Monster Hunter Wilds Beta Players Share Love — and Fear — for Its New Flagship Monster Arkveld

The Monster Hunter Wilds beta is back, and it’s brought some serious new challenges with it. Beta players are already facing off against Arkveld, a fearsome new flagship monster that's generating both excitement and a healthy dose of dread.

Arkveld is the star of the show for Monster Hunter Wilds, prominently featured on the game's cover and destined to play a major role in the game's story. This beta test lets brave hunters attempt a hunt against the Chained Arkveld, a time-limited (20 minutes) challenge with a five-faint limit.

As many ambitious hunters are discovering, this new monster is no pushover. Arkveld is a massive winged beast wielding electric chains from each arm. It unleashes thunderous attacks, swings its chains with surprising speed, and generally makes for a very challenging fight.

Arkveld is a peak monster
byu/Joeljb960 inMHWilds

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Even experienced hunters are finding themselves frequently defeated by Arkveld's powerful moves. Its whip-like attacks, combined with its impressive mobility and long-range capabilities, make it a truly formidable opponent. One attack in particular—a grab-and-slam roar—has left many beta testers stunned.

Arkveld's impact extends beyond the hunt itself. A video circulating on the r/MHWilds subreddit shows Arkveld unexpectedly interrupting a hunter's attempt at a peaceful meal, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the wilds.

arkveld is having none of that
byu/tomkwuz inMHWilds

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }The fight against Arkveld is visually stunning and incredibly challenging. While the difficulty may intimidate some, the dedicated Monster Hunter community seems energized by the challenge. After all, conquering powerful monsters is the core of the Monster Hunter experience. Arkveld's fearsome yet iconic design reinforces this core gameplay loop. The "Chained" designation, coupled with its flagship status, has many speculating about a potentially even more terrifying "Unchained" version in the future.

The Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test 2 runs from February 6th to 9th, and then again from February 13th to 16th. Both Arkveld and the returning monster Gypceros are available to hunt, alongside added features like a Training Area and Private Lobbies.

Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28th, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more information, check out IGN First's coverage, including our final preview.

Learn more with our guide to the Monster Hunter Wilds Beta, including multiplayer tips, weapon type information, and a list of confirmed monsters.