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 got a few new fights in tow. Beta players are already grappling with its big challenge, a fearsome new foe called Arkveld, and its eliciting both excitement and dread.

Arkveld is the new flagship monster for Monster Hunter Wilds. This means the beast is the cover star for the game, and stands to play a significant role in the course of players’ journeys through Wilds. As part of the new beta test, courageous hunters can try to tackle a hunt for the Chained Arkveld, with a 20-minute time limit and five “faint” limit.

As ambitious players are discovering, this new monster packs a punch. Arkveld is a massive winged beast, with electric chains stretching out from each of its arms. It can swing them around and make the air crackle with its thunderous attacks, and it’s surprisingly fast, too.

Experienced hunters are still finding themselves sent back in a cart by its powerful moves. It’s an impressive display of the new technology, as Arkveld uses its whips to move around, throw out long-reaching attacks, and generally be a menace. One attack in particular has Monster Hunter players in the beta thunderstruck, as it grabs the hunter and roars at them before slamming them down.

Arkveld is even causing some mild unexpected havoc. I really enjoyed this video one player on the r/MHWilds subreddit captured, of Arkveld interrupting their meal. The wilds are no place to go for lunch, it seems.

It’s a visually impressive fight and an incredibly dangerous monster. While the difficulty might be worrisome for some, the Monster Hunter faithful seem spurred on by it. Taking down big, dangerous monsters is the name of the game after all, and seeing Wilds’ flagship monster be so fearsome and iconic in equal measure is a reaffirming notion. Additionally, the “Chained” note — plus Arkveld’s flagship status — has some players considering whether there could be an even more terrifying “Unchained” version down the line.

The Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test 2 runs February 6 through 9, and then returns February 13 through 16. Both Arkveld and returning monster Gypceros are available to hunt, and there are some other added features, like a Training Area and Private Lobbies.

Monster Hunter Wilds will be out on February 28, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. You can read more about Capcom’s latest hunting expedition in our IGN First coverage, including our Monster Hunter Wilds Final Preview here.

Check out our guide to the Monster Hunter Wilds Beta, including info on how to play multiplayer with friends, all the Monster Hunter Wilds weapon types, and the confirmed monsters you could encounter.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.