Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils Forbidden Lands' Best Foods

Capcom recently unveiled an in-depth report analyzing player behavior in Monster Hunter Wilds. Titled "The Forbidden Lands White Paper 1," this Japanese-language document examines gameplay trends following the April 4 update, highlighting players' distinct culinary preferences within the game.

The major April update introduced not only fresh quests and creatures but also the Grand Hub—a social space featuring a canteen where Hunters can redeem Meal Vouchers for regional specialties. These dishes provide valuable combat buffs, allowing players to efficiently prepare for cooperative hunts without venturing to specific in-game locations. Vouchers are obtainable through daily logins or Arena quest completions.

According to Automaton Japan's coverage of the white paper, Spring Kunafa Cuisine dominated regional voucher usage at 87.8%, vastly outperforming Fresh Sild (8.2%), Colorful Suja (3.5%), and Hot Azuz cuisines (0.5%). This disparity stems from Capcom distributing five free Spring Kunafa vouchers during the update—many players reportedly redeemed them immediately.

The Defender Meal (Hi) buff from Spring Kunafa likely contributed to its popularity, offering substantial damage reduction against monster attacks. Meanwhile, other regional cuisines trailed significantly due to unequal voucher distribution.

Interestingly, when given free choice via Pick-a-Meal Vouchers, player preferences shifted dramatically: Hot Azuz claimed the top spot (41.3%), followed by Colorful Suja (28.3%), Spring Kunafa (19%), and Fresh Sild (12%). Analysts attribute Azuz's popularity to its evasion-enhancing Tumbler Meal (Hi) buff—particularly valuable for bow users needing to fill their Trick Arrow Gauge.