There’s a common thread in all modern Monster Hunter titles: the real endgame isn’t about finding your most optimized builds or hunting the endgame monsters—it’s fashion hunting. The simple joy of customizing your character from head to toe with the best weaves began with Monster Hunter World’s Layered Armor feature. Think of it as an MMO Transmog system but in Monster Hunter terms.
However, we’re not here to talk about fashion. It was never about layered armor or having the best drip. The true endgame of Monster Hunter Wilds is fishing. Before you ask why, have you ever tried the Whopper side quest from Kanya? That’s your answer. For those wondering: I created a comprehensive guide on how to navigate the game’s obtuse fishing mechanics.
Players have grown increasingly frustrated with the difficulty of the fishing system in Wilds. It wasn’t that hard in the old games, so why is it harder now? Ironically, it presents more challenges than hunting endgame monsters like Tempered Arkveld and Gore Magala, which usually take 5-10 minutes to slay, whereas fishing requires patience and 30 minutes of your time just to catch a single fish.
I’ve seen players across X (formerly Twitter) who share my experience. It’s far more cumbersome to wait for a fish to bite than to face monsters head-on and carve their body parts once slain.
One hilarious moment during my Monster Hunter Wilds review period was my relentless search for the elusive Gravid Bowfin. By the time I rolled the credits, I still hadn’t caught it. Little did I know it only appears during the Plenty Season in the Oasis or in Area 17 of the Scarlet Forest. Capcom really needs to make it clear next time.
Completionists have also been dreading the achievement that requires hunters to “Reel in 30 Whoppers.” Imagine struggling to catch just one big fish—how much more daunting is it to reel in 29 more? And no, capture nets do not count toward this achievement.
This is clearly Capcom’s way of compensating for the lack of Rare Endemic Life achievements. As much as I love Monster Hunter’s diverse ecosystem, waiting for the perfect time and being in the perfect place to catch these rare creatures in previous titles like World and Iceborne was a dreadful experience.
While I agree that Monster Hunter Wilds’ fishing quests are frustrating, they’re certainly an upgrade from previous titles. It just takes time to get accustomed to the controls and mechanics. Plus, you can always consult the tutorial in the Play Guide to ensure you're doing it right.
So the next time you stalk someone’s Hunter Profile, you have to make sure they got the A-Fish-Ionado Badge before you call them a Veteran Monster Hunter. Otherwise, what’s the point of it all?
Love it or not, fishing is a fantastic pastime for hunters eagerly awaiting the beefy Title Update 1, coming early this April. It also serves as a refreshing detour for players who’ve been complaining that the game is too easy.