Madelyn in our tier list
S Madelyn has the one card with a written boost for nearby allies, and an effect like that helps almost any squad, which matches our S definition. See the full Monster Hunter Outlanders Tier List.
Madelyn strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Setting off Spores makes the teammates close to Madelyn stronger, a team effect no other official card writes out.
- Each detonation also damages the target, so support work does not mean giving up offense.
- With a Bow, Madelyn can help from a distance, which on paper is safer than supporting from melee range.
Weaknesses
- The boost only reaches allies nearby, so we expect spread-out squads to miss part of it.
- The card does not say what the boost raises or how long it lasts, so its real size is still unknown.
- No source says whether AI squadmates gather near Madelyn, so in solo play the reach of the boost is still unknown.
Our take
Day-one call: Madelyn is our safest pick for players who want to help the squad. Stay within reach of teammates before you detonate Spores, because the card ties the boost to allies nearby. In solo play those teammates are your three AI squadmates, and we will check how often they catch the boost now that the game is live.
What the official card tells us
For a squad, the headline is short: when Madelyn sets off Spores, the teammates standing close get stronger. Madelyn gets the same boost, and the blast also damages the target, so one action covers offense and support.
Getting there takes setup. Only some of Madelyn’s skills apply Spores, and the detonation comes afterward. The card does not say what the boost raises, how strong it is or how long it lasts.
Medicines are the second support tool on the card. We expect them to heal or cure in some form, but the official text does not describe them.
That team line carries a lot of weight. Across the 13 official cards, Madelyn’s is the only one that writes out a benefit for teammates. Arkaya’s official card shows a shield without naming who receives it, though in the closed beta tests it reached the whole squad. Luka and Haze list no ally effect at all.
Where Madelyn fits in a squad
A Bow lets Madelyn work from range, then step toward teammates when it is time to pop Spores. The word “nearby” is the catch. A squad that scatters across the arena may not get the boost. On paper, the best partners are teammates who stay in a tight group or fight around the same monster part.
Solo, those teammates are your three AI squadmates. If you control Madelyn, the Spore boost can reach them too, as long as they are nearby. If Madelyn is one of the AI squadmates, you should catch the boost by staying close, on paper. No source yet says how AI squadmates position themselves, so now that the game is live we will check how often the boost lands. Online, we expect each player to control their own Adventurer, but that is not confirmed yet.
That lines up well with the Co-Op Skill. Its energy comes from a single pool for the whole squad, and it only succeeds if the rest of the squad follows up on the part the first Adventurer targets. Squads that already crowd one part for that skill should also be close enough for Spore boosts.
For partners, Arkaya brings melee pressure and a shield that covered the whole squad in the closed beta tests, and Luka adds mobile Bow damage. Madelyn and Luka are the only 2 Bow users on the roster. Check our tier list for the full ranking and the best team list for complete squads.
What we will check after launch
The game went live on October 28, 2026 at 22:00 UTC (October 29 in Asia). Our checklist for Madelyn:
- What the Spore boost actually raises, and for how long.
- How close “nearby” is in a real hunt, and whether AI squadmates stay close enough to share the boost.
- What the medicines do, and whether they reach the whole squad.
Our S placement follows the rules in how we rank. If the boost turns out small, we will move Madelyn down and note the reason in the tier list changelog.
What to pair with Madelyn
- Arkaya: Arkaya brings melee pressure and a shield that reached the whole squad in the closed beta tests, so the two stack different kinds of team help.
- Luka: Luka is the other Bow user and adds mobile ranged damage. When you control Madelyn, step close to Luka before a detonation so both catch the boost.
Madelyn FAQ
Is Madelyn good in Monster Hunter Outlanders?
Yes. Madelyn sits in S on our day-one list because Spore detonations deal damage and boost nearby allies. No other official card offers a written team effect.
Does Madelyn give team buffs?
Yes, and the card says so directly: detonated Spores boost Madelyn and allies nearby. The card also mentions medicines for allies, but it gives no detail on the size of either effect.
What weapon does Madelyn use?
Madelyn uses a Bow. Luka is the only other Bow user among the 13 Adventurers, though Luka plays as an Assault damage dealer rather than a Support.
What class is Madelyn?
Madelyn is one of 4 Support Adventurers, together with Arkaya, Haze and Ryunosuke. Madelyn is the only one of the four whose card names an ally boost.
Who should I pair with Madelyn?
Arkaya and Luka. Arkaya brings melee hits and a shield that reached the whole squad in the closed beta tests, while Luka is a second Bow user who keeps firing piercing arrows from range. Solo, both can fill your AI squadmate slots.
Is Madelyn good solo?
Yes, on paper. Solo, you control one Adventurer and three more fight beside you as AI squadmates, so the Spore boost can reach them as well as Madelyn. Whether AI squadmates stay close enough to catch it is not confirmed yet. If you leave the squadmate slots empty, only Madelyn gets the boost.