The Monster Hunter franchise has captivated gamers worldwide with its engaging gameplay loop, where players battle colossal monsters to acquire loot, which in turn allows them to upgrade their gear and tackle even more formidable foes. This addictive cycle is perfectly translated into the tabletop realm with Monster Hunter World: The Board Game. Just like the video game series, the board game comes in various editions, each offering unique experiences. Here's a guide to help you navigate through the different offerings and find the perfect fit for your gaming needs.
Featured in this article
### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game: Ancient Forest
0See it at Amazon### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Wildspire Waste
0See it at Amazon### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Hunter's Arsenal Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Nergigante Expansion
0See it at Steamforged Games### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
0See it at Amazon### Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
0See it at Steamforged Games### Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku
0See it at Gamefound### Monster Hunter World Iceborne: The Board Game
0See it at GamefoundIf you're eager to dive straight into the options, you can scroll through all the items listed here. For a deeper understanding of what each box offers, continue reading for detailed insights.
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 you to mix and match characters and monsters across different sets. While most components are unique to each set, there's some overlap, and each box includes additional cards for use when combining sets.
Starting with a single core box is recommended. If you find yourself hooked, you can then explore smaller expansions or consider purchasing a second core set to enhance your gaming experience.
The quality across core sets remains consistent, with the same engaging gameplay loop and high production values, including impressive monster miniatures that dwarf the hunters, creating a thrilling sense of scale. The choice between sets often comes down to aesthetic preference or nostalgia tied to 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 rich greens and browns, 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 majestic dragon Rathalos. The hunters are equipped with classic weapons like 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 AmazonThis set transports you to a rugged badlands environment, complete with rocky outcrops, desert, and swamp. The monsters include the heavily-armored Barroth, the monstrous swamp-fish Jyuratodus, the bird-like Pukei-Pukei, and the underground behemoth Diablos. The hunters in this set wield more exotic weapons such as the Charge Blade, Switch Axe, Heavy Bowgun, and Insect Glaive.
Retail Expansions
Following the Kickstarter model, several expansions were available for pre-order and many are still accessible at retail. However, the Nergigante expansion is scarce, and the Teostra expansion is exclusive to Steamforged Games' website.
Nergigante, Kushala Daora, and Teostra are Elder Dragons, introducing a new level of challenge with additional quest content and a five-star difficulty level. These expansions also feature larger miniatures, enhancing the epic feel of your campaign.
While these expansions offer exciting new challenges, they are pricey and often designed to work with specific core boxes. For example, Kushala Daora includes crafting weapons tailored for hunters from both the Ancient Forest and Wildspire Waste sets. Therefore, acquiring a second core set might be a more cost-effective way to expand your game.
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 the traditional Light Bowgun and Long Sword to the more unusual Gunlance, Hammer, Lance, and Hunting Horn. This set significantly enhances gameplay variety, offering new upgrade paths and characters. However, to fully utilize all six hunters, 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, Nergigante is an excellent choice. It allows you to craft additional weapons for all available characters, including those from the core sets and the Hunter's Arsenal. Nergigante's unique design, with its growing spikes, adds a thrilling element to your battles.
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
### Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
0See it at AmazonKushala Daora, the wind dragon, challenges hunters with powerful storms and boasts the largest miniature in the series, with a foot-wide wingspan. Battling this behemoth through fierce winds and tornadoes adds an extra layer of difficulty and excitement.
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, unleashes ranged attacks with blasts and fireballs, making it a formidable foe. This expansion is exclusive to Steamforged Games, adding a familiar yet challenging monster to your collection.
Exclusive Expansion
Originally available only through the game's Kickstarter campaign, the Kulu-Ya-Ku expansion is now accessible through the more recent Iceborne Kickstarter campaign.
Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku Expansion
### Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku
0See it at GamefoundThis expansion introduces the unique Kulu-Ya-Ku, a creature that can use tools like rocks to attack hunters. Its unpredictable nature and missile attacks add a fresh challenge to your gameplay. 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 original lineup, Steamforged Games launched a Kickstarter for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. While it retains the core mechanics, it introduces new concepts and is only partially compatible with the original boxes. You can transfer monsters and hunters between sets for arena games, but not for campaigns.
The Iceborne core box, Hoarfrost Reach, includes four new monsters and four hunters. Additional expansions like Elder Dragons and a Hunter's Arsenal are available, along with three monster expansions: Absolute Power, Seething Anger, and Overpowering Hunger. Although the campaign has ended, you can still order these items through Gamefound before they ship.