Monster Hunter Wilds Monster List and Unlock Order Guide

From the sun-scorched deserts to the storm-swept cliffs, Monster Hunter Wilds unleashes a sprawling bestiary where every hunt is a test of skill and nerve. Whether you’re tracking down returning legends like Gore Magala or squaring off against brand-new threats, our complete monster list and unlock order will guide you through every escalating challenge across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox-revealing not just what you’ll face, but when you’ll face it.

In this Monster Hunter Wilds guide, we’ll walk you through a full list of Low Rank monsters before showing you the High Rank monsters you can fight once you roll credits.

[Ed. note: This guide contains the names of all major story missions in Monster Hunter Wilds, as well as the monsters you’ll fight in them.]

Update (April 4): Added Mizutsune, the first DLC monster, with the arrival of “Title Update 1.”

All Low Rank monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Low Rank monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds form the backbone of the early game, introducing players to a diverse roster that blends returning favorites with brand-new threats. Throughout Chapters 1 to 3, hunters will face creatures such as Hirabami, Ajarakan, Nu Udra, Guardian Doshaguma, Guardian Rathalos, Guardian Ebony Odogaron, Xu Wu, Guardian Arkveld, and Zoh Shia, each debuting in specific story missions and environments like the Iceshard Cliffs, Oilspill Basin, and Ruins of Wyveria. These monsters are encountered as part of the campaign’s main progression, with their difficulty and habitats detailed in the in-game journal. While some monsters appear in multiple locations or missions, only those available for hunting in Low Rank are included in this list, making them essential targets for gathering materials and mastering core gameplay before advancing to High Rank challenges.

Below, you’ll find a list of Low Rank monsters, all of whom you’ll encounter during the Monster Hunter Wilds campaign (although we’ve removed any monsters that you can’t technically hunt in Low Rank but encounter during the story).

In the table below, you’ll find the name of each monster next to their in-game difficulty level, the main story quest where you’ll first encounter them, and the habitats the in-game journal says they can appear in.

Monster Hunter Wilds monster list

Monster Hunter Wilds features an expansive roster of monsters, blending returning favorites with brand-new threats. At launch, the game includes around 29 to 30 Large Monsters and 18 Small Monsters, totaling 48 creatures to hunt and study. These monsters are divided into various species such as Flying Wyverns, Fanged Beasts, Leviathans, Temnocerans, Amphibians, and Elder Dragons, each with unique behaviors, elemental affinities, and habitats. As players progress through the story, monsters unlock in a set order, with some only appearing in High Rank quests or as special variants. Whether you’re facing iconic beasts like Rathalos and Gore Magala or tackling new threats such as Arkveld and The Black Flame, each encounter offers distinct challenges and opportunities to gather materials for crafting powerful gear.

All High Rank monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

After unlocking High Rank in Monster Hunter Wilds by completing the main story up to Chapter 4, players gain access to a challenging roster of High Rank monsters. These formidable creatures include both enhanced versions of familiar foes from earlier in the game and entirely new species exclusive to High Rank. Notable High Rank monsters include Yian Kut-Ku, Chatacabra, Quematrice, Balahara, Congala, Lala Barina, Hirabami, Nerscylla, Gypceros, Rompopolo, Doshaguma, Ajarakan, Blangonga, Rathalos, Guardian Fulgur Anjanath, Xu Wu, Guardian Ebony Odogaron, Guardian Doshaguma, Guardian Rathalos, Gravios, Jin Dahaad, Uth Duna, Rey Dau, Nu Udra, Gore Magala, and Arkveld. Each monster is tied to specific Hunter Rank requirements and habitats, offering unique challenges and valuable materials for crafting advanced gear.

Below, you’ll find a list of High Rank monsters. Most of these creatures are upgraded versions of their Low Rank counterparts, although there are a few brand-new monsters that are only available in High Rank.

In the table below, you’ll find the name of each monster next to their in-game difficulty level, and the habitats the in-game journal says they can appear in. We’ve also included the hunter rank where we first started encountering them in-game, although it’s possible you could encounter some of these monsters earlier, depending on how your map populates.

Monster Hunter Wilds High Rank monster list

After completing the main story in Monster Hunter Wilds, players unlock access to High Rank monsters-significantly tougher versions of earlier foes alongside entirely new, formidable species. High Rank monsters start appearing from Chapter 4 onward, requiring players to reach specific Hunter Ranks before challenging them. These monsters are rated four stars or higher and include returning favorites like Yian Kut-Ku, Gypceros, and Rathian, as well as new threats such as Rompopolo, Jin Dahaad, and Arkveld. Many High Rank monsters inhabit familiar environments like the Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, and Ruins of Wyveria, but they feature enhanced abilities and present a much greater challenge. Facing these monsters is essential for crafting the best gear and progressing through the game’s toughest endgame content.

All DLC monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

At launch, Monster Hunter Wilds does not feature any DLC-exclusive monsters; all 29 large monsters are included in the base game and are unlocked progressively as you advance through the main story and side missions. While Capcom has a history of adding new monsters through free title updates and paid expansions in previous Monster Hunter titles, there have been no official announcements regarding DLC monsters for Wilds as of now. Players should keep an eye out for future updates, as additional monsters may be introduced post-release through downloadable content, but currently, every monster can be encountered without purchasing extra DLC.

The following monsters have been added to Monster Hunter Wilds as part of post-release DLC through Title Updates:

Monster Hunter Wilds features an expansive roster of monsters, blending returning fan favorites with brand-new threats across its campaign. As you progress, monsters are encountered and unlocked in a set order tied to main story chapters, starting with Low Rank creatures like Chatacabra and Quematrice in early quests, and advancing to formidable High Rank and Tempered variants such as Doshaguma, Mizutsune, and the climactic Arkveld in later chapters. Each monster’s debut is linked to specific story missions, ensuring a steady sense of progression and challenge as you hunt through diverse environments on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Uncover the secrets behind Monster Hunter Wilds’ monster roster and discover the strategic order to unlock each beast in this epic hunting adventure

Secrets Behind Monster Hunter Wilds’ Monster Roster

Monster Hunter Wilds crafts its epic adventure around a dynamic monster roster that evolves as you progress through the campaign. Each chapter introduces new environments and formidable beasts, ensuring that every hunt presents fresh strategic challenges and unlock opportunities.

How the Monster Roster Unlocks

• The game is structured into chapters, each with a set of main missions and hunts that gradually reveal new large monsters.

• Early quests serve as tutorials, introducing you to basic mechanics and your first monster encounters, such as the Chatacabra in the opening mission “Desert Trotters”.

• As you advance, each chapter unlocks additional regions, side quests, and tougher monsters, steadily increasing the complexity and variety of your hunts.

• High-Rank monsters and endgame challenges only become available after completing the main story chapters, ensuring a steady progression and escalating difficulty.

Strategic Order to Unlock Each Beast

• Progressing through the main questline is essential; each chapter’s missions must be completed in order to unlock the next set of monsters and features.

• Key milestones, such as finishing Chapter 3, transition you into high-rank and endgame content, where the most powerful monsters await.

• Optional side quests and special assignments can introduce unique or returning monsters, rewarding thorough exploration and mastery of earlier hunts.

Gameplay Tip

Choosing the right weapon and adapting your strategy to each monster’s unique patterns is crucial. Experiment with different weapon types and pay attention to monster behaviors for the best chance at success.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, every unlocked beast is both a new threat and a new opportunity-unraveling the secrets of each monster’s behavior and the order in which they appear is key to mastering this wild world.

What is the recommended sequence to unlock monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

The recommended sequence to unlock monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds follows the game’s chapter progression, starting with Low Rank monsters in early chapters and advancing to High Rank and Tempered monsters in later chapters. Here is a concise outline of the unlock order:

• Chapter 1:

  • Chatacabra (Chapter 1-1: Desert Trotters)

  • Quematrice (Chapter 1-2: Village of Whispering Winds)

  • Lala Barina and Congalala (Chapter 1-3: Forest Findings)

  • Balahara and Doshaguma (Chapter 1-4: A Hunter’s Pride)

  • Uth Duna (Chapter 1-5: Beyond the Deluge)

• Chapter 2:

  • Rompopolo (Chapter 2-1: Toward Fervent Fields)

  • Rey Dau (Chapter 2-2: The Eye of the Storm)

  • Nerscylla and Hirabami (Chapter 2-3: Hopes of Home)

  • Ajarakan and Nu Udra (Chapter 2-4: Long-Forgotten Flame)

• Chapter 3:

  • Guardian Doshaguma and Guardian Rathalos (Chapter 3-1: The Faithful Keepers)

  • Jin Dahaad (Chapter 3-2: Nothing Frozen, Nothing Gained)

  • Guardian Ebony Odogaron and Xu Wu (Chapter 3-3: Full Circle)

  • Guardian Arkveld (Chapter 3-1)

  • Zoh Sh