How to beat Kingtusk in Wild Hearts

Wild Hearts is full of deadly Kemono (trust us, we made a list), but if you’ve come up against the Kingtusk in the game’s early hours you’ll know it represents a significant difficulty spike over the prior Ragetail and Sapscourge encounters.

This huge, boar-like creature is the biggest foe you’ll have faced up to this point in Wild Hearts, and its sheer size means it’s worth considering a change of approach. Here’s how to take on the Kingtusk Kemono.

How do you beat the Kingtusk?

Here are a few hints to help you take down the Kingtusk:

Use the Bulwark

Karakuri are invaluable against the Kingtusk, particularly the Bulwark. To craft it, build two columns of three crates next to each other and then stand behind it.

Click to enlarge

The Bulwark is key to defeating the Kingtusk

It can deflect attacks, but the big move you’re looking for is the Kingtusk’s charge. If it charges into the Bulwark, it can become stunned and be thrown into the air, landing on its back and rolling around for a follow-up attack.

If you do manage to knock it down, craft three springs on top of each other to unleash the Pounder for a ton of damage in one hit - you can keep wailing on it with your standard weapons, too.

Stay mobile

It’s an obvious suggestion, but since the Kingtusk can wipe out your health in a couple of good hits, you’ll want to keep moving.

Build some springs and crates so you can always get around, and look for opportunities to use aerial attacks.

Teamwork makes the dream work

If you're really struggling, don't forget you're not alone - enlist other hunters to help take down the Kingtusk. Check out our guide to multiplayer for more on playing with friends and other players online.

Click to enlarge

Don’t get too close

While the temptation is to get in close, try not to get caught up underneath the Kingtusk’s feet.

Doing so can get you trampled, or attacked by its vines. We’d recommend darting in, doing some damage, and then getting out again – use the springs and crates we mentioned earlier.

You can also use ranged weapons if you'd prefer, but you may find it takes longer to chip away at the monster's health.

Watch out for the enraged state

Once you’ve done significant damage, the Kingtusk will get mad and start leaning more on its vine attacks, while also charging more often.

Again, stick to the Bulwark where possible, and engage in short bursts to avoid being caught out.

Kingtusk weaknesses

The Kingtusk is weak to fire attacks, so consider crafting a torch when you encounter them later in the game to help chip away at its health more quickly.

For more on Wild Hearts, be sure to check out our full list of every Kemono in the game, as well as every Karakuri.