Windward Plains Region Overview and Guide in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Windward Plains are your first stop in Monster Hunter Wilds, with wide-open terrain, rocky cliffs, and deadly sandstorms. This region is packed with roaming monsters, great gathering spots, and weather hazards that can change a hunt in an instant. Keep an eye out for the Sandtide thunderstorms, which can make things a lot more interesting - or just a lot more dangerous.
Windward Plains

The Windward Plains serve as the initial hunting grounds in the Forbidden Lands. This expansive area consists of a mix of grasslands, deserts, and various rock formations and experiences an Inclemency known as the Sandtide, a great sandstorm roiling with thunder.
Zone Overview
- Pop-Up Camps: 13
- Number of Areas: 17
- Biome Type: Grasslands, Desert & Rocky Cliffs
- Weather Variations: Clear skies, strong winds, Sandtide thunderstorms
- Unique Features: Expansive open plains, tall grass for stealth, scattered cliffs ideal for aerial combat
- Best for: Gathering common and rare materials, tracking large monsters in open terrain
- Inclemency: Sandtide thunderstorm
Important Areas

- Kunafa, Windsong Village: Home to the Seikret people, this village is renowned for its unique culture and serves as a hub for hunters in the region. Kunafa is also the place where you can unlock your Seikret customization
Environmental Hazards and Features
- Sandstorms: Occasional sandstorms can reduce visibility and affect stamina.
- Rocky Terrain: The uneven landscape can hinder movement but also offers strategic vantage points.
- Falling Boulders
- Giant Falling Boulders
- Vine Trap
In regards to the area itself, the Windward Plains cycle through three distinct states, each affecting the environment and hunts:
- Plenty: The savannah is lush, full of grazing Ceratonoth, and visibility is clear. Colors are vibrant, and the region feels alive.
- Fallow: The land dries out, vegetation becomes scarce, and sand fills the air, reducing visibility. The environment takes on a more muted tone.
- Sandtide: A massive lightning-filled sandstorm sweeps the plains, striking both hunters and monsters. The towering rock formation glows, and Rey Dau, the Apex Predator, becomes far more aggressive. Villagers in Kunafa take shelter, reinforcing just how dangerous this event is.

Each state changes how you approach hunts, so keep an eye on the shifting conditions! This is the case for most big, known locations within the Forbidden Lands of Monster Hunter Wilds, as most of them cycle through various environmental changes.
Monsters in Windward Plains
The Windward Plains is home to a variety of large and small monsters, including both roaming creatures and aggressive predators. Some monsters have unique behavior depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Large Monsters
Monster and Type | Element | Weakness |
---|---|---|
Rey Dau - Flying Wyvern (Apex Predator) | Thunder | Ice |
Balahara - Leviathan | Water | Thunder |
Quematrice - Brute Wyvern | Fire | Water |
Doshaguma - Fanged Beast | Blast | Fire |
Chatacabra - Amphibian | None | Thunder / Ice |
Gypceros - Bird Wyvern | None | Fire |
Rathian - Flying Wyvern | Fire | Dragon |
Arkveld - Flying Wyvern | Dragon | Dragon |
Seregios - Flying Wyvern | / | / |
Small Monsters
Small monsters in the Windward Plains behave differently based on their habitat; some roam in packs across the plains, others hide in caves or shaded areas, and a few gather around mineral deposits:
- Dalthydon: Often hide in caves or shaded areas.
- Gajios: Aquatic creatures often found in bodies of water.
- Vespoid: Insectoid creatures known for their annoying stings.
- Baunos: Scavengers that often feed on carcasses.
- Bulaqchi: Insect type monster.
- Ceratonoth: Found near Lightning strikes.
- Talioth: They hunt in packs.
Gatherable Materials
The Windward Plains is a great gathering spot for herbs, ores, and special endemic life that can be used for crafting and upgrades. Below is a table of materials found in this region.
Herbs & Gathering Resources
Hunters can collect various herbs and minerals unique to the plains, essential for crafting and upgrades.
Material | Type |
---|---|
Flowfern | Crafting Material |
Nitroshroom | Crafting Material |
Herb | Crafting Material |
Parashroom | Crafting Material |
Iron Ore | Ore |
Earth Crystal | Ore |
Blue Mushroom | Crafting Material |
Fire Herb | Crafting Material |
Ivy | Crafting Material |
Stone | Crafting Material |
Grounding Stone | Crafting Material |
Nulberry | Crafting Material |
Honey | Crafting Material |
Vitalily | Crafting Material |
Antidote Herb | Crafting Material |
Dung | Crafting Material |
Machalite Ore | Ore |
Sturdy Bone | Bone |
Quality Bone | Bone |
Sleep Herb | Crafting Material |
Carbalite Ore | Ore |
Lightcrystal | Ore |
Snow Herb | Crafting Material |
Adamant Seed | Crafting Material |
Toadstool | Crafting Material |
Mandragora | Crafting Material |
Slashberry | Crafting Material |
Dragonstrike Nut | Crafting Material |
Ephemeral Blossom | Crafting Material |
Beautiful Aquatica | Crafting Material |
Thorngrass Pod | Crafting Material |
Sparkflint | Crafting Material |
Dragonfell Berry | Crafting Material |
Windward Succulent | Crafting Material |
Exquisite Fossil | Bone |
Wylky Gemstone | Crafting Material |
Rockburst | Crafting Material |
Blastnut | Crafting Material |
Fulgurite Crystal | Ore |
Blackened Fossil | Bone |
Wylky Crystal Outcrop | Ore |
Novacrystal | Ore |
Mystery Bone | Bone |
Dragonbone Relic | Bone |
The following special gathering and craft items can be found in the Windward Plains:
Material | Type |
---|---|
Fine Windward Aloe | Special item |
Fulgurite Shard | Special item |
Great Windward Aloe | Special item |
Sandpepper | Special item |
Thundering Fulgurite | Special item |
Windward Aloe | Special item |
Drifting Sea Pot | Special item |
Time-honed Wylk Gem | Special item |
Wylk Pebble | Special item |
Ancient Wyvern Coin | Special item |
Fossilized Opal | Special item |
Endemic Life
The plains are teeming with small creatures that can assist hunters, such as insects that provide buffs or small animals that can be used strategically during hunts.
- Vigorwasp
- Giant Vigorwasp
- Vigormantle Bug
- Wiggly Litchi
- Paratoad
- Flashflies
- Thunderbug
- Wedge Beetle
- Dark Hornet
- Bitterbug
- Godbug
- Flashbug
- Great Thunderbugs
- Windrustler
- Black Windrustler
- Nothpecker
- Landlight Shrimp
- Amstrigian
- Hymstrigian
- Rufflizard
- Sandstar
- Emperor Hopper
- Quatreflies
- Pallbug
- Tracktail Lizard
- Curioshell Crab
- Omenfly
- Vaporonid
- Scalebat
- Dung Beetle
- Smokeshroud Gekko
Fishes
- Sushifish
- Whetfish
- Goldenfish
- Platinumfish
- Virid Bowfin
- Gravid Bowfin
Hunting Tips
- Use the tall grass: Hide from aggressive monsters and plan ambushes.
- Watch the weather: Some monsters only appear during storms.
- Collect Thunder Beetles: Great for crafting paralysis-based ammo and traps.
- Climb cliffs for aerial attacks: Certain areas have jumping points to launch attacks from above.
Lore and Background

The Windward Plains are a vast stretch of open land, shaped by strong winds and shifting weather patterns. This region is home to the Seikret people, who have adapted to life in the savannah, using the land's resources to survive. The towering rock formations and scattered oases offer shelter from the elements, but hunters need to stay alert, as the landscape changes with each passing season. When the Sandtide rolls in, the entire area is surrounded by a massive thunder-filled sandstorm, turning the once-open plains into a dangerous battlefield.
Changelog
- 30 Jun. 2025: Added Seregios to Large Monsters list.
- 01 Mar. 2025: Updated Monster Weakness Table.
- 15 Feb. 2025: Guide created.
More MHW Content
This guide was written by Neviriah, a longtime Diablo and World of Warcraft fan with thousands of hours spent in both worlds. She covers news and guides for various games, with a passion for ARPGs, progression systems, and deep lore. If you have any questions, you can find her on YouTube, Twitch, and X/Twitter.
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