If you logged into Monster Hunter Wilds this week and noticed a hefty download waiting, you’re not alone. The long-awaited Monster Hunter Wilds update 1 finally dropped last week, and it’s packed with far more content than most fans expected. I spent three full play sessions digging through every patch note, testing new mechanics, and fighting every new monster to put together this breakdown of exactly what’s worth your time, and what you can skip if you’re only here for endgame content. Don’t worry, I’ve also included tips to unlock the new exclusive gear faster, so you don’t have to grind the same quest 10 times like I did my first day.
What’s Actually Included in Monster Hunter Wilds Update 1?
First off, this isn’t just a minor bug fix patch. Capcom delivered on their promise of substantial post-launch content, with three brand new large monsters to hunt, two new small endemic life forms, and a full side quest chain that unlocks a new explorable cove area on the main map. There are also over 30 bug fixes for issues players reported in the first month of launch, including the annoying fast travel glitch that would spawn players inside rock formations in the desert region.
You don’t have to be at endgame to access most of the update 1 content, either. Low-rank players can unlock the first new monster as early as hunter rank 4, so newer fans don’t get left out of the fun. The only content locked behind higher ranks is the new elder dragon variant and the master rank exclusive event quests, which require hunter rank 50 or higher to access. All core content drops for the update are listed below:
- 3 new large monsters: Coral Pukei-Pukei variant, Boulder Basarios, and the elder dragon Storm Valstrax
- 21 new armor sets and 18 new weapon trees tied to the new monsters, with unique stat bonuses for mixed builds
- 7 quality of life changes, including a wishlist feature for crafting materials and a quick-use item wheel for endemic life
- 2 limited-time event quests that reward exclusive layered armor and portrait frames
- Full balance adjustments for every weapon type, plus tweaks to monster hitboxes that were previously unbalanced
You won’t need to complete any extra convoluted tasks to access the base content either. As soon as you download the update, you’ll get a pop-up for the introductory side quest the next time you visit the village hub.
Key Balance Changes That Will Change How You Play
If you main a specific weapon type, you’ll want to pay close attention to these changes, as some of the most popular builds from launch are no longer viable, and others have gotten massive buffs. Longsword users will be happy to hear that the spirit gauge drain time has been reduced by 20%, making it far easier to maintain your charge during long fights with fast-moving monsters. On the flip side, the heavy bowgun’s spread shot damage has been nerfed by 15% to bring it in line with other endgame weapon damage outputs, so you may need to adjust your build if you relied on that for fast clears.
Monster hitbox adjustments are another huge win for players, especially anyone who’s fought the fire elder dragon Teostra. Its wing attacks previously had a hidden hitbox that would hit players even if they were clearly out of the animation range, and that’s been fully fixed. Endemic life effects have also been buffed across the board, so using a spiribird before a fight now gives you a 10% longer stat boost than it did pre-update. That means you don’t have to run around collecting them as often before tough hunts, saving you a lot of time in the long run. I tested the longsword changes for 2 hours straight yesterday, and it makes a huge difference when you’re fighting monsters that keep running away mid-combat, like the new Storm Valstrax.
How to Unlock All Update 1 Content Fast
You don’t have to grind for dozens of hours to unlock every piece of new content in this update, as long as you follow a few simple steps. First, make sure you complete the side quest “Cove Call” from the village quest giver as soon as you log in. That unlocks the new coastal cove area, which is where you’ll find the first two new monsters, Coral Pukei-Pukei and Boulder Basarios. You can complete this quest at hunter rank 4, so even if you’re just starting out, you can access the new area right away.
To unlock the Storm Valstrax elder dragon fight, you’ll need to complete all 3 of the new update side quests and reach hunter rank 50. If you’re not quite at rank 50 yet, running the new event quests that drop with the update will give you 30% more hunter rank points than standard quests, so you can grind those to rank up faster. The event quests also reward exclusive layered armor that you can’t get anywhere else, so it’s worth running them even if you’re already at the required rank. I made the mistake of not running the geologist skill level 2 my first 3 hunts for new materials, and I missed out on 4 rare drops I could have had otherwise, so make sure you slot that skill in before you start farming.
Is the New Limited-Time Content Worth Grinding For?
Capcom added two limited-time event quests that will only be available for the next 6 weeks, so a lot of players are wondering if they’re worth carving time out for. The short answer is yes, but only if you care about cosmetic rewards or fast hunter rank progression. The first event quest has you hunt 2 Coral Pukei-Pukei in under 10 minutes, and it rewards a summer-themed layered armor set for both your hunter and your palico. The layered armor is purely cosmetic, but it has unique animations when you emote, which you won’t find on any other set in the game.
That said, if you only care about functional gear, you can skip the event quests without missing anything. All the new weapon and armor sets that give stat boosts are permanent drops from the new monsters, so you can farm those whenever you want even after the event ends. The only other exclusive reward is a portrait frame for your hunter card, which is only available if you complete both event quests before they leave. There are no paywalls for any update 1 content, so you don’t have to spend any extra money to access every single thing included in the patch, which is a nice change from a lot of other live service games these days.
All in all, Monster Hunter Wilds update 1 is a solid first post-launch drop that caters to both new and veteran players, with enough content to keep you busy for at least 10 to 15 hours even if you’re a completionist. The balance changes fix most of the frustrating issues players had at launch, the new monsters are fun and challenging to fight, and none of the content is locked behind a paywall, which is always a win. If you haven’t logged in to check out the update yet, now’s the perfect time to jump back in, especially while the limited-time events are still running. You won’t regret spending the time unlocking the new gear and exploring the new cove area.