How to Find and Catch the Sandstar in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Sandstar is a nocturnal endemic life runner that is hard to spot and even harder to catch. In this guide, we will walk you through every step you need to find and successfully capture the Sandstar in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Sandstar Location in Monster Hunter Wilds?

You can find the Sandstar in Monster Hunter Wilds within Areas 11, 13, and 16 of the Windward Plains. These areas surround a central oasis, which serves as a key landmark.

To the east of the oasis, you’ll find a site to set up a pop-up camp, while dilapidated ruins lie to the north and west. Keep an eye out for the Sandstar in these spots, but be prepared—it’s not always easy to track down.

The Sandstar is a small, mouse-like creature with long legs, a glowing sky-blue body, and a tail that matches its vibrant hue. Its most distinctive features are its large, pointy ears, which are incredibly sensitive and allow it to detect even the slightest movement.

Sandstar only appears during specific in-game season and time, and for this, you’ll need to set the Environment to “Plenty” and the Time to “Nighttime.” You can manually adjust these conditions by heading to your tent, selecting the Rest option from the BBQ Menu, and setting the parameters accordingly.

NOTE: The spawn chance of endemic life creatures is not 100% so you may not find the Sandstar right away. If you don’t see it, try fast-traveling to another region and then returning to the Windward Plains to reset the area.

How to Catch the Sandstar

Catching the Sandstar in Monster Hunter Wilds is a unique challenge compared to capturing creatures like the Tracktail Lizard or the Rime Beetle. This speedy endemic life form is not only quick on its feet but also has heightened senses, thanks to its large ears, making it nearly impossible to sneak up on. If you get too close, it’ll bolt before you even have a chance to act.

To successfully catch the Sandstar, your best bet is to use a Screamer Pod. Fire the pod near the creature to startle and disorient it for a few precious seconds.

Once it’s stunned, quickly equip your Capture Net, take aim, and snag it before it recovers. Timing is critical here—if you hesitate even for a moment, the Sandstar will regain its composure and dart away, potentially burrowing underground to escape.

Why Do You Need to Capture the Sandstar in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Catching the Sandstar is a part of the ‘Samin’s Special Research Report’ side mission in Monster Hunter Wilds. Once you capture it, report to Samin and the side mission will be completed.

You will get the five Wild Herb and ten Honey items as a reward for capturing the Sandstar and completing the side mission. Capturing the Sandstar also unlocks the ‘I Caught a Shooting Star’ trophy/achievement in Monster Hunter Wilds so this is an additional reward you get for completing the side mission.

That is everything you need to know about how to find and catch the Sandstar endemic life creature in Monster Hunter Wilds. For more tips about the game, we recommend you read our Where to Find the Ember Rufflizard in Monster Hunter Wilds guide.