The ever-changing seasons and weather patterns in *Monster Hunter Wilds* transform the Forbidden Lands into a dynamic hunting ground. More than just aesthetic shifts, these environmental changes create meaningful gameplay variations that hunters must adapt to. Let's break down how seasons influence your adventures.
Monster Hunter Wilds Seasons, Explained
Prepare for two distinct seasonal cycles that reshape the hunting experience:
The Forbidden Lands operate on a dramatic seasonal cycle between Fallow and Plenty periods. Beginning in the harsh Fallow season, hunters face extreme weather conditions and scarce resources. This environmental stress makes monsters particularly aggressive, often turning on each other in desperate battles for survival.
When Plenty season arrives, the landscape undergoes a remarkable transformation. Lush vegetation returns, painting the world in vibrant colors as resources become abundant. Smaller creatures behave less defensively, creating a (slightly) more peaceful hunting environment. This season brings renewed hope to local villagers and hunters alike, offering plentiful gathering opportunities.
Between these primary seasons, intense meteorological events called Inclemency disrupt the ecosystem. These dramatic weather patterns set the stage for legendary encounters with Apex Predators - imagine battling the fearsome Alpha Doshaguma amidst a lightning-charged sandstorm during the Pinnacle of the Pack quest.
Tracking Environmental Conditions
Stay alert to shifting conditions through your HUD and map interface. The bottom-left display provides essential seasonal and time indicators, while the map offers detailed environmental reports through the Environment Overview screen. Note that optional quests maintain their assigned seasonal conditions regardless of the current in-game season.
Seasonal Manipulation
Strategic hunters can harness the power of seasons by controlling environmental transitions:
Changing seasons requires setting up camp (300 Guild Points for High Rank hunters) and accessing the BBQ Menu's Rest function. This lets you select your desired environmental conditions when awakening - though remember, this luxury isn't available during active quests. Choose wisely between Fallow's aggressive monster encounters or Plenty's abundant resources depending on your current hunting objectives.
*Monster Hunter Wilds is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
