How to Capture a Monster in Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest entry in the series, brings the series’ classic action to bigger and wider environments. While the game opens with a tutorial that fills us in on many of the basics, but some gameplay elements aren’t brought up until later, even though you can start taking advantage of those features right away. For example, you can capture monsters that dwell in the Forbidden Lands in Monster Hunter Wilds once you hit the Plains, but the official “mission” to learn how doesn’t come up until Chapter 4. Here’s how you can catch critters sooner.

When can I capture a monster in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Players will be able to capture monsters immediately after completing the Assignment “Hot on Their Tails” and hunted the Quematrice, the fire-wielding wyvern that looks like a chicken. Upon your return to the Base Camp and getting Honey earlier to open up the store, you will unlock the ability to purchase supplies at the Provisions Stockpile in the Windward Plains Base Camp. When you browse those supplies, which include essentials like Potions, Lifepowder and Antidotes, you’ll be able to purchase Trap Tools.

Trap Tools, when combined with either a Net (crafted from Ivy and Spider Web) or Thunderbug Capacitor, will form a Pitfall Trap or Shock Trap. These items will stun a monster and immobilize them for a few seconds. This will let you either weaken them further or, if they are showing the little skull next to the icon on the mini map, capture them.

How do I capture a monster in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Once you have crafted the Pitfall Trap or Shock Trap, build up a supply of Tranq Bombs. You need at least two, which can be crafted from Parashrooms and Sleep Herbs. You can find at the spots below in the Windward Plains. If you have those, you can capture a monster you’re hunting in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Here’s where you can find Sleep Herb and Parashroom early on in the Plains:

Hunt as you normally would to start. Fight the monster, whittling its health away and avoiding getting wiped out yourself. Eventually, your Palico will say something about the monster weakening. The monster’s icon on the minimap and the full area map will display a little skull floating up from it. This means it is weak enough to capture.

At this point, if you set your trap in their path and time it well, they will fall in and be stunned. During this period, while they are stuck in the trap, hit the monster with around two Tranq bombs. The hunt in Monster Hunter Wilds will end with a capture, saving time and rewarding you with bonus materials that might be harder to get from simply slaying the monster.

How do I capture Endemic Life in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Capturing doesn’t end with the big beasts, however. Endemic Life flourishes across the Forbidden Lands. Upon completing the same assignment that unlocks the Provisions Stockpile, Hunters gain access to a number of helpful tools like the Capture Net. Using this slinger-mounted device, you can capture all kinds of small lifeforms that live in the Forbidden Lands

To do so, equip the Capture Net from the items menu and approach the smaller life forms. This includes things like insects and even the Wedge Beetle grappling points. When the targeting reticle lights up orange, you can fire the net like any other slinger ammo. Doing so will not only grant research points for the creatures but also the materials they provide if they do. In addition, this can be used to catch fish if they are within the range of the capture net.

Capturing monsters has been a mainstay in Monster Hunter since the series began. Bandai and Capcom developed gashapon figurines based on series classic monsters in their sleeping, captured state with a third wave announced in January, 2025. Monster Hunter Wilds has proven that it won’t be going anywhere any time soon, at least until players start facing Elder Dragons.

Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.