Monster Hunter Outlanders story walkthrough: chapters 1-6

How long is the story at launch?

The launch progression covered here runs through Chapter 6, ending with Ruger Aidal. A Chapter 7 interlude appears in beta-era material, so it is not included as confirmed release content. Chapter names follow the Japanese version; check your client for localized quest labels.

Chapter names below are from the Japanese client; the international version may translate them differently. Monster names use the series’ usual English names.

The power figures are launch quest reference values, not measured minimums. Their jumps between chapters do not describe a smooth difficulty curve. Use the actual quest requirement and the attacks you struggle with to decide whether to improve equipment or practice defense.

What does each chapter unlock?

Chapter 1 teaches the basics: the forge, crafting ziplines, recruitment (you meet Raya here), Hot Drink crafting and a three-person party. Madelyn also joins.

Chapter 2 opens most of the daily loop: meals, a new area (熱砂の平原), the expedition trial once your party reaches four members, the arena tournament, equipment upgrades and daily missions. Reaching Adventurer Rank 16 here also unlocks the daily survey. See the daily tasks page for the routine.

Chapter 3 adds a forest area (雲煙の森), the glider dash invention, the multi-monster challenge and the season menu. The multi-monster challenge is the biggest repeatable Rutacoin source, so it is worth reaching early.

Chapter 4 opens a desert area (大砂海), outfits and outfit levels, the glider climb invention and chained survey hunts. It ends at Adventurer Rank 30, which is also when Adventure Rank Dash hands out its second free SR adventurer.

Chapter 5 introduces light-resistant inner wear and more ziplines, and asks for Rank 32 and 34.

Chapter 6 ends at Rank 40 with Ruger Aidal, the elder dragon behind Radiant species. It also asks you to take part in one Radiant hunt.

How do you raise Adventurer Rank?

When the story asks for Adventurer Rank, open its Rank Up Guide and look for unfinished nest missions. These pay their mission reward once, so repeating a cleared nest is different from finding a new objective. Daily missions add another source of rank experience.

Rank rewards themselves are modest. The ones worth noting:

The listed rank rewards extend to 60. Keep them separate from Adventure Rank Dash: that event gives contracts across Ranks 10–50 and free SR adventurers at 20 and 30. Check each reward track for unclaimed milestones.

Updated November 6, 2026. The chapter table covers the Japanese launch version; it is not an in-house full-playthrough benchmark. Start with the beginner guide if the combat systems are still unfamiliar.

Why does a “non-Fated Adventurer” task not count?

The Fated Adventurer is your created protagonist. For a task requiring another main adventurer, open Edit Squad, select a different character and choose Use as Main before entering the required hunt. Merely placing that character in the party is not the same condition. For the relevant Distinctive Hunt objective, use the required Free Hunt mode and check the task counter after finishing.

After the Chapter 4 Ruger Aidal encounter, check whether Marathon Hunt has opened. Its seven-minute hunt and daily Zenny reward checks are covered in the daily guide; this earlier story encounter is not the Chapter 6 finale or the November Apex challenge.