Monster Hunter Wilds is an unbelievably fussy game when it comes to combat, especially if you’re new. You’ve got a weapon that takes a fighting game brain to memorize its moveset, pockets full of items that do something other than healing you, and a monster trying to kick your ass. Trying to manage it all without getting your fingers tangled is a challenge, but there’s a setting you can change that can make combat much easier.
Focus mode is huge in Monster Hunter Wilds. By default, when you hold left trigger on a controller (or alt on PC), Focus mode will activate and highlight big orange gashes on the monster you’re fighting. Hitting those wounds will make you deal extra damage and get you bonus monster parts for crafting items — there’s really no downside to it.
Holding down a button while trying to dance around a monster is kind of a pain as the fights get harder later in the game. There’s a trick for this that lets you turn focus mode on and off like a light switch, freeing a whole finger to do other things. Once I enabled the option to toggle focus mode on and off, my life as a dual blades user became significantly easier. Ranged weapon players, however, probably won’t benefit from this all that much.
Here’s how to enable toggle focus mode in the Monster Hunter Wilds option menu.
I’d also recommend increasing the focus mode camera sensitivity so you’re not stuck in the mud while you have it on. Here’s how to do that.
Now you can tap your focus mode button to turn it on when you’re taking swings at the monster and leave it on until you have to run away. Some weapons, like the insect glaive, actually nudge you toward your target when you’re in focus mode, which means you’ll whiff fewer swings with it on, too.
You’re now authorized to hunt those monsters with your newfound knowledge.
