The Monster Hunter Wilds beta is back, and it's brought some serious heat with it. Players are already facing off against Arkveld, the game's fearsome new flagship monster, a creature eliciting equal parts excitement and terror.
Arkveld, the star of the Wilds cover art, promises a significant role in the game's narrative. This beta test lets hunters tackle the "Chained Arkveld" in a thrilling 20-minute hunt with a five-faint limit.
As many are discovering, this behemoth is no pushover. A massive winged beast wielding electrifying chains from each arm, Arkveld unleashes thunderous attacks with surprising speed.
Arkveld is a peak monster
byu/Joeljb960 in MHWilds
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Even experienced hunters are finding themselves repeatedly defeated by its powerful moves. Arkveld's whip-like chains allow for dynamic movement, long-range attacks, and general mayhem. One attack, in particular, has players stunned: Arkveld grabs the hunter, roars, and slams them to the ground.
The chaos extends beyond combat. A video on the r/MHWilds subreddit perfectly captures Arkveld's unexpected interruption of a hunter's mid-hunt meal. It seems the wilds are not the ideal lunchtime location.
arkveld is having none of that
byu/tomkwuz inMHWilds
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }This visually stunning fight presents an incredibly dangerous challenge. While the difficulty might intimidate some, the dedicated Monster Hunter community seems invigorated. Conquering formidable monsters is the core of the experience, and Arkveld's fearsome yet iconic design is a testament to that. The "Chained" moniker, coupled with its flagship status, fuels speculation about a potentially even more terrifying "Unchained" variant in the future.
The Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test 2 runs February 6-9 and February 13-16. Hunters can tackle both Arkveld and the returning Gypceros, along with new features like a Training Area and Private Lobbies.
Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Learn more about Capcom's latest hunting adventure in our IGN First coverage, including our Monster Hunter Wilds Final Preview.
For more information on the beta, including multiplayer tips, weapon types, and confirmed monsters, check out our Monster Hunter Wilds Beta guide.
