Ranks, tiers, leagues, and divisions. If you’re in gaming, you know these terms. They pop up in games like Monster Hunter and League of Legends. But what do they mean? Are they just labels, or do they indicate your skills and challenges? Let’s explore ranking systems in Monster Hunter.
Difficulty Face-Off: Master Rank and Beyond
You’ve conquered High Rank in Monster Hunter. You feel like a hunter legend. Hold up, Master Rank awaits. It’s tougher than High Rank. Indeed, it is a massive leap in challenge. High Rank is your training. Master Rank is where the real game starts. The monsters are cruel.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne and Sunbreak brought in Master Rank. It’s not just a minor increase in difficulty; it’s a significant step. Monsters move faster and deal more damage. They have new moves that will challenge you. If you expect Master Rank to be similar to High Rank, brace yourself. You will face difficulties. Monsters in Sunbreak can take down you and your team faster than you can act. This difficulty demands new strategies and better gear.
Next is Arch-Tempered monsters. These were the toughest endgame challenges before Iceborne. Are they harder than Master Rank encounters? It’s complex. Arch-Tempered monsters had enhanced stats and brutal attacks, pushing hunters to the limit. Take Arch-Tempered Teostra—it’s a nightmare. Solo players find it challenging, but in multiplayer, it’s a different story. The chaos can be overwhelming.
Tempered Nergigante also poses challenges. They fall below Master Rank in terms of difficulty. Master Rank takes the characteristics of Arch-Tempered monsters and applies them to a wider content range. Individual Arch-Tempered monsters were difficult, but Master Rank offers consistent challenges across various quests. It’s a marathon, not just a few intense moments.
Decoding Master Rank: Beyond Hunter Rank
What is Master Rank? In Monster Hunter World and Rise, Hunter Rank (HR) was key to progress. You rise in HR through quests and monster hunts. Higher HR unlocks new quests and monsters. It reflects your hunting skills. Master Rank (MR) is just an extension but a higher one. Think HR like an undergrad; MR is advanced studies for success.
Master Rank works as a new quest tier above Low Rank and High Rank. Complete the main story of the base game, and then start Iceborne. Master Rank quests have special icons, similar to the others. Engaging with Master Rank content opens up new materials for crafting weapons and armor that eclipse High Rank gear. There are also more challenging monsters, each designed to stretch your skills. Master Rank elevates the challenge with new tools and settings.
What about specific monsters like Valstrax? Crimson Glow Valstrax appears when you reach Master Rank 70 in Sunbreak. It’s a major sky combat challenge. Confusingly, Valstrax’s rank varies across games. In Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, it is HR 100. There was even an event quest in Monster Hunter World for HR 8 Valstrax, which was notably stronger than the typical HR 100 version. The challenge varies depending on the game.
Silver Rathalos also plays a part in discussions around Monster Rank. Known lore states you need both Gold Rathian and Silver Rathalos. In Iceborne, you encounter Silver Rathalos after reaching Master Rank 69 and developing Coral Region in the Guiding Lands to Level 6. It’s a deep dive into Iceborne’s content and signifies progression.
To compare Master Rank and High Rank in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, focus on the distinction. Master Rank is a new quest rank that builds on Low and High Rank foundations. It’s not an extension; it’s an entirely new tier. Players face new materials, monsters, and challenges. It represents the ultimate post-game content for seasoned players craving greater challenges.
High Rank: The Mid-Game Milestone
Let’s return to High Rank and clarify its role in Monster Hunter. In Monster Hunter: World, High Rank equals a mid-game transition post-story campaign. After the credits roll, you enter High Rank territory. Notably, High Rank quests display 4-star ratings in the Gathering Hub. This signifies your move into tougher challenges.
In the broader context of Monster Hunter, High Rank marks heightened difficulty and content access. In Monster Hunter Wilds, this elevation happens post Chapter 3, indicated by ending credits. For Chapter 4, the HR cap increases from HR7 to higher limits, marking your entry into High Rank. Several factors change after unlocking High Rank.
Monsters become aggressive, develop new attack patterns, and inflict greater damage. New materials become available, allowing gear crafting from a broader range. At this stage, players will face a variety of daunting encounters. High Rank serves as a major milestone of skill development and experience growth in Monster Hunter.
High Rank armor and weapons provide stronger skills and stats. Their attributes differ from Low Rank gear, thus requiring new builds and upgrades.
How many stars are in High Rank MHW? High Rank missions have 4-star ratings and higher. Low Rank quests usually have 1-3 stars. This system visually indicates game difficulty. Spotting a 4-star quest means you’ve entered High Rank territory, so it’s time to prepare.
Mastery Rank in Warframe: A Different Rank
Now, let’s move from Monster Hunter to Warframe. Monster Hunter uses ‘Master Rank’ for mission levels. Warframe utilizes ‘Mastery Rank’ (MR) for player progression. It’s distinct from what we previously discussed. Does MR matter? Yes, indeed. Mastery Rank isn’t just for difficulty; it unlocks account features and benefits. Leveling MR grants players significant advantages. Some of the strongest weapons and Warframes are “Mastery Locked.” This requires a certain MR to craft or use them. MR ensures players have shown a specific game experience before accessing the most powerful gear. Higher Mastery Ranks unlock greater Syndicate standing caps, more mod capacity for unranked gear, and specific Relay locations and features. It measures account progression deeply, not just combat skill.
What gives the most MR in Warframe? Earning Mastery Points is quite simple. The main method is leveling up gear. This includes Warframes, Weapons (primary, secondary, melee), Companions, K-Drives, Necramechs, and Archwings. Each equipment level up grants Mastery Points. Clearing first-time Missions on the Star Chart is another major source. Successfully finishing Junctions and nodes on the Star Chart also gives points. Engaging with the game’s content helps increase your MR, encouraging exploration.
How much MR does a weapon provide in Warframe? Leveling a standard weapon to rank 30 gives 3,000 Mastery Points. Warframes, Companions, and Archwings yield 6,000 Mastery Points at max level (rank 30). Focusing on leveling these categories is a quicker path to boost your MR. However, leveling various weapons remains crucial, as there are numerous weapons in Warframe that contribute to your overall MR.
At what MR can you trade in Warframe? Trading is essential in the game’s economy. To trade, you must be at Mastery Rank 2 or higher. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) TennoGuard must also be on for security. MR 2 is a low entry requirement. It ensures players have some basic game experience before trading, which prevents abuse of the system. New players should aim for MR 2 early on.
Ranked Systems Beyond Monster Hunter: A Broader View
Ranks exist beyond Monster Hunter and Warframe; they appear in many games, especially competitive ones. Let’s explore ranked systems in other popular titles to see comparisons.
In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, ranks form the core of the competitive structure. What rank follows Master in Mobile Legends? The rank progression includes Warrior, Elite, Master, Grandmaster, Epic, Legend, and Mythic. Mythic further divides into Mythical Honor and Mythical Glory for the top players. Master is a mid-rank, serving as a step toward higher play.
League of Legends, a MOBA giant, has a detailed ranked system. Let’s consider Master Tier promotion and demotion. Can you get demoted from Master Rank in League of Legends? Yes, you can. Promotion occurs at 100 LP (League Points). After promotion, you receive demotion protection for your first three games at Master. If you reach 0 LP and lose a match, demotion to Diamond I begins at 50 LP. Maintaining Master Rank needs consistent performance; it’s not permanent after achievement.
Rank decay is crucial in League’s ranked framework, especially for top tiers. Can you decay from Diamond to Emerald in League? No, decay affects only players in Diamond and above. Players in lower ranks don’t face decay issues. Rank decay keeps the higher ranks competitive and reflects player activity and skill. Inactivity at Diamond or above leads to LP loss, possibly resulting in demotion if LP drops to 0. This ensures consistent play and discourages holding ranks without action.
Grandmaster requires high LP for entry in League of Legends. It sits just below Challenger, needing significant LP accumulation in the Master Tier. The LP requirement fluctuates based on server conditions but remains higher than the initial 100 LP needed for Master Tier promotion. Grandmaster indicates further skill and dedication beyond the base Master rank.
Now, let’s look at Challenger rank in League of Legends. How hard is it to achieve Challenger? It is extremely difficult and requires exceptional skill, game knowledge, and commitment. Challenger typically belongs to the top few hundred players in each region, representing the elite. The skill gap from Diamond to Challenger is vast. Boosting services that allow players to hire others for rank climbing are strictly forbidden in League, as climbing to Challenger genuinely is a notable accomplishment.
Let’s switch to Rocket League, the fast-paced car soccer game. How many hours are needed to reach Champ in Rocket League? This question is common among competitive players. While skill levels vary, the average time is about 1200 hours of play. This estimate varies; some may achieve it faster while others may take longer. It gives perspective on time investment for a high rank like Champion. To illustrate, 1200 hours surpasses the average Diamond player’s playtime, roughly representing 4,500 matches. Achieving Champion demands substantial mechanical skill and constant practice.
Lastly, let’s discuss Street Fighter 6. SF6 features Master League and Master’s Rate (MR) as its top competitive tiers. Can you lose Master Rank in SF6? Interestingly, no, once you hit Master rank, you stay there. However, you compete for Master’s Rate (MR) within Master League. This rating reflects your performance in the league. Master League points reset quarterly, leading to seasonal competition at high levels while keeping your Master rank permanent once acquired.
Reaching Master while fostering competition through MR.
Monster Hunter World: Game Mechanics and Ranks
Let’s explore Monster Hunter World and its game mechanics for ranks and progression.
Unlock High Rank by completing the main story campaign. In Monster Hunter: World, you must defeat Xeno’jiiva, the final boss, to see the credits roll. Afterward, High Rank content opens through the Gathering Hub and quest boards.
Hunter Rank (HR) has an initial cap. In the base game, HR cap lifts as you progress into High Rank. Even after lifting the cap, HR increases through quests. What happens at Hunter Rank 100? Reaching HR 100 unlocks endgame perks. Specifically, HR 100 grants access to melding powerful Decorations at the Elder Melder. Decorations enhance armor skills. You can meld decorations by sacrificing unwanted ones, but it’s inefficient. HR 100 unlocks Silver Melding Tickets from quest bounties, a cost-effective way to meld for high-rarity decorations. Thus, HR 100 is vital for endgame optimization.
Playing MHW solo is viable. Can you play MHW solo? Yes, start the game in single-player mode. Select “Single Player” from the main menu. Monster Hunter designs quests for multiplayer but scales them for solo play. Monster health and difficulty adjust based on players. Solo play offers different experiences, allowing control over pace and hunt strategies.
The final boss of MHW’s base game is Xeno’jiiva. However, for Iceborne, Shara Ishvalda is the true final boss. Shara Ishvalda culminates Iceborne’s storyline. As expected, it’s a tough fight requiring mastery of Monster Hunter mechanics and weapon understanding. Defeating Shara Ishvalda completes Iceborne’s main story. Yet, endgame content and Master Rank challenges await beyond.
Monster Weaknesses: Exploit Them to Survive
In Monster Hunter, exploiting weaknesses of monsters is key for successful hunts, especially at higher ranks. Let’s examine some monster weaknesses in MHW.
Zinogre’s weakness is Ice damage, followed by Water. Zinogre is vulnerable to Ice attacks, especially on its head, back, and hind legs. Water is a secondary weakness. Thus, Ice weapons are best for hunting Zinogre.
Ruiner Nergigante, a tougher variant of Nergigante, is weak to Raw and Blast damage. Ruiner Nergi’s Dragon elemental weakness is low. It’s more susceptible to Raw physical damage and Blast element. Weapons with high raw attack power or Blast buildup work well against Ruiner Nergigante. Safi’jiiva Blast weapons or Raging Brachydios weapons are excellent choices.
Gore Magala, a mysterious monster, has a specific weak point: its Mouth. While Gore Magala has breakable parts like Antennae, Wings, and severable Tail, its primary weak point is the Mouth. Focusing attacks here yields high damage against Gore Magala.
Astalos, the electrifying flying wyvern, is most vulnerable to Ice damage. Ice weapons are Astalos’s bane. Exploiting this weakness is crucial for swift hunts against this otherwise agile monster.
Deviljho, a hungry and aggressive brute wyvern, has dual elemental weaknesses: Dragon and Thunder. Both Dragon and Thunder element weapons work well against Deviljho. Key weak points for raw and elemental damage are its head and chest.
Velkhana, the elegant Iceborne flagship monster, is weak to Fire element. Fire weapons effectively damage Velkhana’s ice armor. Blast element and Fireblight are effective secondary options against Velkhana.
Silver Rathalos, the regal silver variant, primarily weakens to Water element attacks. Water weapons are best against Silver Rathalos. Exploiting this weakness helps bring down this aerial menace effectively.
Teostra, the fiery elder dragon, weakens to Water and Ice damage. Both Water and Ice element weapons are strong choices against Teostra. The choice depends on weapon type and preference since both elements exploit Teostra’s vulnerabilities.
Xeno’jiiva has an unusual weakness: Poison. Although weak to Poison, it’s less effective than raw or other elements. While Poison gains acknowledgment as a weakness, high raw damage weapons or Pierce Shot Light/Heavy Bowguns prove more practical against Xeno’jiiva.
Monster Quirks and Characteristics: More Than Just Punching Bags
Monsters in Monster Hunter are more than targets; they have ecologies, behaviors, and bizarre traits. Let’s explore some unique characteristics.
Nergigante, a spike-covered elder dragon, exhibits an unusual reproductive method: asexual reproduction. Nergigante has no gender and reproduces asexually. It requires large bioenergy quantities to propagate, described as “bizarre” compared to other species in Monster Hunter. This biology adds to Nergigante’s mystique.
Nergigante is known for aggressive aerial attacks. Can Nergigante fly? Yes, it can jump and perform various aerial attacks. Nergigante isn’t a traditional flying wyvern but remains highly mobile in the air with jumps, pounces, and signature dive bombs to attack hunters.
Elder Dragons possess unique traits. Can Teostra be caught? No, Elder Dragons like Teostra elude traps due to their overwhelming power. Hunters must defeat them through combat rather than capture.
Nergigante follows Zorah Magdaros due to immense bioenergy. It pursues Zorah as a potent food source of “extraordinary strength” for reproduction. This pursuit shapes early Monster Hunter: World storyline.
Are all Zinogre male? This raises speculation. Are all Zinogre male? Since males tend to be solitary hunters, theorists suggest all encountered Zinogre are male. This intrigue adds to Zinogre’s ecology and prompts questions about female Zinogre’s behavior or habitat.
Is Deviljho in Monster Hunter World? Yes, Deviljho appeared through a free update after launch on March 22, 2018. You encounter Deviljho in High-Rank quests after completing the Rathian investigation quest. Deviljho’s presence adds a challenging and unpredictable element to Monster Hunter: World ecosystem.
Time Investment: How Long to Conquer Games?
For completionists curious about game length, let’s note time investment for various games in the Monster Hunter series.
How long does it take to complete MHW (Monster Hunter World)? Focusing solely on main objectives takes around 46.5 hours. Achieving 100% completion involves all quests, achievements, and collectibles, averaging around 424 hours. Monster Hunter: World is massive with substantial post-game content.
MHW: Iceborne is a lengthy expansion. How long to finish Iceborne? The main story takes about 37 hours. For 100% completion, players need around 346 hours. Fully completing both Monster Hunter: World and Iceborne needs a lot of time.
Monster Hunter Stories (MHS) is a spin-off RPG. How long to beat MHS? Completing the main story requires about 36.5 hours. Achieving 100% involves side content and collectibles, averaging around 94 hours. Stories offers a smoother experience, unlike the main series.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (MHGU) packs vast content. How much time for 100% in MHGU? Completing the main story takes 79 hours. Achieving 100% can take around 877 hours. Some estimates are higher, around 841 or even 689 hours, based on what “100%” means. MHGU is one of the longest Monster Hunter games.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is a Musou Zelda game. How long to 100% Hyrule Warriors? Focusing on main objectives takes about 16.5 hours. Reaching full completion, including characters, stages, and challenges, averages around 361 hours. Musou games have long completion times due to their replayability.
Borderlands 3 is a loot-shooter RPG. How long to beat bl3? Completing just the main story takes around 23 hours. Engaging with additional side content increases this to about 45 hours. The DLC expansions add more playtime, with missions taking 5-10 hours for main and extra objectives.
Ranks and Titles: What’s in a Name?
Let’s look at ‘rank’ and ‘title’ in other contexts beyond gaming.
What is the rank of the word “master”? If we arrange all letters of “MASTER” and sort them, “MASTER” ranks at 257th position. This represents a fun linguistic fact unrelated to gaming rankings but still interesting.
