Jin Dahaad Monster Hunter Wilds Guide Weakness Location Strategy Rewards

A colossal leviathan prowls the icy heights of Monster Hunter Wilds, and its name is Jin Dahaad. Known as the apex predator of the Iceshard Cliffs, this beast is as cunning as it is brutal, with armored ridges that must be shattered before you can even hope to deal real damage. Hunters brave enough to face Jin Dahaad must exploit its fiery weakness, target its vulnerable iceplates, and survive a devastating one-shot attack that has left many frozen in defeat. Are you prepared to unravel the secrets of Jin Dahaad’s lair, and claim victory where so many have fallen?

If you’re scratching your head over this tricky fight, don’t fret, as there are a few things to keep in mind that will alleviate your frustration. This guide covers the Jin Dahaad weaknesses and resistances so you can prepare accordingly, where to find it, and the best strategy to defeat one of the new guardian variants in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Jin Dahaadlocation

Jin Dahaad can only be found at the summit of the Iceshard Cliffs, making this frozen arena its exclusive habitat in Monster Hunter Wilds. Unlike other monsters that roam their zones, Jin Dahaad appears specifically at the peak in a unique boss arena, and does not patrol the wider area. Encounters with Jin Dahaad are typically tied to special event quests or key story missions, such as your first meeting in Chapter 3 and a major confrontation in Chapter 5. To hunt Jin Dahaad outside of these missions, players must check the Environment Overview for the Iceshard Cliffs and wait for a notification indicating its appearance, after which a quest can be initiated from the base camp just outside its arena. Its predictable location limits its escape routes but also means hunters must be prepared for a challenging battle in this isolated, icy environment.

You’ll first encounter Jin Dahaad in Chapter 3, during the “Nothing Frozen, Nothing Gained” main mission, but the definitive fight won’t take place until the Storm-cold Vortex mission in Chapter 5. As such, all you need to do to unlock the monster is progress through the main questline.

Jin Dahaad only roams around the Cliffs biome. The hunts for it are quite specific, appearing in the Environment Overview screen as special events. As such, you aren’t likely to just bump into it while you’re exploring.

Keep in mind that in Monster Hunter Wilds, tracking monsters isn’t really a prominent feature. Except for a few first-time exceptions, you can use the Environment Overview screen to see if your target is roaming around the map. If not, exploring its corresponding biome(s) for a few minutes usually does the trick – you’ll see a notification on screen announcing its appearance. Worst case scenario, you can speak to Alma and post a hunt for it. For better or worse, the process of finding a monster is much more streamlined now. If you find tracks or other monster residuals on the ground, you can loot them for materials.

How to prepare for Jin Dahaad

To prepare for the formidable Jin Dahaad in Monster Hunter Wilds, focus on maximizing your survivability and offensive capabilities before the encounter. Stock up on regular and mega potions, as Jin Dahaad’s attacks can deal significant damage-gathering honey in the biome will help you craft more mega potions if needed. Eating a meal before the hunt is essential for boosting your health and stamina, with food buffs that enhance defense being particularly valuable. Equip armor with high ice resistance to mitigate the monster’s frequent ice-based attacks, and consider skills like Blight Resistance and Bind Resistance to counter its debilitating Frostblight and Iceblight effects. For weapons, prioritize those with fire elemental damage, as Jin Dahaad is highly vulnerable to fire while being resistant to ice. Bringing Torch Pods or ranged weapons with Flaming Ammo can give you an edge, and ranged options or Insect Glaives are helpful for targeting its vulnerable head and chest. Finally, familiarize yourself with the Cliffs biome and use the Environment Overview screen to track Jin Dahaad’s appearance, ensuring you’re ready when the hunt begins.

Jin Dahaad is part of the main story of Monster Hunter Wilds. As such, its encounter is likely to fit your Hunter Rank at that corresponding moment, both in Low Rank (to repel the beast) and High Rank (to fight properly). Since the encounter occurs during a main mission, you’ll be thrust into the fray after the introductory cutscene. As per usual, whenever you’re asked if you’re ready to depart, make sure that you’re carrying regular and mega potions with you. If you’re short on the latter, take a lap around the biome and loot any honey you come across.

In addition, don’t forget to eat – you can use the portable BBQ to grill a meal. Increasing your health and stamina is essential, as Jin Dahaad packs a punch. Investing in defense is a good strategy for this encounter, and you can find some recommendations in our list of best food buffs.

For later encounters, carrying a few Torch Pods will be beneficial – if either you or one of your teammates have a ranged weapon with Flaming Ammo, even better. In terms of armor, prioritize ice resistance whenever possible.

Jin Dahaadweakness

Jin Dahaad’s primary weaknesses are its mouth and chest, which are its most vulnerable points and should be targeted for maximum damage. The monster is highly susceptible to Fire elemental attacks, making fire-based weapons the best choice for this fight, while Ice attacks are ineffective due to Jin Dahaad’s natural resistance. Additionally, status effects like Blastblight and Exhaust are more effective than others, so weapons or items that inflict these can help wear it down faster. Physically, Jin Dahaad’s ridges-or Iceplates-are weak to both cut and blunt damage, but these protective plates must be broken before you can consistently hit its weak spots; focus on breaking the exposed Large Iceplate, Abdominal Iceplate, and head for the best results. Avoid targeting the tail and legs, as these are heavily armored and will absorb most of your attacks.

Jin Dahaad’s recommended elemental attack is Fire. This encompasses Flaming Ammo, Torch Pod, Fire Attack, Critical Element, and Charge Master, all in addition to your own weapon’s properties.

You can find a breakdown of Jin Dahaad’s elemental weaknesses and resistances below:

Effective status effects

• Poison: 1 star
• Sleep: 1 star
• Paralysis: 1 star
• Blastblight: 2 stars
• Stun: 1 star
• Exhaust: 2 stars

Effective items

• Flash Pod: Effective
• Sonic Bomb: No effect
• Shock Trap: Effective
• Pitfall Trap: No effect

As for the creature’s weak points and breakable parts, the list is long. Jin Dahaad’s weak points are its Mouth and Chest. Its Cranial Iceplate, Foreleg (x2), Leg. Iceplate (Exposed), Hind Leg (x2), Abdominal Iceplate, and Tail Iceplate can be broken, and its Tail Iceplate can also be severed.

Before diving deep into combat strategy, here’s the breakdown of Jin Dahaad’s weak points:

Jin Dahaad is a colossal ice Leviathan found exclusively in the Iceshard Cliffs of Monster Hunter Wilds, encountered primarily during key story missions and special events. Its greatest weakness is Fire, especially when targeting the head and chest, while it is highly resistant-if not immune-to Ice damage. To defeat Jin Dahaad, hunters should focus on breaking its iceplates and ridges to expose vulnerable spots and deal significant damage. Utilizing environmental hazards, such as dropping large ice chunks, can inflict massive damage or provide cover from its devastating one-shot ice attacks. Ranged weapons or those with aerial mobility, like the Insect Glaive, are effective for reaching weak points, and Shock Traps or Flash Pods can briefly incapacitate the monster, though Pitfall Traps and Sonic Bombs are ineffective. Building up resistance to Ice, Blight, and Bind effects, as well as equipping Earplugs to counter its powerful roar, will further increase your chances of survival in this challenging encounter.

For details about what to expect in terms of attacks and general behavior, the following section has you covered.

Jin Dahaadattacks and strategy

Jin Dahaad is a formidable Leviathan whose attacks revolve around devastating ice-based abilities and powerful physical moves. Its most dangerous attack is an arena-wide ice explosion: Jin Dahaad curls up, draws in ice, and releases a massive shockwave capable of instantly defeating unprepared hunters. To survive, you must quickly locate and hide behind the ice blocks that appear in the arena, using them as cover until the explosion passes. Jin Dahaad also unleashes sweeping ice breath attacks-watch for it to rear back or absorb ice from the ground as a warning, then dodge to avoid the blast and exploit the brief window when its mouth becomes exposed for extra damage. Throughout the fight, focus on breaking the iceplates along its ridges, starting from the tail and moving forward, to weaken its defenses and open up new weak points. Use environmental hazards, such as pulling down frozen pillars when Jin Dahaad climbs atop them, to deal significant damage or create openings. Equipping skills like Earplugs helps counter its immobilizing roar, and bringing resistance to Frostblight and Iceblight will mitigate its debilitating status effects. Coordinating with allies, setting traps, and targeting its mouth and chest when exposed are key to overcoming this colossal foe.

Trying to brute-force your way through an encounter against Jin Dahaad is a recipe for disaster. Unlike most hunts, the fight has a handful of significant steps to keep in mind if you don’t want the combat to last forever.

The first step is a continuous task. The monster’s body is covered in ridges, which have to be broken down in order to deal significant damage to the actual body. You should always be targeting them when you have the chance, and also be using focus mode often. The gist is that, sometimes, Jin Dahaad will be exposed to focus attacks across its body. These are the best opportunities to really hurt those ridges.

The second step happens on occasion, but it can be deadly. Toward the latter half of the fight, Jin has the chance of doing a fatal attack. This will be easy to notice, as it’ll cover itself in snow and prepare to implode. If you’re caught in the shockwave and you don’t have enough health, it’ll likely instantly eliminate you. Make sure to use one of the ice traps around the environment. There should be at least one around.

Try not to lose sight of the rumblings left by the environmental trap, as that will be your cover. Standing behind it should be enough, but you can also crouch for extra protection. It takes a while for the monster to actually implode, which should be enough time to relocate behind the surface. In the worst case scenario, call your mount and head as far from Jin as possible.

As you may expect, Jin Dahaad will use its colossal size against you. A common attack is a charge forward. This is usually signaled by a growl while tilting its head slightly. Depending on the area you’re in when it happens, it’ll likely go across it in its entirety, stopping right before a wall or any other surface on its way. It does a ton of damage, and it can also drag you on the spot, potentially dealing subsequent damage as its body continues to make its way to the other side.

You also need to keep an eye out for ice attacks. Jin’s go-to has it “absorbing” ice from the ground as it slowly lifts its head. When this happens, prepare to dodge, as it’ll quickly follow up by blowing ice toward you. For this and other ice attacks, keep in mind that Jin’s head will easily be exposed to a focus attack for a few seconds afterward. It won’t count as a wound attack, but it’s an opportunity that you shouldn’t miss if you’re close.

Remember that, despite the daunting scale, Jin Dahaad has not one but two weak points, its Mouth and Chest. Getting to them is the tricky part, but once they’re exposed, you should prioritize them to cause wounds and additional damage to the areas.

Get yourself some earplugs for the strong roar attack, which temporarily immobilizes you. You also need to watch out for iceblight, which temporarily increases stamina consumption. You can use a nulberry to counter this, or just evade repeatedly until you remove the condition. Skills like ice and blight resistance will come in handy as well.

There’s also frostblight, which temporarily immobilizes you. A cleanser or the bind resistance skill will help. Alternatively, you can move, press buttons, or take a hit to remove the condition, the latter being less than ideal in that situation.

Alongside the usual wound control and dodging ice as much as possible, remember to use traps. The key is to try and get the monster to ground as often as possible to make it easier to attack. If it’s spending a long time in the air, set up a trap and bait it toward you. If you can time a dodge just right, they’ll hit the trap instead.

Jin Dahaaddrops

Defeating Jin Dahaad in Monster Hunter Wilds rewards hunters with a range of valuable drops essential for crafting high-tier gear. After breaking its signature iceplates and targeting its weak points-especially the head, neck, abdominal iceplate, and exposed large iceplate-you can expect to receive unique monster parts such as Jin Dahaad Ridge, Jin Dahaad Iceplate, and Jin Dahaad Hide. These materials are primarily used to forge powerful armor sets and weapons with strong ice resistance, making them especially useful for subsequent hunts against ice-element monsters. Additionally, rare drops like the Jin Dahaad Gem may be obtained for completing specific break conditions or as end-of-hunt rewards, further incentivizing precise targeting and strategic play during the encounter.

If you’re wondering what the Jin Dahaad drops in Monster Hunter Wilds are, you can find a handy list below:

High Rank materials

What hidden weaknesses make Jin Dahaad vulnerable in Monster Hunter Wilds

Hidden Weaknesses of Jin Dahaad in Monster Hunter Wilds

Jin Dahaad, the formidable leviathan of the Iceshard Cliffs, has several hidden vulnerabilities that skilled hunters can exploit:

• Breakable Iceplates: Jin Dahaad’s body is covered in tough iceplates that must be broken to expose its true weak points. The plates on its cranial (head), forelegs, hind legs, abdomen, and especially the large plate on its back are all breakable. Once these are shattered, Jin Dahaad becomes significantly more vulnerable to damage, particularly on its mouth and chest.

• Sequential Weakening: The largest iceplates on Jin Dahaad’s upper back are initially unbreakable. However, breaking the smaller plates on its limbs and abdomen first will make the upper back vulnerable, allowing for even greater damage output.

• Elemental Weakness: Jin Dahaad is highly susceptible to Fire element attacks. Using Fire weapons will maximize your damage, while Ice weapons should be avoided due to its strong resistance.

• Status Effects: Blastblight and Exhaust are particularly effective at wearing Jin Dahaad down, increasing the chances to stagger and create openings for further attacks.

• Exposed Weak Points After Attacks: After using its Freezing Breath, Jin Dahaad momentarily exposes the weak spot on its head. Attacking this exposed area can cause significant stagger, creating a crucial window for heavy damage.

• Shock Trap Vulnerability: While Jin Dahaad is immune to some traps, it can be immobilized briefly by Shock Traps, giving hunters a short but valuable opportunity to attack its weak points.

• Aerial and Mounted Attacks: Utilizing aerial attacks or mounting Jin Dahaad allows hunters to bypass some of its defenses and directly target its vulnerable plates, especially on its back.

By focusing on breaking specific iceplates, targeting elemental weaknesses, and timing attacks after certain moves, hunters can turn the tide against Jin Dahaad and exploit its hidden vulnerabilities for a decisive victory.

How do Jin Dahaad’s unbreakable iceplates affect its overall defense

Jin Dahaad’s unbreakable iceplates play a critical role in its overall defense by acting as a barrier that prevents hunters from directly damaging its most vulnerable spots. These reinforced plates, especially the large ones on its upper back, must be broken in a specific order-starting with the smaller plates on the tail, limbs, and lower back-before the toughest plates become susceptible to damage. Until these plates are shattered, Jin Dahaad’s weak points remain protected, significantly reducing the effectiveness of attacks and prolonging the fight.

Moreover, as long as the iceplates remain intact, Jin Dahaad’s offensive abilities are at their peak, with its breath and ice-based attacks dealing maximum damage. Only after breaking the plates do its attacks weaken, making the remainder of the battle easier for hunters. In summary, the unbreakable iceplates serve as both physical and functional armor, maintaining Jin Dahaad’s high defense and offensive power until hunters methodically dismantle them.