The first major Monster Hunter Wilds update is almost here, and for those looking for a different kind of challenge or for anyone obsessed with speedrunning, it’s going to be a good’un. That’s because Arena Quests, the time trial-style missions that task you with slaying monsters as swiftly as possible, are coming to the hit RPG. Ahead of Title Update 1 dropping later this week, Capcom has issued a firm warning against anyone looking to cheat in Arena Quests and other time-based challenges, threatening them with account restrictions and suspensions.
Even with plenty of juggernauts still to come this year, Monster Hunter Wilds has certainly cemented itself as one of the biggest and best new PC games of 2025. Title Update 1 looks set to improve and expand the sensational RPG even more, and these new competitive, time-based quests are one of the headline features. Not only do they require expert knowledge of the game’s weapons and beasts, but they force you into becoming the most rapid and ruthless slayer you can be. Sure, there are rewards on the line for quick completion times, but prestigious spots on global leaderboards await those who really master these new modes.
Arena Quests are the main draw, tasking either solo players or teams of two to defeat a certain monster as fast as possible, but only using a pre-determined pool of equipment. You can pick what you want from this and tinker with your build before heading in, but once you’re locking eyes with that monster, there’s no going back. Any active status effects or meal effects your character currently has will also be removed while you’re competing.
There will also be limited-time Challenge Quests that follow a similar ruleset, and more forgiving Free Challenge Quests that let you use whatever gear you want and let you participate in teams of up to four players, rather than two.
However, with desirable rewards on the line, and competitive integrity to uphold with these online leaderboards, Capcom has put out a strong statement that warns cheaters not to try anything illegitimate.
“To ensure a fun and fair experience for our players, we will take action against accounts participating in fraudulent ranking activity, such as the use of cheating or external tools,” Capcom says. “Accounts deemed to be in breach of this may be suspended, or have restrictions placed on them, such as being unable to receive rewards from these quests.
“Also, if cheating is confirmed in a multiplayer hunt by any member(s) of a team, the completion time for the quest will be deemed invalid and the right to rewards can be revoked for the whole party. Please take caution to avoid playing multiplayer with those who are engaging in prohibited activity, or those you suspect of such.”
While I’m sure the threat of strong punishments will put off some potential cheaters, it’ll be interesting to see how big of an issue this becomes when Arena Quests go live. I sincerely hope we don’t see leaderboards being constantly altered due to illegitimate times being removed, and that the only movement in rankings we see is from blistering new times from some world-class runs.
Arena Quests and other time trial missions arrive in Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1 on the evening of Wednesday, April 3 for those in the PDT and EDT time zones and early in the morning on Thursday, April 4 for those in the BST and CEST time zones. Capcom has not given exact timings, just the dates for players in these regions.
If you’re a little late to the MHW party and you’re just starting out, be sure to check out our complete Monster Hunter Wilds monsters list and our expert guide to the best Monster Hunter Wilds weapons.
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