The Insect Glaive, a weapon known for its agility and unique Kinsect companions, is a fan favorite in Monster Hunter World. Its dazzling aerial acrobatics and potent attacks make it a thrilling choice for hunters of all levels. But one question that frequently arises is, can the Insect Glaive stun monsters?
This article will delve into the complexities of the Insect Glaive’s stuns, exploring its mechanics, potential, and limitations. We’ll also delve into the crucial role of Kinsects and their extracts in maximizing the Insect Glaive’s stunning capabilities.
Understanding Stun in Monster Hunter World
Before we dive into the intricacies of the Insect Glaive, it’s essential to understand the concept of stun in Monster Hunter World. Stun is a temporary state of incapacitation that can be inflicted on monsters through various means, including:
- Heavy attacks: Weapons like the Great Sword, Hammer, and Hunting Horn are known for their high blunt damage output, which can lead to stuns.
- Elemental damage: Certain elemental attacks can trigger a stun effect, particularly those focused on Dragon and Thunder elements.
- Status ailments: Ailments like poison, paralysis, and sleep can also temporarily stun a monster.
Stun is a crucial element of Monster Hunter strategy, allowing hunters to inflict significant damage and even mount monsters for extended periods. However, stuns are not guaranteed, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the monster’s size, defense, and resistance to stuns.
The Insect Glaive’s Stun Potential: A Complex Equation
While the Insect Glaive doesn’t excel in blunt damage like the Hammer or Great Sword, its ability to stun is not entirely absent. The Insect Glaive’s stuns depend on a combination of factors:
Kinsect Extracts: The extracts collected by your Kinsect play a vital role in determining the Insect Glaive’s stunning potential. Extracts, like Power, Stamina, and Health, each offer unique buffs. Power extracts boost attack power, while Stamina extracts increase the duration of your buffs. However, it’s the Exhaust extract that is crucial for stunning.
- Exhaust Extract: This extract builds up a monster’s Exhaust Gauge. When the gauge fills, it triggers an exhaust status that impairs the monster’s stamina recovery, rendering it vulnerable to stuns.
- Aerial Attacks: The Insect Glaive’s core strength lies in its aerial attacks. These attacks, especially the Aerial Slash, can inflict a significant amount of blunt damage, contributing to the Exhaust Gauge buildup.
- Monster Resistance: Each monster possesses varying levels of resistance to stuns and exhaust. Some monsters are naturally more resistant to stuns, making it significantly harder to stun them.
Maximizing Your Stun Potential with the Insect Glaive
To effectively leverage the Insect Glaive’s stunning capabilities, consider these strategies:
- Choose a Kinsect with high Exhaust Gathering: Prioritize Kinsects with high Exhaust Gathering skill. This will enable them to gather Exhaust extract more efficiently, contributing to the monster’s Exhaust Gauge buildup.
- Utilize Mounting: Once a monster enters the Exhaust status, use its impaired stamina recovery to mount it. Mounting provides a significant opportunity to deal substantial damage and further build up the Exhaust Gauge, increasing the chances of stunning.
- Maintain Aerial Pressure: Keep the pressure on the monster by consistently attacking from the air. The Insect Glaive’s aerial attacks are crucial for inflicting blunt damage and building the Exhaust Gauge.
- Utilize the Red Extract: The Red Extract, which enhances attack power, can also be useful in conjunction with the Exhaust extract. Increased damage from your attacks can further contribute to the monster’s Exhaust Gauge buildup.
Examples of Monster Stuns with the Insect Glaive
While not the primary method for stunning, the Insect Glaive can be successful in stunning certain monsters:
- Anjanath: Anjanath, despite its high stamina, can be stunned with the Insect Glaive’s Exhaust extract and consistent aerial attacks.
- Barroth: Barroth, known for its sluggish movements, is particularly susceptible to stuns, especially when in the Exhaust status.
- Diablos: Diablos, with its high stamina, is a tougher opponent, but its vulnerability to Exhaust makes it possible to stun with the Insect Glaive, albeit a more challenging endeavor.
Conclusion: The Insect Glaive’s Versatile Role
While not designed as a primary stun weapon, the Insect Glaive’s ability to inflict stun is a valuable asset in the right circumstances. By understanding the intricacies of Exhaust extract, aerial attacks, and monster resistances, hunters can utilize the Insect Glaive’s unique mechanics to effectively exploit opportunities for stunning and capitalize on the advantages it provides.
The Insect Glaive’s dynamic gameplay, coupled with its unique approach to stunning, makes it a thrilling and versatile choice for any hunter looking to conquer the challenges of Monster Hunter World.
FAQ
1. Can the Insect Glaive Stun Monsters?
Yes, the Insect Glaive can stun monsters, but it’s not as direct as other weapons. The Insect Glaive’s stun potential comes from its ability to inflict “Mount” status on a monster. When a monster is mounted, it becomes vulnerable to attacks, including mounting attacks that can trigger a “Stun” effect. This stun effect can briefly incapacitate the monster, giving you an opportunity to deal significant damage or perform other actions.
The key to stunning a monster with the Insect Glaive is to utilize the mount attack effectively. Aim for the monster’s head or weak points, and use the mount attack repeatedly to build up the stun gauge. While mounting alone can’t directly stun, it creates an ideal condition for triggering the stun effect with subsequent mount attacks.
2. How Do I Mount a Monster with the Insect Glaive?
Mounting a monster with the Insect Glaive requires building up “Kinsect Gauge” by extracting extracts from the monster. These extracts come in three types: Red, Yellow, and White. Each color offers a unique effect that contributes to mounting. Red extracts increase the Kinsect Gauge faster, Yellow extracts temporarily increase your movement speed, and White extracts provide a temporary boost to your attack power.
Once your Kinsect Gauge is full, you can use a “Mount Attack” by performing a specific button combination. This will send your Kinsect to mount the monster, allowing you to follow and perform powerful mounted attacks. The more extracts you collect, the faster you’ll fill the Kinsect Gauge, allowing for more opportunities to mount and potentially stun the monster.
3. What Are the Best Kinsect Extracts for Stunning?
While all three extracts play a role in mounting, Red extracts are particularly useful for stunning. Red extracts rapidly fill the Kinsect Gauge, allowing you to mount the monster more frequently. This increased mount opportunity translates to more chances to use the mount attack and potentially trigger the stun effect.
However, it’s important to note that simply focusing on Red extracts might hinder your overall performance. The other extracts, Yellow and White, provide valuable buffs that can enhance your damage output and mobility, ultimately contributing to more effective mounting and stunning.
4. How Do I Know if a Monster is Stunned?
When a monster is stunned, it will be briefly immobilized and its body will become stiff. It will also have a blue aura around it, indicating its vulnerable state. This is a clear visual cue that the stun effect has been activated, allowing you to capitalize on the opportunity with heavy attacks or other actions.
However, the stun effect is temporary, lasting only a few seconds. It’s important to act quickly and deal significant damage during this window of opportunity. This can be challenging, as the monster might regain its composure and become active again.
5. Can I Stun Every Monster with the Insect Glaive?
While the Insect Glaive can stun most monsters, it’s not guaranteed to work on every creature. Some monsters have higher stun resistances than others, making it harder to achieve the stun effect. Additionally, certain monster types are immune to mounting, completely negating the Insect Glaive’s stun potential.
Therefore, it’s important to be aware of each monster’s vulnerabilities and resistances. Researching the specific monster you’re facing can help you determine if mounting and stunning are viable strategies. It’s also crucial to adjust your tactics based on the monster’s behavior and attack patterns.
6. Are There Any Other Ways to Stun with the Insect Glaive?
While mounting is the primary method for stunning with the Insect Glaive, there are other indirect ways to achieve the effect. For instance, certain Insect Glaive moves can inflict “Stagger” status on monsters, which can lead to a temporary stun effect. Additionally, some Kinsects possess unique abilities that can inflict stun, like the “Stun Extract” ability that can be unlocked through upgrades.
These alternative stun methods are less reliable and less frequent than mounting, but they offer additional opportunities to incapacitate a monster. It’s worth exploring the various Kinsect abilities and mastering the Insect Glaive’s moveset to discover these hidden stun options.
7. Is the Insect Glaive Effective for Stunning?
The Insect Glaive’s stun potential depends heavily on the monster you’re facing and your skill level. While it can be a powerful weapon for stunning, it’s not a guaranteed method. It requires careful planning, strategic use of Kinsects, and a good understanding of the monster’s weaknesses.
If you’re looking for a weapon with consistent stun capabilities, the Insect Glaive might not be the ideal choice. However, for skilled players who enjoy mobility and a dynamic combat style, the Insect Glaive’s stun potential offers a unique and satisfying way to overcome challenging monsters.