Palicoes are your loyal companions in Monster Hunter Wilds. With the right skill setup, they can deal massive damage, support you in combat, and gather resources while you hunt. This guide covers the best Palico skills for every play style.
How Palico Skills Work
Palicoes can learn skills from three categories:
- Combat skills - active combat abilities.
- Gathering skills - passive resource collection.
- Support skills - healing, buffs, and utility.
Each Palico can equip up to 5 skills. The skills can be mixed and matched based on your play style.
Best Combat Skills
S Tier: Must-Have
Mega Buster Sword
Mega Buster Sword is a powerful melee skill that deals massive damage. It is the best combat skill for damage.
Rathalos Soul
Rathalos Soul is a powerful skill that summons a fireball. It is the best ranged combat skill.
A Tier: Strong Choices
Felyne Comet
Felyne Comet is a magic-based skill that deals magic damage. It is excellent for monster parts.
Barrel Bomb L
Barrel Bomb L is a powerful bomb that deals massive damage. It is excellent for stunning monsters.
B Tier: Situational
Claw Dance
Claw Dance is a multi-hit skill that deals consistent damage. It is excellent for monsters with breakable parts.
Best Gathering Skills
S Tier: Must-Have
Pilfer
Pilfer is a passive skill that steals monster materials. It is the best gathering skill for farming.
Pro Skiller
Pro Skiller is a passive skill that boosts gathering rates. It is excellent for resource collection.
Honey Hunter
Honey Hunter is a passive skill that auto-collects Honey. It is excellent for crafting.
A Tier: Strong Choices
Mining God
Mining God is a passive skill that boosts mining rates. It is excellent for ore farming.
Godbug Whisperer
Godbug Whisperer is a passive skill that boosts bug gathering rates. It is excellent for bug farming.
B Tier: Situational
Fishing Fanatic
Fishing Fanatic is a passive skill that boosts fishing rates. It is useful for fishing activities.
Best Support Skills
S Tier: Must-Have
Healing Horn
Healing Horn is a support skill that heals the hunter. It is the best support skill for solo play.
Vigorwasp Revival
Vigorwasp Revival is a support skill that revives the hunter on death. It is essential for tough hunts.
A Tier: Strong Choices
Coral Orchestra
Coral Orchestra is a support skill that buffs the hunter's stats. It is excellent for tough hunts.
Fortify
Fortify is a support skill that boosts the hunter's attack after fainting. It is excellent for tough hunts.
B Tier: Situational
Shock Tripper
Shock Tripper is a support skill that stuns monsters. It is excellent for stunning-focused builds.
Best Palico Loadouts
The Solo Hunter
- Mega Buster Sword
- Rathalos Soul
- Healing Horn
- Pilfer
- Coral Orchestra
This loadout is the best for solo play. It provides high damage, healing, and gathering.
The Multiplayer Support
- Healing Horn
- Vigorwasp Revival
- Coral Orchestra
- Fortify
- Pilfer
This loadout is the best for multiplayer support. It provides healing, revival, and buffs for the team.
The Gathering Specialist
- Pilfer
- Pro Skiller
- Honey Hunter
- Mining God
- Godbug Whisperer
This loadout is the best for resource gathering. It maximizes all gathering rates.
The Damage Dealer
- Mega Buster Sword
- Rathalos Sword
- Claw Dance
- Barrel Bomb L
- Shock Tripper
This loadout is the best for damage. It provides consistent damage with stunning support.
How to Get Palico Skills
To get Palico skills:
- Talk to the Palico vendor in any village.
- Use the Bingo Board to unlock skills.
- Train the Palico using the Meowcenaries mode.
- Use the Skill Lottery for rare skills.
The Bingo Board is the most reliable way to unlock specific skills.
Palico Equipment
Palicoes can equip weapons and armor that boost their stats:
- Power Sword: +10% damage.
- Bnahabra Sword: +5% damage, +5% gathering.
- Rathalos Sword: +15% damage, fire element.
For armor, the highest defense options are:
- Felyne Malfestio Set: +20% defense.
- Felyne Tigrex Set: +15% defense, +5% damage.
Palico Types
There are 5 Palico types:
- Fighter Palico: balanced combat.
- Healer Palico: focused on healing.
- Gatherer Palico: focused on gathering.
- Bomber Palico: focused on bombs.
- Assist Palico: focused on support.
Choose the Palico type that matches your preferred play style.
Common Mistakes
- Don't use only combat skills. Support skills are essential for tough hunts.
- Don't ignore gathering skills. They save time on resource collection.
- Don't use the same loadout for every hunt. Adapt to the monster.
How to Level Up Palicoes
To level up Palicoes:
- Use them in hunts (gains XP per hunt).
- Feed them specific food (boosts XP gain).
- Use the Meowcenaries mode (efficient XP farming).
A max-level Palico gains access to the best skills.
How to Farm Palico Skills
To farm specific Palico skills:
- Use the Skill Lottery in the village.
- Use the Bingo Board to target specific skills.
- Trade with other players (if available).
The Skill Lottery is the most reliable way to get rare skills.
Final Tips
- Always carry a backup Palico with different skills for different hunts.
- Use the Bingo Board for targeted skill unlocks.
- Use the Meowcenaries mode for fast XP farming.
- Combine support and combat skills for tough hunts.
With this guide, you will know the best Palico skills for every play style and how to build the perfect Palico for your hunting needs.