I devote more time than I should to my character’s appearance in Monster Hunter.  It’s part of the fun to me: trying to create a set of armor pieces that is both functional and fashionable.  Some weapons and armor make my quest easier.  This series is devoted to recognizing these fashionable yet functional items.

I want to start with a headpiece that has a special place in my heart.  It’s called the Gargwa Mask.  To appreciate it fully, I’ll need to introduce you to the majestic beast from which it takes its name:

These noble creatures are Gargwa, and as you may have guessed they are far from the top of the food chain in the world of Monster Hunter.  For that reason I was skeptical at first about crafting the Gargwa Mask.  Once I had, however, I quickly fell in love with it.  Let me explain why:

1. A Chorus of Quacks

There are a number of actions that cause your character to make audible sounds in Monster Hunter.  These include evading, being struck by an attack, and emoting.  With the Gargwa mask equipped, all those sounds are replaced with quacks.  Hard to imagine?  Watch this video:

Amazing, right?

2. Armor Skills

The Gargwa Mask gives a full ten points into the Combination armor skill.  This skill improves the odds of combining for items on the field.  As a Gunner, combining for ammo often becomes a necessity.  When the difference between paralyzing a monster and letting it run you over is a single bullet, an improved combination rate is a big deal.

3. Defenses

For the above reason, I mainly only use the Gargwa Mask while Gunning.  Since Gunners are able to maintain a distance from their targets, their armor has half the defense of characters who use melee weapons.  The Gargwa Mask is unique in that it can be worn by both Blademasters and Gunners, but it has the high defense of a piece of Blademaster armor.

So there you have it.  The Gargwa Mask provides some amazing support in battle alongside a colorful appearance.  This is just one of several pieces of equipment I’ll be choosing to highlight throughout my experiences with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.  Look forward to the next installment!