Monster Hunter World: What’s New in the Iceborne Expansion?

Iceborne stands as the highly-praised expansion for Monster Hunter World, introducing new content such as mounts, weapons, regions, and a new expanded storyline.

The story of Monster Hunter World Iceborne continues right after the Xeno’Jiva hunt, where new monsters have migrated to unfamiliar territories. You will be investigating this new territory, Guiding Lands, to conquer all the new monsters that have inhabited this area.

MHW Iceborne is designed to elevate the excitement of hunts by introducing a new master rank and a compelling storyline. Let’s go through each new feature one by one.

The Clutch Claw

This innovative tool, integrated into the slinger, facilitates our ability to anchor onto monsters during hunts. This allows for targeted attacks using the claw in the affixed region or enables a transition to another part of the creature for subsequent claw-based assaults.

Repetitive use of the claw in a specific area results in the gradual weakening of that region. Each attack on the exposed region will have an increased damage bonus.

Depending on the weapon type wielded, certain weapons, like the Insect Glaive or the bow, are used in conjunction with the clutch claw for attacks while clinging. This maneuver yields dropped sling ammunition from the monsters.

Weapons such as the Great Sword, when employed while clinging to a monster, effectively expedite the weakening of the targeted area.

Moreover, gripping onto a monster’s head and striking it with the claw can alter its orientation. When deploying the sling while the monster faces a wall or a sturdy structure, like a tree or pillar, it propels forward, colliding with the obstacle and descending to the ground. This sling attack contributes to the weakening of the targeted area.

However, proceed with caution, as this attack is ineffective against enraged enemies. Furthermore, it is crucial to note that adversaries retain the ability to counterattack if one fails to evade their assaults while grappling, akin to the risks associated with riding a monster.

New Combat Mechanics

Sling Combos

In conjunction with the introduction of the retractable claw, Iceborne introduces Sling combos, elevating the significance of this potent tool. Specific weapons, such as the dual blades or the sword and shield, seamlessly incorporate sling attacks into their combat sequences.

Conversely, weapons such as the Gunlance and the Insect Glaive, leverage sling combos to augment their inherent abilities with additional effects.

These sling combos will drastically change the rankings of all the best weapons in the game.

New Weapon Combos

The weapons have undergone adjustments to improve the overall dynamics of each type. While it isn’t a complete overhaul, there are many new combos to explore and master.

Seliana & Steamworks

The Arctic Research Expedition headquarters is situated in this locale, offering enhanced accessibility to facilities previously available at both the research headquarters and the third fleet headquarters.

This consolidation ensures a heightened level of convenience for all operational needs.

Furthermore, within Seliana, the Steamworks facility contributes to maintaining a warm and energetic environment. It gathers energy by completing missions and investigations, but you can also charge it using minerals and items.

Engaging in a unique minigame at the Steamworks yields valuable rewards, including mega potions, maximum potions, ancient potions, and Feystones.

Mounts

Have you ever contemplated a more efficient means of traversal?

In Iceborne, this notion becomes a reality. By assisting the endemic Lynians in each region, they impart knowledge on how to domesticate small monsters, transforming them into mounts.

These mounts can be directed to transport you to specific map locations. This feature enables expedited navigation across the map, enhancing the efficiency of your hunting endeavors.

Master Rank

The introduction of the esteemed “Master Rank,” also known as the “G Rank” from previous Monster Hunter World titles, presents a substantial escalation in the difficulty of hunts. Monsters at this level exhibit new move sets, and significantly increased vitality, defense, and offensive capabilities.

What may have appeared as a straightforward hunt in the past now transforms into a formidable challenge.

It is imperative not to underestimate the Master Rank versions of familiar monsters.

Overconfidence is unwarranted, as these adversaries possess the potential to dispatch hunters with a single devastating attack. Even having the best endgame builds proves insufficient for ensuring a secure completion of these hunts.

Approach with caution. Gather resources in the newly introduced frozen terrain and prepare for the impending challenges of Master Rank hunts.

Guiding Landscaping

One of the newest and biggest additions to Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is the Guiding Lands region.

Upon completing the expansion, you gain access to the Guiding Lands, a recently discovered and unique locale. This region is a captivating blend of landscapes, featuring forests, deserts, corals, and volcanoes, each divided into distinct sectors.

You can progress within each sector by conducting investigations and collecting items within its boundaries, gradually increasing its level. As you raise the sector levels, formidable monsters will emerge, reaching a strength where you can confront Arch-Tempered monsters without the need for expeditions.

Similar to Seliana and the New World, the roster of large monsters in the Guiding Lands undergoes regular rotations after completing quests or expeditions. Staying vigilant is crucial to monitor these rotations for efficient material farming.

Iceborne offers a wealth of content, ensuring countless hours of enjoyment. Embrace the challenges, aim to become the preeminent hunter and investigator in the expedition, and unravel the mysteries concealed within this novel terrain.

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