Perhaps the most exciting feature of any new Monster Hunter entry is the slew of new monsters to hunt, carve, and craft with, and Monster Hunter Wilds is no exception. While seeing returning classics like the ever-present Rathalos and Rathian duo is always appreciated, there's simply nothing as exciting as an entirely new monster to fight. Fortunately, Monster Hunter Wilds has an impressive suite of new monsters, coming just ahead of World and eclipsing Rise in their respective new monster counts.
The majority of Wilds, particularly the low-rank portion of the game, is almost entirely composed of new monsters, with many of the familiar faces entering into the game only once High Rank has been unlocked. Even then, when those returning monsters do appear, they generally come with a new coat of paint. With the massive success of Monster Hunter Wilds, even more monsters are surely well on their way to further boost Wilds' roster.
How Many New Monsters Are In MH Wilds
The Exact Number Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
To start with, Monster Hunter Wilds has a grand total of 29 large monsters to hunt. However, as is the case with all Monster Hunter games, that number can be a tad disingenuous. This amount is typically pulled from the number of distinct large monster entries in the hunter's field guide. As a result, it always includes variant monsters. Whether those variants deserve to be counted as distinct is a point of contention that comes down more to personal definitions.
Monster Hunter Wilds: How To Beat Uth Duna (Strengths, Weaknesses & Best Strategy)
The powerful aquatic monster Uth Duna can be a challenge to beat in Monster Hunter Wilds, but there are weaknesses past this beast's strong defenses.
With that out of the way, Monster Hunter Wilds has a total of 20 new monsters to fight. Of course, this number includes guardian variants for both returning and completely original monsters. Cutting out some of those variants, such as Guardian Fulgar Anjanath and Guardian Rathalos, brings the number down to a still respectable 15. It is important to note, however, that some of these variants are quite unique and significantly alter the fight.
Guardian Rathalos, in particular, feels like the most exciting and unique Rathalos variant in recent years. I far prefer its inclusion over the more standard Azure or Silver versions.
Using the more generous numbers of 29 total and 20 unique, Monster Hunter Wilds has a pretty striking ratio of new monsters to fight. The number of new monsters is particularly noticeable in the Low Rank story, as I Congalala actually standing out among the completely fresh roster I had been hunting up until that point.
Every New Monster In Wilds
An Inspired Cast Of Fresh Faces
In the interest of being thorough, the following list of new monsters is based on the hunter's field journal, and as such, includes guardian variants. The more questionable inclusions have been bolded to allow for an easier distinction between indisputably new monsters and those that are murkier. Of particular note, Arkveld and Guardian Arkveld felt the most egregious, with the only noticeable difference being the amount of time the monster spends enraged.
- Chatacabra
- Quematrice
- Lala Barina
- Balahara
- Doshaguma
- Uth Duna
- Rompopolo
- Rey Dau
- Hirabami
- Ajarakan
- Nu Udra
- Guardian Doshaguma
- Guardian Rathalos
- Jin Dahaad
- Guardian Ebony Odogaron
- Xu Wu
- Guardian Arkveld
- Zoh Shia
- Guardian Fulgar Anjanath
- Arkveld
Beyond the impressive number of new monsters in MH Wilds, the additions also feel exceedingly unique. The octopus rig has allowed for Xu Wu and Nu Udra to shine as fresh experiences. Zoh Shia and Arkveld are a fantastic final boss and flagship duo, and defeating Zoh Shia feels especially rewarding due to its grounded size, which is an excellent change of pace from the usually gargantuan final bosses. Ajarakan feels like a modern classic, with its fiery, wrestling-inspired move-set being fun to watch and fight. It's a memorable cast overall, to say the least.
The Number Of New Monsters In Wilds Compared To Previous Games
Comparable To World, Far Ahead Of Rise
Wilds, when compared to the closest in scope entry, World, has stayed consistent, if not slightly ahead, in of new monsters. This is a fantastic sign, as the roster that World ended on, after Iceborne, collaborations, and title updates, was a whopping 71 monsters. If Wilds follows suit, however, there will probably not be any significant increase in original monsters until the inevitable Master Rank expansion, barring, perhaps, cross-over inclusions like World's Leshen and Behemoth.
Monster Hunter Wilds Is Missing My Favorite Series Tradition, & I Don't Care If It Makes Sense
Monster Hunter Wilds feels like a brand new era for the series, tampering with old traditions, although it misses one that I wish Capcom would add.
Rise, on the other hand, lagged far behind the two larger games in of new monsters. It originally had around half of World and Wilds, as Rise only featured around 11 new monsters. With that being said, many of those monsters were fantastic fights, and I'm especially fond of the original monsters added in Sunbreak, which primarily featured a Universal Monsters-inspired trio in Lunagaron, Garangolm, and the vampiric flagship, Malzeno.
Whatever definition is used to distinguish new monsters, it's safe to say that Wilds is off to a solid start. Hopefully, it will continue to stay in line with the impressive post-game development that World enjoyed. Even better, with its massive success in mind, Monster Hunter Wilds has an opportunity to pull well ahead of its predecessors and continue to push out creative new monsters to hunt.
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