Capcom has announced that a new update for Monster Hunter Wilds will launch on February 18, marking the game’s final major content update ahead of its first anniversary later this month. The update introduces new high-difficulty challenges, crossover content, and anniversary-related additions, while also confirming that a large-scale expansion is currently in development.
The February 18 update arrives as Monster Hunter Wilds approaches its one-year anniversary on February 28, 2026. As part of the anniversary celebrations, players will receive a special login item pack and gain access to a rotating selection of past seasonal events. These weekly rotations allow players to revisit previous Gathering Hub atmospheres and limited-time content introduced throughout the game’s first year.
At the center of the update is the introduction of Arch-Tempered Arkveld, which will be available as a 10-star Event Quest. In addition to Arkveld, four previously released Arch-Tempered monsters will also receive new 10-star quests, significantly increasing their difficulty. A high-difficulty multi-monster slaying quest has also been added, offering improved chances to obtain high-rarity Old Charms for players seeking endgame rewards.
The update also includes content tied to community participation. Winning entries from the Monster Hunter Wilds Weapon Design Contest have been implemented in-game, including a new Great Sword and a Charm obtainable through Event Quests. Capcom has also added the names of the 16 contest finalists to the game’s staff credits, permanently recognizing their contributions.
A crossover with Monster Hunter Stories 3 is another key feature of the update. The collaboration introduces side missions featuring Royal Felyne Liddy and Support Hunter Nariya. Completing these missions rewards players with themed Palico equipment and charms inspired by the upcoming title. This crossover aligns with the release window of Monster Hunter Stories 3, which is scheduled to launch on March 13, 2026.
Beyond new quests and collaborations, the update includes additional quality-of-life improvements and a special event quest centered on targeting the game’s least hunted monster. These smaller additions round out the update as Capcom brings the current content cycle for Monster Hunter Wilds to a close.
Alongside the update announcement, Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto confirmed that a major paid expansion is in active development. The expansion is described as being comparable in scope to Iceborne and Sunbreak, though no specific details were shared. A formal reveal for this new downloadable content is planned for Summer 2026.
Monster Hunter Wilds launched on February 28, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC via Steam. Developed using Capcom’s RE Engine, the game introduced open-world hunting in the Forbidden Lands, along with new mechanics such as the Seikret mount, dual weapon switching during hunts, and Focus Mode. Since release, the game has received multiple free title updates and crossover events.
With the February 18 update, Capcom is closing the chapter on Monster Hunter Wilds’ first year while setting the stage for its next major evolution.
