1724

It’s good to know the limiting factor is me and not needing an elemental weapon. :-)

I probably need to focus on playing better defense. I think I can craft one more level of weapon higher with raw damage - maybe I’m maxed out now though, I can’t remember. I think it’s at 450 damage or so.

I haven’t been using any items other than healing and some buffs, so maybe I need to start paying attention to those too.

1725

Diablos is one of the first monsters where weapon matchup kinda matter. This happens as you go further into the game. Every weapon is absolutely viable against any monster, but there are matchups that are particularly strong and particularly weak.

For example, lance and charge blade makes the Diablos fight trivial when compared to some of the other matchups.

1726

True. My main is the Switch Axe, but for certain monsters I’ll prefer to use the Insect Glaive or the Gunlance, or maybe the Bow or Dual Blades. Part of the fun in the game is experimenting with that kind of thing too.

1727

Dude. Fuck yes.

1728

Gunlance is underrated IMO. It’s my go-to choice when I’m not sure what to expect. But it can be difficult to master, especially for beginners, due to its lack of mobility.

It’s actually quite likely that I’ll begin my Iceborn run with the Gunlance, and go back to Switch Axe (and others) once I get more used to the new monsters. It’s pretty much what I did in the base game.

1729

Switch Axe in Iceborne is so good you’re not going to want to part with it, lol. This is coming from a Great Sword main (which has also been buffed).

I have viable builds for both now, and keep going back to Switch Axe.

As for Iceborne Gunlance, all I have to say is this (spoiler for skills): Artillery 5 + Razor Sharp Charm.

There are so many weapons and builds I want to try (and I played nearly everything in vanilla MHW) I can’t keep it all straight in my head.

1730

The one weapon I want to see made more viable for high-level play in Iceborn is the Hunting Horn. I love it, but going solo against most monsters can be pretty hard to do properly, and most people online will frown if they see a Hunting Horn player join, unless it brings some specific support ability everyone can benefit from (more than more damage, that is) in that specific confrontation.

Funny story: when I first encountered a Deviljho, I was playing with the Hunting Horn, in a mission I joined that was about hunting a different monster. 5 minutes into that battle, 2 players dropped out, and it was only me and a Dual Blade dude left. We managed to defeat the Deviljho and we did so in a spectacular manner.

Than my connection dropped and it was all for naught. But at least I have a cool tale to share - which is appropriate, since a Hunting Horn player is the closest thing to a bard MHW is ever going to have. ;)

1731

I haven’t tried HH in Iceborne yet, but it is absolutely something i’m eager to get to. There are a lot of awesome changes.

Odd that you say HH was frowned upon in groups. I’m always overjoyed when a HH player shows up.

With the right songs, even a “corner horner” can dramatically increase kill times with buffs.

I expect to see a lot more HH players once people get around to trying it. I sincerely hope the changes make it more viable solo and sought after in group play.

1732

I expected that to be the case for most. But I guess some people are min/maxers that follow the “meta” and just quit a session when a HH player joins, which I witnessed more than once.

1733

Damn, I feel like Diablos is doable now. I lasted a while - cut off his tail. He fled several times, I knocked him down 3 times, his icon was red. He rammed me, which stunned me and that was it for my 3rd life.

1734

I feel attacked, lol.

But for real, I find the MH community largely chill AF. Even the math/meta freaks (like me) seem cool. Unless you’re doing something like Kulve Taroth. Due to the nature of the RNG drops, and how long a run can go, those hunts can be a little touchy.

1735

Some tips for Diablos: use a Lance (guard skill helps), learn the superman dive, use items (sonic, flash, shock trap), wait out their rage mode, bait them to charge into a wildspire so their horns get stuck, roars can be blocked or rolled through or nullified by earplugs skill (late game).

1736

What is the superman dive people have mentioned? BTW, Gunlance owns and I kicked Diablos butt with it. I love that thing, even if it doesn’t have great mobility.

1737

I killed Diablos! Still was using my long sword. I got better at avoiding his attacks. Used some armor potion, kept my stamina up with some rations and energy potions. Ate a defensive meal beforehand.

So happy when I saw the message he was dead. The vendor is selling some potent power and defense charms that look good. I don’t have much money though since I haven’t done a ton of the side missions.

1738

If you are running and press the dodge button, you’ll dive forward (with projected arms like Superman, sort of), like people do when fleeing explosions in Hollywood movies, you know? That dive has a few invulnerability frames, so it’s (literally) a life-saver in certain circumstances. It helps a lot when facing monsters with fast charge attacks like Diablos and Nergigante.

1739

It’s the perfect time now to do some side missions and investigations and make sure you upgrade weapons/armor and buy those charms… in order to be prepared for what is coming. ;)

1740

I haven’t done the Foresight Slash or Spirit Helm Breaker yet. I’ve just been concentrating on getting my spirit meter to red with the basic attack (Y) to fill the meter and then using the Spirit Combo (RT) to upgrade the meter. I should probably try some of this stuff. :-)

1741

You should! Try to practice those on “easier” monsters first. Those moves are tricky to master, but if you’re serious about the Longsword, you should make the effort for sure.

1742

Whats the difference between investigations and optional missions? I see that investigations are created when you do certain things, like track a monster or something.

1743

Investigations are for farming monster parts, as you’re rewarded extra “boxes” of parts (the gold, silver, and bronze squares). Optional missions can be tied to quest chains, pit you against monsters you haven’t seen yet, or unlock other hidden things.

The usual loop is: Assigned Mission, Optional Mission (to gather tracks to unlock investigations), Investigations.

You use optionals to unlock investigations, and investigations to farm gear for assigned.