Hunters,
Read on to find out what’s happening during Season 9 Wave 1!
Season 9 begins on Mar. 19 (Thu)!
The weapon type, insect glaive, is finally coming to Monster Hunter Now. You’ll also encounter Seregios and other monsters, along with Riftborne Zinogre. For full Season 9 details, check here.
A new feature, Friend Link, is coming, allowing you to team up with friends for a hunt no matter the distance! Use it in Elder Dragon Interceptions and hunts from your Paintball List. To celebrate the launch of Friend Link, special quests will be available, and we’re also planning an event where you can find more riftborne monsters. Enjoy hunting with friends, advance your style customization, and try out different styles!
The first Wave of Season 9 will finish with Riftcharged Rathalos in Base Defense! Featured defense weapons will include Seregios- and Zinogre-material weapons, as well as weapons forged from elder dragon Kirin materials. Make the most of Friend Link and the upcoming events to forge and upgrade your equipment!
Wave Schedule
Season 9 Wave 1
Wave period
Start: Mar. 19, 2026 (Thu) 9:00 a.m. (local)
End: Apr. 19, 2026 (Sun) 11:59 p.m. (local)
- Submitting exploration reports at exploration bases, as well as earning Exploration Emblems and Slaying Emblems, will also be possible from the start of the Wave.
Outbreak Target Monster
Riftborne Zinogre (8★)
Outbreak Times
Apr. 3, 2026 (Fri) 6:00–6:59 p.m. (local)
Apr. 4, 2026 (Sat) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
Apr. 5, 2026 (Sun) 1:00–1:59 p.m. (local)
- Sign-up roster opens Mar. 27, 2026 (Fri)
Outbreak Sign-Up Rewards
Exclusive hunter medal: Riftborne Zinogre 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 | Zinogre Tail × 4 Zinogre Shockfur × 4 Zinogre Primeclaw × 4 Zinogre Horn × 4 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 4–6 | 100 base reputation | Zinogre Tail × 5 Zinogre Shockfur × 5 Zinogre Primeclaw × 5 Zinogre Horn × 5 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 7–8 | 200 base reputation | Zinogre Tail × 6 Zinogre Shockfur × 6 Zinogre Primeclaw × 6 Zinogre Horn × 6 2,000 Zenny 500 base reputation |
| 9 or more | 300 base reputation | Zinogre Tail × 7 Zinogre Shockfur × 7 Zinogre Primeclaw × 7 Zinogre Horn × 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
Apr. 13, 2026 (Mon) – Apr. 19, 2026 (Sun) (local)
- Set to appear at certain times during this period.
Riftcharged Monster
Rathalos
| Featured Defense Weapons | Defense Points Bonus |
|---|---|
| Weapons forged primarily from Seregios materials | 50% |
| Weapons forged primarily from Zinogre materials | 50% |
| Weapons forged primarily from Kirin materials | 25% |
- When challenging a riftcharged monster, using a 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.
Riftborne Zinogre Appears
Dates & Times
From Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. (UTC)
New Riftborne Monster: Zinogre
Zinogre arrives as a new riftborne monster! With this, it will now be possible to customize the style of Zinogre weapons.
And for a limited time only, you’ll need fewer materials to forge and upgrade Zinogre weapons.
Season 9 Wave 1 Event Lineup
Season 9 Kickoff Event
Dates & Times
Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. – Sunday, March 29th, 2026, at 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
The appearance rates of monsters coming in Season 9—Seregios, Almudron, and Viper Tobi-Kadachi, and the newly arriving Riftborne Zinogre—will be increased! Additionally, Elder Dragon Interceptions will become more active, with only Interceptions occurring at Interception/Hunt-a-thon points, and Kirin appearing more frequently.
Take this opportunity to forge and upgrade featured defense weapons from Seregios and Zinogre materials, as well as Kirin weapons!
Insect Glaive Training Quest
Dates & Times
Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. – Sunday, May 31st, 2026, at 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
Take on Event Quests focused on the newly arriving weapon type, the insect glaive!
Friend Link Quest
Dates & Times
Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. – Sunday, April 12th, 2026, at 2:59 p.m. (UTC)
Take on quests celebrating the launch of Friend Link! Complete them to earn Friend Link Tokens, necessary for joining group hunts through Friend Link.
Spring Riftborne Week
Dates & Times
Monday, March 30th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, April 5th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Find more riftborne monsters than usual during this event! It’s a great opportunity not only to upgrade Zinogre-material featured defense weapons, but also to upgrade previously available weapons that support style customization.
Try out different styles with style customization!
Driftsmelting Bonanza!
Dates & Times
Monday, April 6th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, April 12th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Find more Seregios, Zinogre, Viper Tobi-Kadachi, and more. A new driftstone is also coming, so stay tuned for more details!
Upgrade Rush Quest
Dates & Times
Monday, April 13th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Sunday, April 19th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (local time)
Find more Seregios and Zinogre, 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 the riftcharged monster!
Event-Exclusive Packs
Limited-time packs will be available from the in-game shop and Web Store.
Reissue layered equipment will also be for sale in the in-game shop!
Sales Period
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. – Thursday, April 30th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC)
What's Included
◆ Cosmopolitan A Pack
Cosmopolitan A Layered Equipment
- Comes in 5 parts: head, chest, arms, waist, and legs.
- The chest and waist parts are a set.
- Since this is reissued layered equipment, it cannot be purchased if you already own it.
◆ Cosmopolitan B Pack
Cosmopolitan B Layered Equipment
- Comes in 5 parts: head, chest, arms, waist, and legs.
- The chest and waist parts are a set.
- Since this is reissued 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!
