Capcom has rolled out patch 1.041 for Monster Hunter Wilds, delivering what the studio calls the final free update before a large-scale paid expansion arrives later this year. The update, which went live on February 18 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, brings a hefty package of new content, quality-of-life improvements, and endgame challenges to mark the game’s one-year anniversary.
The headline addition is the long-awaited Arch-Tempered Arkveld, now available as a permanent Event Quest. Joining it are four new 10-star Arch-Tempered monster hunts featuring Rey Dau, Uth Duna, Nu Udra, and Jin Dahaad — giving veteran hunters some of the toughest challenges the base game has to offer. New equipment and pendants accompany these formidable foes, providing fresh gear to chase as reported by IGN.
Fans of the broader franchise will also find a special crossover mission tying into Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the upcoming spin-off launching on March 13. The collaboration side mission, titled “A Royal Request,” unlocks for players who have reached Hunter Rank 9 or above. An additional side mission called “Love for a Hero” has also been added, expanding the game’s narrative content further.
Beyond the new monsters and quests, the update brings a substantial list of facility and quality-of-life upgrades. The Melding Pot now supports Gogma material crafting, the Ingredient Center offers random ingredient rewards after reaching HR 9, and a new category of appraisal items called Timeworn Charms has been introduced to boost the odds of earning high-rarity Talismans. Several maps have also received additional Pop-Up Camp slots, and Barrel Bowling has been overhauled with retry options and batch voucher redemption, as detailed by Eurogamer.
To celebrate the anniversary, Capcom is running a login bonus campaign and rotating all past Festivals of Accord through March 18, giving players who may have missed earlier seasonal events a chance to catch up on rewards and quests. It is a fitting send-off for the game’s free update cycle, which has seen several major patches addressing gameplay balance, performance optimization, and persistent issues with the PC version since launch.
Looking ahead, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto confirmed in an anniversary video that a large-scale expansion — comparable in scope to Monster Hunter World’s acclaimed Iceborne add-on — is in development for later this year. While details remain scarce, the announcement has already generated significant excitement among the community. Players should note that patch 1.041 must be installed to access any DLC content or online multiplayer, and PC users are advised to update their GPU drivers to avoid known compatibility issues with certain AMD Radeon configurations.