The challenge of crafting new weapon types for the Monster Hunter franchise. This article delves into the complexities of weapon balancing and reveals details about the upcoming MH Wilds x MH Now collaboration event.
Monster Hunter Wilds Developers Weigh In On A New Weapon Type
A 15th Weapon Type Remains Possible
After over a decade with the same weapon roster, the Monster Hunter (MH) series might soon see a new addition. In a February 16, 2025 interview with PCGamesN, Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda discussed the possibility of introducing a new weapon type.
Monster Hunter Wilds offers 14 weapon types, a selection unchanged since Monster Hunter 4 and the introduction of the Insect Glaive over a decade ago. Tokuda expressed the team's interest in creating a new weapon, revealing that the idea was considered during the development of MH World and Wilds. He stated, "It’s not off the table for any particular reason; it’s just that we never really decided that we wanted to for the recent titles."
Tokuda highlighted the difficulty in designing a weapon that fits seamlessly within the existing lineup without excessive overlap. He elaborated, "With each title, we adjust all weapon types, introducing new concepts and refining their interrelationships to maintain freshness. We also add depth through new combos and moves. The resources and time required for this have, since the last weapon addition, consistently been deemed better spent enhancing the existing lineup rather than adding a new one."
Capcom's Approach to Weapon Refinement in Monster Hunter Wilds
Capcom's continued innovation is evident in MH Wilds' weapon adjustments, including the introduction of Focus Mode and Power Clash. While the team considered community feedback from the MH Wilds beta, Tokuda clarified, "We don’t want to change anything so drastically that it doesn’t feel like that weapon anymore."
He also discussed their weapon balancing process for each title, explaining, "We have a concept in mind for each title where we think, ‘This is how the Insect Glaive will feel, this is how the Great Sword will feel.’" Tokuda added, "That’s just a concept, though – you can design and test it, but it’s only when players use it that you see if the concept matches reality and delivers the intended experience."
Regarding weapon adjustments for MH Wilds, Tokuda acknowledged, "With Wilds' weapons, a particularly challenging balancing decision stemmed from Iceborne. Many additions were made to each weapon's advanced moves and abilities due to the expansion and introduction of master rank difficulty." He continued, "Players of Iceborne weapons were assumed to have mastered the basics, so we focused on expanding beyond that with new combos, moves, and abilities."
Despite this, MH Wilds represents a fresh start, with a complete overhaul of weapon mechanics. Tokuda emphasized, "I carefully considered this—not just retaining elements from previous games because players liked them, but assessing whether they truly fit my concept for this game's feel."
Monster Hunter Now x Monster Hunter Wilds Collaboration Event Phase 2
Monster Hunter Now's collaboration event with MH Wilds enters Phase 2 to celebrate the latter's release. The event features the Chatacabra in MH Now and provides players with 12 Hope weapons from MH Wilds, along with two new layered armors (Hope armor style and a Seikret mount-themed armor). Phase 2 begins February 28, 2025.
MH Now players can earn vouchers for MH Wilds items (Mega Potion, Dust of Life, Energy Drink, Well-done Steak, and Dash Juice) by completing limited-time quests. These vouchers are redeemable on any MH Wilds platform.
In an February 18, 2025 press briefing for Season 5, Niantic Senior Producer Sakae Osumi hinted at future collaborations: "This is the beginning of the collaboration between Monster Hunter Wilds and Monster Hunter Now, and we are planning to do more down the road," Sakae said. "I would like to get more monsters from Wilds. We will work on it closely with Capcom."
Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
