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

Monster Hunter developers face a significant challenge: creating new weapon types for the series. 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 Explore the Possibility of a New Weapon Type

The Elusive 15th Weapon Type

For over a decade, Monster Hunter (MH) players have wielded the same 14 weapon types, the last addition being the Insect Glaive in Monster Hunter 4. In a February 16, 2025 interview with PCGamesN, Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda addressed the possibility of introducing a new weapon. While not ruling it out, Tokuda highlighted the considerable difficulty in designing a weapon that feels unique and doesn't overlap significantly with existing options. He explained that the resources and time required to create a new weapon type are often better spent refining and enhancing the existing arsenal, ensuring each weapon feels fresh and engaging through adjustments, new combos, and moves.

Capcom's Approach to Weapon Refinement in Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom's commitment to innovation is evident in Monster Hunter Wilds, with the introduction of features like Focus Mode and Power Clash. While incorporating community feedback from the MH Wilds beta, Tokuda emphasized the importance of maintaining the core feel of each weapon, stating, "We don’t want to change anything so drastically that it doesn’t feel like that weapon anymore."

Balancing weapons across different titles presents a unique set of challenges. Tokuda explained that Capcom establishes a conceptual feel for each weapon in each title, which is then tested and refined through player feedback. He specifically addressed the difficulty of balancing weapons in Wilds, considering the extensive additions to weapons in Iceborne, which catered to players already proficient with the basics. Wilds, however, represents a fresh start, with a focus on ensuring each weapon aligns with the overall gameplay concept.

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 will introduce the Chatacabra monster and 12 Hope weapons from MH Wilds, alongside two new layered armors: a Hope armor style and a Seikret mount-themed armor. Players can also earn vouchers for in-game items for MH Wilds by completing limited-time quests.

Niantic Senior Producer Sakae Osumi, in a February 18, 2025 press briefing for Season 5, hinted at future collaborations, stating, "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."

Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates!