Everything you need to know about the Hook Slinger Monster Hunter Wilds.
Before you can start going after those giant Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll need to properly prepare and optimize your gear and equipment.
This involves exploration, item gathering, and setting up traps to give you the upper hand in combat.
To this effect, the Hook Slinger is one of the most valuable pieces of equipment you have at your disposal.
The Hook Slinger in Monster Hunter Wilds has various functions and utilities. It is mainly focused on exploration, but it can also help in combat.
In this article, we take a look at the Hook Slinger, how to use it, what it can do, and the different types of ammo you can equip it with.
What Can the Hook Slinger Do
Firstly, you can use the Hook Slinger to gather items from afar. Simply press B/Circle when you’re looking at an item and the prompt will appear. You can also do this while moving around, and as such, it can speed up exploration and item gathering.
Speaking of exploration, you can also use the Hook Slinger to swing across ledges and gaps, by interacting with the Wedge Beetles scattered throughout the map.
In combat, you can use the Hook Slinger to pull down various environmental hazards and traps, damaging any monsters caught in them
The Hook Slinger’s main function, however, is built around the different pods, i.e. ammo, you can equip it with.
Your Hook Slinger has some infinite pods by default, including the Paint Pod, which you can use to track monsters and Throwing Knives. There are also numerous other pods you can equip it with, which can inflict status ailments, deal elemental damage, etc.
Every Pod for the Hook Slinger
There are many kinds of Pods you can equip your Hook Slinger, some of these Pods can be crafted, while others you’ll find while exploring. Below, we’ve listed each type of Pod for the Hook Slinger, and what they do.
Permanent Pods
These are craftable Pods that are stored in your inventory, and are focused around utility,
| Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Flash Pod | Triggers a flash that blinds monsters. |
| Screamer Pod | Triggers a harsh sound that stuns monsters with good hearing. |
| Dung Pod | Causes the monster hit to flee the area. It is a single target pod and is better suited for smaller monsters. |
| Large Dung Pod | Causes the monsters hit to flee the area. It is an area of effect pod and works well on all types of monsters. |
| Luring Pod | Causes the monster hit to follow you. |
| Tranq Blade | Puts target to sleep |
| Throwing Knife | Does a small amount of damage. |
| Paint Pod | Target briefly becomes marked on the map. |
Environmental Pods
You can only find these pods by exploring the map. You can use them to deal elemental damage and inflict status ailments. However, you cannot store these pods in your inventory, and you’ll have to drop a pod if you want to replace it with another.
| Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Torch Pod | Deals Fire damage. |
| Puddle Pod | Deals Water damage. |
| Thunder Pod | Deals Thunder damage. |
| Frost Pod | Deals Ice damage. |
| Dragon Pod | Deals Dragon damage. |
| Brightmoss | Lights up surrounding |
| Para Pod | Causes large build-up of Paralysis. |
| Bleeding Pod | Causes large build-up of Bleed. |
Monster Pods
These pods are dropped by Monsters. You can also find them around their nests. Moreover, each Monster has a certain set of Pods they drop. For example, Nescrylla only drops Poison Pods, and is also its only source, while Nu Udra drops explosion Pods.
| Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Poison Pod | Causes build-up of Poison. |
| Slicing Pod | Deals Severing damage |
| Piercing Pod | Pierces the monster’s body. |
| Blunt Pod | Deals Blunt damage. |
| Explosion Pod | Deals Blast damage. |
How to Use the Hook Slinger
Press LT/L2, to ready the Hook Slinger, you can then aim it as you would a gun, and press RT/R2 to shoot the slinger, firing whatever ammo you have equipped.
Furthermore, you can also shoot your Slinger while your weapon is unsheathed. To do this, hold LT/L2 and press L3.
You can also press Circle to interact with the environment when the prompt shows up. For example, when gather items are swinging around using Wedge Beetles.
