(Updated 2025/12/22)
・Red-colored text added.
・Images added.
・The order of some items has been changed.
Base Defense
Base Defense is held during the last week of a roughly one-month Wave (exploration activity period) at an Exploration Base. Hunters have to gather at the same base to cooperate and take on powerful Riftcharged monsters.
Hunter Rank 11 is required in order to participate.
It can be joined from a nearby Exploration Base. (tap the “Exploration Base” button displayed in the bottom-right corner of the main screen, or go to the “Base Defense” screen via the “Base Defense” button in the top-right corner of the main screen and tap the banner for the nearest Exploration Base to check the nearest base.)
*Base Defense can be joined from outside of the access range, similarly to the Exploration Base menu.
As long as it is within the active hours, there are no participation limits, and no tickets or items are required.
For the schedules of Waves, Monster Outbreaks, and Base Defense, please check our News section on our official site.
For more details regarding Exploration Bases and Monster Outbreaks, please visit the following FAQ.
Available Rewards
Various rewards can be obtained from Base Defenses depending on your performance.
Rewards are divided into multiple categories, each obtainable under different conditions.
Hunting riftcharged monsters (per hunt)
Rewards granted for each individual hunt.
Exchangeable materials or monster materials (For example, Rathian Scale from Riftcharged Rathian)
Defense Rewards
Rewards granted based on the Defense Points obtained.
Exchangeable materials, exclusive hunter medal, limited-time layered equipment.
Base Defense Prep Quest Rewards
Rewards obtained from Base Defense Prep Quest available after the Wave ends.
For example, Zenny, etc.
Base Defense Exchange Hub
Materials that can be exchanged for items at the Exchange Hub.
Monster materials (Wyvern Gem Shards, Wyvern Scarcestones, etc.), Item Box expansions, Weapon Refining Parts, Armor Refining Parts, small monster/gatherable materials, zenny, etc.
How to join
Access the Exploration Base and select “Hunt” on the upper banner.
Join the Base Defense by tapping on the “Join” button on the bottom of the screen.
*Can be joined even from outside of your access range.
Season 8 Wave 1 Riftcharged Rathian Spawn Period
1/12/2026 (Mon) 9:00 - 1/18/2026 (Sun) 21:15 (local)
Will appear during the above period, in the following time slots.
6:00 - 6:15、9:00 - 9:15、12:00 - 12:15、15:00 - 15:15、18:00 - 18:15、21:00 - 21:15
*6:00 - 6:15 will take place from 1/13 (Tue).
Riftcharged monsters
These monsters are affected by abnormal rifts and are much more formidable opponents than their normal counterparts.
Unlike normal monsters, their body parts cannot be broken.
Dimensional Barrier
Riftcharged monsters are shrouded in a Dimensional Barrier.
The Dimensional Barrier makes it difficult for your attacks to deal damage.
The effect of the Dimensional Barrier can be weakened by attacking continuously. However, the barrier will be restored after a certain amount of time passes.
Defense Points
Damage dealt to riftcharged monsters is recorded as Defense Points (tracked individually for each player.)
Defense Points are calculated for each weapon used, and Defense Rewards are granted based on the total points of the top five weapons.
Featured Defense Weapons
Any weapon can be used to challenge a riftcharged monster, however, weapons designated as featured defense weapons possess the ability to weaken the Dimensional Barrier, making it easier to break it down. In addition, featured defense weapons will grant you more Defense Points than normal.
The lineup of featured defense weapons changes with each Wave.
Weapons that use materials from specific monsters, as well as event-limited weapons, may be included.
The bonus multiplier applied to Defense Points differs for each weapon.
*The applicable weapons and their bonus multipliers can be checked under “Featured Defense Weapons” in the Event tab of the equipment screen.
E.G.: During Season 8 Wave 1, weapons forged using Astalos materials or Khezu materials, as well as the A Happy Hunting New Year 2026 exclusive weapon Wrapping Bow are designated as featured defense weapons. Participating in a Base Defense with these weapons increases your earned Defense Points.
Defense Point Boosts:
Weapons made from Astalos materials: 50% up
Weapons made from Khezu materials: 25% up
Wrapping Bow: 25% up
Forging and upgrading the featured defense weapons can be made more efficient by clearing the Base Defense Prep Quest and participating in Monster Outbreaks.
Base Defense Prep Quests
Base Defense Prep Quests are available after participating at least once in Base Defense, and can be challenged after the Wave ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If more than five weapons are used in the Base Defense, are the Defense Points recorded for weapons outside the top five invalid?
A. Yes. Only the total of the top five weapons is counted.
Q. Can Defense Points be added repeatedly using the same weapon?
A. No. If multiple hunts are undertaken with the same weapon, only the highest Defense Point value is recorded.
Q. How are Defense Points tallied for weapons of the same type?
A. Even if weapons share the same weapon type, each individual weapon will count towards earned Defense Points.
Q. What happens to Defense Points earned during a hunt if the Base Defense ends while the target monster is still being hunted?
A. Even if the hunt ends while it is in progress, the earned Defense Points will be counted.
Q. Is it necessary to have to go nearby a base in order to join a Base Defense?
A. No. You can join from the Exploration Base menu, accessible via the “Base” button on the main screen, even if the base is outside of your access range. However, if there is no nearby exploration base and the Exploration Base menu cannot be displayed, you cannot participate in a Base Defense.
Q. If I participate from different exploration bases during the day and night, or exploration bases other than those that I usually submit exploration reports to, how are my Defense Points tallied?
A. Your accumulated Defense Points will be shared between all bases you contributed towards. The choice of exploration base does not affect your Defense Point tallying, so when a riftcharged monster appears, please feel free to visit a base of your choosing.
Q. Is there a way to conduct a Base Defense solo instead of in a group hunt?
A. Hunts during Base Defense will always become group hunts. If you are the only hunter in a lobby, it is possible to begin a hunt alone.
Q. What are the elemental weaknesses of riftcharged monsters?
A. Their elemental weaknesses are the same as those of the standard version of the corresponding monster.
Q. Does the performance change from boosted equipment apply to Defense Base?
A. No, it does not.