The duo confirmed that Master Rank quests are being added with the expansion, available after finishing “Awakening From a Dream,” a 7-star Assignment that involves slaying Arkveld in the base game. Monsters will be tougher, but you have the new Boost Bracer to even the odds. It adds new skills for each weapon type and will “temporarily boost actions, such as attacks, combos, and mobility, allowing for more versatility in hunts,” per Hiraoka.

Don’t worry, though, as there will also be new actions and combos that won’t require it. Speaking of the new locale, it’s called the Skybound Eyrie – a series of floating ruins which you can glide between using the Sekiret. You’ll discover other unique environmental features, though it remains to be seen how the weather system will affect the endemic life and resources.

Finally, Hiraoka talked about the expansion’s name, Ascendance. It doesn’t simply mean continually moving up and advancing through the new locale, but also signifies Capcom taking all of Wilds’ components to the next level. And while the story may have an Elder Dragon at the center, it apparently concerns all of them in some deeper manner.

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance launches in 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.