Why is Blast Damage Good in Monster Hunter World? Let’s Blow Up Some Myths (and Monsters!)
In Monster Hunter World, you roam with your Great Sword. You see weapons featuring a “Blast” element. You may ask, “Is Blast damage worthwhile? Should I switch my raw damage for explosions?” Hold on, hunter. We’re set to share valuable insights. Get ready for a blast-tastic exploration!
Understanding Blast Damage: It’s More Than Just Pretty Explosions
First, let’s clarify what Blast damage is in Monster Hunter World. It’s not only about flashy visuals. Blast is a status, not an elemental damage type like Fire or Water. Picture setting small bombs on the monster with each hit from your Blast weapon.
Blast Buildup: Tick, Tick, Boom!
Every strike with a Blast weapon adds Blast buildup. This buildup fills an invisible meter on the monster. Keep hitting, and that meter rises. It’s akin to inflating a balloon. Instead of a balloon, you have a monster ready to explode.
The Explosion Trigger: Kaboom!
Once that meter hits its limit, BOOM! An explosion occurs, inflicting fixed damage. In Low Rank, expect about 100 damage. In High Rank, it’s a heftier 120 damage. It’s like a mini-nuke detonating in the monster’s face. Who wouldn’t enjoy a good monster face-nuke?
Fixed Damage: Bying Hitzones Like a Boss
Here’s where Blast gets fascinating. The explosion damage is fixed. This means it ignores monster hitzones or resistances. Some monster parts are tougher, but Blast doesn’t care about that. It’s like saying, “Hitzones? What are those?” This is handy for tough-skinned monsters or when you can’t hit weak spots consistently.
Part Breaking Power: Shatter Those Scales!
Blast isn’t only about damage. It’s also great for breaking monster parts. Explosions exert force, and many monster parts are fragile when struck with enough force. Want to break Rathalos’ wings? Blast assists. Need to crack Diablos’ horns? Blast is there. Breaking parts yields more carves and rewards. Who doesn’t want shiny loot?
Increasing Resistance: Monsters Adapt (But Slowly)
Monsters aren’t clueless. They can build resistance to Blast over time. After multiple explosions, it becomes harder to trigger more. But don’t worry; this isn’t quick. You can usually pull off several explosions in a hunt before the monster adapts. It’s like monsters getting a slight flinch to explosions while still feeling the pain.
Visual Indicator: Spot the Sparkles
Wondering how to tell if Blast buildup is happening? Look for visual cues. When applying Blast, you often see little orange sparkly effects around where you hit the monster. It’s like the game signaling you. Pay attention, and know if your Blast weapon works right.
Blast Effectiveness: When Does Blast Really Shine?
Blast sounds good on paper. Is it effective during hunts? The short answer is: generally, yes! Blast is an effective status against many monsters in Monster Hunter World.
General Effectiveness: A Jack of All Trades
Blast weapons resemble Swiss Army knives for status weapons. They may not be the best against every monster, but they remain good versus most. If uncertain which element to pick, Blast provides a reliable option. It’s that dependable friend at all times, even if not the flashiest.
Weaknesses? Not Many, But They Exist
Blast’s main “weakness” isn’t like traditional weaknesses. It merely lacks super-strong matchups. Unlike elemental weaknesses to Fire or Water, few monsters are specifically weak to Blast in an overpowering way. Still, its fixed damage and part-breaking power keep it useful in almost every fight.
Part Breaking Prowess: The King of Shattered Horns
Blast’s part-breaking ability merits repetition. It’s a powerful strength for monsters with valuable breakable parts, like Mizutsune, which is weak to Blast! Bringing a Blast weapon can increase chances of securing vital drops and carves. Target parts like heads, claws, and tails for loot-splosions!
Monsters Highly Susceptible: Boom-ba-yaga!
Not many monsters are weak to Blast, but some are more susceptible. Monsters such as Great Jagras, Velkhana, and Safi’jiiva respond well to Blast damage. Against Safi’jiiva’s massive health pool, fixed Blast damage accumulates during long fights. It’s like slowly whittling down a giant with consistent explosions.
Not Effective Against…? The Blast-Resistant Bunch
A few exceptions exist where Blast proves less effective. Some monsters resist status effects overall, including Blast. Monsters that often move or possess specific weak points may be better targets for raw damage or elemental builds instead. However, even these monsters benefit from fixed damage and part breaking, making Blast a viable option.
Weapon and Equipment Synergies: Maximizing the Boom
To unleash the full power of Blast, pair it with the right weapons and skills. Let’s explore how to optimize your Blast builds.
Weapons of Mass…Blast-struction
The good news? Almost any weapon type in Monster Hunter World can feature the Blast element. From Great Swords to Long Swords and Dual Blades to Bows, options abound. Experiment to find a Blast weapon suiting your playstyle. For massive explosive hits, choose a Blast Great Sword or rapid attacks with Dual Blades and a Blast-infused Bow.
Skills That Amplify the Boom (Indirectly)
No specific skills boost Blast damage since it’s fixed. However, you can improve Blast effectiveness using skills that increase status buildup or overall weapon damage. Skills like Attack Boost, Critical Eye, and Critical Boost raise your weapon’s raw damage. This will lead to faster hunts by indirectly increasing the number of Blast procs.
Armor Skills: Blast Resistance (and Nulberries!)
No armor skills directly elevate Blast damage, but there are skills assisting with Blastblight. A simple solution for Blastblight is Nulberries. Keep them handy to instantly cure Blastblight if necessary. Consider them anti-explosion potions for emergencies.
Status Effects and Blights: Blastblight and Beyond
Let’s explore status effects and blights, particularly Blastblight.
Blastblight: The Annoying, But Manageable, Blight
Blastblight is a status ailment from specific monster attacks linked to those using a similar weapon element. Upon receiving Blastblight, you’ll see “blast” buildup on your hunter. If hit while blighted or after a timer expires, a small explosion knocks you down. The irritation of Blastblight? It makes you more vulnerable to monster attacks and stuns.
Not an Elemental Blight: Status Confusion
Despite its name, Blastblight is not an elemental blight like
Fireblight and Waterblight are status effects. They are like Paralysis or Sleep. This is important. Elemental resistance skills will not protect you from Blastblight. Don’t use Fire Resistance. It won’t help against Blastblight!
Cure for Blastblight: Nulberries to the Rescue!
The fastest way to cure Blastblight is with a Nulberry. Use a Nulberry, and poof! Blastblight disappears. You can dodge or roll to remove Blastblight, but Nulberries are safer. Stock up on Nulberries, hunter!
Dragonblight and Fireblight: Blastblight’s Fiery and Scaly Cousins
Blastblight is not elemental. Other blights are worthy to mention. Dragonblight and Fireblight can be inflicted by monsters like Xeno’jiiva. Dragonblight reduces your weapon’s elemental damage. Fireblight causes damage over time. All blights generally are things to avoid or cure quickly. Knowing this helps prepare for monster fights.
Comparison with Other Elements and Statuses: Blast in the Ecosystem
How does Blast compare with other elements and statuses in Monster Hunter World? Let’s make a comparison.
Dragon Element: The Elder Dragon Slayer
Dragon element is one of the strongest elements in Monster Hunter World, especially against Elder Dragons. Many Elder Dragons are weak to Dragon, making it effective in the endgame. Gamerant mentions it as a top choice. Dragon often beats other elements in these fights.
Other Elements: Elemental Variety is the Spice of Hunting
Other elements include Fire, Water, Thunder, and Ice. Each has its advantages. Exploit elemental weaknesses is key for Monster Hunter strategy. If a monster is weak to Fire, then a Fire weapon will likely deal more damage than a Blast weapon. However, Blast is still valuable when unsure of weaknesses.
Sticky Ammo: Explosions of a Different Flavor
Sticky ammo is another type of explosive damage used by Gunners. It is distinct from Blast status. Sticky ammo delivers direct damage through impact-based explosions and is not reliant on status buildup. It focuses on direct damage and stun potential, while Blast delivers consistent damage over time.
Other Statuses: Paralysis, Poison, Sleep, Oh My!
Monster Hunter World contains many status effects beyond Blast. Paralysis, Poison, and Sleep have unique advantages. Paralysis and Sleep incapacitate monsters and create attack openings. Poison deals damage over time. Blast delivers fixed damage, often useful for breaking parts.
Monster Weaknesses: Blast in the Grand Scheme of Things
Understanding monster weaknesses is crucial for effective hunting. Let’s examine how Blast fits into the monster weakness landscape.
Diablos: Ice and Dragon Reign Supreme (But Blast Can Help)
Diablos is weak to Ice and Dragon. Green Man Gaming shows Diablos as a tough monster. Exploiting weaknesses is key. Ice is the most effective element against Diablos, while Dragon is a close second. Blast can help break its horns for crafting.
Rathalos: Thunder and Dragon’s Aerial Assault
Rathalos struggles against Thunder and Dragon elements. Thunder is effective on Rathalos’ head, while Dragon affects its body well. Blast isn’t main weakness but can break Rathalos’ wings. This helps ground it during fights.
Behemoth: Dragon’s Might Against the Colossus
Behemoth, a crossover monster from Final Fantasy, is weak to Dragon, Water, and Ice. Using Dragon weapons works best for Behemoth fights. Blast does not perform well against Behemoth’s high health pool, favoring raw damage strategies.
Namielle: Fire Up for the Water Dragon
Namielle, a shimmering water dragon, has a surprising weakness to Fire. Fire weapons excel against Namielle’s defenses. Blast isn’t as effective as Fire against Namielle, but its damage and part breaking help when not using Fire builds.
Monster Hunter World Game Mechanics: Context is Key
Let’s dive into Monster Hunter World mechanics for context about Blast.
Hunter Rank (HR): Your Progression port
Hunter Rank (HR) shows your overall progression level. It increases with quest completion and monster hunting. Raising HR unlocks new quests, monsters, and areas. Blast damage is effective at all HR levels, making it a reliable choice.
High Rank: Stepping Up the Challenge
High Rank unlocks after the main story. It increases difficulty with tougher monsters and challenges. Blast damage stays strong in High Rank, with better base damage of 120 instead of 100.
Guiding Lands: Endgame Exploration
The Guiding Lands is an endgame area in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, featuring challenging hunts and materials. Blast weapons are viable here, delivering consistent damage and part breaking against powerful monsters. Elemental matchups matter in the endgame but Blast remains reliable.
Misconceptions Debunked: Clearing the Blast Confusion
Let’s clarify common misconceptions about Blast.
Bombardier Skill? Nope, Doesn’t Buff Blast
Many think Bombardier affects Blast damage. It doesn’t. Bombardier increases bomb damage only, like Barrel Bombs. It does not impact Blast status from weapons. Don’t waste skill slots on Bombardier for Blast weapons.
Sticky Ammo and Blast: Not the Same Explosion
Sticky ammo and Blast differ in explosion types. Sticky ammo focuses on direct explosion damage while Blast triggers explosions as a status effect. They are not interchangeable, and skills that affect one may not work on the other. Knowing this optimizes builds.
In conclusion, Blast damage is a reliable option in Monster Hunter World. It offers fixed damage, great part breaking, and works against many monsters. It may not always be the top damage dealer, but its dependability and utility are assets every hunter should embrace. Equip a Blast weapon and savor satisfying explosions!
