Monster Hunter World - Pukei-Pukei strategy, Pukei-Pukei weakness, and how to get Pukei-Pukei Shell, Quill, Sac, Tail and Scale
How to beat poison bird Pukei-Pukei.
Pukei-Pukei is an early game creature in Monster Hunter World, and your first taste of poison in your journey.
Whether you're tackling it in the wild or as part of the key quests, there are a number of Pukei-Pukei strategies and weaknesses to learn about, and when you're ready, the many ways to get Pukei-Pukei Shell, Quill, Sac, Tail and Scale.
Elsewhere, our Monster Hunter World tips can help you decide when to get, what to forage and what to do between hunts, and our Monster Hunter World walkthrough and guide can help with main quest and story progress.
How to prepare for Pukei-Pukei the first time
This is an early game hunt, but ideally you'd want some forged armour and ideally a weapon upgrade before this battle. If you haven't already, go to the Smithy and see what armour is available to you by now and work towards; the standard Hunter's set made from standard Jagras parts is quick and easy to unlock.
Unless you have already attempted and failed this hunt, you should already have some Antidotes in your inventory ready to go, which is essential before you face Pukei-Pukei. Otherwise, head to a store and stock up.
Pukei-Pukei location
Pukei-Pukei is found in area 6 (north-east) of the Ancient Forest, and is a mandatory hunt in the main questline. Travel to the north of the map, find enough footprints or other markers, and the Scoutflies should kick into life and take you to where it roams.
Pukei-Pukei strategy and weaknesses
Pukei-Pukei weaknesses:
- Fire - Medium
- Water - Null
- Thunder - High
- Ice - Medium
- Dragon - Low
- Poison - Low
- Sleep - High
- Paralysis - High
- Blast - Medium
- Stun - Medium
Pukei-Pukei is different to previous encounters because of its ability to poison you - turning your health bar purple - either by spitting or creating a poison haze.
If this happens, back away, put your weapon away and use an Antidote. This is important as it won't go away on its own, so you must cure yourself.
Whenever Pukei-Pukei flies, you should be extra cautious; it'll either swoop directly in front claws first for damage, hover up and out of the way and throw poison, or disappear to another area.
As with most monsters in the game, Pukei-Pukei is not best faced from the front. The sides can also be troublesome however with a swift 180 degree tail attack, so be sure jump in, attack a few times, then get out quickly.
Learning how to use Scoutflies and the R3 tracking ability by now is key to completing this hunt. Pukei-Pukei will disappear regularly, so you'll want to click in the right stick until it is the monster icon highlighted to the right of the lower-left mini-map, or select the icon on the map screen in the bottom left hand corner to send Scoutflies on its trail.
A major obstacle are other large monsters that get into the fray. Great Jagras is less of a concern, but if you come across an Anjanath, run for cover.
Though it can attack Pukei-Pukei for you, it'll almost certainly turn its attention to you next, and can knock you down with a blow or two at this stage in the game.
Your best bet is to retreat and use your Scoutflies to find an alternate route back to where Pukei-Pukei has (hopefully) now relocated.
How to get Pukei-Pukei Shell, Quill, Sac, Tail and Scale
The following materials are available from Pukei-Pukei depending on what you break off, carve or receive as a reward:
Pukei-Pukei Low Rank materials list:
- Pukei-Pukei Quill (Wings broken; also drop, carve, quest reward)
- Pukei-Pukei Shell (Back broken; also carve, quest reward)
- Pukei-Pukei Sac (Head broken; also carve, quest reward)
- Pukei-Pukei Tail (Tail broken; also carve)
- Pukei-Pukei Scale (carve, quest reward)
- Other quest rewards: Monster Bone M, Poison Sac
Pukei-Pukei High Rank materials list:
- Pukei-Pukei Quill (Wings broken; also drop, carve, quest reward)
- Pukei-Pukei Shell (Back broken; also carve, quest reward)
- Pukei-Pukei Wing (Wings b)
- Pukei-Pukei Sac+ (Head broken; also carve, quest reward)
- Pukei-Pukei Tail (Tail broken; also carve)
- Pukei-Pukei Scale+ (Dropped, carved, quest reward)
- Other quest rewards: Monster Bone M, Poison Sac
If you want to increase your materials gains, then consider learning how to capture monsters to get even more for your efforts.