So, you’ve finally reached the Ruins of Wyveria in Monster Hunter Wilds. You’re probably feeling pretty good about yourself after taking down some of the game's more "grounded" wyverns. Then, the game throws a total curveball at you in the form of Xu Wu.
Honestly, the first time I saw this thing, I didn’t even think I was playing Monster Hunter anymore. It looks like something that crawled out of a nightmare—or maybe a Resident Evil lab. It’s an octopus, sure, but it’s also a mushroom-looking freak of nature that hunts "Guardians" (those ancient construct-like monsters) for breakfast.
Most people get blindsided by Xu Wu because it doesn’t behave like a traditional wyvern. It doesn’t have eyes. It doesn’t care about your Flash Pods. It just wants to drag you into its gaping, blue underside maw.
What is Xu Wu Exactly?
Xu Wu is classified as a Cephalopod, a brand new category in the sixth generation. While most monsters in the series are vaguely reptilian or mammalian, Xu Wu is pure eldritch horror. It’s known as the "Piercing Assassin" for a very specific reason: the mucus on its tentacles hardens almost instantly into razor-sharp blades.
You’ll find it lurking in the lower levels of the Ruins of Wyveria. It doesn't really care about the seasons, but it does care about those Guardian monsters. In the lore, it’s basically an apex predator that moved into the ruins specifically because there was a high-energy food source (the constructs) waiting for it. Think of it like a spider moving its web to a porch light because that's where the bugs are.
The weirdest part? It has a larval stage called Xu Yo. Capcom really went all out on the biology with this one.
How to Not Get Wrecked: The Fight Mechanics
If you’re going into this fight expecting a standard "hit the head, dodge the tail" rhythm, you’re going to have a bad time. Xu Wu is all about area control and sudden, jarring verticality.
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The Tentacle Blade System
Xu Wu has several tentacles, and it’s constantly hardening them into spears or scythes. You can actually see this happening—look for yellow crystals forming on the limbs.
- The 360 Sweep: If you see it bunching three tentacles near its "head" (the top part), get out of there. It’s about to spin like a deadly top.
- The Spear Thrust: This is its longest-range move. It’s a straight-line thrust that can catch you from halfway across the arena. The hitbox is narrow, though, so a well-timed side-roll is your best friend.
Watch the Underside
The real danger isn't the tentacles; it's the "mouth." Xu Wu doesn't have a traditional face. Its mouth is on its belly. When it flips onto its back and shows you that glowing blue maw, it’s about to launch. It basically turns into a living projectile. If it catches you, you’ll get dragged into a pinning animation where it tries to swallow you whole.
Pro Tip: You can button-mash your knife attack to break free, but it’s better to just not get eaten. When it exposes the mouth, it’s actually a huge opening for a Focus Strike.
Best Gear and Weaknesses
Don't bring Dragon element. Just don't. It’s a total waste of a slot.
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Instead, you want to lean heavily into Ice. Xu Wu has a 2-star weakness to Ice across its body, and its mouth is a 3-star weak point. If you aren't an elemental player, go for Poison. This monster is surprisingly susceptible to being poisoned, which helps tick down its 4,500 base HP while you’re busy dodging tentacles.
Damage Types
- Blunt Damage: Aim for the head and the mouth. You can actually KO this thing if you’re consistent with a Hammer or Hunting Horn.
- Severing Damage: You want to cut the tentacles. You can sever up to four of them. Not only does this give you extra carves (hello, Xu Wu Tentacle+), but it also nerfs the range and damage of its attacks. It’s a win-win.
Breaking Down the Drops
Farming Xu Wu is a bit of a grind because the drop rates for its rarest parts are... well, they're typical Monster Hunter.
| Material | How to Get It | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Corneum | Break the head | Common (High Rank) |
| Xu Wu Tentacle | Sever the arms | Common |
| Xu Wu Cerebrospinal Fluid | Target rewards/Severed part carve | Rare (5-7%) |
| Xu Wu Certificate S | Quest completion | Guaranteed |
The Cerebrospinal Fluid is the real bottleneck. You’ll need it for the Xu Wu Coil and Xu Wu Helm, which are the standout pieces of the set.
Is the Xu Wu Armor Worth It?
The armor set comes with a unique bonus called Xu Wu’s Vigor, which activates the Protein Fiend skill. This skill gives you a temporary attack boost every time you eat items like Well-done Steaks or Rations.
Is it meta? Kinda. It’s great for mid-to-late High Rank, especially if you’re someone who actually remembers to eat during a hunt. The pieces also usually come with Adrenaline Rush and Ambush, making it a solid choice for players who like a high-risk, high-reward playstyle.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Hunt
Stop trying to use Flash Pods or Sonic Bombs; the Hunter’s Notes explicitly say they don’t work because the monster has no eyes. Instead, focus on these three steps:
- Bring a Poison or Ice Weapon: If you have an Ice-elemental Bow or Dual Blades, you'll melt through its health. If you're struggling to stay alive, a Poison weapon lets you play more defensively while the DoT does the work.
- Focus the Back Tentacles First: Getting those severs early makes the rest of the fight much safer. It limits the "Spike Fan" attack range significantly.
- Wait for the Belly Flop: When Xu Wu flips over to charge, dodge to the side and immediately move in for a Focus Strike on the mouth. This is the fastest way to get a knockdown.
If you can master the timing of that underside charge, the "Piercing Assassin" becomes a lot less intimidating and a lot more like a giant, angry sushi ingredient.