Monster Hunter World: Iceborne PC unlock times, download size and everything else you need to know
Monster Hunter World players on PC will soon get their hands on the Iceborne expansion, and we've rounded up all the details you should know.
Four months after its initial release on consoles, Monster Hunter World's massive Iceborne expansion will be available this week on PC. Iceborne introduces an entirely new biome to the game's world - Hoarfrost Reach - and plenty of new and returning monsters.
Read on below for all the crucial Iceborne launch details.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne PC launch times
Iceborne is set to launch this Thursday, January 9 on Steam. The expansion will go live worldwide at 9am PT, 12pm ET, 5pm UK on the day.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne PC pre-load
Capcom has confirmed that we unfortunately won't be able to pre-load Iceborne before launch day, so everyone will have to start downloading it at the same time on Thursday.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne PC download size
When Iceborne launches, all Monster Hunter World players on PC will be prompted to download a patch (version 10.12.00). This patch is required, regardless of whether or not you actually own Iceborne.
As you might have already guessed, you're essentially downloading the entirety of the expansion's content with this patch. This is why it requires a whopping 48GB of free space. If you have the High Resolution Texture Pack installed, you'll be downloading another 45GB on top.
You won't be able to play the game until this patch is downloaded and installed, so keep that in mind.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne PC patch details
Patch 10.12.00 - essentially Iceborne itself - will unlock a whole heap of new content for those who own the expansion. Things like new story content, Master Rank, the new snowy zone (Hoarfrost Reach), new weapons and all the new monsters wont' be accessible unless you buy Iceborne.
All players, however, will benefit from a number of quality-of-life enhancements and balance tweaks across the board. This includes the new dynamic difficulty that ensures monsters aren't too challenging for groups of two or three players, the new Guardian Armor that lets you have an easier time with the entirety of base game content, and plenty of weapon-specific changes.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne - Master Edition release date
If you're a completely newcomer to Monster Hunter World and want to get both the base game and Iceborne in one purchase, look no further than the Master Edition. This version of the game will be available on January 9, shortly after Iceborne goes live for everyone.
If you manage to grab it before the end of January, you'll also receive the Yukumo layered armour set (Iceborne pre-order bonus) for free.
Beyond the Monster Hunter World: Iceborne launch
Capcom is working to condense the wait time between console and PC patches and get as close as possible to a simultaneous release for new content and fixes. This basically means new additions - some of which are already being enjoyed by console players - will arrive on PC at a more rapid pace.
This all begins in February, when Monster Hunter World receives its first major update in 2020. The patch (version 11.50.00) is due out early in February, and will add Rajang as a new monster, the Resident Evil 2 Raccoon City quest and bring more features to your personal room. In mid-February, the Holiday Joy Fest seasonal event will kick off on PC.
Later on in March, update 12.00.00 will add even more monsters, with more details to be made available closer to launch.
Beyond the Monster Hunter World Iceborne guides
If you're looking to get a head start on Iceborne content, we've prepared several helpful pages for you to consult. In no particular order, here's a list of some of the most important below.