Capcom has revealed the first major gameplay look at Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance during the latest PlayStation State of Play broadcast. The upcoming expansion introduces a storm controlling Elder Dragon named Gundoraja alongside the return of the colossal fortress siege against Lao Shan Lung. The title is scheduled to launch across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S in 2027.
The headline addition to the creature roster is Gundoraja. This Elder Dragon features a serpentine body inspired by Eastern folklore and flies through the sky without visible wings. It controls weather patterns directly, conjuring lightning and turbulent squalls throughout the Skybound Eyrie. Its presence shifts the entire local ecosystem. Hunters will need to adapt to rapid weather changes during the encounter.
The broadcast also showed a second, mysterious threat that remains unnamed. This smaller predator emerged directly from the remains of a fallen Guardian Doshaguma while secreting a thick fluid. Its jaw structure unhinges to reveal a massive mouth capable of swallowing prey whole. Flying wyverns called Araketa were also detailed as pack hunters. These winged beasts communicate through specialized acoustic calls to execute coordinated aerial strikes using compressed air streams.
Veteran players will recognize the mountain sized Elder Dragon Lao Shan Lung. The story takes place after a narrative time skip following the events of the base game. An older Keeper Nata works with a companion named Bangard to investigate abnormalities across the Forbidden Lands. To counter the rampage of this returning behemoth, the guild constructed Madoi Stronghold.
The defense encounter requires players to protect the fortress walls from total collapse. Hunters must operate artillery installations, cannons, and defensive gates before engaging the beast directly with their primary weapons. Capcom also confirmed the return of Kushala Daora. This metallic dragon manipulates wind barriers across the Windward Plains, requiring weapons with high sharpness to pierce its outer armor.
Ascendance introduces Master Rank as a higher difficulty tier for both returning monsters and new threats. Defeating these stronger variants unlocks advanced weapon upgrades and defensive gear sets. The setting expands into the Skybound Eyrie, a region of floating ancient ruins suspended above the clouds by lost Wyveria technology.
To balance the increased combat difficulty, hunters receive a new equipment item called the Boost Bracer. Landing continuous attacks builds energy within the bracer mechanism. Once filled, activating the device unlocks unique attack combinations, faster movement capabilities, and weapon specific maneuvers. Capcom plans to share further combat breakdowns as development progresses toward the 2027 launch window.
