The Yian Kut-Ku isn’t especially menacing or dangerous on its own in Monster Hunter Wilds, as the real challenge comes from the fact that it now is no longer a solitary beast. Instead, it enjoys the company of others of its kind in the Forest region. Which means dealing with its buddies is the real issue.
Where do I find the Yian Kut-Ku in Monster Hunter Wilds?
The first time you deal with a Yian Kut-Ku in Monster Hunter Wilds will be after you get through Chapter 3, go through the credits, and pick up again in Chapter 4. A quest called “Lured by Abundance” that takes you to the Forest region will be available. That’ll be your fast and simple way to face the enemy.
As usual, once you fight and defeat one once, the Quest Counter will offer additional an additional Optional Quest mission for the creature. It’s also a frequent spawn in the Forest region, often showing up in pairs or trios, and can pop up in the Cliffs too. It can show up in Wounded Hollow too, but I found it’s best to just go to the forest to fight one or two.
How do I beat a Yian Kut-Ku?
My main advice for handling this (literal) spitfire is to have Dung Pods. The first story quest with them involves isolating one from the horde by chucking a Paintball at it, then using Dung Pods to drive off the rest. As you can see from the Forest map screenshot I shared below, each random appearance involved the monsters showing up in pairs. So Dung Pods to isolate and perhaps a single Paint Ball to make the one you’re going after are must-haves in your arsenal.
Aside from Yian Kut-Ku showing up with its friends in Monster Hunter Wilds, the only other real issue is Fireblight. (There’s minor wind pressure too, but it’s so insignificant in an actual brawl that I didn’t mention it.) These monsters love to breathe fire at you. If you’re only dealing with one, it’s no big deal. It’s nowhere near as widespread or dangerous as, say, an Ajarakan or Rathalos attack. And it’s not really performing any additional or exceptionally quick moves to make evading constantly an issue. It’s just if there are two or three of them all using fiery attacks at once, it’s a bit frustrating.
Another reason Yian Kut-Ku is no big deal is because of how many weaknesses you can exploit. Multiple parts of its body are weak against Ice, Thunder, or Water-based attacks. Every time of damage has at least three stars worth of effectiveness against its body parts. You can inflict every kind of status effect on it. Also, all items work on it, including the Sonic Bombs that usually are only practical for Balahara.
Get a Yian Kut-Ku away from its friends. Throw everything you’ve got at it. Try to aim at the head when you can. You’ll beat it before you know it.
What are the Yian Kut-Ku drops in Monster Hunter Wilds?
The funny thing is while the Yian Kut-Ku is easy to beat, it’s honestly difficult to get some of its parts. The highest frequency of appearances are for the Kut-Ku Carapace, Kut-Ku Ear, and Kut-Ku Scale+, and even those are only at three-stars. You do have a higher chance of getting the ear if you break its head. The Giant Beak, Kut-Ku Wing, Firecell Stone, and Inferno Sac are both pretty challenging to get. Also, as usual, you are guaranteed a Kut-Ku Certificate from the fight.
As for especially tricky equipment to forge, there are two notable pieces. One is the High Rank Kut-Ku Mail, which needs its certificate, two of the scale+, a wing, and the Firecell Stone. The High Rank Kut-Ku Coil can also be troublesome, since it again needs a certificate, three Giant Beaks, a Kut-Ku Ear, and an Inferno Sac.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Published: Feb 27, 2025 07:30 am