Monster Hunter Stories 2 Velja And Nemesis Aura Farming Guide
Introduction
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin offers a rich and engaging world filled with Monsties to collect, train, and battle. Among the many strategies players employ to strengthen their Monstie companions, farming for specific auras stands out as a crucial element. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the mechanics of farming Velja and Nemesis auras, two of the most sought-after enhancements in the game. Whether you're a seasoned Monster Hunter veteran or a newcomer to the Stories series, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and strategies necessary to efficiently farm these powerful auras.
What are Velja and Nemesis Auras?
Understanding the significance of Velja and Nemesis auras is the first step in mastering the farming process. Auras in Monster Hunter Stories 2 are special buffs that can significantly enhance a Monstie's capabilities. These auras come in various forms, each providing unique benefits. Velja Aura primarily boosts a Monstie's attack stats, making it a powerhouse in battles. On the other hand, Nemesis Aura focuses on increasing a Monstie's critical hit rate and critical damage, turning them into formidable damage dealers. Deciding which aura to prioritize often depends on your Monstie's build and your overall combat strategy.
Why Farm Velja and Nemesis Auras?
Why should you dedicate your time to farming these specific auras? The answer lies in the substantial impact they have on your Monstie's performance. In the endgame content, where challenges are tougher and enemies are more resilient, having Monsties with optimized auras can make the difference between victory and defeat. A Monstie with a Velja Aura can deal significantly more damage, allowing you to take down enemies faster. Conversely, a Monstie with a Nemesis Aura can consistently land critical hits, maximizing damage output and providing a tactical advantage in battles. Furthermore, farming these auras allows you to customize your Monsties to fit specific roles within your team, creating a balanced and effective fighting force. This level of customization is essential for tackling the game's most challenging quests and battles.
Preparing for Aura Farming
Before diving into the actual farming process, it's crucial to prepare adequately. Efficient aura farming requires careful planning and the right equipment. Here’s a breakdown of the essential preparations:
Gear and Equipment
The right gear can significantly impact your farming efficiency. Look for armor sets and weapons that provide skills that boost your chances of encountering rare monsters or increase the rewards you receive. Skills like Lucky or Good Luck can increase the quantity of items and auras you obtain, while skills that enhance your combat prowess will help you defeat monsters quickly. Equipping yourself with the appropriate gear not only speeds up the farming process but also makes it more enjoyable.
Monstie Selection
Choosing the right Monsties for your party is another critical aspect of preparation. Consider bringing Monsties with strong attack stats or those that can inflict status ailments, as these can help you defeat enemies faster. Monsties with skills that increase your chances of finding rare monsters can also be invaluable. For example, a Monstie with the Rare Species skill can increase the likelihood of encountering Deviant Monsters, which are a prime source of Velja and Nemesis auras. A well-balanced team that can handle various combat situations will make your farming runs smoother and more productive.
Items and Consumables
Stocking up on essential items and consumables is a must before you begin farming. Items like Nutriments and Lifepowders can help keep your Monsties healthy during prolonged farming sessions. Felyne skills gained from eating meals at the Canteen can also provide significant advantages. For example, the Felyne Explorer skill increases the chances of finding rare dens, while the Felyne Rider skill increases the bond experience gained, which can help you level up your Monsties faster. Having the right items and consumables on hand ensures that you can farm for extended periods without having to interrupt your runs frequently.
Locating Velja and Nemesis Aura Monsters
To effectively farm Velja and Nemesis auras, you need to know where to find the monsters that drop them. These auras are primarily obtained from Deviant Monsters, which are rare and powerful variants of regular monsters. Understanding their spawn locations and triggers is essential for efficient farming.
Deviant Monsters and Their Habitats
Deviant Monsters are unique variants of regular monsters, characterized by their enhanced stats and distinctive appearances. They are more challenging to defeat than their regular counterparts but offer greater rewards, including Velja and Nemesis auras. Some notable Deviant Monsters to target for these auras include:
- Thunderlord Zinogre: Thunderlord Zinogre is a Deviant Monster known for its electrifying attacks and fierce demeanor. It is a prime source of Velja auras due to its high attack stats. This monster can be found in high-rank dens within the Terga region, particularly in areas with thunder element influences. Look for dens that have a sparkling or unusual appearance, as these often indicate the presence of rare monsters like Thunderlord Zinogre.
- Soulseer Mizutsune: Soulseer Mizutsune is another formidable Deviant Monster that yields Nemesis auras. This monster is renowned for its hypnotic abilities and elegant movements. Soulseer Mizutsune can be located in the Loloska region, specifically in dens within snowy or icy environments. Similar to Thunderlord Zinogre, focusing on high-rank dens will increase your chances of encountering this elusive creature.
- Boltreaver Astalos: Boltreaver Astalos is a Deviant Monster with electrifying attacks, similar to Thunderlord Zinogre, but with a more aggressive and swift fighting style. This monster drops auras that are beneficial for both attack and critical stats, making it a valuable target for farming both Velja and Nemesis auras. Boltreaver Astalos can be found in the Alcala region, often in dens located near mountainous areas or lightning-prone locations.
Tips for Finding Rare Dens
Finding rare dens is a crucial step in locating Deviant Monsters. Here are some tips to help you increase your chances of discovering these elusive locations:
- Use the Prayer Pot: The Prayer Pot in Mahana Village offers various blessings that can aid your farming efforts. Activating the Prayer of Exploration blessing increases the chances of finding rare dens, making it an invaluable tool for aura farming. This blessing lasts for a limited time, so be sure to make the most of it while it’s active.
- Explore During the Day: Some players have reported that rare dens are more likely to appear during the daytime. While this may not be a guaranteed phenomenon, it's worth considering when planning your farming sessions. Exploring during different times of day and observing any patterns can help you optimize your search for rare dens.
- Check High-Rank Dens: High-rank dens generally have a higher chance of spawning Deviant Monsters compared to low-rank dens. Focusing your search on these dens will increase your chances of encountering the monsters you need for aura farming. Additionally, high-rank dens often offer better quality items and materials, making them a worthwhile investment of your time.
- Use Monstie Skills: Certain Monstie skills, such as Rare Species, can increase the encounter rate of Deviant Monsters within dens. Bringing a Monstie with this skill in your party can significantly improve your farming efficiency. Experiment with different Monsties and their skills to find the most effective combinations for your farming strategy.
Effective Farming Strategies
Once you've located the Deviant Monsters, the next step is to implement effective farming strategies to maximize your aura gains. This involves optimizing your combat tactics, utilizing specific skills, and managing your resources efficiently.
Combat Tactics for Deviant Monsters
Deviant Monsters are formidable opponents, and defeating them requires a well-thought-out combat strategy. Here are some tactics to consider:
- Exploit Weaknesses: Every Deviant Monster has elemental and weapon-type weaknesses. Understanding and exploiting these weaknesses is crucial for dealing maximum damage. Use weapons and Monsties that have elemental advantages over the Deviant Monster you're facing. For example, if you're fighting Thunderlord Zinogre, using a water-element weapon and Monstie can significantly reduce the duration of the battle.
- Target Specific Body Parts: Targeting specific body parts can sometimes lead to breaking them, which can yield additional rewards and disrupt the monster's attacks. For instance, breaking Thunderlord Zinogre’s horns can weaken its electric attacks, making the fight more manageable. Focus your attacks on breakable parts to maximize your rewards and control the battle.
- Utilize Kinship Skills: Kinship Skills are powerful attacks that can deal massive damage and provide temporary buffs to your party. Use Kinship Skills strategically to turn the tide of battle in your favor. Building up your Kinship Gauge and unleashing Kinship Skills at opportune moments can help you defeat Deviant Monsters more efficiently.
Optimizing Your Farming Route
Efficiency is key when farming auras. Optimizing your farming route can save you time and effort, allowing you to maximize your gains. Consider the following tips:
- Plan Your Route: Before you start farming, plan a route that covers multiple dens in the target area. This will minimize travel time and ensure that you're constantly engaging with monsters. Use the map to identify clusters of dens and create a route that efficiently covers these locations.
- Use Fast Travel: Utilize the fast travel system to quickly move between different areas. This can significantly reduce travel time and allow you to focus on battling Deviant Monsters. Familiarize yourself with the fast travel points in each region and use them strategically to optimize your route.
- Reset Dens: If you've cleared all the dens in an area and haven't found the Deviant Monster you're looking for, you can reset the dens by traveling to a different region and then returning. This will refresh the dens and give you another chance to encounter the target monster. Experiment with different reset strategies to find the most efficient method for your farming runs.
Maximizing Aura Drops
Getting the auras you need requires maximizing your chances of receiving them as drops. Here are some strategies to help you increase your aura drops:
- Use the Prayer Pot: The Prayer of Fortune blessing at the Prayer Pot increases the chances of receiving rare items and auras as rewards. Activating this blessing before your farming sessions can significantly boost your aura drops. Combine this blessing with other strategies to further maximize your gains.
- Break Monster Parts: Breaking specific monster parts can increase the chances of receiving rare drops, including auras. Focus your attacks on breakable parts to maximize your rewards. Research which parts need to be broken on each Deviant Monster to increase your chances of getting Velja and Nemesis auras.
- Use Hunting Horn Skills: Hunting Horns have skills that can increase your party's luck, which can, in turn, increase the drop rates of rare items and auras. Bring a Hunting Horn user with skills like Luck Boost to your party to improve your farming efficiency. The Hunting Horn's supportive abilities can make a significant difference in your farming success.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Aura farming can sometimes be challenging, and you may encounter various issues along the way. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:
Not Finding Deviant Monsters
If you're having trouble finding Deviant Monsters, consider the following:
- Ensure You're in the Right Area: Double-check that you're in the correct region and dens where the Deviant Monster spawns. Refer to resources like this guide or online databases to confirm the spawn locations.
- Check Your Rank: Deviant Monsters typically appear in high-rank dens. Make sure you're exploring dens that are appropriate for your current rank and progression in the game.
- Use the Prayer of Exploration: The Prayer of Exploration at the Prayer Pot significantly increases the chances of finding rare dens, which are more likely to house Deviant Monsters. Activate this blessing before your farming sessions.
Low Aura Drop Rates
If you're defeating Deviant Monsters but not receiving auras, try these solutions:
- Use the Prayer of Fortune: The Prayer of Fortune at the Prayer Pot increases the chances of receiving rare items and auras as rewards. Activate this blessing to improve your drop rates.
- Break Monster Parts: Breaking specific monster parts can increase the chances of receiving auras. Focus your attacks on breakable parts during combat.
- Use Hunting Horn Skills: Hunting Horns with skills like Luck Boost can increase your party's luck, leading to higher drop rates. Bring a Hunting Horn user to your party to enhance your farming efficiency.
Difficult Battles
If you're struggling to defeat Deviant Monsters, consider these strategies:
- Improve Your Gear: Ensure your weapons and armor are up to par for the challenge. Upgrade your gear and consider using armor sets with skills that provide defensive or offensive advantages.
- Optimize Your Monstie Team: Build a balanced team with Monsties that have elemental advantages over the Deviant Monster you're facing. Consider bringing Monsties with support skills, such as healing or buffing abilities.
- Learn Monster Attack Patterns: Understanding the Deviant Monster's attack patterns can help you anticipate and evade their attacks. Pay attention to their movements and behaviors during battle to develop effective counter-strategies.
Conclusion
Farming Velja and Nemesis auras in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a crucial step in optimizing your Monsties and tackling the game's toughest challenges. By understanding the significance of these auras, preparing effectively, locating Deviant Monsters, and implementing efficient farming strategies, you can significantly enhance your Monstie team's capabilities. Remember to utilize the Prayer Pot blessings, optimize your farming routes, and maximize your aura drops by breaking monster parts and using Hunting Horn skills. With the knowledge and strategies outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to farm Velja and Nemesis auras efficiently and enjoy the full potential of your Monstie companions. Embrace the grind, and may your battles be victorious!