Monster Hunter is an action/fantasy RPG published by Capcom... where you basically go berserk and kill gigantic spooky monsters.

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The game takes place in 3 areas:

• Villages
Villages are where quests are accepted in order to get funds and venture into the world of slaying/capturing monsters.


• Hub online/offline
The Hub is a general area to play with or without friends, it is a separate ranking system from solo/offline mode.
You can hunt monsters and farm gear with up to 4 friends in online mode, however, the monsters are more difficult to kill and have almost double the HP of the regular version in offline mode.


• Maps to slay/capture monsters or gather equipment
There are different maps and different environments you need to get adapted to, whenever a departure for a quest is initiated there is usually a blue chest at the start to help guide you throughout the area. The items help you navigate, find the monster, pin it down, restore health/stamina and capture it.

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When you start the game, you are automatically supplied with 16 weapons - choosing a new weapon is like choosing an entirely new game!
Be sure to play with a weapon for a while, at least until you're comfortable with the mechanics before moving on to a new one.

Weapon list:

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Great Sword -----
A large, slow weapon that has a charge attack which deals a lot of damage.

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Long Sword-----
A weapon that relies on combos to reach its full potential - has a gauge and needs precise movement.

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Sword and Shield-----
A defensive set, allows to block heavy damage and deal fast attacks - the attacks do not have a high damage output in comparison to other weapons.

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Dual Blades-----
Similar to Sword and Shield but with a stronger focus on offense (at the expense of defense). Fast, strong attacks that can enter Demonization mode which creates even more damage.

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Hammer-----
Large, heavy weapons which are capable of dealing the vast amounts of damage in a single combo. Very effective when attacking a monster's head.

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Hunting Horn-----
Similar to the Hammer, effective when attacking a head. This weapon has a Recital Ability, which is triggered by pressing the "R" button on the 3DS. Each Horn has a different set of three colored notes. These notes can be combined in various ways to create various buffs.

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Lance-----
Long weapons that can strike from a distance. The Lance is always accompanied by a large shield which grants a powerful defense against most attacks.

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Gunlance-----
Long, piercing weapons with a mechanism inside which can fire an explosive round. Combination of stabs and explosive shots which can be linked in combos.

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Switch Axe-----
There are two modes: Axe and Sword. It is possible to transform between the two near-instantly. Axe mode is easier, with slow swings that deal high damage. Sword mode has a gauge that can deal heavy explosions.

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Insect Glaive-----
A double-ended rod capable of quick, fluid attacks and allows the hunter to jump at any time in a pole-vaulting fashion. When a target is locked, the hunter can send the Kinsect to attack for them.

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Charge Blade-----
Similar to the Switch Axe with its ability to switch between two different weapon modes. A more defensive weapon since a shield is included, but damage can still be high in Axe mode.

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Light Bowgun-----
Ranged weapons. As the name suggests, they are light enough to allow Hunters to run with the weapon drawn, and they can be sheathed and unsheathed very quickly. However, they are generally low in attack power.

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Heavy Bowgun-----
Ranged weapons that deal considerable damage, but due to their size and weight, do not allow Hunters to run when drawn. Heavy Bowguns are able to use a wide range of Ammo.

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Bow-----
Ranged weapon. An infinite quiver of arrows is automatically provided, although each individual doesn't do a great deal of damage. Bows can fire three different kinds of shots.

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Thanks to this website for the helpful guide!

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Palicoes are cats that can assist you in your quests, fighting, and gathering items! You can also switch from Hunter to Prowler mode, so you can play the game as a cat! They have unlimited gathering power - meaning infinite loops of mining, bug catching, fishing and so on.

Of course, you can dress them up in any armor from scraps you gather killing monsters or quests. Dank palico, cute palico, spooky palico, warrior palico, cosplay palico... the choices are endless as long as you have the materials to craft the items and weapons!

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Different palicoes have different fortes to help you out in quests and monster fights. You can choose what kind of palico you'd like to recruit in your party at the preparation area.

Fighting
4 skills that increase attack power, each higher skill needs more power in the palico gauge and the gauge charges up by how much the palico attacks the monster.

More skills are unlocked as the palico levels up!
Demon Horn, Piercing Boomerang, True Demon Horn, Felyne Furry Combo+

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Protection
3 skills that boosts defense and blocks very harsh attacks, each skill has a higher block ratio.
Armor Horn, True Armor Horn, Provoker+

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Support
4 skills to help you kill or capture monsters! Very useful for hunting.
Shock Trap, Tracker's Eye, Pro Trapper, Cat Nap+

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Healing
4 skills to greatly restore health. Very useful for squishy Hunters with no defensive weapons.
Health Horn, Detox Horn, True Health Horn, Parting Gift+

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Bombing
4 skills that enable the Palico to produce a lot of damage! Useful if you are a Hunter that uses low attack weapons or just want to kill things faster.
Trap Rigging, Bomb Duty, Big Barrel Bomber, Mad Bomber+

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Stealing
4 skills that use a Boomerang to deal damage, steal and decrease likeliness of it being attacked by monsters.
Mega Boomerang, Boomerang Duty, Stealth, Thievery+

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Treasure
4 skills that allows the Palico to excessively gather items for you. Not used for battles or heals, just a kitty that picks things up for you constantly.
Hasty Harvester, Gathering Duty, Gathering Scout, Gatherpaw+

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Launching
4 skills the Palico uses to help you mount monsters!
Mounting Horn, Mounting Damage, Cat-apult Taunt, Cat-apult+

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Stamina
4 skills that assist in stamina reduction, meaning you will run out of stamina at a slower rate. Also can be used to attack monsters.
Grudge, Recovery Attack, Exhaust Attack, Meowrale Boost+

If you already play a Monster Hunter game on DS, please specify which one and post your friend code! I will add a list of them here for people to gather up and play online with.

Happy Hunting!