The Monster Hunter franchise has captivated gamers worldwide, earning both critical and commercial success with its vast array of main titles and spinoffs. The secret behind its enduring appeal lies in an addictive gameplay loop where players engage in thrilling battles against colossal and fearsome monsters. These encounters yield valuable loot, which players can use to craft superior gear, enabling them to take on even more formidable creatures. This engaging cycle has been successfully translated into the tabletop realm with Monster Hunter World: The Board Game. Like its video game counterpart, the board game offers various editions, each bringing unique experiences to the table. Here’s a guide to help you navigate through the offerings of this captivating video game-inspired board game.
Featured in this article
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game: Ancient Forest
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### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Wildspire Waste
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### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Hunter's Arsenal Expansion
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### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Nergigante Expansion
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### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
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### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
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### Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku
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### Monster Hunter World Iceborne: The Board Game
0See it at GamefoundIf you're not interested in detailed descriptions, you can quickly browse through all the items featured in this article. However, for those who want to dive deeper into what each box offers, keep reading for a comprehensive overview.
Core Boxes
Each core box of Monster Hunter World: The Board Game is a standalone experience, featuring four hunters and four monsters. These boxes can be combined, allowing players to mix and match characters and monsters from different sets. While the majority of components are unique to each set, there is some overlap, and each box includes additional cards for use when combining sets.
Starting with a single core box is advisable for newcomers. As you delve deeper into the game, consider adding smaller expansions before purchasing a second core set, especially if you find yourself deeply engaged with the series.
The quality of the core sets remains consistent across the board, offering the same engaging ruleset, addictive gameplay loop, and high production values. Each set features impressive monster miniatures that dwarf the hunters, creating a thrilling sense of scale. The aesthetic appeal of each set varies, so choose the one that resonates with you visually or connects with your favorite moments from the video game series.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Ancient Forest
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game: Ancient Forest
0See it at AmazonSet in a lush, primeval forest, this core box transports players into a world of dinosaurs and tropical creatures. The game includes the lizard-like Great Jagras, the furred and scaled Tobi-Kadachi, the fearsome tyrannosaur Anjanath, and the majestic dragon Rathalos. Hunters equipped with Great Sword, Sword and Shield, Dual Blades, and Bow are ready to take on these formidable beasts.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Wildspire Waste
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Wildspire Waste
0See it at AmazonWildspire Waste introduces a rugged badlands setting with rocky outcrops, desert, and swamp. Players will encounter the heavily-armored Barroth, the monstrous swamp-fish Jyuratodus, the bird-like Pukei-Pukei, and the underground behemoth Diablos. Hunters in this set wield unique weapons like the Charge Blade, Switch Axe, Heavy Bowgun, and Insect Glaive, adding diversity to the gameplay.
Retail Expansions
Following the Kickstarter campaign, several expansions became available for pre-order, many of which are still accessible at retail. However, the Nergigante expansion is scarce, and Teostra is exclusive to Steamforged Games, available directly from their website.
Nergigante, Kushala Daora, and Teostra are Elder Dragons, introducing a new tier of monsters to the game. These expansions include additional quest content and a challenging five-star difficulty level, with larger miniatures to match their status. They extend the campaign with mega-boss challenges, but be aware that they are pricey and some features are specific to one core box or the other.
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Hunter's Arsenal Expansion
### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Hunter's Arsenal Expansion
0See it at AmazonThis expansion introduces six new hunters, each named after their unique weapon, ranging from traditional choices like the Light Bowgun and Long Sword to the more unusual Gunlance, Hammer, Lance, and Hunting Horn. For players looking to enhance variety in their games, this box offers the most value with its six new characters and upgrade paths. However, to fully utilize all the new hunters, both core sets are required.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Nergigante Expansion
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Nergigante Expansion
0See it at Steamforged GamesFor those interested in adding a single dragon to their campaign, the Nergigante expansion is an excellent choice. It enables crafting additional weapons for all existing characters, including those from the core sets and the Hunter’s Arsenal. Nergigante is a striking addition with its spiny appearance and unique ability to grow spikes wherever it's damaged.
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
0See it at AmazonKushala Daora, a wind dragon, challenges hunters with powerful storms and a massive miniature boasting a foot-wide wingspan. Facing this behemoth is tough enough, but players must also contend with strong winds and tornado blasts, making the hunt even more exhilarating.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
0(SFG Exclusive)See it at Steamforged GamesTeostra, the classic fire dragon, is both loved and feared by players. This expansion brings the heat with ranged attacks and fireballs, making it a formidable addition to any campaign.
Exclusive Expansion
Originally available only during the game's Kickstarter campaign, the Kulu-Ya-Ku expansion is now accessible through a subsequent campaign for the new Iceborne boxes.
Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku Expansion
### Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku
0See it at GamefoundThe Kulu-Ya-Ku is a unique creature capable of picking up and throwing objects, adding a layer of unpredictability to the game. Its missile attack and tool-using ability require strategic positioning to maximize damage. Resembling an ornithomimosaur, it fits well in the Ancient Forest but can be used with either core box.
Upcoming Content
Monster Hunter World Iceborne: The Board Game
### Monster Hunter World Iceborne: The Board Game
0See it at GamefoundFollowing the success of the initial lineup, Steamforged Games launched a Kickstarter for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, featuring new content while retaining the core mechanics. This iteration introduces new concepts and is only partially compatible with the original boxes, allowing for monster and hunter transfers in arena games but not for campaign crossover.
The Iceborne core box, Hoarfrost Reach, includes four new monsters and hunters, along with Elder Dragons and a Hunter’s Arsenal expansion. Instead of another core box, three monster expansions—Absolute Power, Seething Anger, and Overpowering Hunger—each add four new monsters. Additional content was unlocked during the campaign, and although the campaign has ended, items can still be ordered through Gamefound until the game ships.
