Investigating the Hoarfrost Reach is one of the most iconic and memorable experiences in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. This snowy, treacherous region introduced in the Iceborne expansion is filled with new monsters, hidden secrets, and environmental challenges that make exploration both difficult and rewarding. As you delve deeper into this vast, frozen wilderness, you’ll uncover story-driven discoveries and gather valuable materials essential for crafting powerful gear. Whether you’re a veteran hunter or new to the game, understanding how to thoroughly investigate the Hoarfrost Reach can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.
What Is the Hoarfrost Reach?
The Hoarfrost Reach is a brand-new locale introduced in the Iceborne expansion of Monster Hunter World. It’s a sprawling tundra filled with snow-covered landscapes, ice caves, hot springs, and frozen forests. With its complex vertical terrain and dynamic weather, Hoarfrost Reach offers both beauty and danger. Many new large monsters call this area home, and players are encouraged to explore it thoroughly to uncover its many secrets.
Unlocking the Hoarfrost Reach
Before you can investigate the Hoarfrost Reach, you’ll need access to the Iceborne expansion. Once you’ve installed it, completing the base game’s main storyline will trigger the first mission in the expansion, which leads directly into your first venture into this icy region. Your mission begins with a report of unusual Legiana movements and the need to follow them into a newly discovered landmass. This marks the start of your expedition into Hoarfrost Reach.
Initial Exploration Objectives
When you first arrive in the Hoarfrost Reach, your main objective is to scout and gather information. This includes:
- Tracking Legiana to discover its behavior patterns
- Surveying the geography and environmental hazards
- Establishing base camps and fast travel points
- Identifying new endemic life and gathering materials
During this phase, there is no time limit, allowing you to take your time and explore at your own pace. Investigate the area fully each small discovery contributes to your understanding of the region and helps you unlock new quests and rewards.
Key Features of Hoarfrost Reach
Chilling Environment
Temperature plays a big role in Hoarfrost Reach. The freezing cold gradually reduces your stamina unless you consume hot drinks or make use of the hot springs scattered throughout the map. Bringing a steady supply of hot drinks or ingredients to craft them on the go is essential for extended exploration and battles.
Diverse Biomes
Hoarfrost Reach isn’t just flat snowy terrain. It includes a mix of ecosystems such as:
- Snowfields
- Ice caves
- Rocky cliffs and ridges
- Frozen lakes
- Hot springs
Each zone has its own characteristics, monsters, and materials. Pay close attention to your surroundings gathering from unique nodes like frozen herbs or mining icy crystals can yield rare resources used for crafting Iceborne gear.
Flora and Fauna
Endemic life plays a key role in Hoarfrost Reach. Investigating the region includes documenting and capturing these creatures. Some are only active during specific times or weather conditions. For example, the ‘Snowball’ endemic lifeform can be found playing in certain areas, while rare insects or birds might only appear at night or during snowstorms.
Monsters You’ll Encounter
Investigating the Hoarfrost Reach involves encountering and studying a variety of new and returning monsters. Some of the notable creatures include:
- Beotodus: A shark-like wyvern that swims through snow and ice, making it a dangerous ambush predator.
- Barioth: A saber-toothed, fast-moving wyvern that uses ice-based attacks and is highly mobile.
- Banbaro: A massive brute wyvern that charges using massive tree trunks as battering rams.
- Nargacuga: While not exclusive to Hoarfrost Reach, it can appear during special quests tied to the region.
Investigating these monsters helps you gather research points and materials. Each interaction, track found, or part broken contributes to your monster research level and makes future hunts easier and more rewarding.
Establishing Camps and Facilities
To fully investigate Hoarfrost Reach, establishing additional camps is crucial. Camps serve as fast travel points, rest zones, and supply hubs. You’ll need to find hidden camp locations and complete side objectives like slaying small monsters or gathering specific materials to unlock them. Setting up all available camps makes long expeditions more efficient and safer.
Camp Locations to Prioritize
- Central Camp: Given at the start of the expansion, useful for initial exploration.
- Eastern Camp: Ideal for accessing deeper snowfield zones and monster spawn areas.
- Cliffside Camp: Useful for high-altitude regions and late-game monsters.
These camps give you better positioning during hunts and reduce travel time significantly.
Environmental Hazards and Tactical Opportunities
The environment in Hoarfrost Reach can work for or against you. Deep snow slows movement, making positioning important in battles. However, you can also use the terrain to your advantage. Avalanches, collapsing ice walls, and rideable slopes can change the tide of a hunt if used smartly. Knowing the map inside and out is a valuable part of any thorough investigation.
Use the Clutch Claw and Slinger
Tools like the Clutch Claw and the Slinger have enhanced functionality in Iceborne. Use the Clutch Claw to latch onto monsters for strategic attacks, or the Slinger to trigger environmental traps like icicles hanging from cave ceilings. Mastering these tools during your investigation phase prepares you for tougher encounters later in the expansion.
Progressing the Story Through Investigation
As you explore more of the Hoarfrost Reach, your discoveries lead to new quests and cutscenes that drive the Iceborne story forward. The initial investigation mission transitions into full-scale operations once you gather enough data. These narrative moments are tied directly to your exploration progress, so be thorough in checking every corner of the map.
Side Quests and Assignments
Many optional quests pop up during your investigation of Hoarfrost Reach. These can range from gathering requests to mini-hunts that lead to new armor sets, Palico gadgets, or layered armor. Completing these is a great way to build up your resources and deepen your understanding of the region’s ecosystem.
Final Tips for Successful Investigation
- Always bring hot drinks or crafting materials for them.
- Make use of the Raider Ride feature for faster travel through large open areas.
- Scout and unlock every camp early on.
- Regularly collect monster tracks to raise research levels.
- Bring the right gear with ice resistance or adapt with layered armor sets.
Thorough investigation leads to better preparedness, stronger weapons, and more effective hunts. It also ensures you won’t miss out on special events or side content tied to the region.
Investigating the Hoarfrost Reach is a core part of the Monster Hunter World: Iceborne experience. It introduces new mechanics, monster encounters, and environmental storytelling that expands the world of Monster Hunter in exciting ways. By taking the time to explore thoroughly, gather resources, and engage with the region’s many layers, players can fully enjoy everything this icy land has to offer. Whether you’re hunting rare beasts or just enjoying the frozen beauty, the Hoarfrost Reach is a region worth mastering.