Look, we’ve all been there. You spend seventy bucks on a game, the download finally finishes, and then you spend forty-five minutes wandering around a digital hub world trying to find the "cool stuff" you were promised. With Monster Hunter Wilds, the process isn't exactly intuitive. If you’re hunting for your Monster Hunter Wilds pre order bonus, you aren’t just looking for a menu toggle.
Capcom likes to make us work for it. Sorta.
The game officially hit shelves and digital storefronts on February 28, 2025. If you grabbed it before that deadline, you’re sitting on some decent starting gear. But honestly? If you don't know which Palico to talk to, that gear might as well not exist.
The Loot: What’s Actually in the Box?
Basically, every single person who pre-ordered any version of the game—Standard, Deluxe, or that massive Premium Deluxe edition—gets the same two primary items.
First up is the Guild Knight Set. This is a "Layered Armor" set. If you’re new to the series, layered armor is basically just a skin. It doesn't have stats. You don't get extra defense from it. It just makes you look like a high-ranking official from the Hunter's Guild instead of someone wearing leather scraps and hope. It’s purely for the "fashion hunters" among us.
👉 See also: Cool Discord Server Names: Why Most People Get It Wrong
The second item is the Hope Charm Talisman. This one actually matters for gameplay, especially in the early hours. It gives you a tiny boost to your stats—specifically the "Self-Improvement" and "Recovery Up" skills. It’s not going to let you face-tank an Arkveld in the first ten minutes, but it helps.
How to Claim Your Monster Hunter Wilds Pre Order Bonus
You won't find these items in your inventory the second you spawn in the Windward Plains. You have to play through the opening tutorial first. Once you’ve rescued the requisite NPCs and established your base camp, you need to find Conut.
Conut is a Palico (the cat people, obviously) who runs the Support Desk.
- Head over to the Support Desk in your base camp.
- Talk to Conut and select the option "I’d like to request support."
- Choose "Claim Content."
If you did everything right, the Hope Charm will pop up in your rewards. The Guild Knight armor is a bit different, though. It usually goes straight to your tent. You’ll need to go inside your tent, access the equipment menu, and look under "Layered Armor Settings" to put it on.
The PlayStation "Secret" Bonus
If you're playing on PS5 and you bought the digital version, check your library. You should have a separate download for a Digital Mini Art Book. It’s not an in-game item, but it’s full of some pretty sick sketches of the Forbidden Lands.
Don't Forget Your Save Data
Honestly, the "real" bonuses might come from your old save files. If you have data from Monster Hunter: World or Iceborne on your system, you get extra Palico gear.
- World Save: Felyne Leather Set and the Acorn Spade.
- Iceborne Save: Felyne Duffel Set and the Trekker Pickaxe.
You claim these the exact same way—by talking to Conut at the Support Desk. Just make sure the save data is actually on the console (or PC) you're using. Cloud saves don't always register unless they're downloaded locally.
Is the Premium Deluxe Worth It?
People keep asking if they should have shelled out the extra $40 for the Premium Deluxe Edition.
It’s a lot of money.
The Premium version includes the Cosmetic DLC Pass, which basically prepays for two big armor packs coming later in 2025. You also get the Wyverian Ears (which people are weirdly obsessed with) and a special recording of "Proof of a Hero."
If you just want to hunt monsters, the answer is no. You aren't missing any quests or monsters by sticking to the standard version. But if you’re the type of person who needs every hairstyle and gesture? You've probably already bought it.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"I pre-ordered, but Conut has nothing for me."
We've seen this a lot. First, check your "Manage Game Content" settings on your console. Sometimes the DLC license doesn't "trigger" automatically. You might need to manually hit "Install" on the pre-order DLC package.
🔗 Read more: Why Doomsday Game: Rise of the Villain Is Taking Over Your Feed Right Now
Also, make sure you've progressed far enough. You generally need to finish the first couple of main story beats (specifically rescuing Tom) before the Support Desk fully opens up.
Final Verdict for Hunters
The Monster Hunter Wilds pre order bonus is a nice leg up, but it isn't "make or break." The Hope Charm is great for the first five hours, then you’ll likely craft something better. The Guild Knight armor is the real prize here because it looks classic and clean.
If you missed the pre-order window, don't sweat it too much. Capcom almost always releases these "limited" items as paid DLC about six months to a year after launch. You'll just have to pay a few bucks for the privilege later.
Your Next Step:
Go check your console's "Add-ons" or "DLC" section right now to ensure the Guild Knight Set is actually installed. If it shows as "Purchased" but not "Installed," Conut won't have anything to give you when you reach the Support Desk.