Topic: Looking For MH3 Help

Hi! I just bought Monster Hunter Tri yesterday and have been pounding away at the single player mode! ( 9:33 hours already! >.< )

I just have a few questions, and I'd really appreciate the answers. There's quite a few, so just answer the ones you can. Please and thank you. =)

On offline mode, I have just gotten Cha-Cha and moved to the three-star tier of quests. When is a good time for me to start playing online?

What are the biggest differences between offline and online play? (Other than the fact that you play with other people, obviously)

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to each weapon type? Is there a most popular weapon type? Is there a "noob" weapon type, perhaps because it is "the worst"?

At 9:33 hours into the game, most of the weapon forge lists are very empty. There are only about 2-4 options to forge for each weapon type. Is this normal? It just seemed so low to me. I mean, I've been upgrading my stuff but still...

Edit:

Oh! Also! On the Deserted Island, what's up with the paths from 8 that lead to 5, and 11? I can never figure out where those paths are or how to go on them.

On offline mode, I have just gotten Cha-Cha and moved to the three-star tier of quests. When is a good time for me to start playing online?

You can start playing online at anytime really. And anything you do offline or online carrys over with your character. Single player is a good way to get a feel for the game at your own pace which will be useful experience for the online portion as well.

What are the biggest differences between offline and online play? (Other than the fact that you play with other people, obviously)

Online monsters are stronger to compensate for group play. There is also a few more services for items and decorations. You can also try event quests which give you parts to make unique weapons. If you progress far enough you'll be able to do High Rank quests which feature even stronger monsters and better possible rewards.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to each weapon type? Is there a most popular weapon type? Is there a "noob" weapon type, perhaps because it is "the worst"?

Longswords are often considered "noob" weapons because there attacks have a nasty tendency of tripping other players. They are a great beginner weapon because of the wide arcs they have that make hitting targets easier are still allow good player mobility, which you need because you can't block with a long sword.

Swords and shields are fast and can use items with their weapons out but have low damage output.

Great swords are very slow but boost great attack and have very powerful charge attacks.

Hammers can K.O. monsters with enough hits to the head and deal good damage, but can't cut tails or blocks.

Switch axes have two modes which gives them a lot of variety and deal good damage, but also can't block and can be tricky to manage at first.

Lances are very slow but boost great defense and good attack and have very straight forward attacks, another good weapon for people just starting.

Bowguns tend to be complicated, they boost a huge variety of possibilities but at the sacrifice of raw attack strength. The armor you use for gunning also has much lower defense, and Bowguns can be time and money consuming. I'd recommend you'd hold off on trying them until you're further into the game.

At 9:33 hours into the game, most of the weapon forge lists are very empty. There are only about 2-4 options to forge for each weapon type. Is this normal? It just seemed so low to me. I mean, I've been upgrading my stuff but still...

Not nearly as many weapons can be forged as upgraded. Almost every weapon in the game will have at least one upgrade, and several have multiple upgrade paths. Check for weapon upgrades often, because new upgrades will open up when you collect certain materials.

Oh! Also! On the Deserted Island, what's up with the paths from 8 that lead to 5, and 11? I can never figure out where those paths are or how to go on them.

They're short cuts. From 8 you can jump off the cliff on the left side to go to 11 or the right most cliff to short cut to 5. You can also go from 8 to 11 by climbing up a wall with vines on it. Most maps will have one way paths like these, usually in the form of jumping off a cliff. There's also other secret paths. Like on the deserted island, from home base go to dock to right of the camp and jump in the water. You can find a cave there that will short cut you to 9.

Thanks for all the info, that was a huge help! Most interestingly, I didn't know you could use items with your sword/shield out! I've been putting them away to use items, oh man! My fight with the Mighty Jaggia would have been much less painful if I had known that, haha!

So everything I do in offline mode carries over to online mode, and vice-versa?

Also, some questions related specifically to online play:
Do you still have an item box and a house?
Do you hunt on the same maps? (Deserted Island, etc)
Is there still a farm, fishers, cantina, etc? I know the city is totally different, I connected very briefly but didn't do much exploring.

I'm sorry, I know you've probably answered all these questions before. It's just that I like to learn as much as I can before I start playing an online game so that I don't have to ask these sorts of questions in-game.

Thanks for all the info, that was a huge help! Most interestingly, I didn't know you could use items with your sword/shield out! I've been putting them away to use items, oh man! My fight with the Mighty Jaggia would have been much less painful if I had known that, haha!

While holding the block button (R on the Classic Controller) tap the item button to use an item. This only works for the Shield and Sword weapon. Every other weapon has to be put away to use items.

So everything I do in offline mode carries over to online mode, and vice-versa?

Yes. Your character is the same on or offline and everything you earn from either mode will be kept with him.

Also, some questions related specifically to online play:
Do you still have an item box and a house?

Item boxes are located at the Tavern and the Forge. They will both contain same items in the one you already have. You get a guest house in the online city. (Loc Lac) It to will also have an item box. You can also get nicer guest houses by progressing through quests online.

Do you hunt on the same maps? (Deserted Island, etc)

Yes. However in High Rank quests these maps will contain rarer and unique items that you can't get in the offline mode at all. In low rank quests they're exactly the same.

Is there still a farm, fishers, cantina, etc? I know the city is totally different, I connected very briefly but didn't do much exploring.

The cantina is in the same area as where you accept quests in Loc Lac. To eat just sit at any table and you'll be given the option. The farm and the fishing boats are only in the village (offline mode). There is however more people selling items, allowing you to buy more kinds of items than you can offline. There is also a woman who trades materials for certain items.

I'm sorry, I know you've probably answered all these questions before. It's just that I like to learn as much as I can before I start playing an online game so that I don't have to ask these sorts of questions in-game.

I'm happy to help. =)

@iAmThetot You should check out the FAQ I wrote, it answers a lot of questions that people often have.

Also, there are a couple of common misconceptions about weapons. SnS does do less damage than other weapons, but it hits a lot more often thanks to its high attack rate. It's also more maneuverable so you're able to nip in and out rather safely. Also bowguns can easily match the damage of hammers if you have the right parts and ammo too, and their hit rate is far higher than most melee weapons as well. But yes, they're expensive to use so I suggest you focus on blademaster weapons until you have cash to spare. I often went poor because I chose bowgun as my main weapon (not that I regret it!).

@BrainBoxLtd There's also an item box in the guest house. That's a great place to gather your friends if you want to show off your weapons and armor sets, because it's a public place where you can change your equipment (unlike the forge where you can only see yourself).

...Wait how do you use items with the Sword out? o.0
lol

Reading fail.

Also SnS user fail.

LOL!

I didn't see it there, bite me, lol.