Launching October 29, 2026
Monster Hunter Outlanders: launch-week guide for new hunters
Everything you need before the international release — release times, how to download and install, what to do in your first two hours, weapon picks, settings that actually help, and straight answers to the questions everyone asks.
Countdown to October 29, 2026 (UTC). Unlock times vary by region and app store.
Start here
Three pages that answer 90% of launch-day questions.
Release date & pre-register
When it unlocks, what pre-registration gets you, and how to be ready on day one.
Read the guide →How to download & install
App Store and Google Play steps, storage needs, and what to do when the store page is missing.
Read the guide →Beginner guide: first 2 hours
A calm, no-spoiler route through the opening quests, plus how ecology level and character growth actually work.
Read the guide →Launch prep
Get the game installed and running before everyone else.
System requirements
Minimum and recommended devices, storage, and how to check if your phone is supported.
Read →Region lock & connection FAQ
Whether you need a specific account region, and what to try when the game is unavailable.
Read →Common errors & fixes
Black screens, stuck downloads, login loops and crashes — plus the gameplay systems that only look like bugs.
Read →Getting started
Play comfortably and avoid early mistakes.
Best graphics & control settings
Frame-rate vs battery, camera and targeting options, and the toggles worth turning on.
Read →How to play with friends
Party setup, the four-player joint hunt mode, its three classes, team composition, and how rewards are shared.
Read →Field exploration & devices
Camps and frontline outposts, ziplines, catapults, lasso traps, mounts, environmental hazards, and the egg, tower and arena challenges.
Read →Combat & builds
Pick a weapon, understand your companion, and see what's strong right now.
Best weapons for beginners
Which weapon types are forgiving to learn, how each one plays on mobile, and the mechanics underneath: sharpness, hit zones and staggers.
Read →Adventurers & companions overview
How the character system works, how Buddies level up, what the higher-rarity ones add, and how co-op synergy fires.
Read →Launch week tier list
A provisional, framework-based ranking for the first weeks — and why it will change.
Read →Monsters & tactics
The confirmed roster from returning species to the Radiant variants, what Radiantite does to them, and the reads that beat each fight.
Read →Systems & events
Understand the economy and the launch campaign.
Questions & verdict
Straight answers before you commit your time.
Quick answers
Jumping in blind? These cover the essentials.
When does Monster Hunter Outlanders launch?
It is scheduled to launch internationally on October 29, 2026 for iOS and Android. Exact unlock times vary by region and app store, so check your store listing on the day. See the release date guide for details.
Is it free to play?
Yes — it is a free-to-play mobile title with optional in-app purchases. You can download and play the base game at no cost.
Can I play outside Japan?
It depends on your region and the app store account you use. If the store page is missing in your region, see the region lock guide for what to check.
What should I do first in-game?
Follow the opening quests, try a couple of weapon types, and don't rush upgrades. The beginner guide walks through your first two hours.