How does the DLC work?

[Eekhoorn]

I bought the game this sale and it appears I really really like it. That kinda surprises me 'cause I'm not into JRPG's, but here it is... the exception to the rule.

So... now that it is still on sale, I'd like to grab Iceborne as well.

Do I need to start a new campaign or does the DLC get integrated into my current save?

Also... I want to finish the base game first. The DLC gets added after the main campaign, right? No changes to the base game?

[DrBonifarz]

Yes, the Integration of Iceborne is seamless, and you can still do anything you could do before. No need to start over. Though, there are some new mechanics that can alter the gameplay, like the clutch claw and additional weapon moves.

Also notice that some of the end-game content of the base game, like the high rank augmentation system, will be of no relevance for the master rank content, since there is a significant jump in equipment stats. You are free to use the base game equipment for high rank content to keep the intended difficulty. But the expansion makes it much easier to progress, e.g. high rank decorations can be obtained in large numbers later on.

[Eekhoorn]

Thanks for the quick answer.

Think I'll finish the base game first before I'll add Iceborne then.

It'll probably go on sale this summer so that gives me ample time to finish the campaign... I hope :)

[Zenarkenstin]

Only main change to base game is access to some new attacks for weapons, mostly dealing with the Clutch Claw - a new tool added in Iceborne. Everything else is added in Master Rank, which can be accessed after finishing the Base Game's main quest.

Finish the rest of the Base Game quests, its a good way to continue honing your skills since Master Rank has a pretty steep difficulty spike and the later monsters are brutal

[Suzaku]

I would say that you may as well pick it up now, unless money is an issue for you at this time. You likely won't see it on a better sale, and the few things you gain access to immediately are quite nice to have (I love the raider rides and new attacks).

[Eekhoorn]

Alright... I ended up getting Iceborne after all. Since I'm new to MH I was a bit afraid the DLC would throw even more mechanics at me, but I think I'm good.
Now that I have figured out (most) of how the game works, I feel less intimidated.
Started a fresh character so I guess it's now one big game for me.

Kinda hate how Iceborne hijacked my drive though. All I needed to do was pay to unlock. I really don't like it when they do that. Other than that I have no complaints.
It's a pretty cool game! Never thought this would be my cup of tea, but yeah... it is :)

[overmage]

Originally posted by Eekhoorn:

Kinda hate how Iceborne hijacked my drive though. All I needed to do was pay to unlock. I really don't like it when they do that. Other than that I have no complaints.
It's a pretty cool game! Never thought this would be my cup of tea, but yeah... it is :)

It's not pay to unlock, it's a full-blown expansion pack. A long time ago, all games were like this. Don't confuse it with pay to unlock mechanics

[Eekhoorn]

It's about the hijacking, not the content. I don't like it when large amounts of data get stored on my harddrive behind a paywall.

Who does?

[overmage]

Originally posted by Eekhoorn:

It's about the hijacking, not the content. I don't like it when large amounts of data get stored on my harddrive behind a paywall.

Who does?

Again, you are wrong, this is not how it works. Iceborne was developed well over a year after the base game, it's not on-disc dlc, it was not paywalled and was developed completely separately.

The reason why the game stores iceborne data even if you haven't bought it is for a very obvious reason you may have overlooked; It would otherwise not be possible for you to play in the same lobby with iceborne players (who would have weapon, armours etc from the expansion, and if you didn't have that data your game wouldn't work)

If your suggestion is that Iceborne, a 50+ hour expansion pack should have been released for free, I suggest you also pray for world peace through mutual disarmament...

[Eekhoorn]

There are different ways of doing things.

But I'm not here to get into a discussion. You're ok with it, I don't like it. That's fine.

Now let's enjoy MH because that's what we're both here for.