The last of the previously announced updates for the Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin roadmap is out, featuring new Monsties in Gold Rathian and Silver Rathalos.

STARTING OUT

Both the Gold Rathian and Silver Rathalos are available through the Rare / Subspecies Co-op Quest, with a S. Elder Lair 2 level quest boss (post-game level content) for a tough challenge. However, the eggs for both the Monsties can be found in the non-boss rooms, and they’re also listed as Alcala region monsters. The last part means you can potentially obtain either of these eggs through Rare / Super Rare dens. Co-op will still be faster, either way.

GOLD RATHIAN

BASIC STATS

ELEMENTAL STATS

SKILLS

Going by pure stats, Gold Rathian looks similar to Dreadqueen Rathian with some better stats; namely in Recovery and Fire Defense, both at 9. Their main difference is their weakness: Gold Rathian’s weakness to Thunder would be much easier to exploit over Dreadqueen Rathian’s Dragon weakness.

Two new genes are available:

• Rave Gene (L) – Fire – Speed – Queen’s Judgement – Deals heavy fire damage to one enemy. Low chance to inflict burn for 3 turns.
• Lunar Gene (L) – White – Lunar Cry – High chance to remove buffs from all enemies.
• Piercing Claw Gene (XL), also available on Pink Rathian

Queen’s Judgement is the the Gold Rathian Speed version of fellow new Monstie, Silver Rathalos King’s Judgement. 20 Kinship cost is pretty cheap. Lunar Gene will likely see frequent use in PVP where people would typically bring buffs – e.g. Azure Voltage, Valiant Flare – and at 2 Kinship cost, it could actively discourage buffing. Lunar Gene will probably be less impactful in PVE besides against specific matchups e.g. Rajang, so PVE players can mostly ignore this one.

SILVER RATHALOS

BASIC STATS

ELEMENTAL STATS

SKILLS

This Monstie’s stats encourages you to make it your “main” offensive Fire Monstie, with Fire Attack at 10 – ties with Teostra – and Crit at 8. Its weakness is Water, which at this point in the game’s lifespan, does not have many strong Water Monsties. Silver Rathalos has plenty of chances to be an unanswerable beast until then.

Two new genes are available:

• Fire Breath Gene (XL) – Fire – Power – Flare Burst – Deals massive fire damage to all enemies. Low chance to inflict burn for 3 turns.
• Rave Gene (XL) – Fire – Power – King’s Judgement – Deals heavy fire damage to one enemy. Low chance to inflict burn for 3 turns.
• Kin-Heal Gene (L) – Fire – Solar Cry – Charges up the Kinship Gauge, previously Ratha-exclusive

You’d probably be looking at Flare Burst as your new Fire damaging skill. Compared to Teostra’s Supernova, Flare Burst costs 48 Kinship to Supernova’s 54. Genes like Harmony means it can be even cheaper, and you don’t lose out on damage with Flare Burst either. The Burn chance is almost negligible if you’re planning on PVP since its damage isn’t particularly high. As mentioned for Queen’s Judgement on Gold Rathian, King’s Judgement on Silver Rathalos is essentially the same. With Silver Rathalos offering Solar Cry, upgrading Ratha’s genes to max is now possible. Potential combinations from a fully upgraded Solar Cry with Harmony / Soul Kinship genes may enable some really fun combinations.

VERDICT

Silver Rathalos gives an arguably superior Fire Monstie offensive skill in Flare Burst, which would likely be one of your priorities, having a lower cost than Supernova while having the same damage.

Both Gold Rathian and Silver Rathalos offer skills PVP enthusiasts could plan on farming: the former having Lunar Cry to dispel those pesky buffs, and the latter’s Solar Cry’s potential for Kinship combos.

Silver Rathalos will likely be an extremely potent Monstie until the game gets strong Water Monsties to counter it.

Other guides:

• Finding Elder Dragon and Deviant Eggs
• Quick Gene Farming
• EXP and Nutriment Farming
• Farming Elder Dragon and Deviant Eggs
• Understanding Genes
• Understanding Game Mechanics
• Talismans Farm

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Publisher: Capcom

Developer: Capcom

Release Date: 2021-07-09

Nintendo Switch, Steam

A new adventure awaits you in this second installment of the turn-based RPG series set in the world of Monster Hunter! Become a Rider and form bonds with friendly monsters known as Monsties to fight alongside them as you take part in an epic story.