You’ve hit High Rank. Your armor is starting to feel like paper, and every hit from a Rey Dau or a Lala Barina sends your health bar into a panic. You check the forge, see that shiny new upgrade, and there it is: Nova Crystal.
It’s the classic Monster Hunter bottleneck.
Back in Monster Hunter: World, these were a nightmare to farm if you didn't know the specific routes. In Monster Hunter Wilds, the struggle is just as real, but the game is a bit more generous if you know where to look. Honestly, most players just run around the Windward Plains hitting every rock they see, hoping for a miracle. That’s a waste of time. You need a plan.
The Best Way to Farm Nova Crystal
If you're looking for efficiency, stop wandering. The Oilwell Basin is arguably the best spot for mining these high-tier crystals. While you can technically find them in the Windward Plains and the Scarlet Forest, the density of Mining Outcrops in the Basin makes it the go-to zone for any serious crafter.
Here is the thing about Nova Crystals: they are rare. Like, "I've hit ten nodes and got nothing but Iron" rare. To fix this, you absolutely need the Geologist Level 3 skill. You can get this through the Geologist Charm or by slotting Geology Jewels. At level three, it allows you to gather an extra time from Mining Outcrops. That single extra swing per node effectively doubles your chances of seeing that purple icon pop up.
A lot of hunters forget the Seikret. You can literally stay mounted while you mine. Open your map, filter for "Mining Outcrop," and mark a path. Your Seikret will pathfind through the Basin, and you can just tap the gather button as you ride past. It’s significantly faster than running on foot and helps you dodge the local aggressive wildlife while you're focused on shiny rocks.
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High Rank is Non-Negotiable
Don't bother looking for these in Low Rank. You won't find them. Nova Crystals are strictly High Rank materials. You'll start seeing them once you progress the story far enough to unlock High Rank expeditions and quests. If you're still fighting Doshaguma in the early game, just keep pushing the campaign. The shiny stuff comes later.
Breaking Heads: The Gypceros Method
Maybe you hate mining. I get it. Some people want to play Monster Hunter, not Minecraft. If that's you, you're going to want to hunt Gypceros.
This rubbery, flashing bird-thing has a long history of carrying rare crystals in its crest. In Wilds, breaking the head of a High Rank Gypceros gives you a solid chance—usually around 12% to 15%—of a Nova Crystal appearing in your rewards. If you manage to carve the body, there's a smaller chance there too.
It's not as "guaranteed" as a dedicated mining loop, but if you need Gypceros parts anyway for the Gypceros set (which is actually decent for early High Rank), it's a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone situation. Literally.
What Do You Actually Need Them For?
You aren't just hoarding these for fun. Nova Crystals are the backbone of some of the best mid-to-late High Rank gear.
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- Lala Barina Set: This beautiful, floral-themed armor is a fan favorite, and you’ll need several crystals to finish the High Rank version.
- Ingot Coil: A staple for any build needing the Critical Eye or Windproof skills.
- Weapon Upgrades: Specifically the Rey Dau tree and several Ore-based weapon paths.
Basically, if your weapon looks like it’s made of metal and electricity, there’s a high probability it requires a Nova Crystal for that Rarity 6 or 7 upgrade.
Pro Tips for Faster Farming
- Check for Upsurges: When you're looking at the world map, check the "Environment" section. If it says Mining Outcrop Upsurge, drop everything and go. This increases the number of nodes and the respawn rate.
- The 15-Minute Rule: Mining nodes in Monster Hunter Wilds generally respawn every 15 minutes. If you’ve cleared the Basin, head over to the Ruins of Wyveria for a bit. By the time you’ve looped through the ruins, the Basin nodes should be fresh.
- Pop-up Tents: Use the new pop-up camp mechanic. In the Oilwell Basin, there's a spot near Area 7 that is surrounded by three outcrops. If you set a tent there, you can fast travel, mine, leave, and come back. It’s the closest thing to a "glitch" we have for farming.
Honestly, the "Ruins of Wyveria" is the sleeper pick for Nova Crystal. It's a vertical map, which is annoying to navigate, but the nodes there have a slightly higher drop rate for rare ores like Fucium and Nova Crystals compared to the starter Plains.
Take Action Now
If you're staring at a "Material Needed" screen right now, here is what you do:
First, go to the forge and check if you can craft a Geologist Charm. If not, look for the Leather S set—the High Rank version of the starting gear usually has a point or two in Geology. Once you have at least Level 2 (preferably Level 3), head to the Oilwell Basin during a High Rank expedition.
Ignore the monsters. Just ride your Seikret in a giant circle around the perimeter of the map. If you do this for twenty minutes, you’ll walk away with 3 to 5 Nova Crystals, easily. Stop relying on quest rewards; the real loot is hidden in the rocks.
Go get those upgrades. The late-game monsters aren't getting any weaker.