Pre-Hunt Meal Prep Guide for Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster hunting is no easy task, and proper preparation is key. In *Monster Hunter Wilds*, one of the essential aspects of preparation is cooking and eating a nutritious meal. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do just that, ensuring you're ready to tackle any beast that comes your way.

Cooking and Eating Meals in Monster Hunter Wilds

Unlike previous entries in the series such as *World* and *Rise*, where you could rely on a Palico NPC to cook for you, *Monster Hunter Wilds* requires you to take matters into your own hands. Here's how you can prepare your meals:

• By cooking in your tent: When you accept a new quest, take a moment to prepare. Head to your tent, use L1 or R1 to navigate to the BBQ Menu, and select the "Grill a Meal" option.
• By using the Portable BBQ Grill: Alternatively, you can access the Portable BBQ Grill from your inventory. Simply press the square button to use it and start cooking from there.

Which Meals to Cook?

In the cooking menu, you have three meal options to choose from:

• Recommended Meal: This is the basic option, using a Ration and any additional ingredients you have. Cooking with only Rations provides a 30-minute buff with +50 Health, +150 Stamina, and +2 Attack. Adding ingredients extends the duration by 20 minutes. This should be considered the bare minimum for your hunt preparation.
• Custom Meal: For those looking to tailor their meals to their specific needs, the custom meal option is ideal. Here, you can select one Ration (meat, fish, or veggies), one ingredient, and finishing touches. Rations provide different buffs such as increased attack, defense, or elemental resistances, while ingredients and finishing touches enhance your meal further, offering benefits like improved gathering or reduced damage taken.
• Favorite Meal: If you have a meal setup you particularly enjoy, you can save it as a favorite for quick access in future hunts.

Once you've made your selection, start cooking, and your Hunter will automatically eat, setting you up for success on your hunt.

And that’s how you cook and eat meals in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. For more tips and detailed information on the game, be sure to check out The Escapist.