If you’re gearing up to dive into the next installment of Capcom’s iconic monster-slaying franchise, you’ve probably stumbled across the Monster Hunter Wilds Deluxe edition while browsing pre-order or purchase options. It’s priced higher than the standard base game, but it’s natural to wonder if the extra perks justify the added cost, especially if you’re a long-time fan or a first-time hunter looking to get the most out of your first playthrough. I’ve spent weeks digging into official announcements, playtest leaks, and franchise patterns to break down exactly what you get, who it’s for, and when it’s worth skipping the upgrade entirely.
What’s Included in the Monster Hunter Wilds Deluxe Edition?
Capcom has stayed consistent with its deluxe edition offerings for the Monster Hunter franchise over the last decade, and this latest release follows the same reliable structure. You’ll get the full base game plus a bundle of cosmetic, quality of life, and digital bonus content that you can’t get with the standard edition, at least not at launch. All items fall strictly into the cosmetic or convenience category, so you don’t have to worry about pay-to-win advantages ruining multiplayer hunts. The full list of confirmed perks includes:
- “Wanderer’s Exile” layered hunter armor set (cosmetic only, no stat changes)
- 2 exclusive Palico costumes and 1 Palamute mount skin
- 7 unique gestures and 3 sticker packs for multiplayer lobbies
- 60-page digital art book with concept art for monsters, maps and characters
- Full 42-track official digital soundtrack
- Starter item bundle with 20 mega potions, 10 trap tools, 5000 zenny and 15 armor spheres
None of these items give you a gameplay advantage over players who buy the standard edition, which is a common point of concern for competitive players. That means you won’t hit a wall fighting endgame monsters just because you skipped the deluxe upgrade. All core gameplay content, including every monster, map, and post-game quest, is available to every owner of the base game, no extra purchase required.
Who Gets the Most Value Out of the Deluxe Upgrade?
If you’ve put hundreds of hours into previous Monster Hunter titles like World or Rise, you’re almost certainly going to get your money’s worth from the Monster Hunter Wilds Deluxe pack. Cosmetic items like layered armor and companion skins let you customize your play experience from the very first hour, which is a big plus if you love showing off unique looks in multiplayer lobbies. Players who plan to play multiplayer regularly will also get a lot of use out of the exclusive gestures and stickers, which make coordinating hunts and messing around with friends way more fun.
The starter item bundle is also a huge help for new players who haven’t memorized crafting recipes yet, as it cuts down on the early grind for basic supplies so you can jump straight to hunting bigger monsters faster. Even casual fans who buy the game on launch day will appreciate the art book and soundtrack, which are usually high-quality productions from Capcom’s team. I still flip through the Monster Hunter Rise art book I got with its deluxe edition two years later, so these perks have lasting value beyond your first playthrough.
Common Drawbacks of the Deluxe Edition to Consider
It’s not all good news, though, and there are a few big downsides to buying the Monster Hunter Wilds Deluxe edition that most store pages don’t mention. First, most of the cosmetic content will likely be available for individual purchase a few months after launch, based on Capcom’s pattern with previous Monster Hunter releases. If you only care about the layered armor set, you might be able to buy it separately for half the cost of the full deluxe upgrade later on.
The starter item bundle also becomes completely irrelevant after your first 10 hours of play, once you’ve built up a stockpile of crafted items and have more zenny than you know what to do with. If you’re not planning to play the game on launch day, or you’re waiting for a sale a few months after release, the deluxe perks lose almost all their value. Another thing to note is that the digital art book and soundtrack are only accessible through a separate launcher or app, not directly in-game, which is a letdown for players who wanted to flip through art while waiting for hunts to load. I found this really annoying with the World deluxe edition, as I had to exit the game entirely to look at the art book whenever I wanted to reference a monster’s concept design.
How to Decide If the Deluxe Edition Is Right for You
You don’t have to overthink this choice, but there are a few quick questions you can ask yourself to make the call in 30 seconds or less. First, are you planning to play the game within the first month of launch? If yes, the starter items and exclusive launch-period cosmetics will be more valuable to you. Second, do you regularly buy deluxe editions for games you love, or do you usually stick to base editions unless there’s a must-have perk? If you’ve never cared about cosmetic items in previous Monster Hunter games, the deluxe edition is almost certainly not worth the extra cost.
Third, are you buying the game for multiplayer, or will you mostly play solo? Solo players get far less use out of gestures, stickers, and player card cosmetics than people who hunt with a regular group. If two or more of these questions point to yes, go ahead and grab the deluxe upgrade. If not, save the extra cash and put it toward one of the upcoming DLC expansion packs, which will add far more gameplay content than the deluxe edition ever could. I’m personally buying the deluxe edition this time around because I play with the same group of 4 friends every weekend, and we love messing around with silly gestures between hunts, but I skipped the deluxe edition for Rise because I mostly played that one solo.
At the end of the day, the Monster Hunter Wilds Deluxe edition is a solid pick for long-time fans and regular multiplayer hunters, but it’s far from a required purchase for anyone who just wants to enjoy the core monster-slaying experience. You won’t miss out on any critical gameplay content if you stick to the standard edition, so don’t let anyone pressure you into spending extra if the perks don’t appeal to you. Whatever you choose, you’re in for one of the most polished, fun hunting experiences Capcom has ever put out, and you’ll have plenty of time to earn or buy any cosmetics you want later on down the line.