Hunters,
Read on to find out what’s coming up in February!
▼ Season 8, Wave 2 runs until Feb. 15 (Sun)
During the final week, from Feb. 9 (Mon) to Feb. 15 (Sun), Riftcharged Radobaan will appear. Prepare your equipment through the Driftsmelting Bonanza and Upgrade Rush Quest events, then take on Riftcharged Radobaan!
▼ Season 8, Wave 3 begins on Feb. 16 (Mon)
The riftcharged monster appearing at the end of Wave 3 will be Riftcharged Barioth! Starting in Wave 3, Riftborne Rathalos will also arrive, along with style selection for the lance.
The Lunar New Year event, which also begins that day, will bring more Rathalos than usual, making it the perfect time to forge and upgrade fire element weapons, Rathalos’s elemental weakness, as you prepare for the arrival of Riftcharged Barioth!
Contents
Here’s an overview of the monster outbreak events, Base Defense schedules, and featured defense weapons for each Wave in Season 8!
Season 8 Wave 2
Wave period
Start: Jan. 19, 2026 (Mon) 9:00 a.m. (local)
End: Feb. 15, 2026 (Sun) 11:59 p.m. (local)
- Submitting exploration reports at exploration bases, as well as earning Exploration Emblems and Slaying Emblems, will be possible starting Jan. 20 (Tue), 2026 at 12:00 a.m. (UTC). For details, please check the exploration base screen in-game.
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)
For Season 8 Wave 2 monster outbreak rewards, see here.
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
- When challenging a riftcharged monster, using a designated featured defense weapon not only grants a Defense Points bonus, but also helps weaken the Dimensional Barrier.
For how to make use of featured defense weapons, see here.
Season 8 Wave 3
Wave period
Start: Feb. 16, 2026 (Mon) 9:00 a.m. (local)
End: Mar. 15, 2026 (Sun) 11:59 p.m. (local)
- Submitting exploration reports at exploration bases, as well as earning Exploration Emblems and Slaying Emblems, will be possible starting Feb. 17 (Tue), 2026 at 12:00 a.m. (UTC). For details, please check the exploration base screen in-game.
Outbreak Target Monster
Riftborne Rathalos (8★)
Outbreak Times
Feb. 27, 2026 (Fri) 6:00–6:59 p.m. (local)
Feb. 28, 2026 (Sat) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
Mar. 1, 2026 (Sun) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
- Sign-up roster opens Feb. 20, 2026 (Fri)
Outbreak Sign-Up Rewards
Exclusive hunter medal: Riftborne Rathalos 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 | Rathalos Tail × 4 Rathalos Marrow × 4 Rathalos Primescale × 4 Rathalos Plate × 4 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 4–6 | 100 base reputation | Rathalos Tail × 5 Rathalos Marrow × 5 Rathalos Primescale × 5 Rathalos Plate × 5 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 7–8 | 200 base reputation | Rathalos Tail × 6 Rathalos Marrow × 6 Rathalos Primescale × 6 Rathalos Plate × 6 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 9 or more | 300 base reputation | Rathalos Tail × 7 Rathalos Marrow × 7 Rathalos Primescale × 7 Rathalos Plate × 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.
Even if the conditions are met at multiple exploration bases during the same time window, rewards can only be claimed from one exploration base.
Base Defense: Riftcharged Monster Appearance
Mar. 9, 2026 (Mon) – Mar. 15, 2026 (Sun) (local)
- Set to appear at certain times during this period.
Riftcharged Monster
Barioth
Featured Defense Weapons
- Weapons forged primarily from Quematrice materials
- Weapons forged primarily from Rathalos materials
- When challenging a riftcharged monster, using a designated featured defense weapon not only grants a Defense Points bonus, but also helps weaken the Dimensional Barrier.
Dates & Times
From Monday, February 16th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (local time)
Riftborne Rathalos Appears
Rathalos arrives as a new riftborne monster! With this, it will now be possible to customize the style of Rathalos weapons, and you will be able to forge new dual blades Twin Flames and Wyvern Lovers with Rathalos materials.
And for a limited time only, you’ll need fewer materials to forge and upgrade Rathalos weapons. See the announcement on release day for additional details.
Style Selection Unlocked: Lance
Get ready to change up the style of your lances with style customization!
[Shield Tackle]
A style that combines offense and defense, bolstering attacks through guarding.
[Insta-Block]
A style excelling at counters, allowing you to prevent damage via well-timed guards, then follow up with powerful attacks.
- 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 (Rathalos, Diablos, Khezu, Legiana, Magnamalo, Deviljho, Radobaan, Great Girros, Barroth, Tobi-Kadachi, Jyuratodus, Anjanath, Rathian, and Barioth) are eligible for style customization.
Driftsmelting Bonanza!
Dates & Times
Monday, February 2nd, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, February 8th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Find more Goss Harag, Diablos, Barioth, and more. A new driftstone is also coming, so stay tuned for more details!
Upgrade Rush Quest
Dates & Times
Monday, February 9th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, February 15th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Find more Goss Harag, Diablos, and Legiana, and enjoy more slay rewards than usual. During the event, you’ll also have a chance to obtain materials like Shining Eggs!
Base Defense events will also be happening at exploration bases during this period. Upgrade your equipment and take on riftcharged monsters!
Lucky Lunar New Year 2026
Dates & Times
Part I: Monday, February 16th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Monday, February 23rd, 2026, at 8:59 a.m. (local time)
Part II: Monday, February 23rd, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, March 1st, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
We’re celebrating the Lunar New Year once again with a special event! The field will be decorated for the occasion, and you’ll find more Rathalos and Quematrice than usual.
Enjoy the festivities while forging and upgrading equipment using Rathalos and Quematrice materials. A special quest commemorating the addition of style selection for lances will also be available.
Plus, previous Lunar New Year event-exclusive equipment is set to return!
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
Sunday, February 1st, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. – Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC)
What's Included
◆ Tracksuit A Pack
Tracksuit A Layered Equipment
- Comes in 3 parts: head, chest, and legs.
- Since this is re-issued layered equipment, it cannot be purchased if you already own it.
◆ Tracksuit B Pack
Tracksuit B Layered Equipment
- Comes in 3 parts: head, chest, 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! 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!
