Honestly, if you're stuck in the Oilwell Basin trying to figure out why your scoutflies are acting like they’ve had too much coffee but aren't actually leading you anywhere, you aren't alone. The MH Wilds search for the black flame is one of those mid-game quests that feels like a massive difficulty spike—not because the monster is impossible, but because the game suddenly decides to stop holding your hand.
Most people expect a big yellow icon on the map. Instead, you get a vague suggestion to "investigate" a hellish landscape of bubbling tar and fire-breathing apes.
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It's frustrating. I get it. But there is a very specific logic to how this hunt unfolds, and once you understand the connection between the "Black Flame" and the "White Wraith" (Arkveld), the whole thing starts to feel less like a chore and more like the epic ecological mystery Capcom intended it to be.
Tracking the Myth: Where the Search for the Black Flame Actually Starts
You've probably just wrapped up your business in the Windward Plains or the Scarlet Forest and think you've seen it all. Then you hit the Oilwell Basin. This place is a nightmare of verticality and environmental hazards. When you're tasked with the MH Wilds search for the black flame, your Seikret won't just auto-path to the boss.
Basically, the "Black Flame" is a legendary title for a creature the locals in Azuz fear, but the Guild hasn't officially classified yet. To find it, you have to play detective.
The Trail of Tar
Start your search in Area 7. This is the Oilwell Basin's "lobby" of sorts. You’re looking for Tar Excretions. They look like shimmering, viscous puddles that glow faintly when you get close. Unlike regular tracks, these don't always appear in the same spot, but they are always concentrated near the central oil ridges.
Once you interact with the first clue, your scoutflies will start picking up the scent. Don't just rush forward. You’ll need to find at least two or three of these "clues"—which can sometimes be half-digested food or strange scorch marks—to unlock the path to the lower levels.
Meeting Nu Udra: The Cephalopod From Hell
So, you’ve followed the trail down into Area 13. You see the magma. You see the heat haze. And then you see it: Nu Udra.
This thing is a trip. It’s a terrestrial octopus—yeah, you read that right—that basically uses the basin's oil as a weapon. While Arkveld is the "White Wraith" because of its ghostly, pale appearance and "chain" wings, Nu Udra is the "Black Flame" because it literally coats itself in flammable tar and sets its own tentacles on fire.
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How to Survive the Encounter
If you go in with your standard "hit it until it dies" strategy, Nu Udra is going to humble you. It has six primary arms, and here is the kicker: all of them can be severed.
- The Fire Problem: Nu Udra creates "oil slicks" on the ground. If it hits these with its glowing tentacles, the whole floor becomes a ticking time bomb.
- Water is Your Friend: You absolutely need Watermoss or Puddle Pods. Dousing its glowing parts doesn't just stop the fire; it actually softens its "tar-crust" armor, allowing you to deal actual damage to its head and mouth.
- The Weak Point: Its mouth is the big prize, but it’s hard to hit because Nu Udra moves like... well, an octopus. It’s squishy and erratic. Focus on the front arms first to trip it up.
The Story Significance: Why Does the Black Flame Matter?
Why is the Guild so obsessed with this specific monster? It isn't just about clearing a path. The MH Wilds search for the black flame is a narrative mirror to the search for Arkveld.
In the Forbidden Lands, there’s this recurring theme of "Extinct Species" returning. Just as Nata is tied to the White Wraith, the people of Azuz—the Stone, Bone, and Oilfolk—have their own legends about the Black Flame. The game hints that these monsters aren't just animals; they are remnants of an ancient ecological balance that was disrupted centuries ago.
When you finally confront Nu Udra in the "Scorching Cauldron" (usually Area 15), you’re not just hunting for materials. You’re uncovering the fact that the Landspine—that massive structure connecting the biomes—is leaking "wylk" energy, and these apex predators are reacting to it.
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Preparation Checklist for the Basin
Don't be that hunter who show up in Low Rank leather armor and gets one-shotted.
- Fire Resistance is Non-Negotiable: If your fire res is in the negatives, Nu Udra’s flamethrower move will end your quest in seconds. The Ajarakan armor set is a solid choice here since you’ve likely fought a few of those fire-apes by now.
- Bring Chillshrooms: The lower depths of the Basin have a constant "Heat" drain. If you don't have a Cold Drink or a Chill Mantle, your health bar will just slowly evaporate.
- Trap it Early: Unlike some Elder Dragons, Nu Udra is susceptible to Pitfall and Shock Traps. Use them early to get those tentacle breaks. Each arm you sever significantly reduces the range of its fire-swiping attacks.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Hunt
If you're currently staring at your map wondering where to go next, here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Warp to the Azuz camp and restock on any water-elemental gear you have.
- Head to Area 13 and look for the ledge that leads down into the magma caverns. If you haven't found the clues in Area 7 yet, the "jump" prompt might not even appear.
- Look for the Chill Mantle bug near the ledge. It’s a free buff that saves you a potion slot.
- Target the "Front Left Arm" first. The game tracks each limb individually, and taking out one of the forward-facing tentacles makes it much easier to stay in the "pocket" near its head without getting slapped across the room.
The MH Wilds search for the black flame is a test of your patience and your ability to use the environment. Stop looking for a waypoint and start looking at the ground. The tar will lead you right to it.
Once you’ve put Nu Udra down, make sure to head back to Azuz and talk to the "Allhearken." They have some dialogue about the "Wormways" that explains exactly how these fire monsters are connected to the white crystalline structures you’ve been seeing everywhere. Trust me, you don't want to skip the lore here—it sets up the entire final act of the game.