It’s been a while, but Niantic has spilt the beans on what we can expect from Monster Hunter Now’s first season. The Vernal Invader will kick off March 14th and will bring with it a new weapon type, a much-requested expanded Loadout selection, some massive new enemies, and much more.
First, let's look at the most important stuff; player kit. The Charge Blade will be making its debut, and it's perfect for those looking for a wide playstyle. In Sword Mode, you will be manoeuvrable and each attack will store some energy. When you have enough, switch into Axe Mode to deal massive damage.
To help you practise with this new weapon, the number of Loadouts has increased from five to ten. There will also be a host of new skills to try out too, such as Latent Power, Quick Work, and Status Sneak Attack. Finally, on this topic, the true endgame has been unlocked, as the Layered Equipment feature allows Hunters to substitute gear looks with another that takes your fancy whilst keeping the base one stats.
You will need an audience to show off these new glamours, and lucky a host of new Large Monsters has arrived. Odogaron, Tzitzi-Ya-Ku, and Deviljho are bursting onto the scene, with the former too unlockable through urgent quests. The Odorgaron also packs a new status effect; Bleeding. This causes damage whenever you attack or evade, and can be stopped by doing neither for some time, a tough thing to pull off.
How do I face off against the Deviljho I hear you cry? Why, through the new Invasions feature. As you explore, your map will occasionally pop up with volatile territories. Engage a large monster here, and you just might see a Deviljho swoop in and take the original monster's place, like some giant winged tag team.
A new celebration quest line will bring sixteen missions to complete, with exclusive hunter medals, Beginner Weapon Tickets, and a host of monster materials to pick up. Act fast, as they will only be available after launch until March 24th. During this period, monsters in all habitats will respawn after one hour and more will show up in general, so get hunting.
Monster Hunter Now is available to download from the App Store and Google Play.
