Read This First
Wilds does not have experience points. It has Hunter Rank, and it is gated by specific monsters. The ranges below come from fan guides that agree on the broad shape but differ on exact thresholds. Capcom has not published a rank table, so check the in-game quest board for what unlocks next.
The release facts are simple. Wilds launched on February 28, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X|S with cross-platform play, and supports four-player co-op (Wikipedia). If you want to know what to farm after the story, read the zenny and endgame guide.
How Hunter Rank Works
Icy Veins explains that Hunter Rank rises as you earn Hunter Rank Points (HRP) from story quests, side quests, monster hunts, bounties and helping other players. There is no separate character level, so every system you want to unlock, such as new quests and tempered monsters, sits behind a rank.
The Gates
Icy Veins lists the unlock points by rank range (Reported):
| Rank range | What unlocks it |
|---|---|
| HR 1 to 8 | Low Rank story progress |
| HR 16+ | High Rank opens after you defeat Yian Kut-Ku in Chapter 4 |
| HR 16 to 20 | Defeat Frenzied Nerscylla |
| HR 21 to 40 | Defeat Tempered Lala Barina and Guardian Fulgur Anjanath |
| HR 41+ | Defeat Arkveld |
PowerPyx adds that you need HR 40 to finish the story and reach all Tempered monsters, and that from Chapter 4-3 onward you must raise your rank to unlock new main missions. The two guides frame it differently, but they agree that the story is capped by rank and that excess points carry over until the cap lifts.
Where the Points Come From
Icy Veins orders the sources by efficiency:
- Main story quests give the highest HRP per quest.
- Investigations add bonus HRP and rare materials, and some feature multiple monsters.
- Multiplayer hunts let you finish quickly.
- Hunting or capturing monsters, with capturing paying more than slaying.
- Optional side quests give moderate HRP and extra rewards.
Bounties and gathering give minimal HRP. PowerPyx adds that higher-difficulty monsters pay more points, and that turning in side quests to NPCs also gives points.
The Climb to HR 40
PowerPyx says this stretch takes about 20 to 35 hours. The recurring advice:
- Use SOS Flares to call in AI or other hunters so each fight ends sooner.
- Pair side missions with hunts so the same trip counts twice.
- Pick harder monsters when you can, since they award more.
- Capture when you can. The bonus is bigger and you spend less time chipping at the last bit of health.
The wall is real. PowerPyx notes HR 39 to 40 takes only two or three high-difficulty kills, but you may hit the story cap before that. Excess HRP carries over, so you do not lose progress.
After the Story
PowerPyx says the cap is lifted once Chapter 6 is complete. From there, Capcom's title updates layered more content on top. HR 100 became the next gate: Capcom's Title Update 4 page says Gogmazios and Armor Transcendence need HR 100 or higher, and PowerPyx notes HR 100 unlocks the Established Hunter trophy. Title Update 1 also added a Hunter Rank 50 version of Zoh Shia, according to Game8's roadmap.
Rank Milestones in Order
| Milestone | Source |
|---|---|
| HR 16: High Rank opens | Reported Icy Veins |
| HR 21 and 41: gate monsters | Reported Icy Veins |
| HR 40: story completion and Tempered monsters | Reported PowerPyx |
| HR 50: Zoh Shia HR version (April 3, 2025) | Reported Game8 |
| HR 100: Gogmazios, Armor Transcendence | Confirmed Capcom |
A Practical Order of Operations
- Follow the story while it gives the most points per quest.
- Take every side quest in the area you are already in.
- Use SOS Flares on any monster you are slow against.
- Once the cap lifts, shift to Investigations and Tempered monsters for materials and points.
- Chase HR 100 if you want the latest content.
Common Mistakes
- Grinding bounties for rank. They give very little.
- Skipping captures. They pay more than kills.
- Ignoring the cap. If you hit a story wall, switch to Investigations rather than repeating one quest, since extra points carry over.
Related pages:
Frequently Asked Questions
What gives the most Hunter Rank points?
Icy Veins ranks main story quests first, then Investigations, multiplayer hunts, monster hunting and capturing, and optional quests. It says bounties and gathering give very little.
Is capturing better than killing?
Icy Veins says capturing a monster gives more Hunter Rank points than slaying it.
How long does it take to reach HR 40?
PowerPyx puts it at about 20 to 35 hours depending on playstyle and experience, and says the step from HR 39 to HR 40 takes about two or three high-difficulty monster kills.
What happens after the story?
PowerPyx says the cap is lifted after Chapter 6 and you can keep ranking up. The Gogmazios update later added content at HR 100 and higher.
Does multiplayer help?
Both Icy Veins and PowerPyx say yes. Four-player hunts kill monsters faster, and SOS Flares bring AI or other players in.
Is Hunter Rank tied to my weapon?
No. Hunter Rank is an account progression system. Weapon strength comes from crafting and, at the end, from Artian and Gogma Artian upgrades.
Sources
Confirmed items come from Capcom's own pages or coverage of its announcements. Reported items come from fan guides and can be stale or patched. Last checked September 30, 2026.
- Capcom: Free Title Update 4
- Wikipedia: Monster Hunter Wilds
- Windows Central: Capcom confirms the expansion and final update
- Game8: title updates roadmap and schedule
- Game8: zenny farming guide
- Dving: how to earn zenny (last updated January 2, 2026)
- Deltia's Gaming: how to farm zenny
- Icy Veins: Hunter Rank guide
- PowerPyx: how to increase Hunter Rank
