The developers of Monster Hunter Wilds continue to introduce players to the updated arsenal of weapons for the Ascendance expansion, and Insect Glaive is next in line. The ninth film in the series showcased new weapons technology, but the focus on airstrikes here is surprisingly far removed from the main content.
Through the Boost Driver, Insect Glaive gains a variety of new attack methods, allowing you to rotate the weapon while sending Kinsect to attack monsters. The beetle acquires the necessary extracts independently, without the hunter having to manually give it the appropriate commands each time. The weapon also gains an extended ground combo while the accelerometer is active, and Kinsect will start dealing extra damage over time.
Another innovation is the offset counterattack, where you can then continue the attack by jumping. At the same time, unlike previous Hammer and Dual Blades videos, the developers barely showed off new spectacular air combinations. The main focus is to enhance Insect Glaive’s existing ground capabilities.
This approach may be reminiscent of the weapon in the Monster Hunter 4 version, where the Insect Blade was known for its powerful ground-based acrobatic attack. However, some players expected Ascendance to put more emphasis on air style, which has always been the weapon’s main differentiating feature. Without it, the Insect Blade risks losing its identity and becoming a more sophisticated replacement for a long sword or double blade.