Only took me about 45 mins to get great jaggi's armor. Most of that was from mining ore!

@Tech101 Yeah, Great Jaggi armour was my first set that I made, just because I had everything I needed without even trying to get it.
The sets will get a lot harder later on though when you need items with a really low chance to acquire them.

I'm using upgraded Hunter armor, slotted for autotracker. It has same defense as base barroth armor, but not sure if it'll be enough for my upcoming Lagiarcus fight. Why am I too lazy to paintball things, geez

any news of the cpp XL coming to North America? Interested how much better it is for underwater combat. I'm getting used to the touchscreen dpad but still feels clunky. I mostly just lock on underwater, but it isn't as satisfying to use

Well I grabbed the CPP for the XL and it really helps when I played the 3DS version of the game, even on land but especially underwater. I know a lot of people are find without in on land but man I was so bad!

Yeah Jaggi armor is easy, those great jaggi constantly attacked me when I was out mining so got the hides etc pretty easily. Had 2 on me a few times

Took me quite a bit of time to get the Jaggi armour, though that was because all I was getting were Screamers instead of King's Frills. On the bright side, constantly killing it made the Great Wroggi hunt a lot easier, though the Jaggi/Wroggi are still really annoying.

Aha! Cleared Lagiacrus first attempt with my hunter armor and cheiftan great sword hehe. But now cha-cha is gone and im already missing him. Got Kayamba though, after killing the flying cow.

I really want a cpp XL. Please Nintendo, show north America some love too

I think the controls are fine on land but underwater combat is a lot easier (and fun) with a CPP.

Are there additional, single player quests in Port Tanzia or is that place reserved only for DLC content?

Also, I didn't play the game long enough but I find the camera system really cumbersome. Why can't the camera always point to the direction you're facing? Having to keep pressing the left trigger is annoying. I also can't use the directional pad while moving my character around. Is there an option that I missed that lets you use the touch screen to control the camera?

^
yes the d-pad is hown on the touchscreen and you can controll the camera that way. there a tons of options to optimize the touchscreen.

but i think the best way to controll the camera is by pushing L to adjust it to the monster and maybe some d-pad touchscreen use for when you are not fighting

Thanks for the quick reply. Though I wonder if I can manage to move my character while adjusting the camera via the touch screen at the same time. Guess I'll see soon enough!

it's not a big deal. of course a second analog nub is always the best option, but people like me dont want addons for their handhelds^^
i played through MGS 3D controlling the camera with the facebuttons! i will be able to play MH3U with L-Trigger and touchscreen for camera

Very true, when compared with Metal Gear Solid 3D, Monster Hunter plays much better without the CPP. I found it extremely uncomfortable/annoying to play MGS without the attachment. Especially when trying to go undetected through enemy filled locations.

too bad the 3DS doesnt have achievements.
i wanna get the "beat MGS3D without cpp"-achievement.

Is there an option to change the camera position so that it automatically sets to the direction you're facing? Using the touch screen to control the camera while exploring is good enough for me but the camera system becomes too cumbersome during combat! Do you guys have any tips in controlling the camera during combat besides repeatedly smashing the left trigger? I live in the US so the CPP XL isn't available here yet!

@dissembled Just gotta get used to using a good balance of the L button to centre and the virtual dpad to slightly adjust the camera here and there (unless you can somehow manage to use the actual dpad).
I played my first 18 hours like that and I got pretty used to it... the water battles were a little tricky but nothing too unmanageable.
Then I got my Circle Pad Pro XL and the rest is history... if the controls still cause you that much trouble after a while, I recommend importing one because it makes it a lot better.

i press the L-trigger like every 3-5 seconds? is that too much for you?
as long as the monster is near you and in your sight of view there is no real need to adjust the camera. just attack the damn monsters!

Thanks for the reply. I have some more questions for the lot of you though. And yes, I'm an obvious Monster Hunter newbie.

1) For some reason, pressing the target cam icon on the touch screen doesn't do anything even with monsters visible and my weapon drawn. I'm still in Moga Village though and have just collected the Iron Ore for the Smith there. Will target cam be unlocked soon?

2) How do you get rid of the slug like monsters that infest the cave in Moga Forest (where you obtain the Iron Ore) when they climb on your back? Do you have to press anything in order to wiggle them off?

Thanks.

After initially engaging with the monster, pressing the target cam icon on the touch screen will activate and dis-activate target cam.
While it's activated, pressing the L button will centre the camera on the monster, and while it's dis-activated, pressing the L button will centre the camera behind you.
Generally, in battle, you're going to want it activate at all times, so just press the icon once to activate it and leave it alone after that.

Just roll a couple of times (with the B button).

With target cam you need to press L to get the camera to focus on the monster.

And you roll to get a Giggi off you.