Complete Guide to Monster Hunter Stories 3 Mutations and Their Unlocking Methods
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In Monster Hunter Stories 3, there are countless Monsties to collect, but the rarest ones require mutations. While not essential for completing the story, having these powerful creatures in your party can significantly enhance your gameplay with their superior stats and abilities.
Mutations are tied to the game’s environment restoration system, allowing you to release monsters to help revitalize local wildlife. By releasing a monster into the right habitat alongside specific species, you can create formidable subspecies like Ivory Lagiacrus or Dreadqueen Rathian.
Here’s a rundown of the monster mutations you can find in Monster Hunter Stories 3, including the habitat ranks and conditions needed to unlock them.
To obtain the Pink Rathian mutation, start by retrieving the Endangered Rathian egg from its den in Azuria. Then, raise Rathian’s Ecosystem Rank to B by hatching and releasing monsters. The Pink Rathian will appear as long as there’s space in the ecosystem!
For the Dreadqueen Rathian mutation, you’ll need to put in a bit more effort. Ensure you have either Rathian or Pink Rathian at an S Rank in your ecosystem, and surround it with three or more poisonous monster species. The Sunpetal Plains in Azuria is the best spot for this, as Gypceros is native there. With Rathian and Pink Rathian also present, you might unlock this mutation without even trying!
Once you’ve saved the Endangered Lagiacrus in Azuria, mutating it into the stronger Ivory Lagiacrus is straightforward. Just raise its Ecosystem Rank to A, which can be done with a few hatched eggs.
To unlock the Hellblade Glavenus mutation, you need to surround Glavenus with specific monsters. After raising its Ecosystem Rank to S, introduce monsters with sharp appendages, such as Shogun Ceanataur, Seregios, Great Izuchi, and Magnamalo. You’ll need at least four of these in the Glavenus ecosystem, so be prepared to progress further in the game to access Magnamalo.
Deadeye Yian Garuga is a surprisingly strong subspecies that can be unlocked early in the game. It appears in habitats filled with fierce monsters, meaning you’ll need to rank up the local monsters to trigger the mutation. As long as Yian Garuga is accompanied by three or more monsters with an equal or higher Ecosystem Rank, you’ll unlock Deadeye Yian Garuga.
Soulseer Mizutsune is a more powerful version of Mizutsune, but unlocking it requires some effort. First, raise Mizutsune’s Ecosystem Rank to S anywhere in the game. Then, introduce its rival, Zinogre, to the region to trigger the mutation. Zinogre is also an Endangered monster, so you’ll need to find its den and defeat the Invasive Monster guarding it.
Stygian Zinogre makes a return in Monster Hunter Stories 3 and is easy to unlock. Just raise Zinogre’s Ecosystem Rank to A after rescuing it from its den to trigger this mutation.
Zinogre has two unique subspecies in the game, and Thunderlord Zinogre is one of the strongest electric Monsties you can have. To unlock it, rank up Zinogre or Stygian Zinogre to Ecosystem Rank S and introduce a Mizutsune to the environment. The rivalry between Zinogre and Mizutsune will unlock both Thunderlord Zinogre and Soulseer Mizutsune, so ensure there’s room for both!
One of the final mutations available is Sand Barioth, a solid non-elemental Monstie for your team. Simply raise Barioth’s Ecosystem Rank to A after recovering the Endangered egg in Serathis.
Unlocking Green Nargacuga is a breeze. After retrieving the Endangered Nargacuga egg from Canalta Timberland, just raise its Ecosystem Rank to A, and the mutation will trigger automatically.
This variant is stronger than its counterparts but requires specific monsters to appear. You’ll need either Nargacuga or Green Nargacuga at an S Rank in your chosen environment, along with two or more wind-controlling monsters like Great Izuchi, Legiana, or Paolumu. While Legiana is a late-game monster, Great Izuchi and Paolumu are easier to find.
If you’re looking for a strong electric Monstie that isn’t Zinogre, Boltreaver Astalos is a great choice. As an Endangered Monstie, you’ll first need to defeat an Invasive Seregios to unlock it. After that, raise its Ecosystem Rank to S and introduce three or more thunder monsters into its environment. Any thunder monster will do, and all three Zinogre variants count if you’ve unlocked them.
Rathalos is already a powerhouse, but Azure Rathalos is even more formidable. To unlock it, simply raise Rathalos’ Ecosystem Rank to A. While Rathalos only appears in the game’s final area and its eggs are rare, it only takes a few to trigger the Azure mutation.
Dreadking Rathalos is one of the best Monsties in Monster Hunter Stories 3, capable of taking down even the toughest bosses. To unlock this subspecies, raise Rathalos’ or Azure Rathalos’ Ecosystem Rank to S, then introduce four or more Flying Wyverns into the environment. It’s best to do this in an area with native Flying Wyverns to avoid filling all the slots. Both Rathalos and Azure Rathalos count, so you’ll already have two covered.
Brute Tigrex is a fan-favorite and incredibly powerful. Unlocking it is simple: just raise the Endangered Tigrex’s Ecosystem Rank to A anywhere in the world. As a Flying Wyvern, it can also help trigger the Dreadking Rathalos mutation!
Grimclaw Tigrex is the strongest variant of Tigrex, but you’ll need to meet specific criteria to unlock it. First, raise either Tigrex or Brute Tigrex to S Rank in your chosen environment. Then, fill the area with four or more Power monsters, which are those that use red attacks. You can check a monster’s attack type in the Monsterpedia. All Rathalos species are Power monsters, making them a great choice for this mutation.
Bloodbath Diablos is a more dangerous version of the classic monster that you can unlock early in your journey. Just raise either Diablos or Black Diablos’ Ecosystem Rank to S in the Bountiful Dunes region of Tarkuan. This mutation can only occur in the Bountiful Dunes, but you can relocate the monster afterward.
