The latest title update for Monster Hunter Wilds has introduced several exciting additions, with Mizutsune standing out as a particularly formidable opponent. This serpentine creature brings unique mechanics and an aggressive fighting style that sets it apart from other monsters in the game. The Tempered variant presents an even greater challenge, with many players considering it tougher than any encounter from the main campaign.
Locating Mizutsune in the Wild
Players will first encounter Mizutsune during the side mission titled “Spirit in the Moonlight.” To access this quest, hunters must reach Hunter Rank 21 and complete the “Fishing: Life, In Microcosm” side mission for Kanya. After the initial encounter, Mizutsune will begin appearing naturally in both the Scarlet Forest and Ruins of Wyveria regions.
The Tempered version becomes available in these same locations once players have progressed further and reached chapter six of the main storyline. This enhanced variant tends to spawn more frequently during Fallow seasons or Inclemency weather conditions. Players can use the Rest function multiple times to encourage its appearance.
Understanding Mizutsune’s Bubble Mechanics
The Bubbleblight Status Effect
Mizutsune’s signature attack involves dispersing bubbles throughout combat encounters. Contact with most of these bubbles inflicts the unique Bubbleblight status ailment, which operates in two distinct stages. Minor Bubbleblight actually provides benefits by enhancing evasion capabilities. However, additional bubble contact upgrades this to Major Bubbleblight, causing hunters to slip while running and experience increased knockback from attacks and explosions.
Standard Nulberries cannot cure Bubbleblight, though they remain useful since Mizutsune can also inflict Waterblight and Fireblight. The most effective treatment is using a Cleanser item. Alternatively, hunters who have previously defeated Mizutsune can craft armor featuring the Bubbly Dance skill, which prevents Major Bubbleblight entirely. Without these options, the effect naturally dissipates after 30 seconds.
Bubble Colour Variations
Mizutsune produces different coloured bubbles with varying effects:
- Clear bubbles: Deal damage and apply Bubbleblight
- Green bubbles: Provide healing while applying Bubbleblight
- Red bubbles: Grant temporary attack boosts alongside Bubbleblight
- Fiery blue bubbles: Cause damage and inflict Fireblight
Rather than constantly dodging, hunters can destroy bubbles using Slinger ammunition or weapon attacks. Ranged weapons like Heavy and Light Bowguns offer the most convenient bubble management, whilst melee weapons require precise timing, particularly slower options.
Mizutsune’s Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities
Understanding Mizutsune’s weaknesses proves crucial for efficient hunts. This highly mobile water-based monster responds poorly to specific damage types and possesses several breakable components.
Elemental weaknesses: Thunder and Dragon elements prove most effective Weapon preferences: Both cutting and blunt damage types work well Breakable parts: Head (two breaks possible), claws (both breakable), tail (severable), and dorsal fin Primary weak point: The mouth area Status vulnerabilities: Blastblight, Exhaust, Paralysis, Poison, Sleep, and Stun
Combat Strategies and Tactics
Preparation Recommendations
While technically accessible at Hunter Rank 21, postponing Mizutsune encounters until after chapter five completion proves beneficial. The monster deals substantial damage that better armor and weapons can mitigate effectively. Gore Magala hunts become available after chapter five, providing excellent preparation materials. Gore Magala weapons offer Dragon element damage, whilst its armor provides superior Water resistance.
Weapon Selection and Approach
Any weapon category can succeed against Mizutsune, though slower options may feel cumbersome given the creature’s erratic movement patterns and constant bubble attacks. Faster weapons like Dual Blades or Sword and Shield offer advantages through their multi-hitting capabilities and superior elemental damage application. Traps and status ailments help control the monster for hunters struggling with accuracy.
Key Attack Patterns
Mizutsune employs several dangerous attack patterns requiring specific counters:
Water beam attacks: The monster uses vertical and horizontal sweeping water jets that inflict Waterblight. These attacks feature clear telegraphing and narrow hitboxes, followed by extended recovery periods perfect for counterattacks.
Tail assaults: Long-reaching tail attacks pose significant threats, particularly the rapid tail slams that can eliminate hunters with insufficient defence. The backflip variant targets hunters positioned behind the monster, whilst the twisting aerial slam threatens those in front. Dodging remains safer than attempting Offset Attack counters.
Enraged State Management
Breaking Mizutsune’s head triggers a unique enraged state reminiscent of Soulseer Mizutsune from previous games, complete with blue flames emanating from its left eye. During this phase, the monster fires fire-covered bubbles and attacks more aggressively and rapidly. While avoiding head breaks reduces damage output, it prevents this challenging state activation.
The enraged state does offer one advantage: Mizutsune tires more quickly and becomes exhausted, creating optimal damage windows. Hunters should capitalise on these exhaustion periods for maximum damage output.
Material Rewards and Drops
Successful Mizutsune hunts yield various valuable materials with different acquisition rates. The monster’s Detailed Info section provides comprehensive drop rate information for hunt completion, wound destruction, and body part carving.
Common materials (highest drop rates):
- Mizutsune Fin+ (guaranteed from head or dorsal fin breaks)
- Mizutsune Claw+ (guaranteed from claw breaks)
- Mizutsune Purplefur+ (guaranteed from tail breaks)
Standard materials:
- Mizutsune Tail
- Mizutsune Scale+
- Bubblefoam+
- Mizutsune Certificate S
- Mizutsune Water Orb
The addition of challenging monsters like Mizutsune addresses community requests for increased difficulty. With Arch-Tempered monsters planned for future updates, the challenge level appears set to increase further. Success against Mizutsune requires patience, preparation, and mastery of its unique mechanics, but the substantial material rewards make the effort worthwhile for dedicated hunters.