Monster Hunter Wilds Doesn't Have New Weapons Because They're Hard to Come Up With

The challenge of crafting new weapon types for the Monster Hunter franchise is significant, as revealed by developers. This article delves into the complexities of weapon balancing and unveils details about the upcoming MH Wilds x MH Now collaboration event.

Monster Hunter Wilds Developers Weigh In on a Potential 15th Weapon Type

A New Weapon Remains a Possibility

After over a decade featuring the same 14 weapon types (unchanged since Monster Hunter 4's Insect Glaive addition), the Monster Hunter series might soon see a new addition. In a February 16, 2025 interview with PCGamesN, Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda discussed the possibility. While not entirely ruled out, Tokuda explained that the decision to forgo adding a new weapon type in recent titles stemmed from resource allocation. The team prioritizes refining existing weapons and adding depth through new combos and moves, deeming this a more effective use of resources than introducing a potentially unbalanced new weapon. The difficulty lies in creating a weapon that doesn't significantly overlap with existing options.

Capcom's Approach to Weapon Refinement in Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom's commitment to innovation is evident in MH Wilds' additions like Focus Mode and Power Clash. The team incorporated community feedback from the beta testing phase, but Tokuda emphasized a commitment to preserving the core feel of each weapon type, avoiding drastic changes. Weapon balancing across titles is a key focus, with the team establishing a conceptual "feel" for each weapon type before testing and refinement based on player experience. Balancing the weapons in Wilds proved particularly challenging due to Iceborne's additions of high-level moves and abilities, necessitating a careful approach to avoid overwhelming players. For Wilds, the team opted for a complete overhaul, ensuring each weapon aligns with the game's overall design philosophy.

Monster Hunter Now x Monster Hunter Wilds Collaboration Event Phase 2

To celebrate the upcoming release of MH Wilds, Monster Hunter Now will launch Phase 2 of its collaboration event on February 28, 2025. This phase introduces Chatacabra from MH Wilds into MH Now, along with 12 Hope weapons, Hope armor, and Seikret mount-themed armor. Players can also earn vouchers for MH Wilds items (Mega Potion, Dust of Life, etc.) through limited-time quests, redeemable on any platform. Niantic's Senior Producer Sakae Osumi hinted at future collaborations, expressing interest in incorporating more monsters from MH Wilds.

Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.