November's here, and while the spooky Halloween season may be over for most, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne has launched a crossover event that will make any die-hard Capcom fan scream with delight. The terrors of Resident Evil have come to Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, and players can earn themselves skins that will transform them into zombie-slaying heroes Claire Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy.
Combining Monster Hunter World with Resident Evil for a crossover event may seem a bit... out there, but Monster Hunter World has a history of pairing itself with other franchises. Previous crossover events include allowing players to unlock a Ryu gear set to make themselves look like Street Fighter's Ryu, a Street Fighter Chun-Li Handler costume, and even an 8-bit Mega Man costume for the Palico. This Resident Evil event offers the ability to attain the Claire and Leon skins, alongside new gestures, new pendants, new room features, and even a Handler skin that, hilariously enough, transforms her into the ever-terrifying tyrant, Mr. X.
Where Are The Skins?
The Claire and Leon skins are sets of armor that can be forged at the Smithy. Players only have the option to forge the armor as a whole set, so they will need to gather and have all the necessary materials when visiting the Smithy to unlock the armor set/skin. The Claire and Leon skins can also be augmented, so if players don't have augments for armor and weapons unlocked yet, they may want to look into that for later.
What Materials Are Needed?
The most important materials are the S.T.A.R.S. Badges that can only be earned during the event, which began on November 8th and will end on December 5th. The Claire skin needs six S.T.A.R.S badges, two Vaal Hazak Fellwings, three Pure Dragon Bloods, and two Deathweaver Membranes. Leon's skin requires the same materials, except swapping the two Vaal Hazak Fellwings for two Shadowpierce Fangs. Again, the badges can only be earned during this event, but it is possible that players already earned the other materials by means of regular gameplay.
Where Are These Materials?
All materials are rewards for either killing/carving Blackveil Vaal Hazak or completing the event quest "RE: Return of the Bioweapon", which players will have to be Master Rank 20 or higher to start. In the quest, a Blackveil Vaal Hazak must be slain in under 50 minutes. Doing so will earn players S.T.A.R.S. badges and materials. Completing the quest multiple times will earn players enough materials to forge the Claire and Leon armor sets/skins.
Beat The Event Quest
The event quest has some unique mechanics that fit the Resident Evil zombie theme. Players will be sent to the Rotten Vale to hunt a Blackveil Vaal Hazak. Vaal Hazak is one of the most powerful enemies in Monster Hunter World. This time around, players won't have to worry about their Effluvia Resistance, as another mechanic has precedence. While fighting the Blackveil Vaal Hazak in this event quest, there is a chance that the Hunter will get infected. If infected, the Hunter will transform into a Resident Evil zombified version of themselves, complete with moans and groans and the classic shuffling, stumbling walk.
This transformation also affects the hunter by disallowing the use of any healing items and changing movement a bit. On a positive note, the Hunter will regenerate health quickly by sheathing their weapon and exposing themselves to the toxic aspects of the Rotten Vale. Being infected can be as life-saving as it is detrimental. Figuring out how to use it to the Hunter's advantage is key in this event.
Keep in mind that the Palico Gadget Vigorwasp Spray may not be the best choice to use on this quest. There are plenty of other Palico Gadgets to equip that will be better choices, such as the Coral Orchestra or even the Meowlotov Cocktail.
Players can cure the Hunter of this infection by using the classic Resident Evil recovery item they find in the area called a Green Herb. Players can also find another Resident Evil classic, the Red Herb. Any fan of the Resident Evil series knows that combining Red Herbs with Green Herbs leads to a powerful recovery item. The Red/Green combo will fully restore the Hunter's health bar and cure them of zombification.
Players who take advantage of these health items and the benefits of the infected-state of the Hunter will find felling the Blackveil Vall Hazak to be a straightforward task. Once the dragon is defeated, players will earn whatever the monster drops along with the event quest rewards. If players are having difficulty downing the monster, they should make sure they equip the right weapons and armor. Equipping weapons that can output the highest raw damage in the game is a good idea.
Get Used To Being A Zombie
It's a good idea for players to familiarize themselves with the Rotten Vale area and the infected mechanics with solo play before they try to hop into online lobbies and farm the event quest for materials. The zombie walk is restrictive at times and can be frustrating, but most players will get a "taste" for life as a zombie after a few runs. Players should also remember to combine Red and Green herbs and to take advantage of the health regen.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is out now on PS4 and Xbox One. MHW is set to release on PC in 2020.