Key Points
- Monster mutations are unlocked by raising ecosystem rank or meeting specific habitat conditions.
- In total, there are 17 unique monster mutations spread across four main regions: Azuria, Canalta, Tarkuan, and Serathis.
- Some mutations come from Endangered monsters, while others are obtained from Native monsters.
The mutation system is one of the most interesting progression mechanics in Monster Hunter Stories 3. After spending some time playing, I quickly realized how important these mutations are for unlocking some of the strongest monsters in the game. If you’re also aiming to collect them, here’s how to unlock every monster mutation across each region.
Monster Mutation # 1 | Pink Rathian
Pink Rathian is the first mutation you will likely unlock since the game practically hands you a Rathian egg as you start playing the game. To mutate your Rathian a Pink Rathian, simply raise your Rathian to B Rank in any ecosystem. Once released into a habitat at that rank, the mutation will trigger automatically.
Monster Mutation # 2 | Dreadqueen Rathian
Dreadqueen Rathian requires a few more steps compared to the previous mutation. They are:
- Your Rathian or Pink Rathian must reach S Rank.
- They must be present in a habitat containing three or more poisonous monsters.
After getting the S Rank, I added Gypceros, as it commonly spawns in poisonous habitats, to Rathian and Pink Rathian’s ecosystem to easily get Dreadqueen Rathian. You can also follow this way.
Monster Mutation # 3 | Boltreaver Astalos
Another monster mutation available in Azuria is for Astalos. The requirements for it are given below:
- Your Astalos must reach S Rank.
- They must be present in a habitat that contains three other Thunder-element monsters.
I kept Lagiacrus and Tobi-Kadachi (can also use Khezu, Zinogre and Anjanath), along with S Rank Astalos, to get Boltreaver Astalos. However, the monsters must have Thunder as their base element not their secondary elements. They don’t count toward the requirement, for example, putting Chatacabra in the Thunder ecosystem.
Monster Mutation # 4 | Ivory Lagiacrus
The final monster mutation available in Azuria region is easier to obtain compared to other mutations. I unlocked this mutation by raising my Lagiacrus to A Rank, the habitat does not matter. Once it reaches A Rank, Ivory Lagiacrus will appear as a mutation in that habitat.
Monster Mutation # 5 | Soulseer Mizutsune
Mizutsune is found in the Canalta region and its Soulseer mutation requires a combination condition involving another monster. Requirements:
- Your Mizutsune must reach S Rank.
- A rival monster must also exist in the same habitat.
This mutation requirement is an interesting one, as it unlocks two mutations for you if done properly. It unlocks one for Mizutsune and one for Zinogre. The Zinogre mutation is mentioned below at the seventh spot on this list.
Monster Mutation # 6 | Stygian Zinogre
This is a straightforward mutation in which I unlocked by raising a Zinogre to A Rank to obtain the Stygian Zinogre.
Read More: Monster Hunter Stories 3 – How to Synchro Rush
Monster Mutation # 7 | Thunderlord Zinogre
As mentioned earlier, Thunderlord Zinogre mutation requires a pairing with Mizutsune to unlock. The requirements are as follows:
- Your Zinogre or Stygian Zinogre must reach S Rank.
- A rival monster must also exist in the same habitat.
Since Mizutsune (found in the Canalta region) is a rival to Zinogre (found in the Tarkuan region), keeping them both in the same ecosystem for a longer period of time is the best way to unlock two mutations in a single habitat.
Monster Mutation # 8 | Green Nargacuga
The Canalta region is filled with monster mutations. Out of them, Green Nargacuga is easier to unlock. You just need to raise Nargacuga to A Rank in any habitat, and like previous mutations, the Green Nargacuga will be available in the habitat.
Monster Mutation # 9 | Silverwind Nargacuga
To get a Silverwind Nargacuga, follow the steps given below:
- Your Nargacuga or Green Nargacuga must reach S Rank.
- Your habitat must also contain two additional wind-control monsters.
For this mutation, the game already suggests you keep either the Great Izuchi, Legiana, or Paolumu along with Nargacuga to trigger this mutation. So keeping either two of those monsters with S Rank Nargacuga or Green Nargacuga will unlock this mutation.
Monster Mutation # 10 | Sand Barioth
Sand Barioth is one of the simplest mutations in the Serathis region. Like earlier mutations, it just requires you to raise Barioth to A Rank.
Monster Mutation # 11 | Azure Rathalos
It is the first mutation available for Rathalos, and the requirement is to gain an A Rank with this monster. By doing so, you will get the Azure Rathalos mutation.
Monster Mutation # 12 | Dreadking Rathalos
This is one of the mutations that requires a lengthy process. The requirements are:
- Your Rathalos or Azure Rathalos must reach S Rank.
- Your habitat must contain four Flying Wyverns.
While flying type monsters are the most common in-game, having four in the same habitat is still a lengthy task. I kept Azure Rathalos with Arkveld, Astalos, and Rathian to achieve this mutation.
Monster Mutation # 13 | Bloodbath Diablos
Bloodbath Diablos mutation is the only mutation in this list that is specific to a certain location. You can complete it using Diablos or Black Diablos. It requires:
- Your Diablos or Black Diablos must reach S Rank.
- The S Rank Diablos or Black Diablos must be present in the Tarkuan’s Bountiful Dunes habitat.
Once these conditions are met, Bloodbath Diablos will spawn. No other monster follows this location-specific mutation conditions.
Monster Mutation # 14 | Brute Tigrex
Brute Tigrex is unlocked through a simple rank requirement. You need to raise your Tigrex to A Rank in any habitat.
Read More: MHS3 – How To Unlock All Invasive Monsters
Monster Mutation # 15 | Grimclaw Tigrex
Like Silverwind Nargacuga and Boltreaver Astalos, the Grimclaw Tigrex mutation requires multiple monsters of the same type in its habitat. The requirements are:
- Tigrex or Brute Tigrex must reach S Rank
- Habitat must contain four Power-type monsters.
I used Diablos, Almudron, and Lagiacrus, along with Brute Tigrex, together in a habitat to achieve this mutation. You can also use Chatacabra, Anjanath, Garangolm, and Blangonga, among others, to get Grimclaw Tigrex.
Monster Mutation # 16 | Deadeye Yian Garuga
This is another mutation with a unique requirement. While earlier monsters required same element monsters , this one requires same-rank monsters in a single habitat. To get Deadeye Yian Garuga, follow the steps below:
- Your Yian Garuga must reach S Rank.
- Habitat must contain three monsters of equal or higher rank.
I used my S Rank Garangolm and Tetranadon, along with Yian Garuga, to achieve this mutation. However, any S Rank monster will also work, as there is no other specification apart from rank.
Monster Mutation # 17 | Hellblade Glavenus
At the time of writing, this is the final available mutation in-game. Thankfully, the game already suggests what monsters will be useful for this mutation. It need you to:
- Reach S Rank with Glavenus.
- Your habitat must contain four monsters with razor-sharp appendages.
The in-game menu already suggests that Shogun Ceanataur, Seregios, Great Izuchi, and Magnamalo will be the applicable monsters for this mutation.
FAQs
Can you reverse a monster mutation?
No. Once a monster hatches with a mutation or secondary element, the change cannot be removed, so it’s important to plan which habitats you use for mutations.
Are all monsters able to mutate in Monster Hunter Stories 3?
No. Only certain monsters, especially endangered species and specific late-game monsties, have mutation variants. Most regular monsters will remain in their base forms.
Do ecosystem ranks affect mutation chances?
Yes. Increasing a region’s ecosystem rank improves the chances of finding rare eggs and mutated monsters. Releasing more monsties into a habitat raises the ecosystem rank faster.
