The Monster Hunter franchise has captivated gamers worldwide, earning both critical and commercial success with its engaging gameplay loop. In this loop, players battle formidable monsters to collect loot, which they can then use to upgrade their gear and take on even more challenging creatures. This addictive cycle is perfectly translated into the tabletop realm with Monster Hunter World: The Board Game. Much like its video game counterpart, the board game comes in various editions, each offering unique experiences. Here’s a guide to help you navigate through the different versions and find the one that best suits your gaming needs.
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### 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 looking for a quick overview, you can scroll through all the items listed in this article. For those interested in diving deeper into what each box contains, continue reading to discover more.
Core Boxes
Each core box of Monster Hunter World: The Board Game is a standalone game that includes four hunters and four monsters. These sets can be combined, allowing players to mix and match characters and monsters across different editions. While the majority of components are specific to the hunters and monsters in each set, there is some overlap, and each set includes additional cards used when combining sets.
Starting with a single core box is recommended for beginners. As you become more invested in the game, you can expand your collection with smaller expansions or consider purchasing a second core set if your passion for the series grows.
The core sets do not differ in terms of quality; they all share the same rules, gameplay loop, and high production values, including impressive monster miniatures that dwarf the hunters for a dramatic effect. However, each set has a distinct theme and aesthetic, so choose the one that appeals to you visually or evokes your favorite memories 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 box features game boards in shades of green and brown, with monsters inspired by dinosaurs and tropical creatures. You'll encounter the lizard-like Great Jagras, the furred and scaled Tobi-Kadachi, the fearsome Anjanath, and the mighty Rathalos. The hunters in this set are equipped with traditional weapons such as the Great Sword, Sword and Shield, Dual Blades, and Bow.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Wildspire Waste
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Wildspire Waste
0See it at AmazonThe Wildspire Waste set transports players to a rugged badlands environment, featuring a mix of rocky outcrops, desert, and swamp. The monsters you'll face include the armored Barroth, the monstrous swamp-fish Jyuratodus, the bird-like Pukei-Pukei, and the subterranean behemoth Diablos. This set's hunters wield more exotic weapons like the Charge Blade, Switch Axe, Heavy Bowgun, and Insect Glaive.
Retail Expansions
Several expansions were available during the game's Kickstarter campaign and many are still available at retail. However, some, like the Nergigante and Teostra expansions, are harder to find and are exclusive to the publisher, Steamforged Games.
Nergigante, Kushala Daora, and Teostra are Elder Dragons, introducing a new level of challenge with additional quests and a higher difficulty rating. These expansions also feature larger miniatures, enhancing the epic feel of the game. However, these expansions are pricey and some features are specific to one core box or the other, which might make purchasing a second core set a more cost-effective option for additional content.
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: Light Bowgun, Long Sword, Gunlance, Hammer, Lance, and Hunting Horn. It's an excellent way to add variety to your games, offering new upgrade paths and characters. However, to fully utilize all six, you'll need both core sets.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Nergigante Expansion
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Nergigante Expansion
0See it at Steamforged GamesIf you're looking to add a single dragon to your campaign, the Nergigante expansion is a great choice. It allows you to craft new weapons for all available characters, including those from the core sets and the Hunter's Arsenal. Nergigante is a unique dragon with the ability to grow spikes wherever it's damaged, making it a formidable foe.
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
0See it at AmazonKushala Daora is a wind dragon with a massive miniature featuring a foot-wide wingspan. It challenges hunters with powerful storms and tornadoes, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the hunt.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
0(SFG Exclusive)See it at Steamforged GamesTeostra is the classic fire dragon, known for its devastating ranged attacks. It brings intense fire-based combat to the game, making it a thrilling addition to any campaign.
Exclusive Expansion
The Kulu-Ya-Ku expansion was initially exclusive to the game's Kickstarter campaign. It's now available through a subsequent Kickstarter for the Iceborne edition, but expect to pay a premium if you're looking to purchase it second-hand.
Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku Expansion
### Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku
0See it at GamefoundThis expansion introduces the Kulu-Ya-Ku, a creature that can wield tools like rocks to attack hunters, adding unpredictability to the gameplay. Its design resembles an ornithomimosaur, fitting well within the Ancient Forest setting, though it 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 original Monster Hunter World: The Board Game, Steamforged Games launched a Kickstarter for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. This new edition maintains the core mechanics but introduces new concepts, making it partially compatible with the original boxes. You can transfer monsters and hunters between editions for arena games, but not for campaigns.
The Iceborne core box, Hoarfrost Reach, includes four new monsters and four hunters. Additional expansions like the Elder Dragons and the Hunter's Arsenal are available, along with three monster expansions: Absolute Power, Seething Anger, and Overpowering Hunger, plus other extras unlocked during the campaign. Although the Kickstarter has ended, you can still order items from the range via Gamefound.
