Capcom finally gave hunters their first look at Monster Hunter Wilds‘ upcoming massive Ascendance DLC expansion during Summer Game Fest 2026. While the company is still keeping many details under wraps, no doubt that the reveal trailer was enough to get long-time fans hyped. Thanks to its new floating island setting, Ascendance is giving off major Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate vibes ahead of its planned 2027 release.
As mentioned above, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance expansion’s biggest reveal is a brand-new region comprised of floating landmasses. Capcom has yet to share details about the area and its name, but no doubt the visuals reminded veteran players of Heaven’s Mount. One of the most memorable and unique maps in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, it’s filled with clues about the Wyverians and the old civilization.
The expansion trailer also introduced a new pack-based Bird Wyvern that looks somewhat similar to fan-favorite Qurupeco. While it doesn’t seem to share Qurupeco’s (in)famous monster-summoning abilities, the giant birds can communicate with each other by producing loud cries through their wings. It is also capable of launching itself from the air to crash directly into unwary hunters below. Other than it, Elder Dragons like Kushala Daora and the gigantic Lao Shan Lung have been confirmed as well.
The most intriguing addition, however, is a new ability for the Slinger. The trailer briefly showed hunters revving up their Slinger to charge up their Great Sword, unlocking additional movesets. The feature immediately drew comparisons to Devil May Cry 5 Nero’s Devil Breaker — or perhaps Accel Axe from Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter Explore. Exactly how the system works is still unclear, but it could work like Iceborne‘s expanded Slinger, which lets you spend Slinger Ammos for devastating moves.
But that’s not all, as Alma, Gemma, and even Olivia show up sporting new hairstyles, perhaps suggesting even more customization options. With a striking and nostalgic new locale, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is definitely shaping up to be an expansion worthy of hype for veterans and newcomers alike. Now comes the hard part, as we still have to wait until 2027 to play it.
