The May Monster Hunter event showcased the new content coming to Monster Hunter Rise, and it will all be available when the 3.0 update drops tonight, May 26. Monster Hunter Rise’s last update added new Apex monsters, the introduction of layered armor, and Elder Dragons Chameleos, Kushala Daora, and Teostra. Hidden among the new monsters was Bazelgeuse, the bomber-like monster that first appeared in Monster Hunter World. It also added a 100% affinity Sword and Shield that resembles a traditional Japanese katana.

Monster Hunter Rise is one of the Nintendo Switch’s best-selling games, selling over six million units in its first month of release. Monster Hunter as a franchise is among Capcom’s best-reviewed and fastest-selling properties at present, second only to Resident Evil. While Monster Hunter Rise's Switch sales have surpassed Capcom's expectations, it is expected to sell even more when the game is ported to PC in 2022. Fans are also anticipating a Monster Hunter World: Iceborne-level expansion for the game to be announced, though that didn't come during the latest Monster Hunter Digital Event stream.

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During May 26's streamed Monster Hunter event, Capcom revealed that a variant of Valstrax, the flagship monster from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, is coming to Monster Hunter Rise. This variant is known as Crimson Glow Valstrax. Valstrax is known for its unnatural speed due to its unique use of the Dragon element. This Elder Dragon can launch itself like a rocket into the air and divebomb onto hunters, resulting in a huge explosion. This variant will apparently use its blade-like wings to enter a new mode that makes Valstrax glow a crimson color.

Accompanying Valstrax is Apex Zinogre, which is the equivalent of Monster Hunter Generation Ultimate’s Thunderlord Zinogre. This variant of Zinogre has golden lightning instead of traditional blue, with even more powerful and wide-sweeping thunder attacks. The update will also have new monsters that the trailer did not show, and it appears Thunder Serpent Narwa and Wind Serpent Ibushi will have to be hunted simultaneously. The update also has major narrative impact, as a new Monster Hunter Rise story ending that resolves the mystery of the resonating Elder Dragons and the source of the Rampage has been added.

In the notes on the official Monster Hunter Rise website, it's listed that the update adds new armor and weapon trees and new skills. Although it wasn’t shown during the live stream, it seems that the update will unlock a fourth Switch Skill for players to use with the 14 weapons in the game. A new combat location will appear in the update, though whether this is a new Arena or locale is not stated. Rampage weapons can have their appearance change with certain materials, possibly similar to the weapon transmog system in Monster Hunter World. It is noted that all of this content requires certain conditions to be met before having access.

The roadmap for Monster Hunter Rise does not include any more title updates planned for the rest of Summer 2021. DLC additions include new hairstyles, voices, event quests and cosmetics are planned for future updates. Capcom has its Capcom Collabs program, which consists of Monster Hunter Rise’s crossover content with other franchises. The first collaboration is between Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Hopefully, Capcom will have information relating to a DLC or an expansion after summer ends.

Next: How to Unlock Switch Skills in Monster Hunter Rise (& How They Work)

Monster Hunter Rise is available for Nintendo Switch.

Sources: Monster Hunter/YouTubeCapcom