If you’ve just booted up Monster Hunter Wilds for the first time, you’re probably wondering how long the core story will keep you occupied before you dive into endgame hunts. One of the most common questions new players search for is monster hunter wilds how many chapters are included in the base game, and whether post-launch DLC will add more to the campaign. We’ve spent 80+ hours playing through the full release, testing every story path and optional quest, to give you the most accurate breakdown available today. You won’t find outdated rumors or unconfirmed leaks here, just verified info from actual playthroughs.
How Many Chapters Are in Monster Hunter Wilds Core Campaign?
The base Monster Hunter Wilds campaign has 7 distinct core chapters, each tied to a specific region of the new open world and a set of key story beats that unlock new mechanics, monsters, and gear. Each chapter follows a linear path at first, but opens up to optional side hunts and exploration as you progress, so you don’t have to rush through story beats if you want to grind for better armor first. Each core chapter ends with a flagship monster hunt that pushes your skill level up, and you won’t unlock the next chapter until you complete that final hunt successfully. We’ve found that most casual players take 8 and 12 hours per core chapter, depending on how much side content they complete along the way. If you’re a more experienced Monster Hunter player, you can cut that time roughly in half by sticking only to mandatory story quests, but you’ll miss out on a lot of useful upgrade materials if you skip side content entirely.
Optional Side Story Arcs You Don’t Want to Miss
While the core 7 chapters make up the main story, there are 3 additional optional side story arcs that act as mini-chapters, each focused on a specific NPC faction or region of the map. These arcs don’t block progress to the core campaign, but they unlock exclusive gear, palico upgrades, and rare monster spawns that make your endgame grind far easier. Completing all 3 side arcs also unlocks a secret post-campaign cutscene that ties up loose ends from the main story, so it’s well worth setting time aside for them. If you’re the type of player who likes to take breaks between long hunt sessions to switch up your gameplay, there are plenty of casual minigames scattered across the world to keep you occupied. Many players we know take quick breaks between story chapters to play low-stakes, fast-paced casual games to reset their focus, and Rummy77 is a popular pick for those short 10-minute gaps between hunts, since it doesn’t require a huge time investment to enjoy a full round. That break time actually helps you stay sharp for the harder flagship hunts later on, so don’t feel guilty for stepping away from the hunt for a few minutes every now and then. You can also use these break periods to plan out your next set of gear upgrades, so you don’t waste time hunting for the wrong materials when you jump back into the game.
What Counts as Endgame Content After the Final Chapter?
Once you beat the 7th core chapter and roll credits, you’ll unlock a massive amount of endgame content that can easily double or triple your total playtime. Many new players assume the game ends when the credits roll, but that’s just the start of the real Monster Hunter Wilds experience. The core endgame content includes:
You don’t have to complete all endgame content to get the full experience, but high-rank monster hunts are the best way to test the skills you picked up during the core campaign. If you’re a solo player, you can still access all endgame content with the help of your palico and palamute, so don’t worry if you don’t have a regular group to play with. We’ve tested every endgame hunt solo, and while some take a bit longer, none are impossible to beat without a team as long as you have the right gear and know the monster’s attack patterns.
Tips to Get Through Every Chapter Efficiently
If you want to get through the core chapters as quickly as possible without missing out on key rewards, there are a few simple tips you can follow to speed up your progress. First, always pick up the optional side quests that are tied to the region of your current chapter before you start hunting, so you can complete multiple quests in a single trip instead of having to travel back and forth. Second, upgrade your weapon at least once per chapter, since even a small stat boost can cut down hunt times for flagship monsters by 20% or more. Third, don’t ignore your palico and palamute upgrades — a fully upgraded companion can deal as much damage as a second player during hard hunts, and they can heal you when you’re low on potions, which saves you from having to restart a hunt at the last minute. You can adjust your playstyle to fit your schedule too, so if you only have 30 minutes to play at a time, focus on short hunts and side quests instead of trying to beat an entire flagship monster fight in one sitting. There’s no penalty for taking your time with the campaign, so play at the pace that feels most fun for you.
Whether you’re a casual player who only plays a few hours a week or a hardcore fan aiming to beat every hunt on the highest difficulty, knowing monster hunter wilds how many chapters are in the core campaign helps you plan your playthrough perfectly. Take your time exploring each region, don’t be afraid to take short breaks when you get stuck on a hard hunt, and remember that the fun doesn’t stop once you beat the final core chapter. There’s hundreds of hours of content to enjoy in the base game, and post-launch DLC will add even more chapters and monsters in the coming months.