Hunters,
Read on to find out what’s coming up in January!
This month marks the first-ever Base Defense at exploration bases. Prepare your equipment and take on the riftcharged monster! For full details on Base Defense, see here.
In addition, Riftborne Diablos will appear as a new riftborne monster. Weapons forged from Diablos materials will also become eligible for style customization!
Plus, style selection will be unlocked for heavy bowguns. Try out new actions in your hunts!
Here’s to more thrilling hunts in 2026!
Contents
Check out the upcoming schedule for exploration bases and don’t forget to check the schedule for the very first Base Defense too!
Season 8 Wave 1
Wave period
Start: Dec. 11, 2025 (Thu) 12:00 a.m. (UTC)
End: Jan. 18, 2026 (Sun) 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
Outbreak Target Monster
Riftborne Khezu (8★)
Outbreak Times
Dec. 26, 2025 (Fri) 6:00–6:59 p.m. (local)
Dec. 27, 2025 (Sat) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
Dec. 28, 2025 (Sun) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
For Season 8 Wave 1 monster outbreak rewards, see here.
Base Defense: Riftcharged Monster Appearance
Jan. 12, 2026 (Mon) – Jan. 18, 2026 (Sun) (local)
- Set to appear at certain times during this period.
Riftcharged Monster
Rathian
Featured Defense Weapons
- Weapons forged primarily from Astalos materials
- Weapons forged primarily from Khezu materials
- The event-exclusive weapon Wrapping Bow from A Happy Hunting New Year 2026
For how to make use of featured defense weapons, see here.
Season 8 Wave 2
Wave period
Start: Jan. 20, 2026 (Tue) 12:00 a.m. (UTC)
End: Feb. 15, 2026 (Sun) 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
Outbreak Target Monster
Riftborne Diablos (8★)
Outbreak Times
Jan. 30, 2026 (Fri) 6:00–6:59 p.m. (local)
Jan. 31, 2026 (Sat) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
Feb. 1, 2026 (Sun) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
- Sign-up roster opens Jan. 23, 2026 (Fri)
Outbreak Sign-Up Rewards
Exclusive hunter medal: Riftborne Diablos Outbreak Medal
Medal Conditions
- You must sign up to participate and slay at least 1 target monster at the base and during the time slot you signed up for.
- Awarded after the time slot ends.
- Medal is awarded only once per Wave.
Monster Outbreak Goal Rewards
Rewards vary based on your base’s level.
| Base Level | Midway Rewards | Goal Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| 3 or less | None | Diablos Tailcase × 4 Diablos Ridge × 4 Diablos Primeshell × 4 Diablos Marrow × 4 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 4–6 | 100 base reputation | Diablos Tailcase × 5 Diablos Ridge × 5 Diablos Primeshell × 5 Diablos Marrow × 5 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 7–8 | 200 base reputation | Diablos Tailcase × 6 Diablos Ridge × 6 Diablos Primeshell × 6 Diablos Marrow × 6 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 9 or more | 300 base reputation | Diablos Tailcase × 7 Diablos Ridge × 7 Diablos Primeshell × 7 Diablos Marrow × 7 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
Conditions for Receiving Goal Rewards
Rewards can be obtained if the following conditions are met:
- Submit at least one exploration report at that exploration base between the start of the Wave and the end of the monster outbreak.
- Slay at least one target monster at that base.
Rewards can be earned each time the goal is achieved during an outbreak period. Rewards are granted after each time slot ends.
Base Defense: Riftcharged Monster Appearance
Feb. 9, 2026 (Mon) – Feb. 15, 2026 (Sun) (local)
- Set to appear at certain times during this period.
Riftcharged Monster
Radobaan
Featured Defense Weapons
- Weapons forged primarily from Goss Harag materials
- Weapons forged primarily from Diablos materials
Dates & Times
From Monday, January 19th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (local time)
Riftborne Diablos Appears
Diablos arrives as a new riftborne monster! With this, it will now be possible to customize the style of Diablos weapons, and you will be able to forge a new sword & shield, great sword, lance, and gunlance with Diablos materials.
And for a limited time only, you’ll need fewer materials to forge and upgrade Diablos weapons. See the announcement on release day for additional details.
Style Selection Unlocked: Heavy Bowgun
Get ready to change up the style of your heavy bowguns with style customization!
[Guard Reload]
A style that prioritizes defense, allowing you to reload while guarding.
[Crouching Shot]
A style that prioritizes offense, allowing you to fire more ammo than normal.
- Depending on the style you select, long-press actions and combos will change, offering different ways to use each weapon.
- Check the release notes on the day to read more about the styles.
- Only weapons that can be forged or upgraded with materials from riftborne monsters (Diablos, Khezu, Legiana, Magnamalo, Deviljho, Radobaan, Great Girros, Barroth, Tobi-Kadachi, Jyuratodus, Anjanath, Rathian, and Barioth) are eligible for style customization.
NY 2026 Driftsmelting Event
Dates & Times
Monday, January 5th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Get a guaranteed Crimson/Azure/Amber/Cyan/Pale/Black Driftstone each time you slay a large monster! You’ll also be able to find more of Astalos, Khezu, Brute Tigrex, Silver Rathalos, Azure Rathalos, Coral Pukei-Pukei, and Basarios.
Prepare for the arrival of riftcharged monsters by adding skills to your armor via driftsmelting!
Upgrade Rush Investigation
Dates & Times
Monday, January 12th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, January 18th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Find more of certain monsters that drop materials used to forge and upgrade thunder element equipment, including Astalos, Khezu, and Tobi-Kadachi! You’ll also have a chance to obtain materials like Shining Eggs during the event.
Base Defense will also be active at exploration bases during this period. Gather materials and Zenny, and upgrade your thunder element equipment, which is the weakness of the upcoming riftcharged monster!
Assault of the Riftborne Diablos
Dates & Times
Monday, January 19th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, January 25th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Riftborne Diablos numbers will rise during this event! Plus, commemorative quests will be available to celebrate the addition of heavy bowgun styles.
Hunt Diablos and build up your arsenal of style-customized weapons!
Midwinter Special Exchange Hub Week
Dates & Times
Monday, January 26th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, February 1st, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
In this event, you can exchange materials obtained from monster hunts for gatherable materials and more!
Stay tuned for further details.
To celebrate the start of 2026, we’ll be distributing an offer redemption code on X! By entering the offer redemption code posted on the official X account on Thursday, January 1st, 2026 (UTC), you can claim useful hunting items.
For details, check the official X account.
◆ When to claim
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 – Friday, January 30th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC)
Gift Details
◆ Here’s what’s included:
- Ultra Hunting Ticket × 1
- Wander Droplet × 2
- Paintball × 1
- 5,000 Zenny
- Log in to the Web Store and enter the offer redemption code to receive the items in your in-app Item Box.
See here for details.
Limited-time packs will be available from the in-game shop and Web Store.
Some previously available layered equipment will also be for sale in the in-game shop!
Sales Period
Thursday, January 1st, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. – Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC)
◆ Expansion Pack (NY)
- Special Carving Knife × 15
- Tracker Scope × 15
- Ultra Hunting Ticket × 20
- Potion × 20
- Item Box Expansion × 1,500
◆ Mini Expansion Pack (NY)
- Special Carving Knife × 10
- Potion × 10
- Item Box Expansion × 1,000
◆ NY 2026 Bargain Gems
- Gems × 2,300
- Including Bonus Gems
◆ NY 2026 Bargain Gems L
- Gems × 7,500
- Including Bonus Gems
◆ Web Store-exclusive: NY 2026 Big Bargain Gems
- Gems × 2,470
- Including Bonus Gems
◆ Web Store-exclusive: NY 2026 Big Bargain Gems L
- Gems × 8,250
- Including Bonus Gems
◆ Web Store-exclusive: NY 2026 Big Bargain Gems XL
- Gems × 35,000
- Including Bonus Gems
Sales Period
Thursday, January 1st, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. – Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC)
What's Included
◆ Down Jacket A Pack
Down Jacket A Layered Equipment
- Comes in 3 parts: chest, waist, and legs.
- Since this is re-issued layered equipment, it cannot be purchased if you already own it.
◆ Down Jacket B Pack
Down Jacket B Layered Equipment
- Comes in 3 parts: chest, waist, and legs.
- Since this is re-issued layered equipment, it cannot be purchased if you already own it.
Other limited-time packs will also be for sale, as well as Premium Quests offering Wyvern Gem Shards and riftborne materials for some riftborne monsters! Check the in-game shop and Web Store for more details once sales begin.
Additional Information
- You will need to have completed the prologue in order to participate in events.
- Driftsmelting can be unlocked by completing the pre-season story.
- Check the announcements for each event for more information.
Be sure to follow us on social media for all the latest news!
