The Monster Hunter franchise has captivated fans worldwide with its addictive gameplay, and its transition to the tabletop with Monster Hunter World: The Board Game has been equally successful. The game captures the essence of the video game by allowing players to hunt massive monsters, gather loot, and upgrade their gear to take on even more formidable foes. With various editions and expansions, finding the right set to start your journey can be overwhelming. Here's a guide to help you navigate the offerings of this popular board game.
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 Gamefound!
If you're eager to dive into the details, keep reading to learn more about each box and what they include. If you prefer a quick overview, feel free to scroll through the images and links provided.
Core Boxes
Each core box of Monster Hunter World: The Board Game is a complete standalone game, featuring four hunters and four monsters. These boxes can be combined, allowing you to mix and match hunters and monsters from different sets. While most components are unique to each set, there is some overlap, and each box includes cards that enhance play when combined with others. Starting with a single core box is recommended, and if you enjoy the game, you can expand your collection with smaller expansions or a second core set.
The quality across the core sets remains consistent, with the same rules, gameplay loop, and high production values, including impressive monster miniatures. The choice between sets often comes down to aesthetics and personal connections to the video game series.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Ancient Forest
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game: Ancient Forest
0See it at Amazon!
Set in a lush primeval forest, this box features vibrant green and brown game boards. The monsters, inspired by dinosaurs and tropical creatures, include the lizard-like Great Jagras, the furred and scaled Tobi-Kadachi, the tyrannosaur Anjanath, and the dragon Rathalos. Hunters in this set 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 Amazon!
This set transports players to a badlands setting with rocky outcrops, desert, and swamp. The monsters include the armored Barroth, the swamp-fish Jyuratodus, the bird-like Pukei-Pukei, and the underground behemoth Diablos. Hunters wield unique weapons such as the Charge Blade, Switch Axe, Heavy Bowgun, and Insect Glaive.
Retail Expansions
Alongside the core boxes, several expansions were available during the Kickstarter campaign and are now accessible at retail. Notable exceptions are the Nergigante and Teostra expansions, which are harder to find and 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 higher difficulty level. These expansions come with larger miniatures and extend the campaign, offering a mega-boss challenge. However, they are costly and some features are specific to certain core boxes.
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Hunter's Arsenal Expansion
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Hunter's Arsenal Expansion
0See it at Amazon!
This expansion introduces six new hunters, each named after their weapon: Light Bowgun, Long Sword, Gunlance, Hammer, Lance, and Hunting Horn. It's the most cost-effective way to add variety to your game, offering multiple new upgrade paths. However, to fully utilize all six 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 Games!
For those seeking a single dragon to enhance their campaign, Nergigante is an excellent choice. It allows crafting additional weapons for all existing characters and features a unique, spiny design that grows spikes where it's damaged.
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
Monster Hunter World The Board Game: Kushala Daora Expansion
0See it at Amazon!
Kushala Daora is a wind dragon with a massive miniature boasting a foot-wide wingspan. Hunters must battle through storms and tornadoes to reach this formidable foe.
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Teostra Expansion
0(SFG Exclusive)See it at Steamforged Games!
Teostra, a classic fire dragon, unleashes ranged attacks with fireballs and blasts, challenging hunters who dare enter its lair.
Exclusive Expansion
Originally exclusive to the Kickstarter campaign, the Kulu-Ya-Ku expansion is now available through a more recent campaign for the Iceborne boxes. Expect to pay a premium for second-hand copies.
Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku Expansion
Monster Hunter World - Kulu-Ya-Ku
0See it at Gamefound!
Kulu-Ya-Ku, a creature resembling an ostrich-mimic dinosaur, uses its claws to pick up and throw objects, adding unpredictability to your hunts. 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 Gamefound!
Following the success of the original, Steamforged Games launched a Kickstarter for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. This new iteration retains core mechanics but introduces new concepts, making it only partially compatible with the original game. The Iceborne core box, Hoarfrost Reach, includes four monsters and four hunters, with additional Elder Dragons and a Hunter’s Arsenal expansion. Three monster expansions, Absolute Power, Seething Anger, and Overpowering Hunger, each contain four new monsters. Although the campaign has ended, you can still order from Gamefound before the game ships.
