Capturing in Monster Hunter Outlanders lets you end a hunt without slaying the monster. This guide covers how capturing works, how to unlock and get the Tranq Launcher you need for it, and the benefits of capturing over slaying. Info as of November 11, 2026.
What Is Capturing?
Capture a Weakened Monster Instead of Slaying It
Capturing is a way to complete a hunt without slaying the monster. Use a Tranq Launcher on a weakened monster and the capture goes through.
Radiant Monsters and Elder Dragons Can't Be Captured
Special monsters such as Radiant monsters and Elder Dragons can't be captured no matter how weak they are. It's easy to miss that a monster is Radiant, so check before you set up a capture.
Some Quests Don't Allow Capturing
Many quests you pick from the play guide and similar menus don't allow capturing. For example, some Monster Challenge stages list no capturing in their conditions. The rules differ by quest, so check the conditions before you start.
Getting a Tranq Launcher Ready
Capturing needs a Tranq Launcher, so always bring one. You don't need a trap, and there are no trap items. Clear the 3-star quest Disturbance in the Marshlands to unlock its invention so you can craft it. Before that, you can buy a limited number at the Resource Center in Kulune Village.
Tranq Launcher / Research List / Base Facilities Guide
How to Capture a Monster
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before | Bring a Tranq Launcher |
| 1 | Weaken the monster until the skull icon appears |
| 2 | Place the Tranq Launcher |
| 3 | The capture succeeds when the auto-fired tranq dart hits |
Weaken the Monster Until the Skull Icon Appears
You can try a capture once the monster's health is down to the red part of the bar. When it can be captured, a skull icon appears at the top left of the screen.
Place the Tranq Launcher
Once you see the skull icon, select the Tranq Launcher from your items to the right of your health bar and tap it. You set it up on the spot, which takes about 1 second. Don't place it just before the monster moves far away or unleashes a big attack.
The Monster Has to Be Close Right Away
Aim to place the Tranq Launcher within 30m of the monster. Unlike a trap, it doesn't stay set up: if the target isn't in range, the launcher breaks right away.
The Capture Succeeds When the Tranq Dart Hits
The launcher fires its tranq dart on its own. When the dart hits, purple smoke comes out, and if the conditions are met, the capture is complete.
If It Misses, Place Another One
The tranq dart can miss if the monster flies or moves around wildly. Wait until the monster is on the ground and place another Tranq Launcher.
Benefits of Capturing
You Get Research Points and Capture Rewards
After a successful capture, the results screen gives you Research Points and capture rewards in the form of monster materials. Research Points have lots of uses, so this is a big plus.
You Can't Carve a Captured Monster
A captured monster is asleep, so you can't carve it. Keep this in mind when the Radiant Kulu-Ya-Ku Set set effect Carve Master, which gives you an extra carve, is active.
Go for Hard-to-Get Materials
Carving and capture rewards differ in which materials you get and how likely they are. Capture rewards can even give you materials that normally require a part break. For example, Rathalos's Rathalos Webbing II can't be carved, but it's a Medium chance from capturing and Guaranteed from breaking the wing.
Capturing vs. Slaying
| Aspect | Capture | Slay |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | Not possible | Possible |
| Capture rewards | Yes | No |
| Materials you can get | Different from slaying | Different from capturing |
| Hunt speed | Faster | Slower |
If you're after rare materials, capturing lets you repeat hunts faster than slaying. If you want the guaranteed rewards from part breaks, go for the part breaks before you capture.
Hunts End Sooner
Slaying means taking the monster's health all the way to 0, but a capture ends the hunt with about 20% of its health left. That simply saves time, and it helps most against monsters with a lot of health.
Observe Captured Monsters at the Ecology Lab
You can observe the monster you captured most recently at the Ecology Lab in Kulune Village. Observing it gives you nothing in itself, but you earn an achievement the first time you do it.
Take the Zip Line at the Top of Kulune Village to the Ecology Lab
The Ecology Lab sits on high ground below Kulune Village. There are a few ways to get there, but the Zip Line at the top of Kulune Village is the one we recommend.
The screenshots are from the Japanese version of the game.