New Monster Hunter Game Skips Weapons Due to Design Challenges

The challenges of crafting new weapon types in the Monster Hunter series are explored in this article, alongside details on weapon balancing and the upcoming MH Wilds x MH Now collaboration.

Monster Hunter Wilds Developers Weigh In On A Potential 15th Weapon Type

A New Weapon Type Remains a Possibility

After over a decade with the same weapon roster, the Monster Hunter (MH) franchise 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 into the existing lineup without excessive overlap. He explained, "With each title, we always adjust all the 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 refining the existing arsenal than adding a new one."

Capcom's Approach to Weapon Refinement in Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom continues to innovate, adapting weapons for MH Wilds with features like 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 weapon balancing across titles, stating, "We have a concept for each title: ‘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 only when players use it can you see if the concept matches reality and delivers the intended experience."

Regarding weapon adjustments for MH Wilds, Tokuda acknowledged, "Balancing weapons in Wilds was particularly challenging, given Iceborne's additions to high-level moves and abilities due to its expansion and master rank difficulty." He continued, "Iceborne players were assumed to have mastered the basics, so we built upon that with new combos, moves, and abilities."

Despite this, MH Wilds will offer a fresh start, with a complete overhaul of weapon mechanics. Tokuda emphasized, "I carefully considered this – not just retaining elements players liked in the previous game, but ensuring they 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, celebrating the upcoming release. The event features the Chatacabra in MH Now, alongside 12 Hope weapons from MH Wilds, and 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 start of the collaboration between Monster Hunter Wilds and Monster Hunter Now, and we plan more. I'd like to add more monsters from Wilds; we'll work closely with Capcom."

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