If I do get Iceborne, what are the changes/things that will happen to my base game?

[A]

I'm not in a rush to get to Iceborne content, however, since it's on sale, I might as well get it. I'm curious if there are significant changes/effects on the base game that could ruin the experience if I'm not a in hurry for the expansion.

[RIOT|Stalkermaster]

Biggest one is the clutch claw and the new moves that come with it

[A]

Nothing too "experience" breaking in terms of trying to enjoy the base game?

[Valentine (Lunaticus)]

There shouldn't be. Just don't use defender stuff and you're fine.

[Kevin_Arn]

NEVER USE DEFENDER GEAR AT THE START

[月]

If you buy iceborne, you get to use extra attack moves in your base game.

Iceborne give you iceborne content as big as the base game, you can consider getting it since it is on sale.

[F9]

Iceborne gives you new moves for all the weapons, with some of them being related to Clutch Claw usage. It also adds Defender Gear but DON'T USE IT! It will ruin the experience.

All weapons can use the slinger while unsheathed (you don't have to put your weapon away). This also adds a new move called "slinger burst" where you fire burst of slinger ammo at the monster. On some weapons, this burst can be used as a combo tool.

The clutch claw will be available to all players with IB. Its basically a grappling hook that lets you tenderize parts (extra damage) or to do a "wallbang" which is basically you unloading all your slinger ammo into a monsters face and sending them towards a certain direction, usually a wall where they will get knockdown for free damage

Monsters also gain a new type of stagger, referred to as "clagger". Its where they reel back and start drooling for a few seconds. Basically, this is a free window of attack where you can claw onto them for a tenderize or wallbang, or claw them and jump off to extend the duration of the stagger.

[AaronBurr42]

Everything Kaien says is correct, but I want to point out a few things. First, the defender gear is available whether or not you have IB.
Second, defender gear "ruins the experience" because it significantly alters the difficulty curve, making the first missions absolute pushovers, but eventually you might hit a brick wall of difficulty when a monster's attacks do too much damage, and you're not skilled at dodging. It also kills off build variety during the campaign.
Third, "claggers" will appear in the base game regardless of whether you have IB, which you can just use for a free heavy strike if you don't have the clutch claw. However, the clutch claw only serves to improve the gameplay (imo), so don't feel like having it would ruin the base experience.
Fourth, all weapon types received extra moves in IB, some of which are small adjustments, while others can lead to big changes in gameplay.
Fifth, the gear you build in the base game will be made obsolete if and when you get IB, so if you play the base game for a long time, be prepared to make new sets of armor at master rank.

[Shinshe]

Get the expansion it will add claw mechanics to base game and new moves for every weapon better learn them now than latter :)

[A]

Originally posted by AaronBurr42:

Everything Kaien says is correct, but I want to point out a few things. First, the defender gear is available whether or not you have IB.
Second, defender gear "ruins the experience" because it significantly alters the difficulty curve, making the first missions absolute pushovers, but eventually you might hit a brick wall of difficulty when a monster's attacks do too much damage, and you're not skilled at dodging. It also kills off build variety during the campaign.
Third, "claggers" will appear in the base game regardless of whether you have IB, which you can just use for a free heavy strike if you don't have the clutch claw. However, the clutch claw only serves to improve the gameplay (imo), so don't feel like having it would ruin the base experience.
Fourth, all weapon types received extra moves in IB, some of which are small adjustments, while others can lead to big changes in gameplay.
Fifth, the gear you build in the base game will be made obsolete if and when you get IB, so if you play the base game for a long time, be prepared to make new sets of armor at master rank.

Yea i never got the defender gear in my base game nor did I use the guardian set since I wanted to enjoy the base as much as I can. Does Iceborne slowly give me the new mechanics or is it an info dump? Like say they give me a quest for the clutch claw or what?

[AaronBurr42]

Originally posted by 2Poor4Bannerlord:

Yea i never got the defender gear in my base game nor did I use the guardian set since I wanted to enjoy the base as much as I can. Does Iceborne slowly give me the new mechanics or is it an info dump? Like say they give me a quest for the clutch claw or what?

There's like one optional quest to learn the clutch claw mechanics, but they'll also just tell you in the first hunt you take after installing IB. They won't explain the new weapon mechanics, so watch a video or two for your main weapons. The training area gets a second layout for practicing the clutch claw stuff, so you can practice grappling, slinger bursts, etc.

[A]

Originally posted by AaronBurr42:

Originally posted by 2Poor4Bannerlord:

Yea i never got the defender gear in my base game nor did I use the guardian set since I wanted to enjoy the base as much as I can. Does Iceborne slowly give me the new mechanics or is it an info dump? Like say they give me a quest for the clutch claw or what?

There's like one optional quest to learn the clutch claw mechanics, but they'll also just tell you in the first hunt you take after installing IB. They won't explain the new weapon mechanics, so watch a video or two for your main weapons. The training area gets a second layout for practicing the clutch claw stuff, so you can practice grappling, slinger bursts, etc.

THanks for this, what about the monsters? Are they spread throughout Iceborne's content or will I see them trickling down in my base game?

[AaronBurr42]

Originally posted by 2Poor4Bannerlord:

THanks for this, what about the monsters? Are they spread throughout Iceborne's content or will I see them trickling down in my base game?

As far as I'm aware, the game doesn't retroactively insert any enemies from IB into the base game. Since new monsters usually aren't encountered in an exploration until you do their scripted intro, there would be no reason for them to spawn. In fact, until you take a post-campaign quest to initiate IB you shouldn't see any of those monsters.