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Video Games🇯🇵Japan21st century

Monster Hunter: World

Officially Monster Hunter: World + Iceborne

Fifth-generation action-RPG (Capcom, Jan 26, 2018 PS4/Xbox, Aug 9, 2018 PC) — best-selling Capcom title of all time (25M+ units incl. Iceborne). Seamless open zones, 14 weapon types, hunt-craft-hunt loop; Iceborne expansion (Sep 6, 2019) adds Master Rank.

⏱~45 min🌤indoor

What is Monster Hunter: World?

Monster Hunter: World is the fifth-generation action-RPG developed + published by Capcom for PS4/Xbox One (January 26, 2018) + PC (August 9, 2018). Best-selling Capcom title of all time — 25 million units sold as of March 2024 (including Iceborne expansion). First MH with seamless open zones (no zone transitions), 14 weapon types, and international simultaneous release. Iceborne expansion (September 6, 2019) added Master Rank tier, Hoarfrost Reach map, and 30+ new monsters including endgame Fatalis (October 2020) + Alatreon + Safi'jiiva. Solo or 4-player online co-op. Progression: Low Rank (LR) → High Rank (HR) → Master Rank (MR with Iceborne). No PvP — purely PvE hunt-craft-hunt loop with community speedrun scene on speedrun.com + TA-wiki (Japan).

Quick facts

Category

Video Games

Type

Mixed

Players

1–4

Duration

~45 min

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Estimated origin

Released Jan 26, 2018 (PS4/Xbox); PC Aug 9, 2018; Iceborne Sep 6, 2019

Olympic

No

Popularity

global

How it works

Objective

Hunt monsters solo or in party, craft gear from parts, progress to endgame Fatalis + Alatreon.

Match structure

Solo or online 4-player co-op hunts (30-50 min per Elder Dragon). Progression: LR → HR → MR (with Iceborne).

Rules

Basic rules

  • Choose 1 of 14 weapons

    Each has unique moveset, combos, and monster matchups.

  • Craft gear from monster parts

    Break specific parts for rare materials (horns, gems, plates).

  • SOS flare co-op

    Solo hunters can send SOS flare to invite up to 3 online hunters mid-hunt.

Advanced rules

  • Cart limit (3 faints)

    3 party carts = quest failure, party returns without rewards.

  • Time limit (50 min)

    Most hunts have 50-minute limit; sieges vary (30-45 min per attempt).

  • Element vs raw damage

    Match weapon element to monster weakness; raw builds better for universal hunts.

Scoring

Hunter Rank (HR 1-999) + Master Rank (MR 1-999) after Iceborne; no PvP.

ActionPoints
Hunt completionInvestigation rewards + HR/MR progress
Part breakExtra rare material rolls

Win condition · Slay/capture target monster within time + cart limit.

Equipment

  • Gaming platform (PS4/PS5, Xbox, PC)

    PS4/PS5 60 FPS mode, Xbox Series X 60 FPS, PC uncapped with mods.

  • 14 weapon types (in-game)

    Great Sword, Long Sword, Sword & Shield, Dual Blades, Hammer, Hunting Horn, Lance, Gunlance, Switch Axe, Charge Blade, Insect Glaive, Bow, Light Bowgun, Heavy Bowgun.

  • Voice chat (external)

    Discord/party chat recommended for endgame Fatalis + Alatreon co-op.

Positions & roles

  • Hunter

    ×1

    Wields 1 of 14 weapon types, hunts monsters solo or in 4-player party.

Officiating

Community-driven speedrun leaderboards; no PvP tournaments.

  • No formal officials — speedrun.com moderators verify TA runs

Penalties & fouls

Penalties

  • Cart (faint)

    3 carts = quest failure.

  • Quest timeout

    Fails if not completed in time limit.

  • Modding on multiplayer

    Anti-cheat detection can result in session bans.

Strategies

  • Element vs raw damage

    Match weapon element to monster weakness (ice-3 vs Nergigante); raw for universal builds.

  • Slinger burst combo

    Fire rocksteady/paralysis ammo during monster attack windows for stagger + DPS window.

  • Clutch claw + wallbang (Iceborne)

    Clutch onto monster's head, soften, then flinch shot into wall for hardknockdown.

Terminology

HR
Hunter Rank (Low + High)
MR
Master Rank (Iceborne)
Cart
Faint (KO) — sent back to camp
TA
Time Attack — speedrun ruleset (no cart, no consumables)

Major competitions

  • Speedrun.com Monster Hunter World leaderboards

    ongoing · global (community) · since 2018

  • TA-wiki Japan speedrun leaderboards

    ongoing · Japan (community) · since 2018

Where it is played

Governing bodies

  • Capcom Co., Ltd.

    Founded 1979 · Osaka, Japan

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

  • Various speedrun.com TA record holders (Fatalis sub-3 min solos)

Records

  • Capcom's best-selling game ever

    Capcom — 25 million units sold as of March 2024 (including Iceborne) (2024)

  • Fastest-selling Capcom game

    Capcom — 8 million units in first 3 days globally (2018)

  • Fatalis TA speedrun world record

    various — Sub-3 minute solo runs by top speedrunners (2024)

Learn this sport

beginner

  1. 1

    Basic hunt loop

    Pick weapon, learn moveset, first monsters, craft-upgrade path.

intermediate

  1. 1

    Elder Dragon + Tempered

    Elder Dragons + Tempered variants HR 30+, meta armour skills.

advanced

  1. 1

    Iceborne Master Rank + speedrun

    Fatalis, Alatreon, Safi'jiiva, TA-wiki speedrun rules.

Frequently asked

Which weapon should I start with?+

Sword and Shield (versatile), Insect Glaive (mobile aerial), or Longsword (spirit gauge + parry) are common beginner picks.

Do I need Iceborne to play with friends?+

No — base game supports co-op standalone. Iceborne is DLC; both players need it to hunt MR monsters together.

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-29.verified