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Instead ofbattlingthe monsters you find in the world,Monster Hunter Storiesasks you to instead befriend monsters, hatch new ones, and become the best dang Rider you’re able to be… also through battling. But if you’re new to the game, or to Monster Hunter in general, there are a few things to know going into the game.
Monster Hunter Stories is aturn-based combat gamethat tasks you with developing the bonds you have with your Monsties - monsters who are your besties, as is explained early in the game, so we’ve got some tips to get you started.
Grab Everything You Can While Exploring
As you venturethrough the various regionsin Monster Hunter Stories, you’ll no doubt notice plenty of things lying about in the overworld. From flowers to ores, from honey to bugs, there’s plenty to collect as you venture between story missions!
Not only will you have a few subquests that ask for specific items, but you’ll need these items yourself to make some of the Combination in your Camp menu. These ingredients are critical for plenty of recipes like Potions to heal in battle or different monster food to help your party Monsties level up a bit faster.
Anything you don’t use in the Combination menu, you’ll likely use for either one of the subquests or for upgrading your gear with one of the blacksmiths. Anything else, feel free to sell - some of your resources and monster drops fetch a pretty high price!
Memorize How Enemies Attack
Then Counter Accordingly
When you first enter every battle, Navirou will give you a few lines aboutthe monster you’re about to fight. These offerhints toward how the monster will behave in battle, which allows you a chance to try toform a counter-attack plan.
For instance, if you know a monster is one that relies on its Power, you’ll likely need to use plenty of Speed attacks to counter this. Some monsters will bounce between different kinds of attacks, making them a bit tougher to fight.
Be sure to keep an eye on your Kinship, and utilize your Kinship Skills often in battle to both do extra damage and protect your Rider’s HP.
Sneaking Up Behind A Monster Gives You A Free Turn In Battle
Get The Upper Hand Early
As you’re exploring the overworld in Monster Hunter Stories, you’ll seeplentyof different monsters roaming about in the wilds. Whether you engage in battle is up to you and how much you’d like to level up, but if it’s possible, always try tostart a battle by sneaking up on a monster.
You’ll know a monster has seen you when it has a!above its head.
By sneaking up behind a monster and getting the jump on it, you’ll be able toget a free shotbefore the battle formally starts. The stronger the monster you’re facing, the more imperative it becomes to get some free blows in before they start fighting back.
Check The Patterns On The Eggs Before You Take One From A Nest
Early in the game, you’ll need all the extra monsters you can get as you begin filling out the Monsterpedia, but once you begin raiding Monster Dens looking for eggs to hatch back in Hakum Village, you’ll start gathering repeats before long if you’re not careful.
It pays tocheck the pattern and color of the eggyour Rider is holding before you take it, sinceevery Monstie has a unique pattern and color setfor their eggs. If you know which patterns you’re looking for, your Egg Carton will be loaded with new Monsties to hatch next time you’re near a stable.
Upgrade Weapons And Armor Regularly
They May Evolve Into New Gear
True, you’ll start off with some free gear to get you started in Monster Hunter Stories, but just as you’re focusing on your Monsties and their stats and moves, don’t forget toequip your Rider with the best you can afford, since better gear offers better stats, and even occasional elemental resistances.Different regions' shops have different gear, so check in when you arrive someplace new!
Additionally, if you’d rather stick with the same gear instead of swapping out, you can alsoupgrade your gearto improve its stats. Raise its level enough and yourweapons and armor can evolve, creating even more powerful iterations of them. Experiment to find out what works best for you by chatting with a Blacksmith.
Always Have A Prayer Pot Blessing Active
If You Can Afford To, Splurge For Better Ones
That large statue with a face just outside your house in Hakum Village is thePrayer Pot, and it’s not long into the game before you’re introduced topraying at the Prayer Pot to activate bonusesfor things you’ll do as you’re out exploring.
And though you can pray for free,you’ll earn better blessings with longer durations for higher donationswhile you pray. These are marked as how much “feeling” you’re putting into the prayer, and the more you spend, the better your chances are of getting a cool blessing.
If you pray the same way multiple times, you’ll extend the duration of your blessing. That said, if you pray differently or offer a different sum of cash, you may end up with a different blessing, which will deactivate the first.Only one blessing can be active at a time, so pray wisely.
Subquests Give Really Helpful Rewards
Before you first venture out into Pondry Hills, take a walk around Hakum Village andchat with anyone with an ! over their head. You’ll notice different colors, too:
New quests unlock as you grow stronger as a Rider, and they’ll see you tasked with anything from defeating a set number of a specific monster, to bringing back a few specific resources, and anything in between.
Check the subquest boardright next to the entrance to Hakum Village to see what’s going on with the subquests you’ve got active. Some quests can be turned in right from the board, while others require seeking out and speaking to the NPC who gave the quest. They’ll appear on the map as well, so be sure to stop by to collect your rewards, since this often happens withspecial rewardsthat require a bit of explaining.
Plenty of quests can be accepted multiple times, if you’re particularly interested in stocking up on whatever it rewards.
Quests are a great way toearn cash, resources, new recipes, and more, so be sure to complete some – a lot of them are for things you’ll be doing throughout the story, anyway.
Perform Double Attacks With Your Monstie
As you enter a battle with a monster in the wild, both you and your Monstie will be attacking. Though you can occasionally give them commands, you’ll notice that your Monstie will typically choose an attack first, which is displayed by its name on the bottom of the screen.
Sometimes, if youchoose the same type of attack as your Monstiehas andaim at the same target, you’ll collectively perform adouble attack. This sees you and your Monstie share one turn to deal colossal damage of that type to the monster you’re fighting, so be aware of what your Monstie is doing and collaborate if you can.
Change Your Battle Pouch As You Enter New Areas
As you proceed through Monster Hunter Stories, you’ll unlock plenty of new resources, recipes, Combination items, charms, and more. There’s always something to keep in mind, whether that’s elemental resistance, buffing items, or HP replenishment.
You can alwaysreadjust your Battle Pouchin the Camp menu, and you can evensave your favorite configurationsfor easier use. Items in your Battle Pouches replenish from your inventory, provided you have enough of that resource gathered or Combination crafted.
If you know you’re heading into an area where you’ll deal with a specific element, stock up on resources that heal from that kind of damage. Facing some tougher monsters ahead? Use some stat boosting items in battle to help sway the fight in your favor. Experiment with Battle Pouch combinations to find what works for you, andcheck it oftento be sure you’re as prepared as possible for the area ahead.
Force Monsters To Retreat To Spawn Their Den On The Map
You’ll Certainly Have A Chance To Get Their Egg!
As you battle monsters out in the wild, you’ll occasionally see that amonster you’ve defeated retreatsafter you beat it instead of fainting outright. Should this happen, you’re in luck, since that monster isretreating to its Monster Den, which will then be marked on your map for easy access.
Should you head over to that new Den, you’ll find the same monster you just fought protecting the eggs in its nest. You’ll need tofight the monster a second time, but the next time you see it,the danger makes it more vicious, so you’ll need to be on your toes and bring your A-game to the fight.
After defeating the monster a second time, you’reguaranteed to find that monster’s eggs in the nest, so dig around and find the right one before heading out. It’s a great way toguarantee access to certain monster’s eggs.
