The Arkveld inMonster Hunter Wildspresented an excellent opportunity for a new weapon type that has yet to materialize. There’s no question thatMonster Hunter Wildsis going to be an ambitious game, especially after several trailers showing it off. There is a lot for players to look forward to as a result. However, the opportunity to introduce a new weapon or two seems to be the biggest missed opportunity among a sea of new features. The Arkveld is just one of many new monsters, but it could have provided a perfect inspiration for a new weapon.
Theweapons featured inMonster Hunter Wildsappeal to a wide variety of playstyles. The Dual Blades encourage a fast and aggressive approach, while the Lance is slower and more defensive. Players who prefer long-range combat have Bows and Light and Heavy Bowguns to choose from, all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses to keep track of. There are even weapons that introduce their own lists of mechanics, most notably the Hunting Horn and Insect Glaive.Monster Hunter Wildsis carrying over the same weapons from the last game, and it’s an arsenal that will cover most kinds of players.
Monster Hunter Wild Could Have Used the Arkveld to Create a New Class of Weapon
The Arkveld is a Stunning New Monster in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Arkveld is one of thenew monsters inMonster Hunter Wilds, and it’s quite a sight. It has majestic wings lined with flowing white fur attached to its powerful-looking arms. At the same time, its brutish build and sharp claws and fangs make a point of how dangerous it is. The most distinctive aspect of the Arkveld is a chain-like appendage that it can release from its wings at will. This gives it a pretty unique method of attacking among the other monsters in the game. This trait of the Arkveld could have also proven interesting for other reasons.
The Arkveld’s Whip-Like Appendage Could Have Become a New Weapon
The chain attack of the Arkveld makes it unfortunate thatMonster Hunter Wildshas no new weapons, because it easily could have inspired one.Monster Hunterdoesn’t have any whip-like weapons in its arsenal as ofMonster Hunter Rise, and the Arkveld could have helped to introduce one. It’s easy to see the Arkveld’s tendril, or at least a recreation of it, functioning as a whip or flail that a Hunter could wield. That would have provided a mid-range combat option that would function differently from any other weapon in the game, and the Arkveld’s whip would have been a great example.
Monster Hunter Wilds Could Have Added Flail-type Weapons
Some inspiration from the Arkveld could even have led to multiple new weapons. Much likeMonster Hunter’s bowgun variations, there could have been light and heavy flail-type weapons introduced. A whip could be a lighter variation, emphasizing faster lashes and acrobatic movement, with the weapon itself being thin and light. A meteor hammer could be the heavy variant, having slower swings, but using a heavy ball or head at the end of the chain to deal heavy, impactful blows. This would have added even more toMonster Hunter Wilds' weapon pool, and provided two distinct takes on a similar weapon concept to boot.
Monster Hunterdoesn’t have any whip-like weapons in its arsenal as ofMonster Hunter Rise, and the Arkveld could have helped to introduce one.
The Arkveld’s chain attack would have been the perfect chance to introduce new weapons intoMonster Hunter Wilds. WhileMonster Hunter WIlds' Seikretsand seasons show that the game is innovating in many ways, it’s a little disappointing to not see any new weapons. This is doubly true with the Arkveld providing a prime opportunity for whips, flails, or similar weapons to be added.Monster Hunter Wildscould have used the Arkveld’s presence to expand its weapon selection, but that opportunity will have to wait until the next game.
Monster Hunter Wilds
WHERE TO PLAY
The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
