February is a huge month for Capcom as the publisher launches “Monster Hunter Wilds,” the next chapter in its popular action role-playing franchise. Niantic is taking advantage of this by packing the month with several big events.
It kicks off with its seasonal ticketed event — Monster Hunter Now Winter Hunter 2025. Happening at 9 a.m. Feb. 1, the event marks the introduction of Kirin in Elder Dragon Interceptions, which are the game’s version of “Pokemon Go” raids. Players can join a hunt and they’ll connect remotely with other players to take down the prized monster. Kirin raids are available to all but those who buy the tickets will see them exclusively, giving them more chances to hunt it for materials.
In the lead-up to the weekend hunt, Niantic held an event, where players could farm some key monsters. Players should have doubled down on Silver Rathalos and the materials for its fire weapon and armor with Critical Element perks. They could have also hunted down Deviljho for its Dragon-centric weapons.
KEY PIECES OF GEARWhatever the case, it’s important to have fire and dragon elemental weapons when going up against the elder dragon. It’s weak to fire, and dragon attacks are effective when Kirin is coated in lightning. The creature’s weak point is its unicorn-like horn atop its head. It’s important to bonk that part of its body bcause parts can’t be broken until its health drops below 30%.
The monster’s behavior also changes behavior when its health is slashed to 50%, much like other Elder Dragon Interceptions. It coats itself in lightning and becomes more powerful.
Kirin introduces new weapons for Sword & Shield, Dual Blades, Great Sword, Lance, Switch Axe, Light Bowgun, and Heavy Bowgun. The armor set yields increased attack power for the Thunder-element attacks and has an effect on paralysis.
The tickets also have other perks from previous events. Player have a bigger interaction radius so that they can fight more monsters around th em. The cooldown time between Elder Dragon Interceptions and Hunt-a-thons are also eliminated. Dimensionally linked monsters, which allow players to battle creatures with other hunters remotely, will also be more common along with a slashed monster respawn time of 30 minutes.
Players will also have a questline that rewards them some rare materials such as Weapon Refining Parts, Amrmor Refining Parts and Kirin Electrogem and Kirin Mane. They’ll also get event-exclusive cosmetics. If players are just starting, Niantic suggests using the Lunar New Year event weapons, which scale up with the difficulty of the monsters they hunt. It’s a way for them to participate once they reach Hunter Rank 11 or higher.
‘MONSTER HUNTER WILDS’ x ‘MONSTER HUNTER NOW’When it comes to “Monster Hunter Wilds,” “Monster Hunter Now” will have a collaboration event beginning Feb. 3 and running through March 31. The event features limited-time quests that will reward players with bonus items in both games.
“Monster Hunter Now” players will receive cosmetic gear (a “Monster Hunter Wilds” hoodie and a Guild Card background) for their in-game hunter. Finishing the quest line in “Monster Hunter Now” will give players a gift code that they can redeem in “Monster Hunter Wilds” for bonus items when the game launches.
The “Monster Hunter Wilds” gifts aren’t game-breaking. They feature Mega Potions, Dusts of Life, Energy Drinks, Well-Done Steaks and Dash Juices. It’s a nice little boost to start players on their console or PC adventure. Meanwhile, Niantic isn’t being stingy with its rewards on the “Monster Hunter Now” side. Players will get Item Box Expansions, Weapon Refining Parts and Armor Refining Parts every week leading up to the game’s release.
It’s the first time Capcom has offered a way to synergize between the two games. Niantic and The Pokemon Company has been integrating “Pokemon Go” with the main series “Pokemon” games for years now. It will be interesting to see the interaction between “Now” and “Wilds” in the future and see how both games can benefit from each other.