Welcome, Riders! Whether you’re diving into Monster Hunter Stories 2 for the first time or coming back after playing the original game, this guide is crafted to help you get started smoothly. From the basics of monster collection to the deeper combat mechanics and team optimization, you’ll find everything you need to begin your adventure with confidence.
How to Collect Monsters: Dens & Retreats
Collecting Monsties lies at the heart of Stories 2. There are two primary methods of adding them to your team:
- Exploring Monster Dens: As you explore the map, you’ll find monster dens scattered throughout. These dens vary in rarity—regular stone dens are the most common, but gold and other visually distinct dens may appear, offering rarer eggs. Once inside, approach the nest, select an egg, and bring it back to the stables for hatching.
- Making Monsters Retreat: If you’re after a specific Monstie, you can force a retreat during battle. When a hatchable monster is near defeat, throw a paintball to increase the chance of it retreating to a den. The paintball effect only lasts three turns, so time it wisely. Not all monsters will retreat from a paintball alone—consult the Monsterpedia to learn what conditions improve their retreat rate. Some require part breaks using specific weapon types. When a retreat is triggered, the monster will spawn a special den marked on your map by a green icon with an egg symbol. Inside that den, you’ll find a guaranteed egg of the monster.
When choosing eggs, Navirou’s commentary is your best friend. Eggs that are heavier and stinkier—described as “reeking”—have better gene potential. Sometimes, you’ll even notice a rainbow glow on the egg, which can indicate rare or rainbow gene slots.
Understanding the Combat System
Combat in Monster Hunter Stories 2 is built around a simple but strategic attack triangle:
- Power (Red) beats Technical
- Technical (Green) beats Speed
- Speed (Blue) beats Power
When engaging in a head-to-head, select the attack type that counters the opponent’s. As you play, you’ll begin to recognize which attack types specific monsters use—until they become enraged and change styles. Adapting your approach, swapping Monsties, and selecting the right attack type is key to consistently winning head-to-heads.
You can also perform Double Attacks, which interrupt enemy turns, increase your Kinship Gauge, and inflict solid damage. To execute a double attack:
- Both you and your Monstie must use the same attack type.
- One of you must be targeted by the enemy.
- You must be attacking the same body part.
Winning head-to-heads and executing double attacks help charge your Kinship Gauge, the resource used to unleash powerful skills and Kinship Attacks. When your gauge is full, you can mount your Monstie for a powerful ultimate move. During this time, you’re also protected from fatal damage—if a hit would otherwise kill you, it reduces your Monstie to 1 HP instead and knocks you off, saving your life.
Even more tactically, Kinship Attacks cancel enemy turns. If you anticipate a devastating incoming move, unleashing your Kinship Attack can completely negate it.
Mastering the Rite of Channeling
One of the deepest mechanics in the game is the Rite of Channeling, which allows you to transfer genes between Monsties. This is where team-building becomes extremely flexible and strategic.
You can:
- Add new abilities to your Monsties
- Align genes to activate Bingo bonuses (matching types horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)
- Increase stat growth and attack power based on arrangement
Keep in mind that the source Monstie will be consumed during this process, so be sure it’s one you’re ready to part with. While you can play through most of the game without using this system extensively, experimenting with it even at a basic level can provide powerful synergies.
Efficient Leveling with Expeditions & Auto-Battles
Later in the game, you’ll unlock Expeditions, which allow you to send Monsties not in your main party out on missions. These expeditions can be tailored toward different rewards—some focus on XP, others on items or a mix of both. If you’re aiming to power-level your reserve Monsties, XP-focused expeditions are your best bet.
In addition to that, any Monstie in your active party will passively gain levels quickly. You can also return to low-level areas and use Auto-Finish in battle by holding both triggers. This instantly completes fights and grants the full rewards—perfect for power-leveling quickly with minimal input.
Weapons & Armor: What You Need to Know
Unlike the mainline Monster Hunter games, you craft full armor sets, not individual pieces. Each set provides unique passive skills, so review your choices and choose gear that complements your team.
Weapons fall into three types:
- Slashing: Sword & Shield, Greatsword
- Blunt: Hammer, Hunting Horn
- Piercing: Bow, Gunlance
For ease of use, Sword & Shield, Hunting Horn, and Bow are ideal starter picks. These have simpler mechanics and don’t require resource management. Greatsword, Gunlance, and Hammer have additional mechanics that can feel more complex but offer more power when mastered.
Always bring at least one weapon of each type. During battle, you’ll notice visual indicators:
- If the enemy glows when hit, your weapon is effective.
- A red X indicates your weapon is ineffective, and you should switch.
Utilize the Prayer Pot Early & Often
The Prayer Pot provides passive buffs and becomes significantly more useful as you feed it Charms. These buffs include increased XP gains, damage, defense, and more. As you level up the Prayer Pot (up to level 20), the power of these buffs increases.
Feeding Charms—even in bulk—levels up the pot. You’ll also unlock more powerful Prayers as it grows. Don’t sleep on this system; a leveled-up Prayer Pot can give you the edge in tough battles and speed up progression.
Spend Your Bottle Caps Wisely
Bottle Caps are a special currency traded at the Melynx Inc. vendor. This shop offers:
- Stable upgrades (more Monstie slots)
- Extra expedition slots
- Unique gear, charms, and items not available at the Smithy
You’ll earn Bottle Caps mainly from Everdens, side quests, and occasionally from treasure chests. While some players worry about finite supply, don’t stress—late-game activities provide farming opportunities. Use them strategically to expand your capabilities and grab limited equipment.
Final Thoughts
This beginner’s guide is your foundation to thrive in Monster Hunter Stories 2. With a clear understanding of monster collection, combat, team customization, leveling, and item use, you’re ready to jump into the adventure and ride with confidence. More advanced tips and guides will help take your game even further, but for now—go out there, find your Monsties, and let the story unfold!
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