The Coolest Characters In Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds wields the strongest focus on the story that the series has had. Though it gets silly sometimes, Monster Hunter Wilds’ tale of hunters escorting a young boy, Nata, back home is fundamentally sound. Along the way, they discover the true nature of Nata’s quest.

Until Wilds came out, it was standard for Monster Hunter fans to patiently wait for the story to be over so they could get to the post-game, where the real content is. Wilds, however, offers a story that can draw you in even if you’re a newcomer or casually interested in the series. Its characters are easy to root for: here are some of the best.

10

Athos

Olivia’s Favourite Felyne

Athos doesn’t do much in the story – he barely meows – but his presence is a welcome one. Just like your Hunter has their own Palico, Olivia has Athos. He is her constant companion, helping her on hunts and generally being cute.

Athos has a scar on his right eye, showing he took a wound sometime in the past. Regardless, he maintains a positive attitude and loves trying the different dishes in the regions Olivia visits. His most notable appearances are always in the cutscenes involving food: Athos has his priorities straight.

9

Zatoh

Village Guardian

Your first meeting with Zatoh is far from amicable. Unlike his friend Y’sai, Zatoh harbours a mistrust of strangers – not surprising when you take his hard life into account. Zatoh’s people do not know what weapons are, meaning that his role as the village protector mostly involves luring monsters away on his Seikret and placing himself in extreme danger.

Once you rescue Zatoh, he becomes much friendlier, even recommending to the village elder that they lend you some Seikrets. Zatoh serves as a guide around Kunafa, and though his role in the story diminishes after the first chapter, his presence is impactful.

8

Rove

Philosophical Wudwud

If there’s one creature in Monster Hunter Wilds that could outpace Palicos for mascot status, it’s the Wudwuds. The Wudwuds bear a strong resemblance to Disney’s Stitch – cute, toothy, and aggressive. They’re not all that smart as a group, but the outlier Rove is an exception.

Even with a giant spider wrapping him up for a meal, Rove remains philosophical, waxing poetic about the meaning of his life. When your party rescues him, he remains equally stoic – though he doesn’t thank you in so many words, he does guide you on the path ahead.

7

Erik

Compulsive Botanist

Erik and caution have never been more than passing companions. He constantly puts himself and the party in danger by wandering off because he can’t help but get excited by finding rare plants and endemic life. Even though he knows which ones are poisonous, you’ll be lucky to stop him just short of tasting them.

Somehow, thanks to Olivia’s care, Erik has managed to survive so far. He gets captured by a monster while guiding the party, but they free him. He is also as useful as he is careless: his knowledge of the flora and fauna in Monster Hunter Wilds makes him incredibly useful.

6

Nata

The Main Character

It’s fairly common in games that feature character creation: your character might be the avatar, but they’re not exactly the protagonist. The story happens around them, not to them. Monster Hunter Wilds is no different. Your hunter is charged with protecting Nata, a child who is himself the main character.

Nata may be young and helpless, but he is also resilient. The story starts with him surviving a solo trek across the desert after his community is attacked by a mysterious monster. From then on, he serves as the narrative’s anchor.

5

Palico

Furry Friend

Your Palico is more than a furry mascot for Monster Hunter Wilds: they’re your Hunter’s best friend and very useful in combat. A Palico can attack monsters directly, heal you of their own volition, and take you back to camp if you get knocked out.

These kitty combatants are somewhat overpowered in Monster Hunter Wilds: a Palico with an elemental weapon can shave off a third of a monster’s health and debilitate it constantly. Outside of combat, they serve to amp up the game’s cuteness factor: in the tent, there’s a dedicated button to let you play with them.

4

Alma

Hunter Handler

Much like a sniper can only reach their full potential with a spotter, your Hunter can only excel with Alma by their side. Alma is your handler, acting as your quest-giver and advising you on what to do next.

She also holds the power to authorize you on when to hunt and eliminate a monster, though it’s often self-evident when she gives you permission to do so. Outside of combat, she has a very sweet and caring nature that makes her one of Nata’s favourite people.

3

Olivia

Team Mom

Olivia isn’t part of your unit, but with all the run-ins you have with her, she might as well be. The game itself calls her your guildmate, and she is one of the most notable ones. While Erik and Alma are non-combatants, Olivia can hold her own.

Olivia is even more experienced at hunting monsters than you are, often congratulating you for being competent. She also has a poetic side, musing on the finite nature of life early into the game. Whenever your group runs into Olivia, she becomes the de facto leader.

2

Hunter

It’s You

The Hunter is your avatar in Monster Hunter Wilds: you decide what their appearance, voice, and gait is. One thing you don’t get to decide is their personality: unlike most silent protagonists who end up taking a passive, observational role, your Hunter is a proactive protagonist.

Your Hunter’s personality is pre-determined, with few dialogue choices and one that affects the story. Regardless, they are likeable: they are an ace combatant, a faithful friend, and always have a few words of wisdom to share. They’re also a good cook, as the game’s mouthwatering mealtime cutscenes show.

1

Gemma

The Smith

Gemma can’t help but hog the limelight: her design is one of the best an NPC in Monster Hunter has had so far. She also has a wonderful personality: despite being just the blacksmith, she accompanies you on your expeditions and acts like a surrogate sister to Nata.

Gemma is good at not only forging weapons and armour but also being a good listener and the joker of the party. She speaks in a more contemporary fashion than her allies and even makes a mild Skyrim reference at one point. Of course, it would be a paradox, but Gemma is the type of character who’d play Skyrim if the Monster Hunter universe had it.