Monster Hunter developers face significant challenges when considering the introduction of new weapon types to the series. Dive into the intricacies of their weapon balancing process and discover the latest updates on the MH Wilds x MH Now collaboration event.
Monster Hunter Wilds Developers Considering Adding A New Weapon Type
After over a decade with the same set of weapons, the Monster Hunter (MH) series could benefit immensely from the introduction of a new weapon type. In an interview with PCGamesN on February 16, 2025, Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda discussed the possibility of adding a new weapon type to the series.
Monster Hunter Wilds offers players a choice of 14 weapon types, unchanged since the introduction of the Insect Glaive in Monster Hunter 4 over a decade ago. Tokuda expressed the team's interest in creating a new weapon type, noting that it was considered during the development of MH World and Wilds. "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," he explained.
Tokuda highlighted the challenge of finding a new weapon that complements the existing lineup without overlapping too much. He elaborated, "With each title, we always adjust all the weapon types and perhaps introduce new concepts to them and their interactions to keep them fresh. We also add new depth with new combos and moves. The resources and time required for this have always been better spent enhancing the entire lineup rather than simply adding another new weapon."
Capcom On Tweaking Weapons For Monster Hunter Wilds
Capcom continues to innovate by adjusting weapons to capture the essence they envisioned for MH Wilds, incorporating features like Focus Mode and Power Clash. The team has taken into account community feedback from the MH Wilds beta, but Tokuda emphasized, "We don’t want to change anything so drastically that it doesn’t feel like that weapon anymore."
He further discussed the approach to weapon balancing in each new title, stating, "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 it and test it, but it’s really only when the players get it in their hands that you can see if the concept matches reality and if they’re having the experience you thought they would have."
Regarding weapon adjustments for MH Wilds, Tokuda admitted, "With the weapons in Wilds, one particularly difficult balancing decision was with the predecessor title being Iceborne, where a lot of things were added to each weapon’s advanced moves and abilities because it was an expansion adding master rank difficulty." He continued, "Players of a given weapon in Iceborne were assumed to have mastered the basics, and we went beyond that by adding new combos, moves, and abilities."
Nevertheless, MH Wilds represents a fresh start, as the team decided to overhaul everything. Tokuda emphasized, "That was something that I took a lot of care to decide – not just to keep things because players liked it in the last game, but [ask if] it actually fits in with my concept for the play feel of this game."
Monster Hunter Now x Monster Hunter Wilds Collaboration Event Phase 2
Monster Hunter Now is set to launch phase 2 of its collaboration event with MH Wilds to celebrate its upcoming release. The event will feature Chatacabra appearing in MH Now, along with the introduction of 12 Hope weapons from MH Wilds. Additionally, players can obtain two new layered armors: the Hope armor style and a Seikret mount-themed armor. Phase 2 of the MH Wilds x MH Now collaboration event will commence on February 28, 2025.
MH Now players can also earn vouchers for items usable in MH Wilds by completing limited-time quests, including Mega Potion, Dust of Life, Energy Drink, Well-done Steak, and Dash Juice. These vouchers can be redeemed on any platform where fans play MH Wilds.
In a press briefing for Season 5 on February 18, 2025, Niantic Senior Producer Sakae Osumi hinted at future collaborations with MH Wilds. "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 is scheduled for release on February 28, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest on Monster Hunter Wilds by checking out our article below!
