Monster Hunter Wilds has introduced a couple of new combat mechanics known as the Focus Mode and the Focus Strike. Each weapon will be able to make the most of these features during an encounter and they are going to be a core part of the basic combat mechanics in the RPG.
So if you are looking to make your hunts easier, you will need to have a very firm grasp of the Focus systems, hence, the guide below will go over everything that you need to know about them.
How does Focus Mode work in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Focus Mode is a mechanic that will let you be more precise with your attacks and guard during an encounter. When active, attacks or guards that you perform will be directed toward the direction that your camera is facing.
Additionally, Focus Mode has two more functions that you will be able to exploit in Wilds:
1) Reveal wounds on monsters
When hunting and attacking the same part of a monster, you create wounds. After using Focus Mode, the wounds will then be highlighted as read glowing marks.
When you land your attacks on these wounds, you are going to do a lot more damage. So a big part of your gameplay loop with any weapon will be to create these wound spots on the monster and exploit them to deal significantly more damage.
2) Highlight Weak points
Focus Mode will also highlight the weak points of monsters that they have exposed. This will make you aware of where the best hit zone values are and which of the monster’s moves you should be punishing the most.
How to use Focus mode in Monster Hunter Wilds
To be able to use Focus Mode, you will need to press and hold the L2/LT button (on the controller) which will then transition your weapon into a stance (the animation will change from weapon to weapon). When you are in the stance, each of the monster’s wounds and weak points will be highlighted.
What are Focus Strikes in Monster Hunter Wilds?
Focus strikes are special attacks that you will be able to execute with your weapons. They do even more damage to weak points and wounds and are something that you should be cycling into your combo rotations once you have multiple wounds exposed on the monster.
If you can constantly hit the monster’s wounds and weak points with the attack you will be able to breeze through most encounters.
Each weapon has a unique Focus Strike and much of your playtime will revolve around getting used to when the best time is for landing those attacks.
How to use Focus Strikes in Monster Hunter Wilds
You perform Focus Strikes only after entering Focus Mode. The attack deals a huge amount of damage and will destroy the wound that it hits. This will usually stun the monster leaving you a big opening to capitalize on with your hardest-hitting combos.
To perform Focus Strikes you will need to press the following buttons:
- PC: Press and Hold Left Mouse Button + Shift.
- PS5: Press and Hold L2+R1
- Xbox: Press and Hold LT+RB
All Focus Strike Weapon Moves in Monster Hunter Wilds
| Weapon | Focus Strike | Follow Up Move |
|---|---|---|
 Great Sword | You perform a sweeping slash that drags across the monster. When you hit a wound with this attack you will destroy it and stun. | You can press and hold the Left Mouse Button/Triangle/Y to charge up True Charge Slah. |
 Long Sword | You use the Long Sword to perform a thrusting attack and hitting a would will let you do another slash attack which will then destroy the wound you are hitting. | – |
 Dual Blades | You leap forward performing an overhead slash. When you hit a wound you will latch onto the monster then jump into the air and follow it up with a Heavenly Blade Dance. | – |
 Sword & Shield | You do a short forward stab with the sword, if you hit an open wound you will latch onto the monster part. | Press the Right Mouse Button/Circle/B to perform an uppercut. Press the Left Mouse Button/Triangle/Y to perform a downward slash. |
 Hammer | You spin the hammer and slam it onto the ground. If the attack hits an open wound you will accumulate all charges kept. | Hold R/R2/RT to start charging the Mighty Charge attack. |
 Hunting Horn | Stab the monster with your Hunting Horn. When hitting an open wound you will start a guitar solo instantly gaining 5 input notes. | – |
 Lance | You do an upward shield bash which will stun the monster. If you hit an open wound you will automatically charge an attack that can hit you multiple times. | – |
 Gunlance | You do a drilling attack which will let you open as well as destroy wounds. You will then release a Wyrmstake into the body part. | When you start drilling you can press Shift/R1/RB to release the Wyrmstake earlier |
 Switch Axe | Shalsh forward with the Switch Axe. When you hit an open wound, you will then transition into a fast Wild Swing. | You can follow this up by pressing R/R2/RT to do a Power Axe Finisher while in Axe Mode or an Elemental Discharge Finisher while in Sword Mode. |
 Charge Blade | Do a two-hit slash attack which will then transition you into the Savage Axe Mode if you hit a wound. | You can continue pressing Left Mouse Button + Right Mouse Button/ Triangle + Circle/ Y+B to do an SAED combo. |
 Insect Glaive | You leap forward, perform a thrust then do a kickback. When you hit an open wound you shoot a kinsect out to deal more damage. You will then gain all 3 essences when the kinsect returns. | – |
 Light Bowgun | You will shoot out a grenade which will explode on impact while opening and open wounds. | You can follow this up with a powerful charged-up shot by holding down Shit/R1/RT |
 Heavy Bowgun | You shoot a small missile which will then explode after a delay. This will then deal pierce damage which will then open wounds. | During Ignition Mode you can hold down Shift/R1/RT to charge up Wyvern Howl Shot which will consume a portion of your gauge during the attack. |
 Bow | The Bow will highlight all the wounds and then shoot a series of arrows that will track these wounds. The arrows will also track any tracer arrows on the monster. Hitting a wound will automatically be followed by a Dragon Piercer. | – |
