Monster Hunter World will receive the major expansion Iceborne in 2019 – the release for PS4 and Xbox One is September 6. The PC version will come later. We have compiled all known details about the release, beta, price, scope, monsters, and gameplay.
What is Iceborne? The paid DLC will expand the base game of Monster Hunter World. Iceborne provides the action RPG with a large amount of new content, such as a winter map and new monsters.
Are there prerequisites for Iceborne? Yes.
- You must own the base game
- You must have reached Hunter Rank 16 and completed the story campaign of the base game.
Release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC
Like Monster Hunter World itself, the expansion will also have a staggered release date between the consoles and the PC.
When is the release for PS4 and Xbox One? Iceborne is set to release on September 6, 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
When will Iceborne come to PC? PC players will have to wait longer for Iceborne. Currently, a PC release is aimed for Winter 2019.
Is there a beta for Iceborne?
It will be possible to test the Iceborne DLC during two beta phases.
Who can participate in the beta? The beta is exclusive to PS4. There will be no beta phase for Xbox One. This was already the case at the release of Monster Hunter World.
Do I need the base game for the beta? No. You can simply download the beta from the PS Store, even without the base game.
When are the betas for Iceborne?
- From June 21 to June 24 (accessible only with PS Plus)
- And from June 28 to July 1 (accessible for all PS4 players)
- Start and end of the test are at 12 noon our time.
What is the content of the beta? There are three hunting quests where you will encounter three monsters:
You can play any of the 14 weapon classes and use the new Clutch Claw. The claw is a type of grappling hook that allows you to hold onto monsters and pull yourself towards them.
Costs of Iceborne
What is the price of the DLC? Iceborne costs €39.99 without bonuses, if you already own the base game.
The price applies to consoles. What the price of Iceborne will be on PC is still unknown. However, it is likely to be similar.
What versions of Iceborne are available: The expansion will be sold as a standalone DLC. There is also the Master Edition, a complete package that includes Monster Hunter World as the base game and the expansion:
- Iceborne DLC without bonuses (€39.99)
- Master Edition: Iceborne + Monster Hunter World (€59.99)
- Digital Deluxe Edition: Iceborne + bonus content (€49.99)
Pre-order Iceborne: It is already possible to pre-order the Master Edition: Iceborne for PS4 and Xbox One. For PC, this is not yet possible.
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Scope of Iceborne – New Areas, Campaign, and Monsters
What is the scope of Iceborne? The size of Iceborne is said to be comparable to the base game itself. The developers equate the scope with an “Ultimate Version” of previous titles. See the comparison to Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate.
In Iceborne there is a summary:
- the new winter area “Hoarfrost Reach”
- an expansion of old areas
- new monsters
- new moves
- new equipment
- a new quest rank
- comfort improvements
The new area Hoarfrost Reach
What we know about the new map: The winter map (Hoarfrost Reach) will be the largest area in Monster Hunter World to date.
The new area will not be fully available to you immediately. You will have to unlock the Hoarfrost Reach during the DLC campaign. This will occur around the halfway point of the story.
Since there is a deep winter in Hoarfrost Reach, hunters will lose their stamina faster here. You will need hot drinks to protect yourself from the cold. The region also has hot springs where you can warm up if necessary. This is similar to the hot areas and cold drinks against the heat.
There is also a new base called Seliana, where you can craft and manage your equipment.
The following post links to a trailer that introduces Hoarfrost Reach:
These are the new monsters
What large monsters are there? Not all monsters from Iceborne have been revealed yet. However, 4 new large monsters were shown in a gameplay reveal trailer for Iceborne. Large monsters are creatures that are harder to take down and require a strategy to fight.
Elder Dragon Velkhana
The Elder Dragon will be the flagship of Iceborne and will adorn the cover image. It will have icy attacks.
Banbaro
This monster is like a bulldozer, charging forward with its massive horns. It is capable of pushing large stones and throwing them at hunters.
Beotodus
This monster resembles the Jyuratodus and slithers through the snow. It remains hidden and attacks suddenly from the snow.
Nargacuga
This fan-favorite has appeared in older games and behaves like an agile panther. Nargacuga attacks swiftly and can glide quickly with its wings.
Tigrex
This monster offers a particularly challenging fight and many players are looking forward to Tigrex. The powerful jaws and the monster’s roars are especially dangerous.
What small monsters are there? Capcom has already revealed two small monsters that come with Iceborne. Small monsters do not pose a great threat to hunters.
Cortos
Popo
Leak Speculation: Will Oroshi Kirin and Alatreon Come? Among the monsters associated with the ice element are the Alatreon and Oroshi Kirin. These are the only monsters still missing from an old monster leak that was released before the launch of Monster Hunter World. You can find the complete leak on Imgur.
Since this leak has been right about every monster so far, the likelihood that Alatreon and Oroshi Kirin could come with Iceborne to Monster Hunter World is increasing.
What We Know About Gameplay in Iceborne
Capcom has expanded and optimized the gameplay with Iceborne. For example, there are new tools or new moves for the weapons.
What’s New in Gameplay
The slinger will be adjusted:
- The slinger can now be used simultaneously with any weapon. Previously, the weapon had to be sheathed.
- There is a new feature called “Clutch Claw.” Hunters can grapple onto a monster and mount it.
- With the new feature “Flinch Shot,” hunters can grapple onto the monster’s head and fire flash bombs at it.
- Coats, like the Bandit Mantle for quick money earning, can now carry decorations. Deco stones come with skills that can optimize builds.
Move improvements: All weapons have received new moves and combos. A few of these would include:
- With the Great Sword, you can now execute a charged power shot with the slinger.
- Those using the dual blades can fire powerful shots while dodging.
- The light bowgun receives a new evade-load maneuver.
New weapon design: It is not entirely clear if Capcom will bring a completely new weapon to Iceborne. However, Capcom allowed the community to vote on which fan weapon design should come to Iceborne via a poll.
A new Clutch Claw: The grappling hook allows hunters to directly grapple onto monsters. The claw can be combined with weapons, resulting in new moves.
You can ride small monsters: With the new feature “Raider Riders,” you can jump on small monsters and ride them. However, you cannot control the monsters like mounts. Instead, you call them like a taxi that takes you to a specific point on the map.
There is no G-Rank – Master Rank is coming
This is the new Master Rank: In Iceborne, there is no G-Rank, instead, the new Master Rank is introduced. Essentially, it is just a different designation for G-Rank.
The Master Rank will then be the highest level of Hunter Rank for Monster Hunter World. The higher the rank, the more difficult quests hunters can undertake. The Master Rank is a further increase from battle-hardened monsters.
How long will Iceborne receive updates?
New updates for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne are expected until 2020.
What new content can we expect? Just like with the base game of Monster Hunter World, Iceborne will also be supported with new updates for a long time. In Monster Hunter World, new monsters such as the Daemonjho or the Kulve Taroth were introduced later. There are also regular events that bring new armor and weapons.
