In the vast world of Monster Hunter: World (MHW), becoming a master hunter isn't just about defeating the largest monsters or discovering new areas. Part of the allure lies in the customizability of your gear, which significantly impacts your hunting experience. One of the most influential elements of personalization are decorations, which allow you to enhance your armor and weapons with various skills. This guide delves into unlocking decorations, explaining the when, how, and why of this crucial aspect of MHW.
Understanding Decorations
Before we dive into the specifics of unlocking decorations, let’s clarify what they are:
- Decorations are gems that fit into your armor and weapons’ slots.
- They grant additional skills, boosting attributes like attack, defense, or providing special effects.
- Slots come in three sizes: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, each allowing for different types of decorations.
When You Can Unlock Decorations
Decorations become available quite early in your MHW journey:
- Access to decorations starts after you reach High Rank, which happens after completing the story up to the mission ‘The Best Kind of Quest’.
- You’ll need to complete the Pukei-Pukei quest and engage in the Elder Crossing to unlock more advanced decoration options.
What to Expect at High Rank
Once you hit High Rank:
- You can start collecting materials like Zeni Pods from the Field Commander, which are crucial for decoration crafting.
- Investigating High Rank monsters more thoroughly will reward you with Streamstone and Carved Feystones, used to craft higher-tier decorations.
- Crafting decorations involves visiting the Smithy and selecting Crafting then Decorations.
How to Unlock Decorations
Unlocking decorations involves a few key steps:
- Gathering Feystones:
- Break specific monster parts.
- Successfully complete investigations.
- Visiting the Smithy:
- After you collect Feystones, head to the Smithy where you can craft or augment existing decorations.
- Using the Melding Pot:
- Once you’ve collected enough materials, the Melding Pot at the Smithy lets you convert materials into decorations.
Crafting Decorations
Crafting a decoration includes:
| Decoration | Materials Needed | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Earplug Decoration | 1 Azure Star, 1 Paralytic Sac | Reduces monster roars effect |
| Attack Jewel | 10 Wyvern Gem, 2 Warm Feystones | Increases Attack Power |
💡 Note: Feystones drop from specific monster parts or investigations, so familiarize yourself with monster anatomy and the investigation rewards.
Augmenting Equipment
Once you have decorations:
- You can augment your gear at the Smithy, enhancing the slots to accept more decorations.
👀 Note: Augmenting gear isn't available until after reaching Master Rank.
Importance of Decorations
Why go through all the trouble to unlock decorations?
- Optimization: Tailor your gear to your playstyle, significantly boosting your effectiveness in hunts.
- Flexibility: Switch decorations for different hunts or adapt to new monsters.
- Overcome Limitations: Compensate for lower armor skills or enhance your weapon’s potential.
Tips for Efficient Unlocking
- Focus on investigations that offer Feystones or Streamstones as rewards.
- Keep your armor and weapons up to date to ensure you’re always eligible for the best materials.
- Manage your inventory – you’ll need space for materials!
- Consider crafting decorations with versatile skills first, such as Evasion, Defense, or Elemental Resistance.
As your hunter career in MHW progresses, mastering the art of decoration will not only personalize your hunting experience but also provide tactical advantages in battles. From enhancing your armor's capabilities to giving your weapons a much-needed boost, decorations are your ticket to becoming the ultimate Monster Hunter.
When can I start crafting decorations?
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You can start crafting decorations after reaching High Rank, which follows completing key story missions.
How can I get more Feystones?
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Feystones are obtained by breaking specific monster parts and completing investigations.
Why should I focus on decorations?
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Decorations allow you to customize your gear for better performance, making your hunts more efficient and enjoyable.
