After months of anticipation, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne has finally arrived. The sizable expansion continues the story from the main campaign and adds a new massive region to explore called Hoarfrost Reach. Naturally, a new area also brings plenty of new monsters to hunt and craft new gear from. Iceborne not only adds brand new creatures, but brings back a few classic creatures from previous games as well.
The face of the Monster Hunter World: Iceborne expansion is the Elder Dragon called Velkhana. This large monster is entirely ice focused using various moves like freezing breath, summoning ice crystals, and ice walls. Capcom has previously hinted that Velkhana also has a few surprises in store for players, so don't expect an easy fight. Naturally, players should bring plenty of fire or blast type weapons in order to deal the most effective damage.
Other creatures new to the series inside of the Iceborne expansion are the brute wyvern Banbaro, the piscine wyvern Beotodus, the Elder Dragon Namielle, and the hulking dragon Shara Ishvalda. However, the expansion also features a few familiar faces from past games as well as variant versions of creatures fought in the main Monster Hunter World campaign. These include:
- Barioth - This cat-like flying wyvern is making its return from Monster Hunter 3.
- Nargacuga - A flying wyvern previously encountered in Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Generations.
- Glavenus - Previously encountered in Monster Hunter Generations.
- Tigrex - A very fast creature last seen in Monster Hunter Freedom 2.
- Brachydios - Last seen in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, players should watch out for its exploding slime attacks.
- Viper Tobi-Kadachi - This version is not only able to inflict poison damage on players, but paralysis as well.
- Nightshade Paolumu - Players should be wary of its ability to induce sleep from an attack from its mouth. Its tell is that it first takes a huge gasp of air before unleashing the attack.
- Coral Pukei-Pukei - The difference with this version is that it can use water based attacks to inflict the Waterblight status effect on players.
- Zinogre - Returning from Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, Zinogre is a thunder infused monster that can charge up to increase its attack power.
- Yian Garuga - Originally seen in Monster Hunter Freedom, this bird wyvern is similar to the Rathian with a poison club tail.
- Scarred Yian Garuga - This version has different attack patterns when flying, though its head is still a weak spot.
- Shrieking Legiana - Sticking to the themes of the expansion, players should expect to see plenty of ice attacks during this battle.
- Fulgur Anjanath - Unlike its World counterpart, this T. Rex like creature uses Thunder enhanced attacks.
- Acidic Glavenus - This version uses acid style attacks and has a tail that can slash away at players like a sword.
- Ebony Odogaron - This quick attacking monster variant is enhanced with dragon elemental damage.
- Seething Bazelgeuse - The scales on this beast cause explosions that increase in frequency the longer the battle goes.
- Blackveil Vaal Hazak - Found in the Ancient Forest and Rotten Vale, this version has toxic spores that damage players who get too close.
- Savage Deviljho - As it eats during a battle, it gains power and strength, so players should focus on stopping it from eating to make the fight easier.
- Ruiner Nergigante - Capable of healing, it also has spikes that increase in toughness as it loses health. Metal spikes can also be broken off permanently to reduce the monsters effectiveness.
- Brute Tigrex - Originally hailing from Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, this variant is more aggressive than its basic counterpart.
- Gold Rathian - Another monster from Monster Hunter G, this one is highly aggressive and is capable of poisoning players very easily.
- Silver Rathalos - Back from Monster Hunter G, this rare variant likes to stay airborne and has a few new attacks like a triple fireball.
While this current list is extensive for an expansion, it doesn't appear to be final. Capcom is already planning post-launch updates that include new monsters to fight similar to what the company did for the base game as well. First up for players is the ape-like monster known as Rajang, a creature first encountered in Monster Hunter 2. Considering the reception that the base game received, as well as the very positive review scores, players shouldn't be too surprised to see more content and monsters added over time.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is now available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: Digital Trends; Monster Hunter Wiki