Game:

Monster Hunter Stories (2016)

Duration: 25:07

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Does anyone else find it especially weird that Navirou is worried about the "stand" (how does he even know what it is?!) and not the fact that we were told an enemy awaited us here or what's clearly a Felyne in distress?

Speaking of which... this is a normal Felyne! Just like the one by the Chief's windmill house! Other felynes look fine! What's wrong with Navirou and why does literally everyone else act as though nothing is amiss?!

... ... ...Navirou is a visual abomination, and I will never stop thinking so. Even if he becomes relatively inoffensive company and actually has an endearing character arc of his own to eventually get around to acting out. *sniff*

So, this is a Catavan Stand, and this unfortunate Felyne in crisis is a Catavaner. The sound we heard when we were meant to investigate much more quickly than we eventually did was that of The Veteran feeling especially cheeky, attacking and then and running off with a vital Catavan Wheel. I guess we probably need to do something about it.

But NOW The Veteran is clear onto the other side of the lake! I sure am glad we have our especially capable Velocidrome pal to carry us there with the utmost velocity. I... I don't even feel like grabbing all these things along the way! Let's just get it over with!

Our target is rather conspicuously flapping around... and here I was afraid that "the other side of the lake" sounded vague and referred to a pretty unnecessarily wide area... although there was always a handy destination marker, so I guess there wasn't any chance that we'd have any trouble narrowing it down.

This battle, as it happens... is a little different, even more so than a regular named "boss" monster variant compared to the more generically-named specimens of the species. We're being presented with multiple targets! But don' worry, the parts will still add up to the whole, and it's not like we'll be required to dish out more damage as a result.

In fact, I'd argue that it's even easier, since you can target either part and still reap the benefits of an impending Double Attack, and have your Monstie's attention redirected to a more vulnerable zone, no matter where they were originally looking to cause harm. After enough abuse, you'll even stop it from using certain attacks, which is a boon you can't enjoy on any ol' run of the mill monster battle!

Oh, and it looks like our herbivorous buddy has picked up the Skill called Soothing Roar... honestly, it's quite amazing, and I suppose an Aptonoth's guttural vocalizations ARE rather soothing. But this health gain is rather significant compared to what's otherwise more or less a wasted turn and invitation to suffer more damage in the meantime. Good job, Mr. Beefy! It was wise not to make you into a steak dinner.

Oh, look! The Veteran is retreating! ...we... we already actually did this before now... ... ... but I guess it IS important to get a tutorial example, in case we weren't industrious enough to waste all our time scouring the hills for big game to beat up and Monsties to steal from them.

I find it a little disappointing that it's merely known as "Yian Kut-Ku's Den" after all... but the angry monster found at the deepest depths of the den is indeed still The Veteran. And now we can read its life bar properly, since this is indeed a direct rematch! ...but none of the targeted abuse will work this time around, we'll just have to weather its wrath the old fashioned way.

I suppose that Felyne is indeed in need... we ought to run back quickly.

... ... ...you know, after some choice pillaging. There are so many quality ore nodes on this side of the lake! It'd be a shame to waste the trip!

Once the Catavan is finally repaired, we gain access to a worthy boon for our efforts indeed: fast travel points! Those curious free-standing objects will be quite handy indeed. But... where have we seen them before?!

Also worth noting is that with Paw Pass Tickets (a classic reference hunters of old should recognize, repurposed for something new!), we can call the Catavan from anywhere, not just its appointed rounds. But... how would they know from a piece of paper that we're hailing them?!

Of course... the "Catavan" itself is... ... ... oh, you cheeky devils! It's like I've carted thrice and been returned to base camp!

I like it. I like it a lot.