Last Edited: September 5, 2019 at 11:09 PM
This page covers everything you need to know about Monster Hunter World: Iceborne’s Clutch Claw, including how to wound with it, how to use the Flinch Shot, how it works with different weapons, and more.
Check out the video below for 13 Essential Clutch Claw Tips!
Basic Clutch Claw Strategy for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne[edit]
When it comes down to it, you’ll want to Claw Shot (L2/LT + Circle) onto a monster’s face, use the Claw Attack (Circle/B) to change its direction, then use Flinch Shot (R2/RT, requires slinger ammo) to send it flying into a wall, trap, or other obstacle so it takes massive damage and falls down – and do this all before running out of Stamina.
You can’t force a monster to move with the Claw Attack or Flinch Shot when a monster is enraged! Look for the red eye on the mini-map.
You also want to keep it wounded with weapon attacks (Triangle/Y) while grappled onto the monster so it takes more damage and is less likely to deflect attacks.
This is the most basic way of explaining how to Clutch Claw, but keep reading (or watch the video above) for more specific tips and a thorough clutch claw guide!
How to Use the Clutch Claw Shot[edit]
Most importantly, you need to learn how to use the Claw Shot to grapple onto a monster in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. Do the Low Rank 1-Star Optional Quest – “Learning the Clutch” to learn the most basics of basics, like this. But most weapons can use the Claw Shot like this:
With the weapon unsheathed, hold L2/LT and press Circle/B.
This will send out the Claw Shot, which is basically a grappling hook.
Some weapons, however, require an extra step. For example, Bow users will need to click in on R-stick to bring up the Claw Shot. Check your own weapon’s controls under Hunter’s Notes if you’re having trouble.
Some weapons have Special Claw Attacks which allow them to grab onto a monster from close up after doing a particular move, too, so check How to Use Every Weapon’s New Move for more information on those.
By the way, the terms “wounding” and “softening a monster’s hide” are used interchangeably in-game!
Know Your Goal[edit]
Once you’re on a monster with the Claw Attack, you can do three different things:
- Perform a Weapon Attack (Triangle/Y)
- Use a Claw Attack (Circle/B)
- Use the Flinch Shot, which unleashes all of your Slinger Ammo. (R2/RT)
You’ll want to grapple onto different parts depending on your goal considering stamina is consumed to move, and being knocked off without stamina leaves you very open to attacks.
Clutch Claw – Weapon Attacks[edit]
Your weapon attack, performed by pressing Triangle/Y when clutched onto a monster, will do different things depending on your weapon’s category.
Light / Technical Weapons will primarily cause a monster to drop Slinger Ammo. However, after attacking the same part with a weapon attack enough, these weapons will start to wound.
will only wound that monster’s part.
Here are how the weapons are categorized:
Wound often! You’ll do more damage and be less likely to deflect when attacking a softened part, so it’s ideal to wound parts you want to break often, since the effect is temporary. Wounding is especially important now that the popular Armor Skill Weakness Exploit only gets its full affect against wounded parts, too.
You can tell a part is wounded by its messed up appearance and these pointy marks that appear when attacking it.
These weapon attacks can also, of course, just be used to get some extra damage in.
Clutch Claw – Claw Attacks[edit]
Claw Attacks, done by pressing Circle/B when grappled onto a monster, are most useful on a monster’s head. On the head, a Claw Attack will cause the monster to change direction – in the direction you’re facing.
On any other part, it will simply do damage. If done enough time, the Claw Attack will soften a monster’s hide (wound) that part.
Basically, Claw Attacks should be used to change a monster’s direction in conjunction with the Flinch Shot!
Clutch Claw – Flinch Shot[edit]
The Flinch Shot, done by pressing R2/RT, is a powerful attack that, like the Claw Attack, is best done when on a monster’s head. Doing so will cause the monster to rush forward in the direction it’s facing. If it hits a wall, tree, other monster, or cliff, it will take tons (up to 1,000+!) of damage and be knocked down.
Make sure you have Slinger Ammo before attempting this.
Flash Pods, Dung Pods, and Throwing Knives will not perform a Flinch Shot – they will work as they usually would. So make sure to unequip these special slinger ammo types before Claw Shotting onto a monster. Try keeping the Flash Pod on my radial menu so you can do this quickly.
Additional Clutch Claw Tips[edit]
Here are additional things to keep in mind to get the most out of the Clutch Claw.
1. Watch Your Stamina
If you do run out of stamina while on the monster, you’ll fall off – exhausted and extremely open to attack.
Try not to grapple a monster with the Clutch Claw until your stamina bar is full for this reason. And if you’re having trouble, use Dash Juice to decrease Stamina Usage, or equip one of these stamina-based Armor Skills like Marathon Runner.
2. Keep Slinger Ammo Stocked
Slinger Ammo is now used for the ever important Flinch Shot, usual slinger shots, and the new Slinger Burst, which can be used to flinch monsters and interrupt their attacks! So keep it stocked at all times with anything you can find, and make monsters drop ammo for your mates if you’re using a “light” weapon. Know that eventually the monster will no longer drop Slinger Ammo if hit too many times, so try to save it when it’s needed.
3. Stick to the Walls
Always try to steer the monster toward a wall or cliff and Flinch Shot it into it – it does a ton of damage – so stay near these as much as possible. If you try to Flinch Shot it and it doesn’t hit anything, it’s still highly possible it will become enraged, forcing you to wait.
4. Be Mindful of a Monster’s State
Latching on at the wrong moment – like when Nargacuga is enraged – will hurt you and send you flying. You also won’t be able control its movements with the Claw Attack or Flinch Shot. You’ll know a monster is enraged if the eye on the mini-map is red. A good rule of thumb is to use the clutch claw right after expertly dodging an attack, or flinching it – it should be still for at least a second.
5. Rocksteady and Temporal Mantles Help
Though you’ll still take damage when the Rocksteady Mantle is equipped, a monster won’t be able to knock you off with smaller attacks or a roar. The Temporal Mantle will allow you to dodge everything while you’re grappled without disrupting it, and will prevent status effects as well.
6. You Can Use Clutch Claw After Mounting
You can switch into a Clutch Claw grapple while mounting for specific reasons – like sending it into a wall or a trap instead!
7. Clutch Claw Out of Reach Parts
An obvious use of the Clutch Claw is to attack otherwise out of reach monsters – like a flying Rathalos when using a Sword and Shield.
8. Hitch a Ride
Lastly, Clutch Claw onto a monster as it leaves to use it as a taxi, or to get a few extra attacks in.
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