Yian Kut-Ku Monster Guide for Monster Hunter Wilds

Yian Kut-Ku is a returning monster from the first generation of Monster Hunter. It was introduced in Monster Hunter in 2004 for the PS2. It is a bird wyvern and was always known as the "teacher" monster that essentially taught players how to react to monster's movement, attacks and so on. It has been absent for quite many generations as far as the mainline Monster Hunter titles are concerned. It's finally making its return in the sixth generation of Monster Hunter in Monster Hunter Wilds. This time around however, Capcom has decided to make this monster a pack monster, so you won't just be fighting one at a time. Yian Kut-Ku are normally native to jungle and forest like areas, it's native habitat is in the Scarlet Forest locale and will be fought as the first monster when the hunter reaches high rank.

Crown Sizes

• Small Crown - 895
• Silver Crown - 1143.7
• Large Crown - 1223.2

Let’s go over Yian Kut-Ku’s strengths, weaknesses, attack patterns, and the best strategies for taking him down. If you are looking for optimal damage and the fastest kill time, it is recommended to bring a Water, Ice, or Thunder elemental weapon. Yian Kut-Ku is equally vulnerable to all status ailments, including Poison, Sleep, Paralysis, Blast, and Stun, giving you a wide variety of options. Additionally, all utility items such as Flash Pods, Sonic Bombs, Shock Traps, and Pitfall Traps are effective against him, so feel free to bring everything if you are planning to hunt multiple in a single run.

Like most Bird Wyverns, Yian Kut-Ku frequently lunges forward a few feet before attempting to peck at whatever is in front of him. You can dodge, block, or offset this attack as needed. One of his most frustrating moves is his double 180-degree tail whip. His tail has an uncanny way of hitting hunters, no matter where they are positioned. The best way to counter it is to use a Long Sword counterattack or quickly reposition by running to the opposite side before the tail completes its swing. He may also attempt a forward lunge with a bite, which is relatively easy to avoid.

Yian Kut-Ku also possesses fire-based attacks, making him slightly more unpredictable. One of his more dangerous moves involves spitting a massive fireball in front of him, which explodes on impact. While blocking is an option, it is often safer to dodge out of the way, as the attack deals significant damage. In addition, he can spit multiple fireballs in different directions, and surprisingly, these fireballs have highly accurate tracking. If possible, try to get behind him or continue dealing damage while the attack animation plays out.

One of Yian Kut-Ku’s new moves is a downward head charge, where he plants his head on the ground and drags himself toward you. This attack is particularly dangerous because it has actual tracking, meaning he will continue following your movement for a few seconds. This is arguably his most threatening attack and one of the hardest to deal with. The best strategy is to learn the timing and see if you can offset it, as countering this move is extremely satisfying. If you are unable to counter or offset it, simply block the attack or run away as quickly as possible.

His signature charge attack from the classic titles also returns. In this move, he charges forward three times in a row, while spitting fireballs everywhere. Your best options are to either block or dodge all of it. If you are standing in front of him, he may also lift his head up and slam it down hard into the ground, so stay alert for this attack as well.

The best opportunity to go fully on the offensive is when Yian Kut-Ku becomes fatigued. During this state, he will slow down significantly, allowing you to easily land multiple hits, particularly on his head. On top of that, he will be unable to spit fireballs for a while, which makes this the ideal time to unleash your strongest combos on his weak spots.

When mounting Yian Kut-Ku, you can create three wounds on his body—his tail, back, and head. Take full advantage of this by wounding as many areas as possible. It is recommended to pop the back wound first, as it is the hardest to reach when dismounted. Once you are back on the ground, continue targeting the remaining wounds to deal maximum damage.

When Yian Kut-Ku is enraged he starts to chain his attacks faster and there are less breaks in between. So just be more cautious and reactive when the monster is angry. It's harder to find opportunity windows to land hits and there is a much higher chance of you being combed if you are not careful. Yian Kut-Ku does not gain any new attacks or special moves during this stage.

In conclusion, that is how you successfully hunt Yian Kut-Ku. It is a fun fight, though some players may find certain attacks annoying, especially the new tracking charge where he drags himself along the ground. Hopefully, this guide helps clear up any frustration and gives you the tools to handle the fight more effectively. If you continue having trouble, feel free to use explosive kegs, Shock Traps, and Pitfall Traps to make things easier. Once you learn his attack patterns and become comfortable with your weapon, he should go down fairly quickly. These same strategies apply when facing a Tempered Yian Kut-Ku, so be sure to adapt accordingly.