The credits roll after Chapter 3, but High Rank is where the real game starts. Finish Chapter 6 to lift the HR cap, then farm Tempered and 9★ monsters for Artian parts and talismans, unlock the update monsters by HR, and take on the Arch-Tempered quests.
Here’s something that surprises a lot of new hunters: the credits roll after Chapter 3. That’s not the end, it’s the halfway mark. High Rank kicks off in Chapter 4, and after that the game keeps opening up with every Hunter Rank you earn and every title update Capcom has shipped. This guide is the map for all of it.
Finish the story first
The launch story wraps up in Chapter 6 with What Lies Ahead, a High Rank Arkveld hunt. Until you get there, your Hunter Rank is capped at each story step. Clear that final story mission and the cap comes off, so HR can finally climb freely. If you need help getting there, see how to raise Hunter Rank fast.
The endgame loop
- Hunt Tempered and, from HR 100, ★9 monsters for Artian parts, talismans and decorations.
- Build and upgrade your gear: Artian weapons first, Gogma Artian weapons later.
- Raise your HR to unlock the next batch of monsters and quests.
- Mix in event quests, arena quests and challenge quests.
New to Tempered hunts? Start with our Investigations guide.
What unlocks when
| Unlock | What you need | Added in |
|---|---|---|
| Mizutsune | HR 21 and Kanya’s first fishing side mission | Title Update 1 |
| Lagiacrus and Seregios | HR 31 and the main mission A World Turned Upside Down. Lagiacrus also needs the side mission Forest Doshaguma | Title Update 2 |
| Tempered Mizutsune, Lagiacrus, Seregios | HR 41 | TU1 / TU2 |
| Omega Planetes (FINAL FANTASY XIV collaboration) | HR 41. Talk to Rove near the Area 20 camp in the Iceshard Cliffs | Title Update 3 |
| Chapter 6-2, A First Cry (High Rank Zoh Shia) | HR 50 | Title Update 1 |
| ★9 Tempered monsters | HR 100 | Ver.1.021 |
| ★9 Omega and Planetes Protocol (Savage) | HR 100 | Title Update 3 |
| Gogmazios | HR 100 and A First Cry | Title Update 4 |
Mizutsune is the cheapest unlock on the list. If you’ve been ignoring Kanya at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp pond, go and catch her a fish. Our fishing guide walks you through it.
Zoh Shia, round two
At HR 50, talk to Werner in Suja and then Alma to start A First Cry, the High Rank rematch with Zoh Shia. After that, Zoh Shia can also appear in the Ruins of Wyveria. You’ll need this mission done before Gogmazios opens up.
The Wounded Hollow at HR 100
From HR 100 the Wounded Hollow becomes a proper endgame hunting ground. Normal and Tempered Rey Dau and Nu Udra show up there (since Ver.1.021), Lagiacrus joined in Title Update 3, and a ★9 Tempered Rathalos was added in Title Update 4.
Gogmazios and Gogma Artian gear
Title Update 4 brought Gogmazios. At HR 100, with A First Cry cleared, you unlock the extra mission An Ancient Resting Place, followed by Ghosts Pay No Heed to Tomorrow. The same update let the Smithy upgrade and reinforce Gogma Artian weapons and added Transcendent armor upgrades, so this is where the gear chase goes next.
Arch-Tempered monsters
Arch-Tempered monsters are the hardest fights in the game. They arrived one at a time as Event Quests:
| Monster | Added in |
|---|---|
| Rey Dau (A Silent Flash, HR 50) | The first one, later made permanent |
| Uth Duna | Title Update 2 |
| Nu Udra | Title Update 3 |
| Jin Dahaad | Title Update 4 |
| Arkveld (★10, permanent) | Ver.1.041 |
Arch-Tempered Rey Dau was the first, and its materials go into the γ (Gamma) armor.
Ver.1.040 made the Arch-Tempered quests playable offline and let SOS Flares target Arch-Tempered monsters. Ver.1.041 (February 2026) added Arch-Tempered Arkveld as a permanent ★10 quest, plus new permanent ★10 quests for Arch-Tempered Rey Dau, Uth Duna, Nu Udra and Jin Dahaad. It also made 29 limited-time material quests permanent and playable offline, let the Melding Pot meld Gogma materials, and introduced Timeworn Charms.
Those ★10 quests are where the Timeworn Charm drops, the best source of top-rarity talismans. More on that in our talisman guide.