Monster Hunter Now monster list

Monster Hunter Now monster list

Monsters in Monster Hunter Now are, as with every entry in the series, the main focus of the game, giving you new challenges to face and weapon and armor types to craft.

Starting with just a handful of large monsters to begin with, the further you progress through the main story quest, the more species you unlock.

For those who prefer to discover these at their own pace, the following page contains spoilers for the monster list in Monster Hunter Now — including whether there are original monsters coming to the series.

Latest update: The arrival of July’s Summer Hunt 2024 sees two new monsters: Mizutsune (an event-only Leviathan appearing in swamp and forest habitats, as well as Hunt-a-thons), and Nightshade Paolumu (temporary exclusive for paid ticket holders of the “Dark Daydreams” July 20-21 weekend event.)


Monster Hunter Now monster list: How many monsters are there in Monster Hunter Now?

Monster Hunter Now monster roster displayed on a blank background
Monster Hunter Now’s launch monster line-up.
Image: Niantic / Capcom

A total of 29 monsters have been released in Monster Hunter Now, some of which are temporary spawns, or require completing specific storylines or activity types such as Invasions or Elder Dragon Interceptions to unlock.

Complicating things further is the game’s seasonal model, meaning some monsters will only appear at some times of year, or require additional seasonal story complication to access.

Monster Hunter Now monster list

Monster First appearance Requirement
Monster First appearance Requirement
Great Jagras Launch Main story unlock
Kulu-Ya-Ku Launch Main story unlock
Pukei-Pukei Launch Main story unlock
Barroth Launch Main story unlock
Great Girros Launch Main story unlock
Tobi-Kadachi Launch Main story unlock
Paolumu Launch Main story unlock
Jyuratodus Launch Main story unlock
Anjanath Launch Main story unlock
Rathian Launch Main story unlock
Legiana Launch Main story unlock
Diablos Launch Main story unlock
Rathalos Launch Main story unlock
Black Diablos “Diablos Invasion” event in Sept. 2023 Hunt-a-thons, rare wild spawn following appearance in seasonal story quest
Pink Rathian “Rathian & Pink Rathian Week” event in Oct. 2023 Hunt-a-thons, rare wild spawn following appearance in seasonal story quest
Azure Rathalos “Descent of the Azure King” event in Jan. 2024 Hunt-a-thons, rare wild spawn following appearance in seasonal story quest
Radobaan “Fulminations in the Frost” in Dec. 2023 Common wild spawn following appearance in Season 2 story quest
Banbaro “Fulminations in the Frost” in Dec. 2023 Common wild spawn following appearance in Season 2 story quest
Barioth “Fulminations in the Frost” in Dec. 2023 Not available; winter season spawn only (last appeared Dec. 2023 to March 2024)
Zinogre “Fulminations in the Frost” in Dec. 2023 Hunt-a-thons only
Odogaron Season 1 “The Vernal Invader” in March 2024 Common wild spawn following appearance in Season 2 story quest
Tzitzi-Ya-Ku Season 1 “The Vernal Invader” in March 2024 Common wild spawn following appearance in Season 2 story quest
Devilijho Season 1 “The Vernal Invader” in March 2024 Invasions only
Coral Pukei-Pukei “Spring forward with Coral Pukei-Pukei” event in March 2024 Event only (wild spawn and Hunt-a-thons)
Khezu Season 2 “Dancing in the Tempest” in June 2024 Common wild spawn following appearance in Season 2 story quest
Basarios Season 2 “Dancing in the Tempest” in June 2024 Common wild spawn following appearance in Season 2 story quest
Kushala Daora Season 2 “Dancing in the Tempest” in June 2024 Elder Dragon Interceptions
Mizutsune Summer Hunt 2024: Bubbling Festival in July 2024 Event only (wild spawn and Hunt-a-thons)
Nightshade Paolumu Summer Hunt 2024: Dark Daydreams (paid event) Event only (wild spawn and Hunt-a-thons)

Remember, if you come across a monster on the map you cannot fight there and then, using a paintball allows you to save that encounter for later.


When will new monsters release in Monster Hunter Now?

New monsters — alongside new story quests and weapon types — are introduced to the game as part of a seasonal model alongside a major update each quarter.

The most recent set of monsters arrived on June 13, 2024 as part of the game’s summer update, with the confirmation of the first Elder Dragon in June. The next monster will be the game’s first Leviathan in July:

Image: Niantic / Capcom

How have monsters been rolled out in the game so far? The first seasonal update, “Fulminations in the Frost,” arrived in Dec. 2023, introduced Radobaan, Banbaro, Barioth, and Zinogre. Three new monsters — Odogaron, Tzitzi-Ya-Ku, and Devilijho — were then added in March 2024. Khezu, Basarios, and Elder Dragon Kushala Daora were then introduced to the game in June 2024.

Monster Hunter Now Fulminations in the Frost teaser image, showing Hunters fighting Zinogre.
Zinogre in the “Fulminations in the Frost” update.
Image: Niantic / Capcom

Outside of these major updates, there are monsters which debut in events, such as Black Diablos during September 2023’s “Diablos Invasion,” and Pink Rathian in October 2023’s “Rathian & Pink Rathian Week.”

These subspecies are more powerful versions of Diablos and Rathian, but since they come with their own armor and weapon sets, can be considered unique monsters in their own right. At first, these monsters only appeared for a limited time, but have since become wild spawns once defeated as part of a seasonal storyline.

We imagine future subspecies will follow a similar pattern — debuting for a limited time with a mid-season event, before appearing as spawns with the rollout of a new season months later.

Coral Pukei-Pukei attacks a hunter beneath a bridge in Monster Hunter Now.
Coral Pukei-Pukei debuted in a mid-season event for a limited time.
Image: Niantic / Capcom

For those expecting original monsters which debut first in Monster Hunter Now, so far the roster consists of creatures that have appeared elsewhere in the series. However, the developers have said they would “love to include unique monsters in the game in the future” — so perhaps we can expect something eventually.

This is not the first Niantic game to contribute to the canon of a wider series — Pokemon Go introduced Meltan and Melmetal, for example — and it’ll be interesting to see what impact Monster Hunter Now has on the main series over time.

Until then — looking for more advice? Our Monster Hunter Now tips and tricks page can give you some extra pointers.