Twenty minutes is not a lot of time to take on an Elder Dragon, but it was enough to get a first taste of what Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance has to offer. At gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2026, we got hands-on with the expansion and went up against Teostra, a returning Elder Dragon. In this preview, we share how the Hammer and Gunlance felt with the new Boost system, what is different about Teostra this time, and our first impressions after the short session.

Our demo was played on PS5 and lasted 20 minutes, and the quest was to Hunt Teostra using two weapons: the Hammer and the Gunlance. The short playtime kept us from exploring every new mechanic, but we still got a feel for how both weapons work with the new Boost system.

The Weapons and Teostra

We started with the Hammer, and what stood out most was how much we had to keep moving and chasing Teostra to find the right moments to land our attacks. The Hammer still delivers a satisfying, heavy-hitting combat experience, but the new Boost system adds another layer to its moveset.

One of the biggest changes while using the Hammer was the added mobility from the Boost Bracer, which gives hunters enhanced movement options. Keeping up with a fast-moving monster like Teostra can be hard for the traditionally slower Hammer, but these options let hunters close the distance and stay on the offensive.

Once Boost is activated, the linked action in the upper-right corner turns yellow, a small but noticeable change that helps players recognize when they can use enhanced attacks. The result is a Hammer that feels more mobile, with more chances to chase down monsters and land heavy hits rather than constantly struggling to catch up.

Next, we switched to the Gunlance, which offers a very different playstyle from the Hammer, especially when it comes to defence. What stood out most was its incredibly strong guard, which lets you withstand Teostra’s attacks with the shield, stay in position and look for an opening to counterattack. For players who prefer a more defensive approach instead of constantly chasing the monster, the Gunlance feels like a solid choice.

Teostra returns in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, but it does more than bring back its familiar moveset, since it now has new attack patterns such as a powerful double foreleg slam. Teostra can also pivot while performing this slam to keep track of hunters who try to move around its sides. The fight takes place in the Oilwell Basin, where the surrounding oil mud can make escaping its explosive attacks even more challenging. Together, these additions give the returning Elder Dragon some fresh tricks to keep hunters on their toes.

First Impressions

With only 20 minutes of hands-on time, there is still plenty we have not experienced in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance. Even so, facing Teostra again while trying out the Hammer and Gunlance was a fun way to see some of the expansion’s new combat additions. The Boost system is an interesting addition that gives each weapon more chances to expand its existing moveset. This was only a short preview, but we are looking forward to spending more time with the expansion and seeing what else it has to offer.