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 all, 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 during the beginning. To unlock Pink Rathian, simply raise your Rathian to B Rank in any ecosystem. Once it reaches that rank and is released into a habitat, the mutation will be triggered automatically.
Monster Mutation # 2 | Dreadqueen Rathian
Dreadqueen Rathian requires a little more setup compared to the previous mutation. They are:
- Rathian or Pink Rathian must reach S Rank.
- The habitat must contain three or more poison monsters.
After getting the S Rank, I would recommend adding Gypceros, as it commonly spawns in poison-focused habitats, to Rathian and Pink Rathian’s ecosystem to easily get Dreadqueen Rathian.
Monster Mutation # 3 | Boltreaver Astalos
Another monster mutation available in Azuria is for Astalos. The requirements for it are given below:
- Astalos must reach S Rank.
- Habitat must contain 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. Do note that the monsters must have Thunder as their base element. Secondary elements 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 is easier to obtain. You need to raise a Lagiacrus to A Rank in any ecosystem. Once it reaches an A Rank, Ivory Lagiacrus will appear as a mutation in that habitat.
Monster Mutation # 5 | Soulseer Mizutsune
Mizutsune is found in the Canalta region. Its Soulseer mutation requires a combination condition involving another monster. Requirements:
- Mizutsune must reach S Rank.
- A Zinogre must also exist in the same habitat.
This mutation requirement is an interesting one, as it unlocks two mutations for you – one for Mizutsune and one for Zinogre. The Zinogre mutation is mentioned below at the seventh spot.
Monster Mutation # 6 | Stygian Zinogre
This is a straightforward mutation in which you raise a Zinogre to A Rank in any ecosystem 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 requires a pairing with Mizutsune. The requirements are as follows:
- Zinogre or Stygian Zinogre must reach S Rank.
- A Mizutsune must exist in the same habitat.
I would recommend keeping Mizutsune (found in the Canalta region) with Zinogre (found in the Tarkuan region) in the same ecosystem for a longer period of time so that you obtain both mutations.
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, fulfill the steps given below:
- Nargacuga or Green Nargacuga must reach S Rank.
- Habitat must 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.
Monster Mutation # 10 | Sand Barioth
Sand Barioth is one of the simplest mutations in the Serathis region. It just requires you to raise Barioth to A Rank in any ecosystem.
Monster Mutation # 11 | Azure Rathalos
It is the first mutation available for Rathalos, and the requirement is to gain an A Rank in any habitat 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:
- Rathalos or Azure Rathalos must reach S Rank.
- Habitat must contain four Flying Wyverns.
While Flying Wyverns are the most common in-game, having four in the same habitat is still a 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 that is specific to a certain location. You can complete it using Diablos or Black Diablos. It requires:
- 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.
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. It requires high-rank monsters in the same habitat. To get Deadeye Yian Garuga, follow the steps below:
- 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 requires:
- Glavenus must reach S Rank.
- Habitat must contain four monsters with razor-sharp appendages.
The game already specifies that Shogun Ceanataur, Seregios, Great Izuchi, and Magnamalo will be 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.
