Quickstart

Dauntless is the most accessible Monster Hunter-style game on the market. Phoenix Labs built it as "Monster Hunter, but you don't need 200 hours to figure out the crafting system." The combat is fast, the progression is forgiving, and the cross-play between PC, PS4/5, Xbox, and Switch means you can play with anyone.

This guide will get you from "just downloaded the game" to your first Behemoth kill in 30 minutes.

Step 1: Pick a weapon (and commit for the first hour)

Dauntless has 6 weapons. Each one plays very differently:

Sword — beginner-friendly, balanced, mobile. The

Step 2: Start the tutorial and don't skip it

Dauntless's tutorial is 10 minutes long and worth doing. It teaches:

The basic dodge roll (i-frames!)
The basic combo
How to interrupt a Behemoth's attack
How to use a potion mid-combat
The "Slam" mechanic (downed Behemoths take bonus damage)

Don't skip it. The muscle memory from the tutorial is what'll keep you alive in your first real hunt.

Step 3: Understand the Behemoth's moves

Each Behemoth has 3-5 telegraphed attacks you need to learn. The early-game Behemoth (Shrike) has:

Wing slam — telegraph: wings raised for 1 second.

Counter: dodge left or right.

Beak peck — telegraph: head pulled back. Counter:

dodge back.

Tail spin — telegraph: turns to face you, pauses.

Counter: dodge through the tail.

Aether vent (the Behemoth's "enrage" state) — adds

fire/ice/electric to attacks.

Spend 5 minutes in the "Practice" mode learning each Behemoth's moves before queuing for a real hunt. The practice mode is free and unlimited.

Step 4: Your first real hunt — Shrike

The Shrike is the first real Behemoth you'll fight. It's a flying bird-type Behemoth. The fight is straightforward:

Phase 1 (100%-50% HP) — Shrike flies around, does

wing slams and beak pecks. Stay close, dodge the telegraphs, combo when it's safe.

Phase 2 (50%-0% HP) — Shrike enrages, becomes

more aggressive, adds Aether attacks. Same strategy, but more careful dodges.

Slam — at 10% HP, Shrike will be stunned for 5

seconds. Unload your biggest combo on it.

Loot — the Behemoth drops Behemoth parts. Use

them to craft gear.

The fight takes 5-10 minutes in solo, 3-5 minutes in a group. Don't be afraid to fail — the game lets you retry with no penalty.

Step 5: Don't die to "one-shot" Behemoths

The most common beginner death is getting hit by a telegraphed attack you didn't see. Tips:

Always face the Behemoth — don't turn your back.
Watch the head and wings — most attacks

telegraph from the upper body.

Don't be greedy with combos — 3-4 hits, then

back off.

Save your potion — use it when you're below 30%

HP, not 70%.

Don't spam dodge — dodge has a cooldown.

If you die, the game revives you at the spawn point with 50% HP. Use this to re-engage carefully.

Step 6: Craft your first gear set

After killing your first Behemoth, you'll have enough parts to craft a basic set of armor + a weapon. Dauntless gear is per-Behemoth:

Shrike gear — fire-themed, fast attacks. Decent

starter.

Skarn gear — earth-themed, defensive.
Charrogg gear — fire-themed, slow attacks.
Pangar gear — ice-themed, balanced.
Quillshot gear — ranged, fast projectiles.

For your first set, pick the one you like the look of. The stat differences are small at low tier.

Step 7: The Slayer's Path (progression system)

Dauntless has a Slayer's Path — a passive progression system unlocked at level 10. The Slayer's Path gives:

Core bonuses — passive stat boosts
Perk slots — active abilities you can use
Aetherite unlocks — new mechanics (like Aether

Strike, Aether Vent)

For beginners, focus on the "Power" and "Mobility" core bonuses first. They're the most universally useful.

Step 8: Understand the difficulty modes

Dauntless has 3 difficulty modes:

Patrol — the easiest. For beginners and casual

players.

Hunt — the standard difficulty. Recommended after

a few hours.

Heroic — high-tier difficulty. The real challenge.

Requires decent gear and team coordination.

Start on Patrol, move to Hunt after a few hours, save Heroic for end-game. The transition to Heroic is a significant difficulty jump — don't be surprised if you fail 5-10 times before you succeed.

Step 9: Group play is easier (and faster)

Dauntless is easier in a group of 4 than solo. The Behemoth has more HP, but 4 players can stun it more often, interrupt more attacks, and revive each other.

Use the in-game matchmaking to find a group.
Join a "Dauntless" Discord for coordinated

farming.

**Heroic Hunts typically require a coordinated

group**.

Solo play is fine for learning, but the game's design encourages co-op. Most end-game content is balanced for 4 players.

Step 10: Don't worry about the meta

Dauntless is one of the most balanced Monster Hunter- style games. There is no "best weapon" or "best build" — all weapons are viable in solo and group play.

The meta shifts with each new season, but the game is not a "meta slave" game like Destiny 2 or Path of Exile 2. Pick what you enjoy.

Step 11: Set realistic expectations for "end-game"

Dauntless's end-game is:

Heroic Hunts — harder Behemoths, better loot.
Trials — boss rushes with modifiers.
Expeditions — open-world Behemoth farming.
The Blazewars — limited-time seasonal events.
Behemoth mastery — track which Behemoths you've

killed the most.

The "end-game" is less deep than Monster Hunter World but more accessible. If you want the deepest Monster Hunter experience, Monster Hunter World (separate purchase, not F2P) is the better choice. If you want a fun, accessible, F2P alternative, Dauntless is excellent.

What's next

After your first Shrike kill:

Try a different weapon — Dauntless lets you

switch weapons for free.

Run a few Patrol Hunts solo — get comfortable

with dodging and combos.

Queue for a group Hunt — meet other players.
Move to Hunt difficulty — once Patrol feels

easy.

Save up Aetherite — for the Slayer's Path

progression.

FAQ

Is Dauntless pay-to-win?

No. The cash shop has cosmetic items and the "Zenith" pass (battle pass) which is mostly cosmetic. All gameplay-affecting items are earned in-game.

Can I play Dauntless solo?

Yes — most content scales to solo play. Heroic difficulty is easier in groups but doable solo.

What's the best weapon for beginners?

The sword. It's the most forgiving and teaches the core combat loop.

How long does it take to reach end-game?

~20-30 hours of regular play. The progression is faster than Monster Hunter World.

Is Dauntless cross-play?

Yes — full cross-play and cross-progression between PC (Epic Games Store, Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

Is Dauntless still being updated?

Yes — Phoenix Labs released the "Slayer's Path" in 2024 and continues to add Behemoths and events. Active development is confirmed through 2026.

How does it compare to Monster Hunter World?

Dauntless is more accessible, more F2P-friendly, and has better cross-play. Monster Hunter World is deeper, has more content, and has better long-term progression. Both are good games.

Do I need friends to enjoy Dauntless?

No — the in-game matchmaking is solid. But playing with friends is more fun and faster.

Dauntless beginner guide — your first Behemoth hunt in 30 minutes