Monster Hunter Board Game: Where to Buy & Expansions

Master the Hunt on Your Tabletop

The Monster Hunter franchise has achieved legendary status through its compelling mix of high-stakes combat and rewarding progression. Players battle massive creatures to collect materials for better gear, then face even deadlier foes—a perfect formula translated brilliantly into Monster Hunter World: The Board Game. Like the video games, this adaptation offers multiple entry points, so here’s what you need to know before diving in.

Core Boxes: Where to Begin

Each core set functions as a standalone experience, featuring four hunters and four monsters to challenge. The real magic lies in their compatibility—hunters and beasts can be mixed between sets for endless combinations. While most components are unique to each box, some crossover exists, with additional cards provided for combined play.

For newcomers, starting with one core set is ideal. If the hunt hooks you, smaller expansions (detailed below) can enhance your experience before committing to a second core box.

Both core sets share identical rules, addictive progression, and stunning production quality, including towering monster miniatures that dwarf the hunters. Your choice ultimately comes down to aesthetic preference or nostalgia for specific in-game locales.

Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Ancient Forest

Immerse yourself in lush greenery inhabited by dinosaur-inspired creatures: Great Jagras (lizard-like prowler), Tobi-Kadachi (electric-furred predator), Anjanath (ferocious tyrannosaur), and Rathalos (iconic fire-breathing wyvern). Hunters wield classic armaments: Great Sword, Sword and Shield, Dual Blades, and Bow.

Monster Hunter World: The Board Game - Wildspire Waste

Navigate arid badlands and swamps populated by unique threats: Barroth (armored juggernaut), Jyuratodus (mud-dwelling piscine), Pukei-Pukei (venomous avian), and Diablos (subterranean demon). Hunters employ more exotic weapons: Charge Blade, Switch Axe, Heavy Bowgun, and Insect Glaive.

Expansions: Deepen the Hunt

Several expansions remain available at retail, though Nergigante is scarce and Teostra is a publisher-exclusive. Elder Dragon expansions (Nergigante, Kushala Daora, Teostra) introduce:

• New 5-star difficulty tier (above base-game threats)
• Massively scaled miniatures
• Extended campaign content

Note that some expansion features require specific core sets, making a second core box potentially more versatile than standalone dragon packs.

Hunter’s Arsenal Expansion

Adds six new weapon specialists: Light Bowgun, Long Sword, Gunlance, Hammer, Lance, and Hunting Horn. For variety-per-dollar, this provides the most gameplay options—though you’ll need both core sets to use all six hunters.

Elder Dragon Showdowns

• Nergigante: The spiked menace grows retaliatory spines when damaged, with crafting options for every hunter.
• Kushala Daora features a foot-wide wingspan and environmental wind hazards.
• Teostra brings classic fire-dragon mayhem with ranged fireballs and area denial.

Kickstarter Exclusives

Kulu-Ya-Ku Expansion

This tool-using oddity throws rocks and behaves unpredictably—a tactical twist perfect for Ancient Forest theming.

Coming Soon: Iceborne Campaign

The Iceborne expansion follows a similar structure with one core box (Hoarfrost Reach) plus monster packs and arsenal options. While partially compatible with the original game, campaign progression doesn’t transfer between versions. Preorders remain open via Gamefound.

Ready to begin your hunt? Explore the Monster Hunter universe, or check out our coverage of other tabletop adaptations like Marvel Contest of Champions.