Monster Hunter Wilds is hosting open beta test 2 in February, giving us what we assume is the final chance to play ahead of the launch later in the month. Like the open beta test held in October 2024, the second round of beta tests will let you head into the first of Wilds' wide open hunting regions—but this month's beta weekends will also add a new hunt against a returning monster. So if you're keen to get hunting, here's everything you need to know, like how long you have to play and what the test includes so you can work out how to make the most of every last minute.
When the beta open on PC?
The second Monster Hunter Wilds beta begins at 7 PM PT on February 6 and run until 6:59 PM PT on February 9. But if you miss this wave, then the second test will run from February 13 until February 16 at the same timings.
Both waves are open to players on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and both will feature crossplay, unlike the first open beta test which only opened up crossplay in its second wave.
How to get into the beta
Much like the first round of open beta test, you don't need a key or code to access it. You just need to visit the Monster Hunter Wilds Steam page and download the open beta client once it becomes available. Preloading will be available as well, so you can get everything downloaded ahead of time so nothing delays your hunting.
What's in the second open beta?
As with the October beta, the first thing you'll do when you fire up the Wilds beta is character customization, where you'll fine tune the features of both your hunter and their palico companion. If you took part in the first open beta test, you'll be able to use the same character you created before and skip having to go through the lengthy customization process.
As a reminder, you'll also be able to use this character in the full release on February 28. But, if this is your first time hunting in an open beta test for Wilds (or you just fancy a fresh start) then you'll get full access to character customization again anyway.
After character creation, you'll be pushed right into the Wilds introductory cutscenes and your first tutorial hunt against a Chatacabra. After completing that intro hunt, you'll be dumped out at the Hunter Guild basecamp, where you can either accept quests from the mission board or head straight out to explore the Windward Plains—the first of Wilds' open biomes. You'll be able to initiate a hunt against any monsters you encounter while roaming in the wilderness by simply attacking them.
If you're seeking a challenge, the second beta will also offer an "advanced quest" to battle Arkveld, the Monster Hunter Wilds flagship monster. Compared to the relatively early-game monsters you'll otherwise encounter in the beta, Arkveld will require a bit more mastery, but beating it will be a good way to earn bragging rights before launch.
What monsters can I fight in the Wilds beta?
All of the Windward Plains monsters from the first beta are returning for OBT2, but the second round of beta tests are also bringing a returning Monster Hunter mainstay and an all-new "advanced quest" against the Wilds flagship monster.
Here's the full list of monsters you can hunt in Wilds beta 2:
- Chatacabra: A toad-like amphibian monster that can attach rocks to its forearms with its sticky saliva to bolster its attacks.
- Balahara: A sandworm monster that can use its drill-like scale pattern to burrow through sand and open up sinkholes beneath its prey.
- Doshaguma and Alpha Doshaguma: Large, shaggy, bear-like pack mammals that can be led by an even more massive, more ferocious alpha.
- Gypceros: A new addition for the second beta test, and a returning monster that first appeared in the original Monster Hunter. It's a bird wyvern that can clack its lantern-like horn for a flashbang effect
- Rey Dau: A flying wyvern and the apex predator of the Windward Plains. It can snap its horns forward to charge an electric railgun shot.
- Arkveld: Another new addition for open beta 2, Arkveld is the flagship monster for Wilds, and will serve as an optional challenge for beta hunters who want to prove their skills. Expect a challenge.
What can I earn in the full game by playing the Wilds beta?
By playing the second Wilds open beta, you'll be able to earn a cosmetic felyne-themed plushy pendant that you can hang from your weapons and your Seikret mount in the full game. You'll also receive a "bonus item pack," containing a handful of useful items to hit the ground running when Wilds launches on February 28.
The item pack includes:
- Raw Meat x10
- Shock Trap x3
- Pitfall Trap x3
- Tranq Bomb x10
- Large Barrel Bomb x3
- Armor Sphere x5
- Flash Bomb x10
- Large Dung Pod x10
To claim both the pendant and the item pack in the full game, you'll need to complete character creation during the beta, which will grant access to the rewards for your account when you launch the full game later this month.
Will the second open beta have any performance improvements?
Unfortunately, no.
The first Wilds open beta in October suffered from substantial performance issues, with players encountering FPS drops, hitching, and bugged LOD transitions that turned the Monster Hunter megafauna into origami monstrosities (who many of us nonetheless grew to love).
Capcom quickly made a statement that the full game was "already in a more improved state compared to the beta test," and that seemed true based on noticeable performance improvements in our hands-on Monster Hunter wilds preview in November. As game director Yuya Tokuda has explained, the Wilds open beta was built from a much earlier branch of the game's development build, and that more up-to-date versions were showing "framerate improvement"—enough that Capcom said it was looking into lowering PC hardware requirements.
While the full release might end up running more smoothly, we apparently shouldn't expect those performance gains and optimization improvements in the second open beta, which sounds like it's built from the same early development build as the first beta test. And it won't be getting any more recent hitstop additions and weapon updates, either.
While announcing the second beta, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto said "the team is working hard on finishing development on the full game. This includes various adjustments and improvements, but I hope you can understand that this means those improvements won't be ready to make it into the second beta test." In an accompanying statement, Capcom said that "adjustments including performance, weapon changes, hitstop, quality of life improvements, and more will not be present or reflected in the second Open Beta Test build."
Previous open beta tests
The first Monster Hunter Wilds open beta was available on PC from 8 PM PT on October 31 to 6:59 PM PT on November 3. It also gave you full access to character and Palico customization, alongside a tutorial hunt against a Chatacabra. You could then embark on one more hunt against a Doshaguma, which is where you were free to fire an SOS flare to open up crossplay.
Plus as a reward for participating and creating a character in this open beta test, two gifts were rewarded to unlock in the full game: a Felyne pendant to hang off your weapon or Seikret, and an "open beta test bonus item pack" consisting of 10 mega potions, five rations, five lifepowder, five armor spheres, two max potions, two herbal remedies, and two nulberrys.
