If you ask players what excites them about the *Monster Hunter* series, many will undoubtedly mention the thrill of crafting new equipment from materials gathered during their hunts. Every hunter knows the satisfaction of completing a full armor set and matching weapon after repeatedly taking down the same monster.

The concept of equipment in the Monster Hunter series has remained consistent since its inception: defeat monsters and harness their power through gear crafted from their remains. Players use their skills to conquer formidable beasts, then adopt those creatures' abilities to become even more powerful.

In an interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds Executive Director and Art Director Kaname Fujioka shared insights into the philosophy behind Monster Hunter's equipment design. "While our designs have evolved, we used to focus heavily on the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you should look like Rathalos," Fujioka explained. The latest installment introduces new monsters, each with its unique and colorful equipment. For instance, Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, features a head armor piece that mimics a plague doctor's mask. You can view the armor set in the hunt video below.

Among the array of distinctive monster-themed equipment, the developers encourage players to take a closer look at the starting gear that your hunter wears at the beginning of the game.

"I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch," Fujioka stated. "This is the first time I've done this, as far as I can remember. In previous games, new hunters started with basic, primitive weapons. However, since the protagonist is a chosen hunter in this game, it wouldn't be fitting for them to carry a plain weapon. I wanted to make it feel like you're a bit of a star, even with starting equipment."

Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda added, "In Monster Hunter: World, weapon designs retained a certain form but were customized based on monster materials. However, in Wilds, each weapon has its own unique design."

These starting weapons are crafted to reflect the narrative that you are an experienced hunter selected to explore the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda noted that the starting armor is equally detailed, aligning with the game's story.

"The starting armor for this game is called the Hope series," he said. "Its design is so impressive that you could wear it until the end of the game without it feeling out of place."

The Hope set, with its deep emerald green base, transforms into a stylish outfit featuring a hooded long coat when fully assembled. Fujioka elaborated on the complexity of its construction, noting that each piece was designed to stand alone while also contributing to a cohesive whole.

"We've put more effort into the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," he said. "In previous titles, upper and lower body armor were separate, and we couldn't create a flowing coat. Due to gameplay mechanics, each piece had to be distinct, but I wanted to see if we could make a single, flowing hooded coat. We achieved this by dedicating significant in-game resources to it. Of course, players will discover numerous equipment options as they progress, and we encourage them to experiment with various weapons. That's why we designed the Hope series to be subtly elegant yet not too flashy."

It's a true luxury to begin a game with equipment that has been so thoughtfully crafted. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are meticulously designed to reflect the gear of an esteemed star hunter. We eagerly anticipate examining the intricate details of these items in the final game.