Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak's New Weapons & Hope Series Gear

For many *Monster Hunter* players, crafting new equipment from hard-earned hunt materials is a core source of excitement. The thrill of completing a matching weapon and armor set after countless battles against a single monster is a deeply satisfying experience, a testament to dedication and skill.

Equipment in the *Monster Hunter* series has always adhered to a specific design philosophy: conquer monsters and harness their power through crafted gear. Players use their own strength to defeat formidable beasts, then transform those beasts' abilities into their own advantages, fueling their growth.

In an interview with IGN, *Monster Hunter Wilds* Executive Director and Art Director Kaname Fujioka explained this design concept: "While our designs have broadened, we were always mindful that wearing Rathalos equipment should make you look like a Rathalos." This new title introduces new monsters, each offering unique and colorful equipment. For instance, Rompopolo, a monster designed to evoke a mad scientist, boasts head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask. You can see this armor in the hunt video below.

However, the developers highlight the importance of the starting equipment. Fujioka states, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. This is a first for me. Previously, starting weapons were primitive. But as the protagonist is a chosen hunter, plain weapons wouldn't feel right. I wanted even the starting equipment to feel like you're a star."

Yuya Tokuda, *Monster Hunter Wilds* Director, adds, "Weapon designs in *Monster Hunter: World* generally retained a form, but their appearance changed based on monster materials. In *Wilds*, each weapon has a unique design." These starting weapons reflect the story: you are an experienced hunter selected to investigate the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda emphasizes that the starting armor is equally detailed and story-relevant.

"The starting armor is called the Hope series," Tokuda explains. "The design is so cool; you could use it until the end and it wouldn't feel out of place."

The Hope set, with its deep emerald green base, forms a hooded long coat when completed. Fujioka details the set's complexity: "We paid more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment. Previous games had separate upper and lower body armor; we couldn't depict them forming a coat. We had to make each piece separate. But I wanted a flowing hooded coat. We achieved this by investing significant in-game resources. Players will find many equipment pieces, and we want them to try new weapons. So, the Hope series is designed to be elegant but not overly flashy."

Starting with such meticulously crafted equipment is a luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are designed to represent the gear of a truly impressive hunter. We eagerly anticipate examining their details in the final game.