So, I haven't played Monster Hunter since it was on PSP, but I decided to buy a 3DS for the newest MH game. Anybody else play the Monster Hunter franchise?

I like the switch blade, and I hadn't used the Charge Axe before now either and like it. But still using Dual blades, because sharpness.

I have over 500 hours on a single file on Freedom Unite for my PSP.

I am actually worried about running out of space in my item box (not equipment box) in the near future.

If my PSP wasn't an old original model (and I mean the 1000 models that came straight from Japan when they first came out) that I got off of craigslist and the analog stick (can I call it that?) didn't act up after playing for too long, I'd use the bow/bowgun more often, though it took me a long time and many hours of reading mazereon's guides to really get any good at the bowgun.

When going blademaster, I generally default to the Greatsword. It often depends on the monster, though; I'm quite flexible as far as weapon choice goes. I'm generally horrible with Hammer/Hunting Horn, though.

Dual Blades is my best weapon vs. Lao Shan Lung, Bow vs. Shen Gaoren, Sword and Shield vs. Tigrex (no negotiating on that one -- I took out the guild quest dual Tigrex mission on my own only because I had the Sword and Shield and no cat {cats are the worst when facing Tigrex on your own -_-}), and Longsword vs. Fatalis (I'll admit I've only gone up against Fatalis once). I've not yet learned how to handle the Rajang, and I haven't yet made it to G rank.

QUICKEDIT: I don't plan on getting Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate or whatever it's called because A) I have yet to run out of enjoyment with MHFU, and B) I don't want to drop ~$150 on a single game.

I started with MH3U on the 3DS. Sank over 500 hours into it. Even got the WiiU version as well to play online.
I intended to get MH4U as well, but with the limited edition N3DS. Unfortunately, the store where I ordered still didn't deliver, so I'm still stuck with MH3 for the moment.

My favorite weapon is the Dual Blades, though I also kinda like the Hunting Horn.

Never played it but my friend may be on the 3ds so I'll never see him again. That is unless I also get the game.

Think about it more like this - you're spending about 200 dollars on a 3DS, MH4U, and either Pokemon or Smash Bros. That's what actually tipped me over the point of buying it.

I usually use dual blades a lot as well, but really liked the charge axe (never used it before) so I was using that for a while, until I got a vastly superior hammer made, and I've just been using that.

For most monsters I can't handle not having a proper block. I've faced some enough times, like both Raths, to know where and when to roll out of danger, but most times I can't handle the Hammer/Hunting Horn, Dual Blades, or Longsword's lack of block. To beat the dual Tigrex mission I even made an armor set to increase my blocking power because otherwise I would have simply died by blocking. Hunting Horn in particular I can't really handle the buff reapplication process.

While I have a lot of Lances/Gunlances, I find they're... kind of a newcomer weapon? Like, they've got such a huge and easy block that you can just chip away at monsters from relative safety. I just forgot to mention them in my first post. I usually take a Gunlance on the point-collecting missions.



Eh, I mean maybe, but I just cannot justify to myself spending that much money for two games. The consoles/handhelds I have in my possession are a DSlite (which has issues with its directional pad), a PSP (which has issues but I hacked), a PS2, and a Gamecube which a friend gave to me when he bought a Wii. These days I can't justify big purchases unless its computer-wise, like my iPad (which I have regretted somewhat ever since iOS 7 came out).

One of the guys in my AC class kept bugging me about getting MH4, so I ended up looking into it & picking up a N3DS. MH4 is in the mail.

Ooh, I'm not actually sure if that was the best choice. Did said friend let you play it yourself a bit to get a feel for it? I got hooked because a friend basically [b]made[/i] me borrow his PSP for a week and I was able to go through those first 20 hours and get an actual feel for what the game is. Then again, if you didn't have extended hands-on it would easily turn you off. The Monster Hunter series is one of such depth that you can't really get a feel for it if a friend goes "here, take my 100+ hour file for a spin and see how it feels", because most of the game is learning how all the monsters move and how all the weapons handle.

I didn't know what I was getting in to when I bought MH3U. Though I read about slaying mosters and crafting stuff.
And given my history of being horribly addicted to anything involving crafting I bought it.

I admit I was a bit bored at first, but that quickly changed when I went online.

I dunno if we want to turn this into a general-purpose Monster Hunter discussion thread, but I just want to say that one of the big reasons I love the game is the really cool creature designs. I mean, a lot of them border on high fantasy designs (not that it isn't already high fantasy, really) but so many carry such an unsaid depth about their evolution and behaviour. Like how the Tigrex and Narga (and probably several more I can't think of) came from a much more airbound predator but have, essentially, lost that ability and no longer need it due to their powerful jumping ability -- and in the case of the Narga the superior speed and stealth. Or like the Diablos/Monoblos species being much like dolphins in that they evolved from creatures not meant to burrow and dig but now have unique adaptations to it over other similar sand-swimmers.

My looking into it was actually poking the demo a bit. Worst case, I don't care much for the full game & hand it off to a friend or my sister.

That is definitely not a mindset I can get behind. Especially for a game that costs $40-50.

Eh, I've bought new games on a hunch before. It is rare for a game to come out nowadays and it just be BAD, though.

I'm at HR 3 now, and on the 7th rank Village quests in MH4

After the Monster Hunter edition of the N3DS order got cancelled (store didn't get any in, but was taking reservations. Now a struggle to get my money back), I decided to just buy the game 'normally' a few days ago.
I just unlocked the Gore Magala caravan urgent quest sporting a Velociprey set and (of course) Dual Swords. Got Snow Sisters, Kut-Ku and the Jaggi blades in the stash now.
I haven't started online yet, but I'll get to that this weekend.

I've been doing the online stuff solo, but you generally need to be over leveled to really do it.

Dunno if you have actually fought the Gore Magala yet, but his breath attack is a pain. And watch out for the combos.

I triple carted the first time (when he starts in that Frenzy mode in that rock area that's really small), but I beat him the second time because he started in a better area and without starting in Frenzy.

Just upgraded my Kut-Ku to Kut-Ku+ so I can start farming Gore Magala for those dragon-element swords.

I also want to make those Felynx paralyzing swords, but have to farm some materials for that.

Yeah, Zone 8 is definitely the hardest place to fight, yet all the big wyverns LOVE to go there.

I ended up getting the Dragon Hammer, but... well I'll spoiler tag, because story spolers, even though I'm not sure how much people care in Monster Hunter. But all the Gore Magala weapons and gear look AWESOME.


Long story short, my primary hammer is a Rathian hammer, and I'm using the sword that looks like a chef's knife (has the flame whorl design on it) that I only know as Toad Bereaver.

I've got the Felnyx Hammer (paralyze on a hammer is pretty good, because of the inherent bonus to knockdowns) but getting all the parts to upgrade is a pain. And I also hate hate HATE fighting Nagalas.

So, as it turns out, I do love this game. Nowhere near where you guys are though. Dude who was pushing me to get the game gave me an assist with a Tetsucabra after I'd done some weapons training. I've since wrapped the lvl 1 missions in town & am working on the lvl 1s in the Gathering Hall.

Runnning around with Chief's Scythes, Tetsu Helm, Tetsu Mail, Bone Vambraces (to be replaced in a mission or two with some Velocipreys), Seltas Faulds, & Jaggi Greaves. I initially took to the insect glaive, but I've been favoring the dual swords.

Dual Blades are nice because you can keep mobile while attacking, so you can stay out of the line of a number of monster attacks though. Not ideal for farming parts though, if you ever are concerned about that. I actually had barely touched the Insect Glaive until last night, but I'm a huge fan now. Being able to get so many mounting opportunities on monsters is nice when you're farming. Hammers are also good for that.

As for being at the point we are, I got the game the day after it released, and I average about 30-45 minutes a day playing.
The toughest part about Monster hunter is getting your dodge timing down. Most monsters only have about 5 attacks, but some of the more advanced ones will have a new set of attacks when they enrage. And a lot of monsters have similar attacks (the good ol' "run in a straight line at you" or the dreaded hip check that Basarios and Cephalos use) and you can learn it pretty easily.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it!

Yeah, mobility is great. I was running a rhino-thing slaying mission when a Tetsu showed up. Thing was kicking my ass & f'n HUNTING ME. The nerve. I ended up having to multitask killing rhinos while dodging Tetsu to get a high enough body count.