Monster Hunter Stories 2: Conquering Nergigante
Alright, fellow hunters! Let's dive into one of the most anticipated and, frankly, tougher battles in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin: the fight against the fearsome Nergigante. This guy isn't just any monster; he's the elder dragon that everyone talks about, and for good reason. Getting ready for a Nergigante fight means you need to bring your A-game, understand his moves, and have the right gear and monsties by your side. So, buckle up, guys, because we're about to break down how to take down this spiky menace and come out victorious. It's not just about brute force; it's about strategy, preparation, and a little bit of luck!
Understanding the Beast: Nergigante's Strengths and Weaknesses
So, what makes Nergigante such a powerhouse in Monster Hunter Stories 2? Well, for starters, he's all about raw aggression and relentless offense. His signature move is, of course, his spikes. These aren't just for show; they regenerate and can be launched at you, dealing massive damage. What's super important to know is that Nergigante's spikes change color as he gets stronger. When they're black, he's hitting extra hard, and when they fall off, he actually becomes a bit weaker in that specific area, but don't get too comfortable because he'll regrow them. His attack patterns tend to be a mix of heavy-hitting physical attacks, charges, and those nasty spike-related moves. He’s a pure power type, meaning he leans heavily into Speed attacks. This is your first major clue, guys! Because he favors speed, you'll want to counter that. This means bringing along a good amount of Power-type monsties and using Power attacks yourself. If you go head-to-head with his speed attacks, you're going to get absolutely demolished. Think of it like rock-paper-scissors: Power beats Speed, Speed beats Technical, and Technical beats Power. Nergigante is the embodiment of Speed, so you need to bring the Power!
When it comes to elemental weaknesses, Nergigante is surprisingly resistant to a lot of things, which can be a bit of a bummer. However, he does have a notable weakness to Dragon and Thunder attacks. If you have monsties or weapons that pack a punch in these elements, now's the time to bring them out! Dragon element attacks are particularly effective at breaking his regeneration ability, making him less of a threat over time. Thunder is also great for stunning him and interrupting his powerful combos. While Fire and Water aren't his absolute favorites, they can still do decent damage if your Dragon or Thunder options are limited. Definitely try to avoid Ice and Blast, as he's pretty resistant to those. Remember, exploiting these weaknesses is key to shortening the fight and minimizing the damage you take. Don't just wail on him with whatever; be smart about your elemental choices. It makes a huge difference!
Gear Up: Weapons and Armor for the Nergigante Hunt
Alright, let's talk gear, because going into a Nergigante fight unprepared is like going into a blizzard without a coat – you're not gonna last long, guys! When it comes to weapons, remember what we discussed about his Speed-type attacks. You'll want weapons that can dish out Power attacks effectively. Swords, Great Swords, and Heavy Bowguns often have good Power attack options. For Nergigante specifically, focusing on weapons with high raw damage is usually a solid bet, as he doesn't have overwhelmingly high elemental resistances across the board, but elements can help. Prioritize weapons that have either the Dragon or Thunder element if you can find them. A Dragon element Great Sword, for example, can absolutely shred Nergigante, providing both high raw damage and exploiting his elemental weakness. If you're more of a ranged player, a Thunder element Heavy Bowgun can keep you safe while still dealing significant damage. Don't forget about weapon skills! Skills that boost your attack power, increase critical hit rates, or provide damage-boosting buffs are invaluable. Anything that helps you hit harder and faster is your friend here.
Now, for armor, survivability is the name of the game. Nergigante hits hard, so you need armor that can take a beating. Look for armor sets that offer high defense and, importantly, resilience against Dragon and Thunder damage. Some armor sets are specifically designed with elder dragons in mind, so keep an eye out for those. The Nergigante set itself, once you defeat him, is fantastic for offense, but for the first fight, you'll want something defensive. Skills that boost your maximum HP, increase your defense stat, or grant damage reduction are lifesavers. Skills that heal you passively or grant status effect resistance (like Bleeding, which Nergigante can inflict) are also incredibly useful. If you're struggling, consider armor that boosts your critical evasion or provides temporary invincibility skills. The key is to find a balance between offense and defense. You need to be able to survive his onslaught to dish out damage. Don't be afraid to mix and match armor pieces from different sets to get the best combination of skills and stats. Sometimes, one piece from a set might have the perfect skill you need, even if the rest of the set isn't ideal.
Monstie Companions: Your Allies in the Nergigante Showdown
Having the right monsties by your side is arguably just as crucial as your own gear when facing Nergigante. Since Nergigante is a Speed-type monster, your primary strategy should be to field Power-type monsties. This allows you to win head-to-head battles (Rock-Paper-Scissors) and deal super-effective damage. Think about monsties with strong Power attacks in their moveset. Some great options include Pukei-Pukei (especially with its Dragon element attacks), Glavenus, and even some of the early-game Power-types like Arzuros if you haven't progressed too far. If you can get your hands on a Rathalos or a Tigrex, they are also excellent Power-type choices that come with high damage output.
Beyond just their type, consider their elemental alignment. As we mentioned, Nergigante is weak to Dragon and Thunder. Therefore, any Power-type monstie that also has Dragon or Thunder element attacks is pure gold. A Power-type monstie with Dragon attacks can exploit his weakness while simultaneously winning the Speed vs. Power matchup. This is the ideal scenario! Alternatively, a Thunder-element Power-type can also be highly effective. Look for monsties with skills that can inflict status effects like Paralysis (from Thunder) or defense down. These debuffs can significantly reduce Nergigante's threat level, making the fight much more manageable. Don't forget about support monsties either! While Nergigante is a damage race, having a monstie that can heal your party, buff your attack, or debuff Nergigante can make a world of difference. A monstie with a healing ability or one that can cast Speed buffs on your Power-type party members can extend your survivability and offensive pressure.
When building your team, aim for a balanced approach. You want strong offensive Power-types, but having a healer or a support monstie can be a game-changer, especially during longer fights. Pay attention to the monstie's kinship skills too. Some kinship skills can deal massive damage or provide crucial buffs/debuffs that can turn the tide of battle. Practice using your Kinship skills strategically; don't just unleash them randomly. Save them for when Nergigante is vulnerable or when your party needs a significant boost. The synergy between your Rider and your monsties is what wins fights, so choose wisely and train them well, guys!
The Fight Itself: Strategy and Key Moves to Watch Out For
Now for the main event, guys: the actual Nergigante fight. This is where all your preparation comes into play. As soon as the battle starts, focus on the Rock-Paper-Scissors dynamic. Nergigante will open with a Speed attack, so your immediate response should be a Power attack. Whether it's your Rider's attack or your active monstie's attack, make sure it's a Power move. This nets you a guaranteed win in the turn and some bonus Heart points. Keep this up! The goal is to maintain the advantage by consistently winning these head-to-head battles. Use your monstie's abilities and your own Rider skills strategically. If Nergigante switches to a different attack type, adapt quickly. If he uses a Technical attack, switch to Speed. If he uses Power, switch to Technical. The key is to never let him get the upper hand in the turn-based duels.
Pay very close attention to his spikes. When Nergigante's spikes turn black, his attacks become significantly more dangerous. This is when he's likely to use his most devastating combos. During this phase, focus on defense. Use skills that boost your defense, heal yourself, or grant temporary invincibility. Try to bait out his attacks and dodge them if possible, or block them with a well-timed Guard or Shield skill. If you have a monstie that can inflict Paralysis or Defense Down, now is a great time to use it. Nergigante's spike regeneration is a major mechanic. When his spikes fall off, he's weaker in that state, but he'll regrow them quickly. You can actively target these fallen spikes to prevent him from regenerating them, but this often requires specific skills or targeting during certain attack animations. Generally, it's safer to focus on surviving his empowered state and capitalizing when he's less dangerous.
What are some key moves to watch out for? His Dive Bomb is a classic – he leaps into the air and slams down. This is usually a Speed attack, so be ready to counter with Power or evade. His Spike Barrage involves launching multiple spikes from his body; this is incredibly damaging and often follows a Power attack. Be prepared to defend or heal. His Charge Attack is a straightforward, powerful move that can hit multiple times. Again, Power is your friend here. When he gets enraged and his spikes are black, he might unleash a devastating combo attack that can wipe out your party if you're not prepared. Keep an eye on the target icons above his head – they clearly indicate his next attack type. This is your lifeline, guys! Always check those icons before committing to an action. Don't be afraid to use your Kinship skills when Nergigante is low on health or when you need to survive a particularly nasty attack. A well-timed Kinship attack can finish him off or save you from a KO.
Post-Fight Rewards and What to Do Next
Congratulations, hunter! You've managed to fell the mighty Nergigante. That's no small feat, and you should be incredibly proud. Now, the real reward comes in the form of loot. Defeating Nergigante yields some of the best materials in the game, perfect for crafting powerful end-game gear. Expect to get Nergigante Hardhorns, Nergigante Shard, Nergigante Hide, and potentially even Nergigante Talon or Nergigante Gem. These materials are essential for crafting the Nergigante armor set and weapons, which boast incredible offensive capabilities. The Nergigante armor set, in particular, often comes with skills that boost your attack, critical hit rate, and even provide some form of self-healing or damage negation. It’s a staple for many high-level builds, so definitely prioritize crafting it!
After the Nergigante fight, you'll likely find yourself progressing further into the story or unlocking new post-game content. The materials you've gathered aren't just for crafting; they're a testament to your skill and perseverance. If you're playing online, now you can confidently take on other challenging elder dragons or help out lower-level players. The Nergigante fight is often a gatekeeper to truly challenging content, so overcoming it means you're ready for whatever else Monster Hunter Stories 2 throws at you. Keep exploring, keep fighting, and most importantly, keep having fun, guys! The world of Monster Hunter Stories 2 is vast, and Nergigante is just one (very tough) stepping stone on your epic journey. So, what are you waiting for? Go craft that awesome Nergigante gear and show everyone what you're made of!
