In Monster Hunter 4, Kinsects play a pivotal role for hunters wielding the Insect Glaive, acting as both companions and enhancers during hunts. These insects are integral to gameplay, as they can extract “Extracts” from monsters, crucial for providing buffs that improve the hunter’s abilities in various combat scenarios. Additionally, they can inflict damage and apply debuffs to enemies.

Upgrading Kinsects

Upgrading Kinsects is essential for maximizing their potential and customizing their abilities to match your playstyle. Here’s a detailed guide on how the process works:

1. Initial Requirements: The capability to upgrade your Kinsects is unlocked after progressing through a certain portion of the game’s storyline. This ensures that players have enough experience and understanding of the game mechanics before engaging in Kinsect management.

2. Visiting Gemma the Smithy: To begin the upgrade process, you must visit Gemma the Smithy located in your hub village. Here, you will find the option to manage and upgrade your Kinsects under the “Manage Kinsects” menu.

3. Resource Collection: Upgrading Kinsects requires specific monster parts obtained from successful hunts. Players need to gather these materials diligently since they serve as the primary resources for enhancing the kinsect’s capabilities.

4. Selecting and Upgrading Kinsects: Once at the smithy, you can select the Kinsect you wish to upgrade. By spending the materials collected, you’ll enhance various stats of the Kinsect and unlock new “nurture effects.” These nurture effects are vital for tailoring your Kinsect’s capabilities, allowing you to specialize them according to your hunting strategies.

5. Kinsect Stats: Each Kinsect has its own set of stats, including:
– Power: Determines the damage output when attacking.
– Speed: Affects the Kinsect’s movement and the speed of gathering Extracts.
– Stamina: Influences how long the Kinsect can maintain its activity level.
– Effects: This includes various status effects like Blast, Poison, Paralysis, and Heal, which can significantly impact the outcome of hunts.

6. Using Nectars: Players can enhance the Kinsect’s stats further by feeding them different types of Nectars collected from various plants in the field. The right combination of Nectars can improve their performance in battle, making them more effective in both support and damage roles.

Conclusion

In summary, Kinsects are not just mere companions; they are a vital part of the Insect Glaive playstyle in Monster Hunter 4. By investing time in their upgrades, gathering appropriate materials, and strategically feeding them Nectars, you can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. This progression not only improves the Kinsect’s utility in battle but also synergizes beautifully with the Insect Glaive’s mechanics, allowing for a dynamic and engaging hunting experience.