Home News > Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils New Weapon Start and Hope Series Gear - IGN First

Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils New Weapon Start and Hope Series Gear - IGN First

by Aiden Apr 13,2025

If you ask fans what excites them most about the *Monster Hunter* series, crafting new equipment from the materials gathered during hunts is often at the top of the list. The thrill of piecing together a complete armor set and matching weapon, achieved through relentless hunting of the same monster, is a joy shared by many hunters.

The core concept of equipment in the *Monster Hunter* series has remained consistent since its inception: defeat monsters and harness their power through gear crafted from their remains. Players leverage their skills to overcome these formidable foes, then use the monsters' parts to forge equipment that enhances their strength and capabilities.

In an insightful interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director for *Monster Hunter Wilds*, elaborates on the philosophy behind the game's equipment. "While our design scope has expanded, we used to be very focused on ensuring that if you're wearing Rathalos' gear, you'd resemble Rathalos," he explains. This latest installment introduces new monsters, each with its unique flair reflected in their equipment. For instance, Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, features a distinctive headpiece reminiscent of a plague doctor's mask. You can see this armor set in action in the hunt video below.

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Among the array of unique monster equipment, the developers encourage players to take note of the starting gear that your hunter begins the game with. Fujioka shares, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. This is a first for me. Traditionally, new hunters started with basic and simple weapons. However, given that the protagonist in this game is a chosen hunter, it didn't feel right for them to wield such plain gear. I aimed to make the starting equipment reflect a sense of star quality."

Hope armor and weapon concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

Hope armor and weapon concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

Yuya Tokuda, Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, adds, "In *Monster Hunter: World*, weapon designs maintained a consistent form but varied in appearance based on the monster materials used. In *Wilds*, however, each weapon boasts its own unique design."

These starting weapons are crafted to embody the narrative that you are an experienced hunter, chosen to explore the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda further notes that the starting armor has been meticulously designed to align with the game's storyline.

"The starting armor in this game is called the Hope series," Tokuda explains. "Its design is so striking that you could wear it throughout the entire game without it feeling out of place."

Hope armor concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

Hope armor concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

The Hope set, with its deep emerald green base, transforms into a hooded long coat when fully assembled. Fujioka elaborates on the complexity of its construction, "We've devoted more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game. In previous titles, upper and lower body armor were separate, and we couldn't create a cohesive look like a coat. Due to gameplay mechanics, each piece had to stand alone. However, I wanted to achieve a flowing hooded coat, and we made it possible by dedicating significant in-game resources. As players progress, they'll encounter various equipment pieces, and we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. The Hope series is designed to be subtly elegant yet cool, blending seamlessly with other gear."

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Starting a game with such thoughtfully crafted equipment is a luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are meticulously designed to reflect the prowess of a star hunter. We eagerly anticipate exploring their intricate details in the final game.