Summary
Now that the upcomingMonster Hunter Wildsis set to build upon one of its predecessor’s main additions by featuring the new Seikret mounts, the status of the series' previous Buddies in the same role is unknown.Risecame with the meaningful introduction of Palamutes alongside Wirebugs, and these rideable canine companions can serve as formidable allies in battle apart from their utility for movement. Seikrets seem to act as a complete replacement for the core function of being mounts inMonster Hunter Wilds, but the footage of the game shown so far has already made it clear that these creatures have differing capabilities from the Palamutes that came before.
Palicoes have existed in some form since the dawn ofMonster Hunterand Felynes, and most of the franchise’s available companions have followed their example over the years. Various types of Lynians have presented some variations, butPalamutes inMonster Hunter Riseoffer a completely different approach to what the game calls Buddies. While obviously functioning as mounts useful for traversal, Palamutes are also generally more effective in combat against monsters when compared to their more support-oriented Palico counterparts. It doesn’t appear like Seikrets will be able to match up on this front, but they bring another layer to the hunter’s arsenal that could be even more powerful.
Seikrets Set Themselves Apart Through Mounted Combat
The Potential for Unprecedented Depth in Monster Hunter’s Combat
Ever since the game’s initial reveal, it’s been clear thatMonster Hunter Wilds' Seikret mountsare the most versatile take on the concept that has been attempted so far. As a sort of avian-raptor creature, they seem to be inclined toward the wide areas of the seemingly open-world game with their larger size and ability to glide when compared to Palamutes. While these new animal companions haven’t been shown participating directly in combat within a party, they allow the hunter to make attacks while riding.
It’s already groundbreaking that players will be able toswap weapons inMonster Hunter Wildsduring combat, but this feature has also been shown to be accessible while mounted. With ranged options like Bowguns seeming to be especially potent when combined with the mobility provided by Seikrets, there’s no telling how much this dynamic will add to the existing moveset of the game’s full suite of weapon types.
Monster Hunter Rise’s Palamutes Seem to Be Better Fighters Than Seikrets
Wilds' Seikrets Haven’t Been Shown on the Attack
There are entire builds dedicated to maximizing the damage andStatus infliction of Palamutes inMonster Hunter Rise, with some players even choosing to head into “auto-hunts” with two of the canines over any Palicoes or other players. These unconventional, but valid strategies often make full use of the likes of support skills from the Hunting Horn, but they might not be viable any longer inWilds. With all the encumbering gear carried by Seikrets possibly indicating that they are more restricted to the mount function they haven’t been seen outside of, they may not even be able to attack on their own at all.
The introduction of mounted combat is an exciting development in terms of how Buddies have evolved, but it might be coming at the cost of regression in terms of their raw strength. While Palamutes could be equipped with various types of melee or ranged weapons to perform just as effectively as hunters, Seikrets are likely far more limited outside their expanded role in utility alone. Considering that players could gain access to far more approaches to using existing weapons, however, this trade-off could mean thatMonster Hunter Wilds' changes to mountswill act as a net positive when it comes to gameplay depth.
Monster Hunter Wilds
WHERE TO PLAY
The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
