Today marks the first real large add-on for Monster Hunter World in the form of Iceborne. This massive expansion builds on every aspect of Monster Hunter: World, with an enormous amount of new content including the largest region in the game so far, a multitude of new monsters and subspecies for hunters to challenge, several new gameplay options, and more.

The Monster Hunter World: Iceborne journey begins with an all-new story that picks up right after the main Monster Hunter: World game. Players fly off to explore the newly discovered Hoarfrost Reach, a snow-covered locale that progressively expands with the story which revolves around the mysterious new Elder Dragon, Velkhana. The expansion also allows hunters to achieve a higher difficulty rank called Master Rank. This advanced level introduces a ferocious line-up of new, returning fan-favorite, variant, and subspecies monsters. Players must use their expert skills and thorough preparation to succeed against each and every quest’s formidable monsters.

Improvements to the game include the all-new Clutch Claw mechanic, updates to each of the 14 weapon types, a two-player balanced difficulty scale, ability to ride small monsters to traverse maps, and a Hunter Helper player incentive to encourage veteran helpers to aid Low and High Rank players.

Hunters must have completed the main story in Monster Hunter: World through Hunter Rank 16 in order to access the new Iceborne story and quests. A free Guardian Armor set is available now to players of World and Iceborne, offering increased defense and skills that provide a boost to help hunters through the main World story.

Iceborne will include robust free post-launch support. The first free title update is planned for October 2019, featuring the returning fan-favorite Rajang, a hyper-aggressive monster that becomes even more lethal when angered. More information on this and other title updates will be revealed in the coming months.

For existing owners, the Monster Hunter World: Iceborne expansion is available as digital DLC for MSRP $39.99. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Master Edition containing both the main game and the Iceborne expansion is available either digitally or at participating retailers for MSRP $59.99.