Ready to get back into the hunt? Monster Hunter Wilds is finally getting its massive expansion, dubbed Ascendance. This DLC promises to take Hunters far above the Forbidden Lands’ grounds with a brand-new floating locale, powerful Boost Bracer enhancements, and, of course, fresh monsters to hunt. While Capcom is still keeping many details close to its chest, the reveal trailer gave us plenty to dissect ahead of the expansion’s launch in 2027.
When is Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance Released?
Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance was officially unveiled during the June 2026 Summer Game Fest livestream. Capcom confirmed that the expansion is coming in 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, although an exact launch window has yet to be announced. Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto also revealed that a Switch 2 port of Wilds is in the works, making it likely that Ascendance will make its way to Nintendo’s console, too.
However, if we look at its two predecessors, Hunters may not have to wait long to get their hands on this DLC. Both Iceborne and Sunbreak were revealed roughly nine months before launch. If Ascendance follows the same pattern, a release as early as Q1 2027, potentially around March, is likely.
When it drops, the content of Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance is accessible once you’ve completed these prerequisites:
- Reach HR40.
- Complete the ‘Awaking From a Dream’ ★7 Assigned Quest.
New Locale and Gameplay Mechanics
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Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance introduces the Skybound Eyrie, a new region made up of floating landmasses and ancient ruins suspended high in the clouds. Veteran Hunters might remember similar vistas from Monster Hunter 4‘s Heaven’s Mount map. With hovering platforms scattered across the map, Seikret traversal will play a much bigger role, as it can ride updrafts and glide between islands.
Another major gameplay addition is the Boost Bracer. Just like how Iceborne expanded the Slinger mechanic, this new gear unlocks additional weapon actions and abilities for all weapons. Capcom said it includes ‘new attacks, combos, and mobility,’ though the company has yet to explain exactly how the mechanic works. It could function similarly to Iceborne‘s Slinger Burst, which consumes Slinger ammo to power special moves.
Nevertheless, director Takuro Hiraoka added that the team is also planning to add new attacks and combos ‘not related’ to the Boost Bracer mechanics. This will definitely be something to keep an eye on.
List of Confirmed Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance
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In addition to the 34 monsters already available by the TU4 Gogmazios update, the following monsters have been confirmed for Ascendance based on the reveal trailer. There is also a strong possibility that Shagaru Magala and Chaotic Gore Magala could appear later, as Gore Magala already exists in Wilds.
| Monster | Type | Debut? |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown Bird Wyvern | Large Monster | New |
| Kushala Daora | Elder Dragon | Returning |
| Lao Shan Lung | Elder Dragon | Returning |
| Guardian Rathalos | Large Monster | Base game |
| Guardian Odogaron | Large Monster | Base game |
| Guardian Fulgur Anjanath | Large Monster | Base game |
Who is the Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance Lead Developer?
Takuro Hiraoka is directing Ascendance, taking over from base game director Yuya Tokuda. Hiraoka is a longtime Monster Hunter veteran whose credits stretch back to the third generation.
Hiraoka was the planner for Monster Hunter Portable 3rd and 3 Ultimate. He was assigned as the game designer in Generations, and eventually lead planner for the Ultimate expansion. Before Ascendance, he was also the lead designer for Iceborne and worked as the director for Capcom’s dinosaur-hunting game Exoprimal.
According to Hiraoka, the Ascendance name was chosen as it perfectly captures the more vertical, floating theme of the expansion. As well as it being the ‘true evolution’ of Monster Hunter Wilds‘s mechanics.
