The Insect Glaive (IG) is one of the most mobile weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. It can deal aerial damage, support with the kinsect, and apply status effects efficiently. This guide covers the best IG builds for solo and multiplayer play.
Why Insect Glaive
Insect Glaive is the best weapon for players who want a mobile, aerial play style. The IG can:
- Deal continuous aerial damage.
- Extract buffs from monsters with the kinsect.
- Mount monsters easily.
- Apply status effects efficiently.
- Support teammates with buff extraction.
How Kinsects Work
The Insect Glaive has a unique mechanic: kinsects. Kinsects are bug-like creatures that can:
- Extract buffs from monsters (red, white, orange).
- Attack monsters for extra damage.
- Mark monsters for the team.
There are three buff types:
Red Extract (Attack)
Boosts attack power. Extract from monster heads.
How to use: Press R1/RB to extract red buff from the monster's head.
White Extract (Speed)
Boosts movement speed and attack speed. Extract from monster wings or legs.
How to use: Press R1/RB to extract white buff from monster wings.
Orange Extract (Defense)
Boosts defense. Extract from monster bodies.
How to use: Press R1/RB to extract orange buff from monster bodies.
Triple buff (red + white + orange) provides maximum stats.
Best Insect Glaive Equipment
Best IG for Raw Damage
Royal Order
Raw damage: 290. Kinsect boost: Attack. Affinity: 15%. Sharpness: White.
How to get: Crafted from Rathian materials.
Best IG for Elemental Damage
Legiana Frost Glaive
Elemental damage: 330 ice. Kinsect boost: Speed. Affinity: 10%. Sharpness: White.
How to get: Crafted from Legiana materials.
Best IG for Status Effects
Anjanath Flame Glaive
Status: 290 paralysis. Kinsect boost: Speed. Affinity: 5%. Sharpness: White.
How to get: Crafted from Anjanath materials.
Best Kinsects
Best Kinsect for Damage
Culldrone
Effect: High damage kinsect with built-in attack buff.
How to get: Crafted with Monster Broth + Insect parts.
Best Kinsect for Speed
Pseudocath
Effect: Fast kinsect with built-in speed buff.
How to get: Found in the Wildspire Waste.
Best Kinsect for Support
Monarch Alucanid
Effect: Support kinsect that heals and buffs the team.
How to get: Found in the Coral Palace.
Best IG Armor
Best for Raw Damage
Rathalos Armor
Skills: Attack Boost 4, Critical Eye 3, Weakness Exploit 2.
Defense: 380. Elemental Resistance: balanced.
How to get: Crafted from Rathalos materials.
Best for Aerial Combat
Legiana Armor
Skills: Aerial Expert 3, Evasion 2, Marathon Runner 2.
Defense: 360. Elemental Resistance: ice resistant.
How to get: Crafted from Legiana materials.
Best IG Skills
Aerial Expert
Boosts aerial attack damage. Levels 1-3. Recommended: Level 3.
Evasion
Boosts evasion distance. Levels 1-3. Recommended: Level 2.
Marathon Runner
Reduces stamina drain. Levels 1-3. Recommended: Level 2.
Attack Boost
Boosts raw attack. Levels 1-7. Recommended: Level 4.
Critical Eye
Boosts affinity. Levels 1-7. Recommended: Level 3.
Weakness Exploit
Boosts damage on weak points. Levels 1-3. Recommended: Level 2.
Best IG Combos
Ground Combo
The IG ground combo is for sustained damage:
- Light Attack 1
- Light Attack 2
- Light Attack 3
- Heavy Attack follow-up
- Repeat
Use this combo when the monster is grounded.
Aerial Combo
The IG aerial combo is for mounting and aerial damage:
- Jump (L1/LB + R1/RB)
- Aerial Attack 1
- Aerial Attack 2
- Aerial Attack 3
- Repeat
Use this combo for mounting monsters.
Kinsect Combo
The IG kinsect combo is for buff extraction:
- Mark monster with kinsect.
- Recall kinsect to extract buff.
- Repeat for all three buff types.
- Triple buff provides maximum stats.
Use this combo at the start of every hunt.
How to Maintain Buffs
To maintain triple buff:
- Extract red buff first (head).
- Extract white buff (wings).
- Extract orange buff (body).
- Re-extract when buffs expire (after 90 seconds).
Triple buff is essential for maximum damage.
Best Items to Use While Drawn
The IG can use items while the weapon is drawn:
- Potions (for healing)
- Mega Potions (for stronger healing)
- Whetstone (for sharpening)
Use the item-drawing advantage to heal without sheathing.
Solo Strategy
For solo play, focus on:
- Extract triple buff at the start.
- Use aerial combos for mounting.
- Use ground combos for sustained damage.
- Re-extract buffs as needed.
The IG is excellent for solo play due to its mobility.
Multiplayer Strategy
For multiplayer play, focus on:
- Extract triple buff at the start.
- Use aerial combos for mounting.
- Support teammates with buff extraction.
- Mark monsters for the team.
The IG is the best weapon for support in multiplayer.
Common Mistakes
- Don't ignore buff extraction. Triple buff is essential.
- Don't use aerial combos when grounded. They are inefficient.
- Don't forget to re-extract buffs. They expire after 90 seconds.
Best IG Matchups
Great Jagras
Use raw IG for burst damage.
Anjanath
Use paralysis IG for status effects.
Legiana
Use ice IG for elemental weakness.
Rathalos
Use dragon IG for elemental weakness.
Tigrex
Use thunder IG for elemental weakness.
Final Tips
- Always extract triple buff at the start.
- Use aerial combos for mounting.
- Use ground combos for sustained damage.
- Re-extract buffs as needed.
With this guide, you will master the Insect Glaive and be a mobile, aerial hunter in any situation.