Well, Capcom pretty much lied about Navirou not being in Monster Hunter Stories 3. The series’s most notorious Felyne — beloved by some, endured by others — is back, and he’s got 200 years of stories to catch up on. This DLC is essentially a ‘love letter’ to longtime fans of the series, but is it actually worth your $10? Here’s what you need to know about Additional Side Story: Rudy. Note that this guide contains spoilers for the DLC.
You Might Want to Purchase Rudy Side Story DLC, If…
We recommend getting the Additional Side Story: Rudy DLC only if you have played the first and/or second Monster Hunter Stories games. And you don’t mind spending about an hour hanging out with the previous entries’ beloved, and occasionally insufferable, mascot, Navirou. After all, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is self-contained enough that missing more callbacks won’t hurt your experience. But, again, longtime fans who actually like Navirou will definitely get more out of this DLC.
Keep in mind that, like the base game’s Side Stories, this DLC is short. Expect around less than two hours of content with no dungeons to speak of. What you do get is two strong Decorations and, more notably, the new Donut consumable. When used in battle, Rudy unleashes a Thunder attack on a single target and boosts break damage dealt to all of its parts.
Beyond that, though, the content is slim. The climactic Nergigante boss fight is a highlight, but don’t go in expecting to hatch one afterward. Nergigante remains unobtainable as a Monstie in Monster Hunter Stories 3. It’s also worth noting that the upgraded version of Invasive Monsters — Royal Monsters — and the Aenshin Hard difficulty mode aren’t part of this DLC at all. Those are free additions you automatically get with the version 1.1.0.0 / 01.001.000 update.
Items and Bonuses You Get from Completing Additional Side Story: Rudy DLC
| Bonus | Description | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
| Deadeye Ratha Power Decoration | Kinship Gauge fills faster, and winning a Head-to-Head or critical hit fills it even faster | Complete Rudy’s Side Story Chapter 1 |
| Razewing Ratha Power Decoration | Significantly increases Attack and Crit Rate, but also significantly increases damage taken | Complete Rudy’s Side Story Chapter 2 |
| Donuts consumable item (Max 3 per fight, purchased at a Melynx Emporium) | Deals Thunder damage to one enemy and makes all parts easier to break | Complete Rudy’s Side Story Chapter 3 |
| Navirou Day outfit for Rudy | Alter Rudy’s looks and voice | Complete Rudy’s Side Story Chapter 4 |
How Long is Rudy’s Side Story and Plot Synopsis
- Monster Hunter Stories 3 – Rudy Side Story length: ~1,5 hours.
- Recommended level: Level 60+.
- How to access Monster Hunter Stories 3 – Rudy Side Story:
- Purchase the Additional Side Story: Rudy DLC for $9.99. The content is also already included in the Deluxe Edition and Deluxe Kit.
- Complete the ‘Ten Years Ago’ main story mission, part of the Galyad – Chapter 3.
- Speak to Rudy while in the base.
The Additional Side Story opens with Rudy, Murray, and the Palico gang huddled over an old scroll detailing the exploits of Rudy’s forefather. He is an unnamed ‘Legendary Felyne’ wielding a rounded weapon imbued by the power of lightning called ‘Ring Blade.’ But their discussion is cut short when duty calls. The Rangers have to go to Tarkuan and investigate a peculiar Egg Quartz containing a crystallized Deviljho and a ‘mysterious lifeform.’
The Prince and Rudy searched among five different Egg Quartz across the Tarkuan desert. They eventually found the encased Deviljho in the western part of Bountiful Dune. As the Rangers carefully chip away at the crystal, Rudy makes a startling realization — the mysterious creature frozen inside is none other than the Legendary Felyne himself.
Gaul was startled by Rudy’s scream, and before anyone could react, the Egg Quartz shattered. The Deviljho breaks free while a chunk of the crystal containing the Felyne, along with a strange round treat, is kicked away in the commotion. The Prince steps up to deal with the rampaging beast.
Deviljho Moves and Status
Note that the Deviljho starts the fight already Starving.
| Normal | Enraged | Starving | Weakness (Element) | Weakness (Status) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Speed | Power | Thunder x2 Dragon x2 | Bleeding x2 Darkness x2 |
(Click to expand)
(Click to expand)
Once the Deviljho is defeated, the Rangers reluctantly leave the frozen Felyne behind and return to Galyad to regroup. Back at the base, the Prince, Rudy, and Eleanor turn their attention to the odd honey-glazed treat frozen together with the Felyne.
Eleanor’s old cookbook identifies it as a ‘donut,’ and the group sets out to Canalta Timberland for the ingredients to recreate it:
- Prime Gargwa Eggs: Found on the peak of Mt. Canalta, use Breath Attack at Gargwas.
- Slagtoth Milk: Defeat Slagtoths around the rivers of Mt. Canalta area.
- Ancient Berry: On top of the giant tree with yellow leaves near Holinyowl Forest Camp. Ride the wind pillars nearby using a Monstie that can fly.
Unfortunately, their attempt doesn’t go well. The finished donut ended up as hard as ‘crystallized in the oven’ and tasted like it was drenched in ‘an ocean of oil.’ Stumped by a 200-year-old recipe, the group turns to Ena. The Wyverian Scrivener quickly identifies the missing ingredient: Puff Powder. But more importantly, she recognizes the recipe’s connection to the Felyne of legend.
The Rangers, together with Ena, return to where they left the crystallized Felyne — only to find an Exotic Kulu-Ya-Ku has taken it hostage. Using Ratha’s Breath Attack to stagger the Bird Wyvern when it stumbles after a jump, the Prince managed to halt it in its tracks. A fight ensues.
Exotic Kulu-Ya-Ku Moves and Status
Normal
| Attack Type | Weakness (Element) | Weakness (Status) |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Water x2 Ice x1 | Darkness x2 Poison x1 Paralysis x1 Sleep x1 |
With Egg Quartz
| Attack Type | Weakness (Element) | Weakness (Status) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Water x2 Ice x1 | Darkness x2 Poison x1 |
With Barrel Bomb
| Attack Type | Weakness (Element) | Weakness (Status) |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Raw x2 Fire x2 Ice x1 | Darkness x2 Poison x1 |
Nevertheless, in the middle of the fight, the crystal cracks open mid-battle, reviving the Legendary Felyne. Reunited with his now-stale donut, Rudy’s ancestor wastes no time joining the fight. While trying to break the Kulu-Ya-Ku’s defense, the Felyne offered Rudy a donut, which helps trigger his electric power. Together, the Felynes help the Prince bring the Exotic Kulu-Ya-Ku down.
In the aftermath, Ena catches up to the group and calls the Legendary Felyne by name: Navirou.
After Ena and Navirou spend some time catching up on 200 years’ worth of stories, Murray asks Navirou for help. A Nergigante has apparently suddenly appeared in the Azuria Kingdom. Rudy, eager but uncertain, suggests checking the Ancient Battleground for clues — only for the Rangers to come up empty. As Navirou berates his descendant, the Prince shuts him up with a donut and reassures Rudy.
Stung by the failure but more determined than ever to prove himself, Rudy takes the lead and guides the Rangers to Blightstone Woods. There, they saw some trouble in the ecosystem. Deviljhos, Espinases, Seregioses, Odogarons, Yian Garugas, even Dracophage Bugs — monsters that aren’t native to Azuria have converged. The Rangers fight their way through the swarm and gather clues until they reach the Wyverian Gate.
However, once again, still no Nergigante in sight. Rudy is frustrated as he’s trying to live up to his ancestor, but this time, Navirou cheers him up. He pointed out that Rudy is too straight-laced, but that is his strength. Having such a polite, refined Palico with a Rider that trust him is everything that Navirou wanted for an offspring. Suddenly, a Nergigante drops out of the sky onto the unsuspecting Rangers.
Nergigante Moves and Status
Note that the Nergigante starts the fight already in Black Spikes state.
| Normal/Exposed | Gray Spikes | Black Spikes | Weakness (Element) | Weakness (Status) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Speed | Technical | Thunder x2 Ice x1 | Poison x1 Burn x1 Blast x1 Darkness x1 |
Navirou warns the Prince that while the spikes are dangerous, they’re also vulnerable to damage. After unleashing the Calamitous Slash, Nergigante will start growing its spikes again. The Prince will have three turns until all spikes across its Head, Wings, and Arms are regrown.
After that, Nergigante will spend another 3 turns attacking while waiting until the gray spikes turn jet black once more. When the spikes turn black a second time, Rudy desperately looks for a way to help, but can’t. As Rudy watches helplessly, Navirou steps in and gives him a much-needed pep talk. With renewed confidence, both Rudy and Navirou team up to attack the Nergigante with their electrical powers.
Nergigante will lose all of its spikes once more. Use this window to buff your team up with items or Hunting Horn melodies until it starts regrowing its spikes. During this time, focus on destroying all three spiked parts to trigger a topple. Don’t forget to use the new Donuts mechanics to increase your part damage. If not stopped, the Nergigante will deal another devastating Calamitous Slash party-wide attack.
In the end, the Rangers managed to defeat the Elder Dragon. The Prince then decided to welcome Navirou into the Rangers’ quarters, but the chubby Felyne declined. He’d rather travel the world and help other people and Riders that might need his guidance. With a cheerful goodbye, Rudy parted ways with Navirou — the Legendary Felyne.
