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A problem that a lot of players, both beginners and veterans, face inMonster Hunter Wildsis understanding thevague terminology being usedin the game for Skill descriptions. While the in-game menus do detail what a skill does, the wording is often confusing, as unfamiliar terms are used to describe the effects, and there is a general lack of transparency that forces players to either go in blind or do extensive testing of their own.
The Flinch Free Skill is one such example. The skill description states it prevents knockbacks and tripping, but what knockbacks or tripping are is not explained. Here is how it works.
The Flinch Free Skill has the following description:
Prevents knockbacks and other reactions to small damage.
There are three levels to Flinch Free, each making the hunter a little less prone to being interrupted.
Flinch Free interacts with twoMonster Hunter Wildsmechanics: Knockbacks and Tripping. Due to the phrasing of these effects, players may be confused about what the difference between the two is.
Flinch Free does not work to prevent interruptions from other playersin online play. Only the Shock Absorber Skill (Shockproof Jewel I) can achieve this effect.
What is Knockback
Knockback, or Flinching, is when a player receives a small amount of damage that results in them being pushed back a small amount. A knockback will only push you back; it won’t force you to the ground.
What is Tripping
Tripping is when a player receives a small to medium amount of damage that pushes them down to the ground until they have to get back up. At level 2 Flinch Free, this means an attack that would trip a player normally will now only knock them back instead.
Tripping is different from Heavy Knockback/Sliding Knockback, where you are sent flying after a major hit from a monster. The Flinch Free Skill Level 3 does not prevent this from happening.
Is Flinch Free Worth Using in Monster Hunter Wilds
Flinch Free is areally useful skill for beginner hunterswho are not too familiar with how theMonster Hunterfranchise works. However, it is a double-edged sword as using it consistently means players get in the bad habit of ignoring most monster attacks in favor of dealing DPS. Learning how a monster moves, memorizing its tells when it is about to launch an attack, and figuring out the proper response to that is what the game is all about.
Flinch Free removes a lot of that, which can begood in the short term, but bad in the long term, since players using it will become more efficient in their hunts as the interruptions during the fights become less frequent. But once they reach Endgame and monster attacks become so powerful that the Flinch Free skill cannot protect them, it becomes that much harder to learn the attack patterns.
Weapons that can Guardhave the least need of Flinch Free skill, as Perfect Guarding nullifies all forms of knockback entirely.
How to Get Flinch Free in Monster Hunter Wilds
Flinch Free is an equipment skill that can be equipped at various levels using the following gear.
