Monster Hunter Wilds has conquered sales charts and captured a massive audience, but it's also sparked a debate within its veteran community. The core criticism? Many seasoned hunters find it a bit too easy, a side effect of Capcom's successful mission to make it the most approachable entry in the series. While the challenge is sufficient for newcomers, the hardcore crowd craves more. Recent free updates, especially the brutal High Rank Zoh Shia fight, show Capcom is listening. However, players have noticed something peculiar when scanning the game's bestiary: a glaring, almost suspicious absence of the series' most iconic and powerful creatures—the Elder Dragons.
The Curious Case of the Missing Elder Dragons 🐉
Looking through MH Wilds' monster roster is an exercise in noticing what's not there. Sure, we've got the electrifying Lagiacrus returning and the bubbly Mizutsune making a splash, but neither fixes the Elder Dragon drought. Wilds introduced a fascinating new category: the man-made Guardians native to the Ruins of Wyveria. These range from synthetic copies like the Guardian Rathalos to revived ancient species like the game's flagship, the Arkveld. But here's the kicker: even the majestic Arkveld is technically classified as a Wyvern. Its special status comes from being a Guardian, not from the world-shaking power of an Elder Dragon.
This classification weirdness extends to other monsters. Take the Gore Magala, the final boss responsible for the Frenzy Virus. Traditionally considered an Elder Dragon since its MH4 debut (though always with a mysterious ??? classification), Wilds has given it a new label: Demi Elder Dragon. This new class signifies a threat level on par with true Elder Dragons but with the unique twist that they can be captured. It's a clever lore tweak that highlights the game's deliberate distancing from the classic Elder Dragon roster.
Even the colossal, update-added Zoh Shia, a Guardian Construct rivaling the size of Jin Dahaad, isn't an Elder Dragon. It possesses an undeniable Elder Dragon-level threat, even sharing some moves with the legendary Black Dragon, Fatalis, leading to fan theories about heralding White Fatalis' return. Yet, its official classification remains distinct. This consistent pattern points to one thing: Capcom is likely stockpiling its big guns for the inevitable major expansion.
Learning from the Past: Why Saving Elders Makes Sense 📈
If this theory is correct, it could solve a major narrative and ecological issue that plagued previous expansions, most notably Iceborne. Here's the common problem:
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The base game establishes Elder Dragons as the pinnacle of power.
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The expansion's Master Rank introduces regular monsters (Wyverns, Fanged Beasts, etc.) that are suddenly tougher than those base-game Elders.
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This creates a weird disconnect where a late-game Rajang feels more threatening than an early-game Kirin, breaking the in-world threat hierarchy.
Iceborne faced this with monsters like the Yian Garuga appearing in the end-game Guiding Lands alongside Black Dragons. It felt... off. A bird Wyvern, no matter how angry, shouldn't be in the same league as a Safi'jiiva.
By holding back most Elder Dragons for the expansion, MH Wilds can craft a much more satisfying power curve:
| Game Phase | MH Wilds (Potential Plan) | Traditional MH Expansion Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Base Game | Focus on Wyverns, Leviathans, & new Guardians. Establishes baseline. | Elder Dragons are the peak threats. |
| Expansion Early/Mid | Introduce true Elder Dragons (Nergigante, Teostra, Kirin). | New monsters are already surpassing old Elders. |
| Expansion Late/End | Escalate to Black Dragons (Fatalis, Alatreon) & apex Elders. | Threat levels feel scrambled (e.g., Yian Garuga vs. Black Dragons). |
This approach makes the expansion feel truly distinct and allows Elder Dragons to reclaim their legendary, special status. Fighting a Teostra in the expansion would feel like a monumental event, not just another hunt.
What's Next? Filling the Gaps Before the Storm ⚡
While we wait for the expansion, free updates will continue to flesh out the base game. Don't necessarily expect an Elder Dragon drop just yet. Capcom has plenty of other popular, powerful options to tide hunters over:
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The Invader Duo: The ever-hungry Deviljho and the explosive Bazelgeuse are perfect fits for Wilds' vast, interconnected maps. Their surprise appearances would create pure chaos (and joy).
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Fan-Favorite Brutes: Imagine the slime-spewing Brachydios turning the Oilwell Basin into a minefield, or the Glavenus sharpening its giant sword-tail in the arid plains.
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The Collaboration Wild Card: MH Wilds has yet to have any crossover monsters! Given the success of past collaborations, the possibilities are exciting:
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Final Fantasy (Again): With the FF7 Remake project, summons like Bahamut or Leviathan would be phenomenal Elder Dragon-level raid bosses.
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The Witcher 4: Since the sequel is announced, a new collaboration could bring in fearsome creatures like an Archgriffin.
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The Nintendo Curveball: With MH Rise's Switch history, a surprise Nintendo IP collab isn't out of the question!
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Conclusion: Building Towards a Legendary Climax 🏔️
The common saying that "the true Monster Hunter experience starts at Master Rank" often comes with the caveat of that rank being behind an expansion paywall. However, if Capcom's strategy with MH Wilds is to deliberately withhold Elder Dragons, it could make that expansion payoff feel monumental. It would create a natural, awe-inspiring escalation of threat—from formidable Wyverns and mysterious Guardians to the true, ecosystem-altering power of Elder Dragons, and finally to the apocalyptic might of Black Dragons.
The Zoh Shia's Fatalis-like moves aren't just a cool reference; they feel like a promise. After all the hints and the deliberate absence, the eventual arrival of monsters like Fatalis, Alatreon, or entirely new Black Dragons in the expansion would be a seismic event for the community. For veterans seeking that brutal, classic challenge, the expansion might be where Monster Hunter Wilds truly earns its stripes. The calm before the storm is here, and it's set the stage for a tempest of epic proportions.