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

The Monster Hunter Wilds beta is back, offering thrilling new challenges. A formidable new antagonist, Arkveld, is proving to be a significant hurdle for beta testers, sparking both excitement and apprehension.

Arkveld serves as the flagship monster for Monster Hunter Wilds, prominently featured on the game's cover and poised to play a crucial role in the game's narrative. The beta allows hunters to test their mettle against the Chained Arkveld, a time-limited (20 minutes) hunt with a five-faint limit.

This colossal winged beast, wielding electrifying chains from each arm, presents a formidable challenge. Its rapid movements and powerful thunderous attacks are already proving difficult for even experienced hunters. Many are finding themselves repeatedly defeated by its devastating moves.

Arkveld is a peak monster
byu/Joeljb960 inMHWilds

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Arkveld's impressive moves, utilizing its chains for mobility and devastating long-range attacks, showcase the game's enhanced technology. One attack, in particular, has captured the attention of beta players: a grab-and-slam maneuver that leaves hunters stunned.

The chaos extends beyond the hunt itself. A humorous video circulating on the r/MHWilds subreddit depicts Arkveld unexpectedly interrupting a hunter's 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; }Despite the considerable difficulty, the visually stunning battles and Arkveld's imposing presence have invigorated the Monster Hunter community. The "Chained" designation, coupled with its flagship status, fuels speculation about a potentially even more challenging "Unchained" variant in the full game.

The Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test 2 runs from February 6th to 9th, and then again from February 13th to 16th. Hunters can engage with both Arkveld and the returning Gypceros, along with new additions like a Training Area and Private Lobbies.

Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28th, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For further details on Capcom's latest hunting adventure, explore IGN First's coverage, including the Monster Hunter Wilds Final Preview.

Consult our comprehensive guide to the Monster Hunter Wilds Beta for information on multiplayer gameplay, weapon types, and confirmed monsters.