Monster Hunter Wilds has given new life to the series by adding exciting challenges, unique monsters, and new mechanics that keep hunters playing for hours.
One of the most amazing parts of MH Wilds is the return of the Arch-Tempered system, an idea that first got popular in Monster Hunter World.
The system takes monsters you know and makes them harder, changes their moves, and gives better rewards to those brave enough to face the challenge.
In this review, we take a closer look at Wilds’ first Arch-Tempered fight: Arch-Tempered Rey Dau.
What Is Arch-Tempered Rey Dau?
Arch-Tempered Rey Dau represents Wilds’ reimagining of the Arch-Tempered concept. This monster, a thunder-themed top predator, has been improved to test even the most committed hunters.
While most Arch-Tempered monsters in previous titles mainly featured increased damage and health, Rey Dau is a completely different animal.
Not only does he begin in his powered-up state (similar to “variant” monsters, such as Savage Deviljho or Furious Rajang), but his move set has undergone major changes designed to push hunters to their limits.
What Makes Rey Dau Special?
When comparing the Arch-Tempered system from Monster Hunter World to the one in Wilds, Rey Dau stands out as a groundbreaking step forward.
Instead of simply increasing damage numbers and defensive abilities, Wilds gives Rey Dau new mechanics that impact gameplay in significant ways.
Below are the defining aspects that make him stand out:
Aftershocks Everywhere
One of the most frightening aspects of Arch-Tempered Rey Dau is his ability to leave aftershocks after almost every attack. These aftershocks act as additional hazards—explosive bursts of electricity that radiate from his strikes.
For hunters used to dodging once and immediately attacking the monster, this creates a completely different dynamic. You now have to dodge not just the initial attack, but also the lingering electrical explosions.
The aftershocks make positional awareness crucial. For melee hunters, where positioning is already a core skill, Rey Dau’s aftershock zones often block paths to his weak points.
New “Rail Gun” Move
Rey Dau’s upgraded arsenal includes a devastating new projectile attack. Called the “rail gun” by fans, this move involves him shooting a concentrated beam of electrified energy at the ground, which launches him into the air.
The attack doesn’t stop there—while airborne, Rey Dau transitions into combos, raining down punishment on the hunter. This aerial assault can devastate an unsuspecting team, catching even veteran hunters off guard.
While hunters can eventually learn the visual cue for this move and dodge it effectively, encountering it unprepared is a surefire way to get knocked out.
The mechanics surrounding this move also leave fewer openings for counterattacks, increasing the challenge.
High Damage Output
Like the Arch-Tempered monsters of Monster Hunter World, Rey Dau’s damage output is increased considerably. However, the one-shot kills that some feared don’t entirely dominate this fight.
With a well-crafted set of gear focusing on defense and thunder resistance, hunters can reduce the impact of his attacks to avoid being instantly knocked out.
That said, the fight becomes intense for those who lack proper preparations, as even a slight loss of focus can cost knockouts.
Stunning Effects
Along with thunderblight being a constant threat, Rey Dau uses multiple tactics to leave hunters exposed and vulnerable.
Without a minimum of 20 thunder resistance, hunters risk continuously falling victim to thunderblight, which increases their chances of being stunned.
This mechanic works together with his fast-paced combos—getting stunned in the middle of his attack sequence can be deadly.
The Difficulty Curve: Is This Hunt Too Hard?
Let’s talk about difficulty. The reaction to Arch-Tempered Rey Dau has been mixed among fans. Some hunters love the challenge, while others believe that it doesn’t reach the overwhelming difficulty that Arch-Tempered monsters represented in past titles.
- Rey Dau strikes a balance between difficulty and accessibility. For newer hunters who still lack skill in positioning and dodging, the fight can feel overwhelming.
- For experienced hunters, however, Rey Dau’s moves, aftershocks, and strategic mechanics feel learnable. The more someone faces him, the better they can predict the patterns and change their strategy accordingly.
A key aspect of this fight’s difficulty lies not in frustrating moments but in layered mechanics.
Each move in Rey Dau’s arsenal demands hunters to be alert and reactive at all times, whether it’s dodging the initial strike, positioning against the aftershocks, or adapting to the unpredictability of the “rail gun.”
Rewards: Was It Worth the Effort?
In the end, Monster Hunter isn’t just about killing powerful creatures—it’s about the gear, upgrades, and status symbols that come afterward.
Arch-Tempered Rey Dau proves worthwhile in this regard. Completing his quest yields big rewards, including gamma armor, talisman upgrades, and plenty of crafting materials.
1. The Gamma Armor
Rey Dau’s gamma armor set is one of the best additions so far in Wilds. Its stats are made to fit comfortably in many top builds, making it a must-have for dedicated hunters.
Beyond usefulness, the visual design of the armor captures the bright shiny look of archetempered monsters themselves.
Wilds approached gamma armors differently from Monster Hunter World, focusing on textures and brightness rather than completely changing the design.
2. Gamma Weapons?
If there’s one disappointing aspect of the rewards for this hunt, it’s the lack of gamma weapons. Hunters familiar with Monster Hunter World and Iceborne may notice that gamma weapons weren’t part of the previous games either.
However, considering the level of effort required to beat this challenge, it would’ve been exciting for Wilds to take a bold step and introduce gamma weapons—even if only for select categories.
Comparing Wilds’ Arch-Tempered System to World’s
Rey Dau’s approach to the Arch-Tempered system marks a big change from Monster Hunter World.
Whereas many of the previous Arch-Tempered monsters mainly focused on increasing basic attributes like health and damage, Wilds introduces move pool improvements on top of number buffs.
This makes the dynamic of battles much more interesting.
For Rey Dau specifically, the electrical minefield effect—combined with mechanics like his rail gun—offers layers of complexity and forces hunters to change their playstyle.
This concept feels more like a variant monster than simply a powered-up version of the base monster.
Wilds is proving to be more ambitious with its Arch-Tempered mechanics, setting the stage for exciting expansions of this system in the future.
Future Predictions: What’s Next for Arch-Tempered Monsters?
This review would not be complete without guessing on the future directions of the Arch-Tempered system in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Based on the logical progression of top monsters in the game, Uth Duna looks like the next likely candidate for archetempered status. Here’s why:
- Seasonal Themes: Rey Dau’s release matched with the spring festival, while Uth Duna, a wave-controlling water beast, perfectly fits the summer festival look. This alignment between seasonal vibes and upcoming title updates further pushes the theory.
- Map Progression: Starting with Rey Dau from the first map, the next monster should logically tie to the forest region—Uth Duna’s domain. If this trend holds true, hunters can expect Nu Udra and Jin Dahad to follow in the fall and winter festivals, respectively.
- Mechanics Speculation: Much like Rey Dau’s aftershocks, Uth Duna might incorporate wave mechanics or cascading water effects after attacks. While undeniably challenging, this would test positional awareness in even more creative ways.
Final Thoughts
Arch-Tempered Rey Dau is a great start to Wilds’ new archetempered system, mixing difficulty with meaningful mechanics for a tough but rewarding fight that tests hunters’ skills.
As more title updates and festival seasons come out, expect even harder archetempered monsters like Uth Duna, Nu Udra, and Jin Dahad to keep pushing hunters with creative new challenges.
