Monster Hunter Wilds wouldnt be complete without a flagship monster. Guardian Arkveld is a central piece in the main story, and a recurring face to smack that presents a challenge each time.While youll get a taste of the fight before the actual confrontation, you should prepare accordingly, learning what to expect and how to act against the new monster. This guide covers the Guardian Arkveld weaknesses and resistances so you can prepare accordingly, where to find it, and the best strategy to defeat the signature monster in Monster Hunter Wilds.Guardian Arkveld locationYoull first encounter Guardian Arkveld in Chapter 3, during The Faithful Keepers main mission. The definitive fight wont take place until the Broken Chains mission. As such, all you need to do to unlock the monster is progress through the main questline.Guardian Arkveld only roams around the Wyveria biome. At the time of publication, there isnt a High Rank version of Guardian Arkveld only Arkveld and its tempered variant.Keep in mind that in Monster Hunter Wilds, tracking monsters isnt really a prominent feature. Except for a few first-time exceptions, you can use the Environment Overview screen to see if your target is roaming around the map. If not, exploring its corresponding biome(s) for a few minutes usually does the trick youll see a notification on screen announcing its appearance. Worst case scenario, you can speak to Alma and post a hunt for it. For better or worse, the process of finding a monster is much more streamlined now. If you find tracks or other monster residuals on the ground, you can loot them for materials.How to prepare for Guardian ArkveldGuardian Arkveld is part of the main story of Monster Hunter Wilds. As such, its encounter is likely to fit your Hunter Rank at that corresponding moment. Since the encounter occurs during a main mission, youll be thrust into the fray after the introductory cutscene. As per usual, whenever youre asked if youre ready to depart, make sure that youre carrying regular and mega potions with you. If youre short on the latter, take a lap around the biome and loot any honey you come across.In addition, dont forget to eat you can use the portable BBQ to grill a meal. Increasing your health and stamina is essential, as Guardian Arkveld packs a punch. Investing in offense is a good strategy for this encounter, and you can find some recommendations in our list of best food buffs.For later encounters, carrying a few Dragon Pods will be beneficial if either you or one of your teammates have a ranged weapon with Dragon Ammo, even better. In terms of armor, invest in the set with the highest defense available for you at that point in the game, regardless of resistances.Guardian Arkveld weaknessGuardian Arkvelds recommended elemental attack is Dragon. This includes Dragon Ammo, Dragon Pod, Dragon Attack, Critical Element, and Charge Master, in addition to your own weapons properties.You can find a breakdown of Guardian Arkvelds elemental weaknesses and resistances below:Effective status effectsPoison: 2 starsSleep: 2 starsParalysis: 2 starsBlastblight: 2 starsStun: 2 starsExhaust: 1 starEffective itemsFlash Pod: EffectiveSonic Bomb: No effectShock Trap: EffectivePitfall Trap: EffectiveAs for the creatures weak points and breakable parts, Guardian Arkvelds weak point is its Chainblades (x2), which are also breakable. In addition, its Head can also be broken, and its Tail can be severed.Before diving deep into combat strategy, heres the breakdown of Guardian Arkvelds weak points:PartSeverBluntRangedFireWaterThunderIceDragonHead3 stars3 stars3 stars1 star1 star1 star1 star1 starTorso2 stars2 stars2 stars1 star1 star1 star1 star1 starLeft Wing3 stars3 stars2 stars1 star1 star1 star1 star1 starRight Wing3 stars3 stars2 stars1 star1 star1 star1 star1 starLeft Chainblade3 stars3 stars3 starsNo EffectNo EffectNo EffectNo EffectNo EffectRight Chainblade3 stars3 stars3 starsNo EffectNo EffectNo EffectNo EffectNo EffectLeft Leg2 stars2 stars2 stars1 star1 star1 star1 star1 starRight Leg2 stars2 stars2 stars1 star1 star1 star1 star1 starTail3 stars3 stars3 stars1 star1 star1 star1 star1 starFor details about what to expect in terms of attacks and general behavior, the following section has you covered.Guardian Arkveld attacks and strategyGuardian Arkveld has one major trick up its sleeve, and it uses it constantly. The chainblades on both sides of its body are the main event, and you can expect all sorts of attacks surrounding them.Whenever youre at a distance from the monster, it will likely try to use the chainblades to close the gap. This is indicated by Arkveld turning its head slightly and raising its arm before slamming the ground. Be careful, as this move is usually followed up by a similar attack with the other chainblade. If you managed to dodge the first, prepare to evade again shortly after. Theres a short window after each attack in which you can potentially target a wound, but its best to just avoid altogether and reposition yourself instead.One attack that youll see often also involves the chainblades, but in a slightly different manner. If its chainblades start glowing white and Arkveld does a small jump while standing in place, it means its about to do a vertical swipe using both arms. Youll do good to memorize this move, as its a go-to for the creature. There is a kinder variant in which it only uses one arm for a weaker attack, but in general, expect the heavy one just in case.Arkveld makes use of the rest of its body in a more regular form. If youre attacking its face, itll try to bite you, sometimes repeating the action in quick succession. Other times, itll use its claws in conjunction with the chainblades, almost as if it were holding a dagger that it drags through the ground. You can expect at least one movement with the tail, although it doesnt occur as often, where itll try to hit you if youre close to its rear end, rotating in place.For the most part, youll encounter tiny variations of the aforementioned attacks throughout the whole fight. One in particular thats worth keeping in mind is Arkveld using both chainblades for a ground slam. It covers a large area when doing so, but if you manage to dodge it, use focus mode to aim at the blades. Youre likely to see an attack opportunity. Its not quite like targeting a wound, but it can incapacitate the monster if struck on time.Throughout the fight, its key to focus on weak points as much as possible. The chainblades, as deadly as they are, are also its weakness, so try to counter attack them whenever possible. The head isnt an easy target, but its one you should be focusing on when the opportunity arises. If the tail is proving to be a nuisance, remember that you can sever it.Alongside the usual wound control and dodging the chainblades as much as possible, remember to use traps. The key is to try and get the monster to ground as often as possible to make it easier to attack. If its spending a long time in the air, set up a trap and bait it toward you. If you can time a dodge just right, theyll hit the trap instead.Guardian Arkveld dropsIf youre wondering what the Guardian Arkveld drops in Monster Hunter Wilds are, you can find a handy list below:Low Rank materialsMaterialAvailability/ProbabilityFrequencySourceGuardian ScaleTarget rewards (x1/20%). Broken part rewards (x1/100%). Wound destroyed reward (x1/45%). Carving (x1/50%)4 starsHeadGuardian PeltTarget rewards (x1/20%). Broken part rewards (x2/100%). Wound destroyed reward (x1/43%). Carving (x1/30%)4 starsChainbladesGuardian BloodTarget rewards (x1/10%). Wound destroyed reward (x1/12%). Carving (x1/20%). Carving severed part (x1/100%)3 starsTailNourishing ExtractTarget rewards (x1/30%)3 starsN/ATough Guardian BoneTarget rewards (x1/20%)2 starsN/AIf youre looking for other creatures to fight in Monster Hunter Wilds, our monster list provides a full rundown of every encounter, while we have specific guides for Doshaguma, Lala Barina, Gore Magala, Nu Udra, Jin Dahaad, Rey Dau, Zoh Shia, and Ajarakan.