Exploration is a big part of your adventures in Monster Hunter Stories 2, but you can’t do it all alone! Each Monstie has its own ability to use during exploration. These are called Riding Abilities. Riding Abilities can range from flying to breaking rocks, swimming through lava, searching for particular resources, and more. Here, we will go over every Riding Ability, what Monsties perform them, and where to find those Monsties so you can reach every corner of the map.
All Riding Abilities in Monster Hunter Stories 2
There are eighteen different Riding Abilities in Monster Hunter Stories 2. Each is designed to help you traverse the terrain of an area, interact with the environment, or search for various resources and materials. Keep reading to find every Riding Action and what Monsties you need to perform them!
Jump
Jump is one of the handiest and most common Riding Abilities, especially in areas like Dens and Nests. Jump allows you to leap from one small circular platform to another so you can reach new ground without running the risk of plunging to your death. Thankfully, many different Monsties can Jump, so you likely already have one in your Stable.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Jump and where to find them:
- Velocidrome – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Tobi-Kadachi – Loloska, Loloska Rocky Canyon
- Zinogre – Loloska, Lavinia Glacial Peaks
- Iodrome – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Gendrome – Lamure, Lamure Tower
- Stygian Zinogre – Hakolo Island, Forbidden Grounds
- Thunderlord Zinogre – Loloska, Loloska Rocky Canyon
- Kirin – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Oroshi Kirin – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Palamute (all types) – Palamute Expedition
Rock Breaker
Rock Breaker allows you to smash through large, cracked rocks to reach whatever is on the other side. Breakable rocks have a distinct look that helps you identify what ones can be broken and what ones might just be part of the natural biome. Breakable rocks are tall, pillar-like rocks that are grey in color with a large X-shaped crack in the middle.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Rock Breaker and where to find them:
- Yian Kut-Ku – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Arzuros – Alcala, Alcala Highlands
- Blue Yian Kut-Ku – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Lagombi – Loloska, Mt. Lavinia Base
- Barioth – Loloska, Loloska Rocky Canyon
- Sand Barioth – Hakolo island, Forbidden Grounds
Mega Breaker
Some rocks are too strong to be broken by Rock Breaker. Mega Breaker is a tougher version of the above ability that allows you to break through even the hardest of rocks. Mega Breaker can also be used to break the weaker Rock Breaker rocks.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Mega Breaker and where to find them:
- Gammoth – Loloska, Woodland
- Brachydios – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Nergigante – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Glavenus – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Deviljho – Hakolo Island, Forbidden Grounds
- Rajang – SR Expeditions
- Hellblade Glavenus – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Elderfrost Gammoth – Loloska, Lavina Glavial Peaks
Ivy Climb
Ivy Climb is another super common Riding Ability that you will start encountering almost as soon as you start your Monster Hunter adventure. As you’re exploring Dens and wild areas in MHS2, you will notice walls covered in vines. These vines are climbable, with the right Monstie, of course.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Ivy Climb and where to find them:
- Tigrex – Alcala, Harzgai Hill – Inner
- Congalala – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Kecha Wacha – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Nerscylla – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Ash Kecha Wacha – Lamure, Lamure Tower Front
- Brute Tigrex – Terga, Sadona Barrens
- Shrouded Nerscylla – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Emerald Congalala – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Grimclaw Tigrex – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Molten Tigrex – Lamure, Jalma Highlands
- Palamute (all types) – Palamute Expedition
Swim
Swim is a self-explanatory Riding Ability that allows you to swim through the water to reach distant shores. There are also unique resources you can collect while swimming, like Pearls and other sea-themed materials. This makes Swim one of the more handy Riding Abilities, albeit slightly less helpful than the likes of Jump or Ivy Climb.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Swim and where to get them:
- Royal Ludroth – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Zamtrios – Loloska, Mt. Lavinia Base
- Lagiacrus – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Purple Ludroth – Lamure, Sadona Barrens
- Ivory Lagiacrus – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
Ground Dive
Ground Dive is one of the rarer Riding Abilities that you can easily overlook. Just like Rock Breaker, you can’t Ground Dive anywhere. You can only Ground Dive specific spots. These spots look like small holes in the ground, with dirt bunched up around the perimeter. If you have a Monstie that can use Ground Dive, you can dig down through the hole to pass by obstacles and reach new areas.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Ground Dive and where to find them:
- Monoblos – Alcala, Harzgai Hill – Inner
- Basarios – Alcala, Harzgai Rocky Hill
- Barroth – Loloska, Loloska Rocky Canyon
- Jade Barroth – Loloska, Lavina Glacial Peaks
- Cephadrome – Lamure, Sadona Barrens
- Diablos – Lamure, Lamure Tower Front
- Black Diablos – Lamure, Lamure Tower
- White Monoblos – Lamure, Jalma Highlands
- Ruby Basarios – Lamure, Pomore Gardens
- Bloodbath Diablos – Lamure, Jalma Highlands
Lava Dive
Lava Dive is a Riding Ability that you will find yourself needing in the last chapter of your MHS2 adventure. Like Swim, Lava Dive allows you to swim across lava in the Terga region. Walking on lava is quite a niche skill, and since it’s not required game-wide there are only a few Monsties with this exclusive ability.
Here are all the Monsties that can learn Lava Dive and where to find them:
- Uragaan – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Gravios – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Black Gravios – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Teostra – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
Dash
Dash doesn’t allow you to reach any secret hiding spots in the world, but it does help you get around faster. Some Monsties can be rather slow, making traveling a bit more of an ordeal. If you aren’t interested in exploring every nook and cranny of an area and would rather zoom through to your next destination, get yourself a Monstie with Dash.
Here are all the Monsties that can learn Dash and where to find them:
- Bulldrome – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Tigrex – Alcala, Harzgai Hill – Inner
- Gypceros – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Lagombi – Loloska, Mt. Lavinia Base
- Purple Gypceros – Lamure, Lamure Tower Front
- Mizutsune – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Brute Tigrex – Terga, Sadona Barrens
- Grimclaw Tigrex – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Soulseer Mizutsune – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Molten Tigrex – Lamure, Jalma Highlands
Roar
Roar is another Riding Ability that is designed to make traversal much easier. If you would prefer to make it from A to B faster, you can Roar with a compatible Monstie. This intimidates other Monsties in the area, so they stay away from you instead of approaching you for battle. It’s a simple yet effective ability.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Roar and where to find them:
- Pukei-Pukei – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Monoblos – Alcala, Harzgai Hill – Inner
- Khezu – Loloska, Lavina Glacial Peaks
- Red Khezu – Loloska, Lavina Glacial Peaks
- Anjanath – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Gammoth – Loloska, Woodland
- Diablos – Lamure, Lamure Tower Front
- Black Diablos – Lamure, Lamure Tower
- White Monoblos – Lamure, Jalma Highlands
- Lagiacrus – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Gravios – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Black Gravios – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Ivory Lagiacrus – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Brachydios – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Nergigante – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Fulgur Anjanath – Loloska, Mt. Lavinia Base
- Bloodbath Diablos – Lamure, Jalma Highlands
- Teostra – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Elderfrost Gammoth – Loloska, Lavina Glacial Peaks
Stealth
Stealth is used for a similar purpose as Roar. But instead of intimidating monsters into staying away, Stealth makes you and your Monstie turn invisible so nearby monsters don’t bother you. The catch here is that it only works if you haven’t already been spotted. If you’ve been spotted by a monster and then use Stealth, it will still know where you are.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Stealth and where to find them:
- Nargacuga – Alcala, Alcala Highlands
- Green Nargacuga – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Silverwind Nargacuga – Hakolo Island, East Kamuna Heights
Fly
Flying helps you reach your destination much faster than running can and without the threat of battle. The skies are clear in MHS2, so you can soar around undisturbed. You can only use Fly after progressing far enough in the story to unlock it. You will unlock the ability to Fly after completing the story quest ‘Ascending the Tower’.
Here are all the Monsties that can use Fly and where to find them:
- Paolumu – Alcala, Wendwood
- Yian Garuga – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Barioth – Loloska, Loloska Rocky Canyon
- Legiana – Loloska, Lavinia Glacial Peaks
- Astalos – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Bazelgeuse – Hakolo Island, Forbidden Grounds
- Sand Barioth – Hakolo Island, Forbidden Grounds
- Seregios – Hakolo Island, Forbidden Grounds
- Rathalos – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Azure Rathalos – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Kushala Daora – Alcala, Etulle Lofty Trees
- Velkhana – Loloska, Mt. Lavinia Base
- Boltreaver Astalos – Alcala, Harzgai Hill – Inner
- Dreadking Rathalos – Hakolo Island, East Kamuna Heights
- Silver Rathalos – Alcala, Etulle Lofty Trees
Search
Search is the most variable of all Riding Abilities in Monster Hunter Stories 2. It allows you to quickly scan areas for certain materials and resources. If found, an icon showing the location of the thing you’re searching for will appear on the map in the bottom right corner of the screen. This can be extremely useful when farming crafting materials.
Here are all the Monsties that can Search and where you can find them:
Monster Search
- Yian Kut-Ku – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Qurupeco – Alcala, Etulle Lofty Trees
- Blue Yian Kut-Ku – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Zamitrios – Loloska, Mt. Lavina Base
- Nerscylla – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Cephadrome – Lamure, Sadona Barrens
- Crimson Qurupeco – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Shrouded Nerscylla – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Glavenus – Alcala, Alcala Valley
- Deviljho – Hakolo Island, Forbidden Grounds
- Hellblade Glavenus – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
Plant Search
- Aptonoth – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Apceros – Alcala, Alcala Highlands
- Popo – Loloska, Mt. Lavina Base
Honey Search
- Arzuros – Alcala, Alcala Highlands
Nest Search
- Kulu-Ya-Ku – Hakolo Island, North Kamuna Cape
- Great Jaggi – Alcala, Alcala Highlands
- Rathian – Alcala, Alcala Highlands
- Great Baggi – Loloska, Base of Mt. Lavinia
- Pink Rathian – Lamure, Pomore Garden
- Dreadqueen Rathian – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Rajang – SR Expeditions
- Gold Rathian – Alcala, Wendwood
Ore & Bone Search
- Basarios – Alcala, Harzgai Rocky Hill
- Uragaan – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
- Ruby Basarios – Lamure, Pomore Garden
Mushroom Search
- Congalala – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Emerald Congalala – Terga, Terga Volcano Base
Bug Search
- Kecha Wacha – Loloska, Loloska Forest
- Barroth – Loloska, Loloska Rocky Canyon
- Jade Barroth – Loloska, Lavina Glacial Peaks
- Ash Kecha Wacha – Lamure, Lamure Tower Front
For more tips and tricks on Monster Hunter Stories 2, check out Monster Hunter Stories 2: Rite of Channeling Guide.
