Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance Director Says Master Rank Monsters Will Get New Moves and Behaviors to Make Players “Rethink” Hunts

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is set to significantly raise the challenge with its Master Rank content. Rather than simply increasing monster health, attack power, or speed, Capcom says returning monsters will receive new moves and behaviors designed to force players to rethink how they approach familiar hunts.

Takuro Hiraoka, director of Ascendance, discussed the approach during an interview with Video Games Chronicle. According to Hiraoka, simply making monsters stronger would not be enough to create a meaningful Master Rank experience.

“Every monster, including the existing ones in the base game, will have new moves and new behaviors.”

Hiraoka explained that the goal is for players to revisit monsters they already know while having to reconsider their established strategies. Instead of simply fighting the same encounters with higher numbers, hunters will need to understand how their targets behave differently.

“We want the player to have to revisit and rethink their strategies for the monsters,”

Hiraoka said.

Ascendance Wants Hunters to Rethink Familiar Fights

The changes extend beyond monster attacks. Ascendance is also introducing the Boost Bracer, which provides new combat options for all 14 weapon types.

However, Capcom does not want players to feel forced into using the new system. Hiraoka described the Boost Bracer as another tool available to hunters, with players deciding when and how they want to incorporate it into their strategies.

This approach could make Master Rank particularly interesting for veteran players who already know Wilds’ monsters inside out. Familiar encounters may require different positioning, timing and weapon strategies once the expansion launches.

The expansion’s hands-on demo has already shown that returning monsters can behave differently. A Tokyo Game Show preview featured Teostra using new attack patterns, including a powerful slam that requires hunters to react differently from its established attacks.

The Master Rank changes are part of a broader effort to respond to feedback surrounding Wilds. Series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto said Capcom has been monitoring player feedback since launch and has used the lessons from the base game while developing Ascendance.

The expansion will also introduce the Skybound Eyrie, a highly vertical region designed around the mobility of the Seikret, alongside new monsters, Elder Dragons and the Boost Action system.

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is currently scheduled for release in 2027, with Master Rank serving as one of its biggest additions.