Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has so many buffs, elements, and status effects that it is hard to keep track of everything. These affect everything from monster weaknesses to weapon effects.
It is important to know each element and status effect to counter hard to beat monsters. Buffs are important so that you can give yourself an extra edge in battle. There is a lot of content in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, so all my guides are works in progress. Be sure to check back often as I update.
This guide will cover everything about buffs, elements, and status effects in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate:
- Buffs/Debuffs – What they are and what they do.
- Elements – What they are and what they do.
- Abnormal Status Effects – What they are and what they do.
Buffs/Debuffs
- Attack – Increases or decreases attack.
- This determines how much damage you do to the monster.
- Defense – Increases or decreases defense.
- This determines how much damage monsters do to you.
- Speed – Increases or decreases movement speed.
- This determines how fast you can move.
- Elemental Resistance – Increases or decreases resistance to a certain element.
- For example, raising Fire Resistance will decrease the amount of damage you take from fire attacks.
- Status Effect Resistance – Increases or decreases resistance to a certain status effect.
- For example, raising Paralysis Resistance will decrease the chance to be paralyzed in combat.
Elements
There are 5 elements that can be put on weapons, armor, and used by monsters:
- Fire
- Water
- Ice
- Thunder
- Dragon
When putting these elements on weapons, you will deal extra damage to monsters that are weak to that element. Armor can also have resistance to particular elements.
Abnormal Status Effects
Status effects cause some effect to last for a short time. This can be done to the hunter or the monster.
| Name | Effect | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Poison | Deals gradual damage over time for as long as you or the monster is poisoned. Some poison can deal extra damage over time. | Antidote |
| Paralysis/Stun | Stops the target from being able to take any action for a set amount of time. | Mash buttons and rotate the circle pad |
| Sleep | Stops the target from being able to take any action for a set amount of time. Targets asleep take more damage. | Mash buttons and rotate the circle pad |
| Snowman | Loses the ability to attack and greatly decreases movement speed. | Mash buttons and rotate the circle pad |
| Webbed | Become rooted and unable to move, attack, or evade. | Mash buttons and rotate the circle pad |
| Blastblight | Causes an explosion after a set amount of time or if the target suffers a strong impact. | Evade repeatedly |
| Stench | You can’t use consumable items as long as you have the Stench status effect. | Use Deodorant or leave the area |
| Bleeding | Running, rolling, and attacking causes damage. | Eat well-done steak, Mosswine Jerky, or crouch for a short time |
| Tarred | Become rooted and unable to move, attack, or evade. If the target doesn’t get rid of it in time, they take explosion damage. | Use cleanser or mash buttons and rotate the circle pad |
Extra Tips
Status effects and elements become very important in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate.
- Buy Monster List books when you can. These put info in your hunter notes that give extra info on a monster.
- These can let you know if they use an elemental attack or cause status effects.
- They sometimes give hints on their weaknesses as well.
- Bring plenty of recover items, especially Cleanser.
- There is nothing worse than being caught in a web or constantly poisoned. Bring plenty of items to get rid of these abnormalities.
- Pay attention to the elements and status effects when crafting gear.
- Some weapons and armor can have these on them. These are often more important than ones that have higher attack but not other effects.
- Create multiple sets of gear or weapons if you can have different elements or status effects on them.
That wraps up my Buff, Elements, and Abnormal Status Effects guide for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. Check out my Beginner Advice and General Tips/Tricks guide for basics.
Let me know in the comments if there is anything I missed or if you have any questions.
Published: Feb 16, 2015 12:25 pm