A newly launched special site for Final Fantasy 14 has unveiled details about the highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds crossover event, set to debut in early October. This collaboration, long sought after by fans of both franchises, follows the successful partnership seen during Stormblood’s crossover with Monster Hunter World. Players can look forward to the introduction of Guardian Arkveld in FF14, while Monster Hunter Wilds prepares to welcome Omega Planetes. Square Enix has provided a closer look at the gear, mounts, minions, and housing items that will be available, although it seems there may still be surprises in store.
Anticipation Builds for New Adventures
With the Dawntrail story arc concluded, Final Fantasy 14 enthusiasts are gearing up for their next adventure. Before stepping into the spotlight for the upcoming 8.0 expansion, players can expect several exciting interludes, including the introduction of the Beastmaster limited job and the new deep dungeon, Pilgrim’s Traverse. This new content signifies a shift in how the MMORPG approaches difficulty, coinciding with the Monster Hunter collaboration, which has already sparked excitement among the community.
The quest description hints at an engaging narrative: “A mysterious mark bill finds its way into your hands, sparking a hunt for otherworldly prey.” Players will team up with a Felyne client and a trusty Seikret steed to track down the formidable Guardian Arkveld, known as the bane of hunters. Armed with a hearty meal of grilled meat and a stockpile of mega potions, the hunt for the elusive White Wraith is set to begin.
Players can expect a familiar self-healing mechanic reminiscent of Stormblood’s Great Hunt battles. Yoshida hinted at the need for keen observation of Arkveld’s movements, rather than solely focusing on its cast bar. The base-difficulty encounter, ‘The Windward Wilds,’ will require a 725 item level, aligning with the latest 7.3 story trial and the San d’Oria alliance raid. For those seeking a greater challenge, the extreme version will demand a minimum item level of 740, consistent with 7.3’s extreme trial requirements.
Rewards and Gear Await
As for rewards, players can look forward to both variants of the Hope armor set, which serves as the starting gear in Monster Hunter Wilds. The designs are visually appealing and integrate seamlessly into the world of FF14, requiring less adaptation than previous collaborations. There is hope that these items will not be gender-locked, as restrictions from past events have been lifted, allowing for greater inclusivity.
The weapon designs will be inspired by the Guardian Arkveld incarnations, featuring Dual Blades, Greatsword, Gunlance, and Hammer. While Square Enix will need to make adjustments to fit these weapons into the FF14 job lineup, the initial poses suggest interesting possibilities. The Dual Blades appear tailored for a Ninja, the Greatsword for a Samurai, the Gunlance for a Dragoon, and the Hammer for a Black Mage, though these may simply be showcase choices rather than definitive assignments.
Tank players may be left wondering what options will be available for Dark Knights and Warriors. While specific details remain scarce, the design choices are promising, and many players are eager to acquire the Greatsword when it becomes available.
Exciting Additions to the Game
In addition to the weapons, the Seikret mount has been confirmed, though it appears to be a unique model rather than special Chocobo barding, meaning it won’t accompany players into battle. However, this is consistent with the mechanics of Monster Hunter. The two new minions are particularly delightful: an adorable baby Seikret and a floating Vigorwasp carrying a globule of healing juice, sure to bring joy to players.
Players can also expect housing items inspired by the pop-up camps in Wilds, including a covered storage box, a Palico-styled training dummy, a fold-out seat, and a BBQ featuring a full rack of roasting meat. While this initial reveal is promising, it leaves room for speculation regarding additional content that may be unveiled in the future.
Square Enix has committed to updating the special site with the latest information on the crossover. The description for the extreme variant of the White Wraith mentions “exclusive rewards,” reminiscent of the previous collaboration where unique mounts and minions were tied to extreme trials. While expectations should be tempered, the possibility of seeing Guardian Arkveld armor as extreme rewards is an enticing thought. A Guardian Arkveld mount would also be a fitting addition, especially if the Seikret is designated as a reward for the standard difficulty encounter.
The FF14 Monster Hunter Wilds crossover, titled The Windward Wilds, is set to launch in early October. To participate, players must be active subscribers who have completed the 7.0 Dawntrail MSQ with a character at level 100. For those who have yet to reach this milestone, there’s no need to worry; the collaboration will be a permanent addition, allowing players to engage with it at their own pace.
If the crossover piques your interest in Capcom’s latest title, be sure to check the system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds, as they have proven to be quite demanding. Alternatively, there are many other action games to explore in 2025.
As excitement builds within the community, players are encouraged to share their thoughts on the crossover and any dream matchups they envision in the PCGamesN community Discord server. While the idea of battling Bahamut in Monster Hunter is certainly appealing, the mechanical intricacies of Omega present a captivating unknown that adds to the anticipation.
