Monster Hunter Wilds’ New Boost Bracer Brings Devil May Cry-Style Combat to Ascendance

Monster Hunter Wilds is preparing for one of its biggest gameplay changes yet with Ascendance, the upcoming expansion that introduces Master Rank, new monsters, and a new combat system called the Boost Bracer. Capcom’s latest videos show how the mechanic can temporarily transform each of the game’s 14 weapon types with stronger attacks, new combos, and additional mobility.

The Boost Bracer requires hunters to stay aggressive and build energy during combat. Once enough energy has been accumulated, players can activate Boost through a powerful Boost Driver or another weapon-specific action, opening access to enhanced moves for a limited period. Capcom is showcasing each weapon individually, with Great Sword receiving the first dedicated breakdown.

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Boost Bracer dramatically changes weapon combat

The most noticeable aspect of the Boost Bracer is how much it encourages constant offense. Rather than functioning as a simple damage increase, Boost changes parts of a weapon’s moveset and can create new ways to approach monsters, allowing hunters to maintain pressure instead of repeatedly disengaging.

The Great Sword demonstrates the system particularly well. During Boost, hunters can use a forward-moving Boost Driver, unleash explosive charged slashes, and chain offset attacks together. These additions could make the traditionally deliberate Great Sword more mobile while preserving its focus on heavy, committed strikes.

The concept has also prompted immediate comparisons to Nero’s Red Queen from Devil May Cry. GamesRadar noted that the Boost Bracer’s powered-up weapon animations resemble the way Nero uses the Exceed system to rev his sword, with fans quickly making the same connection.

Capcom is not simply giving every weapon an identical super mode, either. The company says each of the 14 weapons receives its own Boosted Actions, meaning the system is designed around the individual identity of each weapon. Daily breakdown videos are being released to show how those changes work across the roster.

That faster, more aggressive design could be particularly significant for Wilds, as the expansion is also introducing Master Rank and new Elder Dragon threats in the Eastlands. The official Steam listing describes Ascendance as a major expansion featuring new areas, monsters, hunter actions, and Master Rank quests, suggesting that the stronger combat options are being introduced alongside tougher challenges.

For now, it remains unclear how the Boost Bracer will affect the overall difficulty and balance of Monster Hunter Wilds. Some players may welcome the faster and flashier combat, while others could worry that it moves the series further away from its traditionally deliberate hunting style. With Ascendance scheduled for 2027, the remaining weapon showcases should provide a much clearer picture of how dramatically the expansion will change the hunt.