Capcom has released patch 1.041 for Monster Hunter Wilds, marking one year since the game's launch and serving as the final update until the upcoming DLC. The substantial patch introduces new high-difficulty quests, collaborations, and optimizations. It weighs approximately 13GB on PlayStation, 16GB on Xbox, and 15GB on Steam.
Monster Hunter Wilds received patch 1.041 on February 18, 2026, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of its launch. This update, described as the last before the DLC, adds significant content including the permanent Event Quest for Arch-tempered Arkveld and new 10-star difficulty quests for monsters such as Arch-tempered Rey Dau, Uth Duna, Nu Udra, and Jin Dahaad.
Under player additions, new equipment and pendants are available, alongside a special collaboration side mission titled "A Royal Request" with Monster Hunter Stories 3, which becomes accessible after reaching Hunter Rank 9 or higher. Another side mission, "Love for a Hero," unlocks after completing the extra mission "Ghosts Pay No Heed to Tomorrow" and speaking to characters Nadia and Mina. Bases and facilities see enhancements like melding Gogma materials at the Melding Pot, earning random ingredients at the Ingredient Center post-HR 9, and new Appraisal Items called Timeworn Charms that improve chances for high-rarity Talismans. The maximum number of Pop-Up Camps has increased for areas including Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, and Oilwell Basin, unlocked via interaction after the assignment "Germination." Barrel Bowling features now include immediate retry options, bulk rewards with 10 Vouchers, adjusted bomb parameters, and reduced waiting times between throws.
System improvements focus on performance, with reductions in CPU and GPU load through optimized Level of Detail for 3D models, spawn-time processing, effect caching, and rendering. Nine 9-star event quests, such as "The White Wonder" and "Ultimate Berserker," are now permanently available, including offline play. A new special environment quest unlocks after completing prior ones and the Arch-tempered Arkveld quest. Additional changes include added languages—Thai for text and Latin American Spanish for voice—plus UI tweaks like a Refresh button for SOS Flare Quests and safeguards for favorited items.
The patch addresses numerous bugs, including issues with Barrel Bowling scoring, turf wars between Lagiacrus and Rathalos, and Support Hunter behaviors during specific attacks. Locale fixes prevent trap disappearances in Windward Plains, and miscellaneous adjustments curb unintended Handler interactions in the field.
A second source highlights the update's appeal in drawing players back with new quests and a new unusual sword among the equipment additions. Looking ahead, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto has indicated a large-scale expansion akin to Sunbreak or Iceborne later in 2026, with details expected in summer.
