killing the monster a more reliable method for material farming. Unless players specifically need a material that can only be obtained by capturing the monster, killing it is often the better option.
To quickly summarize the main points of why Killing is better:
Argument | Explanation |
|---|---|
It's Less Complex | Less time preparing, fewer items that need to be brought in, and less focus needed to keep track of the monster's current HP. |
More Time For After-Hunt Gathering | 60+ seconds of time after the kill means players can farm other types of materials (Plants, Ore, Bones) after they finish their Carves. |
More Kill-Based Drops Than Capture-Based Ones | While Capturing a monster technically gives players access to all three types (Kill, Broken Part, and Capture materials), Killing the monster has more possible rewards on average. |
Why Capturing Is The Best Method
Now, why is capturing the superior method? Well, the primary advantage lies in its safety during tough battles. Let's consider an encounter with a formidable monster like Basarios, a timeless classic. Imagine a scenario where the group exhausts two of their "Carts" during the fight. In such a situation, capturing the Basarios could be the determining factor between success and failure of the Quest. Engaging in an additional 3-5 minutes of combat could inadvertently lead to another player's death, resulting in a failed Quest for everyone involved, which clearly goes against the spirit of cooperative enjoyment.
Furthermore, many monsters exhibit heightened aggression in their weakened state, taking on the behavior of cornered animals. Consequently, engaging in combat with the monster during this phase becomes even riskier than usual. Additionally, capturing offers the benefit of expediting the process. Capturing the monster as soon as it becomes weakened can save anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes, depending on the particular monster's tendency to escape. Moreover, since players no longer need to engage in the time-consuming task of carving, and the transition time between capture and the Quest Reward screen is less than 20 seconds, this method proves far less monotonous for those who enjoy engaging in multiple hunts in a single session of this beloved Nintendo Switch RPG.
To summarize the main arguments in favor of Capturing:
Argument | Explanation |
|---|---|
It's Safer | Less time fighting the monster equals fewer opportunities to get knocked out. |
It's Faster | Less combat time, less 'carve time' afterward, and less time until the Results screen. |
It Has Different Rewards | Killing = Carve & Broken Part Rewards. However, Capturing can equal all three (Carve, Capture, Broken Part) if players cut a part of a monster off mid-battle. |
Which One Is Best?
Here is the revised version:
Now, for the ultimate answer that players seek in determining which method is superior overall. Surprisingly, it is neither and yet both. The lack of a substantial reward-based rationale makes it a matter of personal preference for each player, depending on the materials required to construct their desired Armor Set. Nonetheless, as is customary in every Monster Hunter game, the player base establishes a "default" method.
This default method is adopted by the community without any explicit communication during hunts. In Monster Hunter: Rise, it appears that capturing monsters has become the default approach. While this decision was not formally voted upon, enough players began employing this method, and it gradually gained traction, becoming a matter of "common courtesy" to capture the monster unless instructed otherwise by the hunt's host. However, the definitive answer lies in the host's preference. If they expressly command to kill the monster, then do so. If they request a capture, allow them to capture it, and provide assistance if needed.
The Monster Hunter Rise community, on the whole, is known for its warmth and friendliness. As a result, instances where a host requests a specific outcome and participants do the opposite are extremely rare.
Franchise Monster HunterPlatform(s) Switch, PCReleased March 26, 2021Developer(s) CapcomGenre(s) Action, RPG See at Xbox Games Store
