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Find the Sandstar in Windward Plains Area 13 at night, catch it with the Capture Net, then report back to Samin at the Area 1 Base Camp. The quest is available after Chapter 5, “Wyvern Sparks and Rose Thorns,” and Dareel’s Special Research Report.
Unlock Samin’s Special Research Report
- Reach Chapter 5.
- Complete the main mission “Wyvern Sparks and Rose Thorns.”
- Complete Dareel’s Special Research Report.
- Speak with Samin at the Windward Plains Base Camp to accept his report. He is in a hut on the east side of the Area 1 Base Camp.
These prerequisites and Samin’s location are listed in Game8’s quest walkthrough and its side-mission prerequisites listing.
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Where to find the Sandstar
Travel to Area 13 of the Windward Plains at night. The Sandstar is a small, pale-blue creature that moves quickly and can flee when approached. Its appearance is not guaranteed on every visit, according to PowerPyx’s Sandstar guide.
If the Sandstar is absent, leave the area or map and return to refresh the endemic-life spawns, then check Area 13 again.
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- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Players can also now ride atop the Seikret, an agile new mount enabling hunters to traverse difficult terrain, perform actions like sharpening weapons on the move, and switch between two weapons while out on hunts!
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
How to catch the Sandstar
Have the Capture Net ready before closing in. Because the Sandstar can bolt, the key is to create a brief opportunity to aim and use the net.
Stun it with a Screamer Pod
Game8 recommends using a Screamer Pod to stun the Sandstar, then catching it with the Capture Net. This is the more controlled approach if you have a Screamer Pod available. See Game8’s Sandstar location and capture guide.
Rank #2
- Hunt giant nature-infused bests – Survive their attacks, learn from their behaviors, and use your Karakuri and your weapons in combination to cut these creatures down to size.
- Craft your hunting grounds – You are the only one in Azuma able to wield the Karakuri technology.
- Hunt in a pack, or be a lone wolf – In WILD HEARTS you can face the Kemono alone or unite with up to two friends (or other players) to stalk and hunt your prey.
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Follow it and wait for a pause
PowerPyx describes pursuing the creature on a Seikret and using the Capture Net when it pauses or is interrupted. This approach can work without relying on a stun, but requires keeping up with a fast target.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Return to Samin and collect the rewards
Once the Sandstar is captured, return to Samin at the Windward Plains Area 1 Base Camp and speak with him to complete the report. Game8 lists the quest rewards as 10 Honey and 5 Wild Herb. Its two pages give conflicting Guild Point totals—300 in the mission walkthrough and 500 in the Sandstar guide—so the point amount is not settled. Game8 also reports that the first Sandstar capture earns the “I Caught a Shooting Star!” bronze trophy or achievement.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
Rank #3
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