Monster Hunter: World Multiplayer Guide – Hunt with Friends

Few games capture the rush of co-op action quite like Monster Hunter: World. Going solo has its charm, sure, but there’s something primal about teaming up with friends, taking down colossal beasts, and celebrating a flawless hunt in unison. Whether you’re strategizing over headsets or sending cheeky stickers mid-battle, multiplayer is where this game shines.

Here’s your full breakdown of how to get started, what to expect, and how to make your hunts with friends as smooth as a well-timed Great Sword charge.

 

 

Getting Started: Setting Up Multiplayer

Monster Hunter isn’t your average lobby-based shooter—setting up co-op is a bit nuanced. But once you get it down, it’s seamless.

1. Create or Join an Online Session:

   • On launch, you can either create a session or join a friend’s. If you’re hosting, consider making it private and sharing the session ID.

2. Gathering Hub vs. Astera:

   • You and your friends will all need to be in the same session. Meet up at the Gathering Hub in Astera or Seliana—this is the co-op headquarters.

3. Post and Join Quests:

   • The host posts a quest, and the rest join via the Quest Board or handler. Set your quest for 2-4 players, password it if needed.

4. Cutscene Quirks (for Story Quests):

   • If you're tackling story missions, each player needs to watch the cutscene solo before others can join. Once that’s done, exit and rejoin as a team.

 

How Multiplayer Actually Works

Understanding how the system handles player counts, monster scaling, and limitations will keep the frustration to a minimum.

• Monster Scaling:

  • Difficulty scales based on the number of hunters. Two-player scaling is unique and helps keep balance when you're down a teammate.

• No Palicoes in 3-4 Player Hunts:

  • When you’re in a team of one or two, your Palico joins you. But in three- or four-player hunts, it’s just the hunters.

• Hunter Rank (HR) Restrictions:

  • You can only join quests that you’re eligible for. If a quest is too high for your current HR, you’ll need to progress first.

• SOS Flares:

  • Mid-hunt and need help? Fire an SOS Flare and let other players jump in. Great for tougher battles or finding random allies fast.

 

Pro Tips for Smooth Co-op Hunts

Want to avoid carting mid-fight or stepping on each other’s toes? Here’s how to make your multiplayer sessions feel like a pro team-up:

• Coordinate Loadouts:

  • Mix and match roles. Have one status-heavy weapon, a damage dealer, and someone running support buffs? You’re golden.

• Use Voice Chat or Quick Messages:

  • Communication is king. Use Discord or the built-in chat. Quick messages like “Healing!” or “Mounting!” can turn the tide.

• Bring Extra Supplies:

  • Be the friend who brings traps, flash pods, or lifepowder. Everyone remembers that person.

• Let the Mount Finish:

  • If a teammate mounts the monster, don’t knock them off. Give them time to knock it down and maximize your damage window.

• Stack Skills That Complement Each Other:

  • Wide-Range, Partbreaker, and Weakness Exploit can create synergy when you know your teammates' playstyles.

 

Multiplayer Quest Types & What They Offer

Some quests feel built for co-op chaos. Here are a few to prioritize with your crew:

• Event Quests: Often designed with multiple players in mind, offering unique rewards or high difficulty.

• Tempered Monsters: Hit hard, require coordination. Perfect for squads.

• Arena Quests (in co-op): Short, brutal, and stripped-down battles. Weapon choices are fixed, so it's a real test of skill.

 

How to Progress Together

Trying to keep your group aligned in progress? It takes planning:

• Alternate Hosting: Let the player furthest behind post quests, so everyone advances together.

• Cutscene Syncing: For story quests, everyone loads in solo, watches the cutscene, then backs out and joins the host.

• Don’t Skip Optional Quests: These unlock vital gear, features, and Palico gadgets. Share the load by doing them together.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned hunters slip up. Watch out for these:

• Not Watching Buff Timers: You don’t want to lose DPS because your Affinity booster expired.

• Overlapping Roles: Three people setting traps at once? Wasteful. Assign roles loosely.

• Neglecting Area Traps: Use the environment. Drop stalactites, set off poison vents—they scale better with teams.

 

Quick Breakdown: Multiplayer Essentials

• Session ID: Shareable code to join specific lobbies.
• Hunter Rank Access: Everyone must be eligible for the quest.
• Cutscenes: Must be watched solo before co-op begins.
• Monster Scaling: Adjusts based on how many players are in the hunt.
• Palicoes: Join in 1-2 player hunts only.
• SOS Flares: Mid-quest help from the community.

 

Ready to Squad Up?

Few things are as satisfying as coordinating traps, dodging a tail swipe in sync, or delivering the final blow with your crew cheering. Whether you're new to the hunt or just looking to refine your strategy, multiplayer is where the magic happens.

If you haven’t already grabbed your copy, now’s the time. Snag your Monster Hunter: World EU Steam CD Key from RoyalCDKeys and get straight into the action.

The New World is calling—and it's better with backup.

 

Don’t forget to explore our previous post: Shadow of the Erdtree Difficulty Explained – Is It Harder Than Base Game?