A brand-new special site for Final Fantasy 14 has just launched, unveiling exciting details about the highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds crossover event, slated for an early October release. This collaboration is one of the most eagerly awaited partnerships for fans of both franchises, building on the tremendous success of Stormblood’s previous Monster Hunter World interaction. Prepare to face the formidable Guardian Arkveld in FF14, while Monster Hunter Wilds welcomes the arrival of Omega Planetes. Square Enix has now provided a comprehensive preview of the armor, weapons, mounts, minions, and housing items players can acquire. However, there’s a strong feeling that more surprises are yet to be revealed.
With the Dawntrail saga now complete, Final Fantasy 14 players are gearing up for their next grand adventure. Before embarking on the 8.0 expansion, several exciting interlude events await, including the introduction of the Beastmaster limited job and the challenging new deep dungeon, Pilgrim’s Traverse, which signifies a fresh approach to difficulty within the beloved MMORPG. Arriving around the same time as this challenging dungeon is the new Monster Hunter collaboration, and the anticipation to confront Arkveld is palpable.
A trailer showcasing the crossover event, hinting at intense battles and exciting new content.
The quest description teases, “A mysterious mark bill finds its way into your hands, sparking a hunt for otherworldly prey. Alongside your Felyne client and dependable Seikret steed, you soon discover your target is none other than the dread Guardian Arkveld, bane of hunters. With a hearty meal of grilled meat, and a generous supply of mega potions in hand, the hunt for the White Wraith is on.” This intriguing narrative suggests a combat mechanic similar to Stormblood’s Great Hunt encounters, likely involving self-healing. Furthermore, developers have hinted that success against Arkveld will require keen attention to its movement patterns rather than just anticipating cast bars. For those wondering about the challenge, the standard difficulty quest, ‘The Windward Wilds,’ requires an item level of 725, matching recent story trials and alliance raids. The Extreme version demands a minimum item level of 740, aligning with the game’s toughest current extreme trials.
Regarding the spoils of battle, players can look forward to acquiring both variations of the Hope armor set, which serves as the foundational gear in Monster Hunter Wilds. This is excellent news, as these designs seamlessly integrate into the aesthetic of FF14, requiring less visual adaptation than the older Rathalos set. A common hope among players is that these armor sets will not be gender-locked, especially since the previous Stormblood offering eventually had its restrictions lifted, and Wilds itself doesn’t impose such limitations.
The weapon designs are, as expected, inspired by the fearsome Guardian Arkveld. We’ve been given a glimpse of the Dual Blades, Greatsword, Gunlance, and Hammer. Adapting these iconic Monster Hunter weapons to FF14’s diverse job system will require some creative adjustments from Square Enix. Observing the poses in the previews, the Dual Blades appear to be wielded by a Ninja, the Greatsword by a Samurai, the Gunlance by a Dragoon, and the Hammer… surprisingly, by a Black Mage? It’s important to remember that these poses might simply be for promotional display and may not definitively indicate the jobs they’ll be assigned to in-game. For instance, a Longsword would be a natural fit for a Samurai. Regardless, the designs are impressive, and the Greatsword is a definite must-have for many players.
In addition to the armaments, the familiar Seikret mount makes an appearance, a detail players already knew about. While it’s a bit disappointing that it appears to be a unique model rather than special Chocobo barding (meaning it won’t join you in combat, mirroring its Monster Hunter counterpart), it’s still a fantastic addition. Even more thrilling are the two new minions: an adorable miniature Seikret and a charming floating Vigorwasp, complete with a healing globule.
Players can also personalize their homes with new housing items, including designs based on Wilds’ signature pop-up camps and a covered storage box. Also featured are a Palico-themed training dummy, a handy fold-out seat, and a new BBQ setup featuring a succulent rack of roasting meat. While these revelations are exciting, the current showcase feels incomplete, with a few notable items conspicuously absent.
Square Enix has hinted that they will “continue to update the special site with the latest information on the crossover,” and the description for the extreme version of the White Wraith explicitly mentions “exclusive rewards.” Recalling Stormblood’s ‘The Hunt For Rathalos’ event, the Rathalos mount and Poogie minion were reserved for the extreme trial, though the armor was an augmented variant of the standard set. While it’s wise not to expect too much, a small part of me is hoping for the Guardian Arkveld armor to make an appearance as an extreme reward. What seems highly probable, and would be a delightful surprise if absent, is a Guardian Arkveld mount, perfectly suited as an exclusive extreme reward, especially if the Seikret mount is earned from the standard difficulty quest.
The Final Fantasy 14 and Monster Hunter Wilds crossover, ‘The Windward Wilds,’ is scheduled to launch in early October. To participate, you’ll need an active subscription and a level 100 character who has completed the 7.0 Dawntrail Main Scenario Quest. If you’re not quite there yet, don’t fret; this exciting collaboration is a permanent addition to the game, ready for you whenever you are.
If this crossover sparks your interest in Capcom’s latest title, be sure to review the Monster Hunter Wilds system requirements, as the game has proven quite demanding. Alternatively, explore our curated list of the best action games for 2025.
Are you eagerly anticipating this crossover, or did you have a different fantasy collaboration in mind? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in our community Discord server. While the idea of battling Bahamut in Monster Hunter sounds thrilling, the unique mechanical challenges Omega presents make it a more intriguing unknown compared to simply another dragon fight.