Windward Plains Region Overview and Guide in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Windward Plains are your first stop in Monster Hunter Wilds, with wide-open terrain, rocky cliffs, and deadly sandstorms. This region is packed with roaming monsters, great gathering spots, and weather hazards that can change a hunt in an instant. Keep an eye out for the Sandtide thunderstorms, which can make things a lot more interesting - or just a lot more dangerous.
Windward Plains
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The Windward Plains serve as the initial hunting grounds in the Forbidden Lands. This expansive area consists of a mix of grasslands, deserts, and various rock formations and experiences an Inclemency known as the Sandtide, a great sandstorm roiling with thunder.
Zone Overview
- Pop-Up Camps: 13
- Number of Areas: 17
- Biome Type: Grasslands, Desert & Rocky Cliffs
- Weather Variations: Clear skies, strong winds, Sandtide thunderstorms
- Unique Features: Expansive open plains, tall grass for stealth, scattered cliffs ideal for aerial combat
- Best for: Gathering common and rare materials, tracking large monsters in open terrain
- Inclemency: Sandtide thunderstorm
Important Areas
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- Kunafa, Windsong Village: Home to the Seikret people, this village is renowned for its unique culture and serves as a hub for hunters in the region.
Environmental Hazards and Features
- Sandstorms: Occasional sandstorms can reduce visibility and affect stamina.
- Rocky Terrain: The uneven landscape can hinder movement but also offers strategic vantage points.
In regards to the area itself, the Windward Plains cycle through three distinct states, each affecting the environment and hunts:
- Plenty: The savannah is lush, full of grazing Ceratonoth, and visibility is clear. Colors are vibrant, and the region feels alive.
- Fallow: The land dries out, vegetation becomes scarce, and sand fills the air, reducing visibility. The environment takes on a more muted tone.
- Sandtide: A massive lightning-filled sandstorm sweeps the plains, striking both hunters and monsters. The towering rock formation glows, and Rey Dau, the Apex Predator, becomes far more aggressive. Villagers in Kunafa take shelter, reinforcing just how dangerous this event is.
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Each state changes how you approach hunts, so keep an eye on the shifting conditions! This is the case for most big, known locations within the Forbidden Lands of Monster Hunter Wilds, as most of them cycle through various environmental changes.
Monsters in Windward Plains
The Windward Plains is home to a variety of large and small monsters, including both roaming creatures and aggressive predators. Some monsters have unique behavior depending on the time of day and weather conditions.
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Large Monsters
Monster and Type | Element | Weakness | Spawn Conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Rey Dau - Flying Wyvern (Apex Predator) | Thunder | Water | Frequently appears during Sandtide storms |
Balahara - Leviathan | Fire | Water | Active during clear weather |
Quematrice - Brute Wyvern | Fire | Ice | Found near rocky cliffs |
Doshaguma - Fanged Beast | None | Fire | Roams during dawn and dusk |
Chatacabra - Amphibian | Water | Thunder | Prefers shaded areas during midday |
Arkveld - Unknown | - | - | - |
Small Monsters
Small monsters in the Windward Plains behave differently based on their habitat; some roam in packs across the plains, others hide in caves or shaded areas, and a few gather around mineral deposits:
- Dalthydon: Often hide in caves or shaded areas.
- Gajau: Aquatic creatures often found in bodies of water.
- Vespoid: Insectoid creatures known for their annoying stings.
Gatherable Materials
The Windward Plains is a great gathering spot for herbs, ores, and special endemic life that can be used for crafting and upgrades. Below is a table of materials found in this region.
Herbs & Gathering Resources
Hunters can collect various herbs and minerals unique to the plains, essential for crafting and upgrades.
Material | Type | Use |
---|---|---|
Herb | Crafting Material | A primary ingredient in potions. |
Antidote Herb | Crafting Material | Used to craft antidotes for curing poison. |
Blue Mushroom | Crafting Material | Combined with other items to create health-restoring consumables. |
Honey | Crafting Material | Combines with potions to create Mega Potions. |
Nitroshroom | Crafting Material | Used to craft gunpowder and other explosive items. |
Parashroom | Crafting Material | Essential for crafting paralysis-inducing items. |
Sleep Herb | Crafting Material | Needed to craft sleep-inducing ammunition and tranq bombs. |
Fire Herb | Crafting Material | Useful for crafting explosives and flaming ammunition. |
Flowfern | Crafting Material | Component for making water-based ammunition. |
Snow Herb | Crafting Material | Used in combinations to create freeze ammunition. |
Dragonfell Berry | Crafting Material | Required to craft Dragon Ammo; rumored to be loathed by dragons. |
Dragonstrike Nut | Crafting Material | Explodes on impact; used to make Wyvern Ammo. |
Flowing Sea Squirt | Special Item | When salt-dried, becomes a fine preserved food. |
Fossilized Opal | Special Item | A mass of organic material fossilized into opal over time. |
Fulgurite Shard | Special Item | Formed by lightning strikes; found in the Windward Plains. |
Godbug Essence | Crafting Material | Combine with other items to enhance their properties. |
Golden Scale | Account Item | Shimmering scale from a Goldenfish; valuable for trade. |
Iron Ore | Equipment Material | Can be smelted into a multi-purpose metal. |
Earth Crystal | Equipment Material | Crystallized microbes; used as an abrasive for polishing equipment. |
Machalite Ore | Equipment Material | Refined into sturdy Machalite Steel for crafting. |
Lightcrystal | Equipment Material | High-quality crystal coveted for its use in fine metalworking. |
Novacrystal | Equipment Material | Rare Lightcrystal variant; used for top-tier equipment. |
Monster Bone | Equipment Material | Used in crafting weapons and armor. |
Monster Fluid | Equipment Material | Extracted from certain monsters; used in equipment forging. |
Monster Broth | Equipment Material | A rich broth made from monster juices; used in crafting. |
Monster Hardbone | Equipment Material | Precious bone from high-rank large monsters. |
Monster Keenbone | Equipment Material | Sharp bone from high-rank large monsters. |
Sturdy Bone | Equipment Material | Durable bone used in crafting robust equipment. |
Stoutbone | Equipment Material | Sturdy bone from large, high-ranking monsters. |
Ancient Fossil | Special Item | Blackened, stony remains of old bones; gains a velvety sheen when polished. |
Ancient Wyvern Coin | Special Item | A coin bearing a delicate etched relief, long out of use. |
Kunafa Cheese | Cooking Material | Obtained by talking to Isai or Kirama in Kunafa Village. |
Monster Chili | Cooking Material | A powerful spice that enhances flavor; a great finishing touch to any dish. |
Mud Shrimp | Cooking Material | A highly nutritious shrimp found in certain bodies of water. |
Wild Herb | Cooking Material | This herb's refreshing aroma can mask any foul odour. |
Windward Aloe | Special Item | The water stored within is highly valued for hydration and medicine. |
Endemic Life
The plains are teeming with small creatures that can assist hunters, such as insects that provide buffs or small animals that can be used strategically during hunts.
Endemic Life | Effect |
---|---|
Vigorwasp | Releases healing mist when disturbed. |
Nothpecker | Bird known for its distinctive pecking behaviour. |
Quatreflies | Group of four luminescent insects that provide illumination. |
Flashflies | Emits a bright flash when provoked, stunning nearby creatures. |
Giant Vigorwasp | Stronger variant of Vigorwasp, provides greater healing. |
Dung Beetle | Rolls dung into balls, which can be used as slinger ammunition. |
Paratoad | Releases paralyzing gas when struck. |
Windrustler | Small gliding creature found in Area 8. |
Black Windrustler | Rare Windrustler variant with a darker coloration. |
Smokeshroud Gekko | Emits smoke to obscure vision when threatened. |
Emperor Hopper | Large grasshopper with high jumping ability. |
Pallbug | Curls into a ball when disturbed. |
Landlight Shrimp | Emits a faint glow, found in rocky areas. |
Wiggly Litchi | Edible plant that boosts stamina. |
Vigormantle Bug | Provides a temporary defense boost. |
Flashbug | Emits a flash of light, stunning nearby creatures. |
Bitterbug | Used in crafting various potions. |
Giant Thunderbug | Stores more electrical energy than regular Thunderbugs. |
Thunderbug | Used to craft shock traps. |
Godbug | Rare insect used in crafting life powders. |
Wedge Beetle | Allows hunters to swing across gaps when grappled. |
Fishes
Type of Fish | Use |
---|---|
Sushifish | Sushifish Scales - Used for crafting and healing. |
Whetfish | Whetfish Fin - Used to sharpen weapons. |
Goldenfish | Goldenfish Scales - Valuable for crafting and trading. |
Platinumfish | Platinumfish Scales - Rare and highly valuable for crafting. |
Virid Bowfin | Specific crafting applications. |
Gravid Bowfin | Appears during Plenty weather in Area 13. |
As more detailed information becomes available, we will update our guides to provide comprehensive insights into the specific materials and endemic life found in the Windward Plains.
Hunting Tips
- Use the tall grass: Hide from aggressive monsters and plan ambushes.
- Watch the weather: Some monsters only appear during storms.
- Collect Thunder Beetles: Great for crafting paralysis-based ammo and traps.
- Climb cliffs for aerial attacks: Certain areas have jumping points to launch attacks from above.
Lore and Background
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The Windward Plains are a vast stretch of open land, shaped by strong winds and shifting weather patterns. This region is home to the Seikret people, who have adapted to life in the savannah, using the land's resources to survive. The towering rock formations and scattered oases offer shelter from the elements, but hunters need to stay alert, as the landscape changes with each passing season. When the Sandtide rolls in, the entire area is surrounded by a massive thunder-filled sandstorm, turning the once-open plains into a dangerous battlefield.
Changelog
- 15 Feb. 2025: Guide created.
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This guide has been written by Neviriah. Neviriah is a huge Diablo and World of Warcraft fan with thousands of hours invested into the games. If you have any question about her guides or even Diablo Lore, you can find her on Youtube, Twitch and Twitter.
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