Arkveld, the imposing and powerful flagship monster of Monster Hunter Wilds, is one of the game’s most challenging foes. With its ability to wield chains as weapons and absorb elemental energies, this Flying Wyvern requires solid preparation and strategy. In this guide, we’ll cover the optimal loadout and tactics to successfully hunt Arkveld.

Understanding Arkveld: Weaknesses and Strengths

Arkveld thrives by absorbing elemental energy, converting it into devastating Dragon-element attacks. Its primary element is Dragon, making it susceptible to Dragon-based weapons. However, it has no significant resistance against other elements, making raw damage weapons equally viable.

Notable Weaknesses:
– Dragon Element
– Breakable Parts: Horns, Wings, Tail (also severable)

Best Loadout to Defeat Arkveld

To effectively take down Arkveld, your gear must combine solid defense with strong offensive capabilities.

Recommended Weapons

Dragon Element Weapons

Dragon element weapons are your best choice. They can interrupt Arkveld’s elemental absorption, causing it to lose its enhanced state.

Recommended options include:
– Dragon-element Greatsword or Longsword: to easily sever Arkveld’s tail.
– Dual Blades or Sword and Shield with Dragon Element: for fast, consistent elemental damage build-up.
– Gunlance or Charge Blade with Dragon damage: for defensive blocking and explosive burst damage.

Raw Damage Weapons

If you lack Dragon-element gear, opt for strong raw damage weapons such as:
– Greatsword: heavy hits on vulnerable wings and horns.
– Hammer: for breaking horns and stunning Arkveld.
– Heavy Bowgun (HBG): to safely inflict damage from range.

Recommended Armor and Skills

Your armor choice should prioritize defense, stamina management, and elemental resistance. Early on, you might lack Dragon-resistant gear, so focus primarily on high defense.

Essential Armor Skills:

• Dragon Resistance: Minimizes Arkveld’s elemental attacks.
• Stun Resistance: Prevents being immobilized by Arkveld’s aggressive combos.
• Earplugs: Counter Arkveld’s disruptive roar.
• Windproof: Reduces knockback from Arkveld’s wing attacks.

Recommended Armor Sets:

• Arkvulcan Armor (once available): crafted from Arkveld itself, providing excellent Dragon resistance and powerful offensive skills.
• Rey Dau Armor: Offers good defense and elemental resistance, suitable for an earlier encounter.

Suggested Items to Bring

• Mega Potions and Max Potions: Essential healing resources.
• Nulberries: Quickly remove Dragonblight.
• Ancient Potions: For emergency full recovery.
• Flash Pods: To knock Arkveld down when airborne.
• Pitfall and Shock Traps: Temporarily immobilize Arkveld for easy damage windows.
• Mega Demon Drug and Mega Armorskin: Boost damage and defense for the entire hunt.

Hunting Arkveld: Battle Strategy

Arkveld is aggressive and mobile. It uses chain-like wings to easily reach hunters at various distances. Recognizing and responding to its attack patterns is the key to victory.

Managing Arkveld’s Attacks

Chainblade Strikes

Arkveld swings its chain-like wings in wide arcs and slams them down for heavy damage. When you see it winding up, dodge sideways or block, if possible. Staying behind or at its side is safest, but watch for unexpected tail sweeps.

Aerial Attacks

Arkveld frequently leaps into the air, dragging its chains across the ground. Use Flash Pods immediately as it takes off to ground it, creating openings for attacks. Otherwise, dodge perpendicular to its flight path.

Energy Absorption

When Arkveld’s chains glow purple, immediately target the wings. Attacking aggressively during this state forces the absorbed energy to explode, staggering Arkveld and removing its empowered state.

Tactical Positioning and Weak Points

Aim for these weak points consistently:
– Head/Horns: Use blunt weapons for stuns and extra damage.
– Wings: Prioritize during energy absorption phases.
– Tail: Severable; removing it reduces Arkveld’s combat capabilities.

Utilizing Turf Wars

Arkveld is territorial. Luring it into encounters with monsters like Rey Dau will trigger turf wars, causing significant mutual damage. Take advantage of these moments to heal, sharpen weapons, or deal extra damage.

Arkveld Rewards and Gear

Defeating Arkveld grants rare materials to craft some of the best gear:

Notable Arkveld Materials:

• Arkveld Horn: Break horns to obtain.
• Arkveld Tail: Obtain by severing and carving.
• Arkveld Gem: Rare drop, essential for crafting high-tier gear.
• Arkveld Calloushell: Break chainblades to guarantee drops.

Craftable Gear:

• Arkvulcan Weapons & Armor Sets: Provide high defense, Dragon-element bonuses, and powerful skill combinations ideal for late-game hunts.

Final Tips for Arkveld Encounter

• Bring your best weapon, regardless of type, but favor Dragon element when available.
• Use elemental attacks strategically to disrupt Arkveld’s energy absorption.
• Be patient. Arkveld is aggressive, but punishing its openings ensures victory.

By following these strategies and using optimized equipment, Arkveld will become a manageable challenge, rewarding you richly with valuable gear to continue your hunting journey. Happy hunting in Monster Hunter Wilds!