Monster Hunter Rise Buddy Explainer: How Palamutes And Palicoes Work

Mastering the buddy system in Monster Hunter Rise requires understanding the distinct capabilities of both Palamute and Palico companions. These AI-controlled partners significantly impact your hunting efficiency through their specialized roles and abilities.

Strategic Palamute deployment enables rapid map traversal and combat positioning

Palamutes serve as your primary mobility assets and aggressive combat partners. Their unique ability to be ridden without stamina limitations transforms large-area navigation, allowing you to reposition quickly during intense monster encounters. Beyond transportation, Palamutes deliver consistent damage output and can mount monsters independently, creating valuable opening opportunities.

Palicoes operate as specialized support units with five distinct combat roles. Each Palico type brings tactical advantages that complement different weapon styles and hunting approaches. Understanding when to deploy specific Palico types dramatically improves mission success rates.

Building an optimal buddy roster requires strategic recruitment through the Buddy Scout system. As you progress through Hunter Ranks, additional recruitment slots become available, allowing for specialized team composition.

Buddy Scout interface showing available recruitment options and stat previews

Effective scouting prioritizes buddies with complementary skill sets. For Palamutes, focus on acquiring those with high attack stats and useful support moves. For Palicoes, diversity across specializations ensures you have the right support for any hunting situation.

Advanced recruitment strategy involves targeting specific passive skills that enhance your preferred playstyle. Look for buddies with abilities like “Attack Up,” “Status Attack Up,” or “Gathering Pro” depending on your needs. Remember that buddy levels can be increased through training, but innate skills cannot be changed.

Common recruitment mistakes include over-specializing in one buddy type or ignoring skill synergies. A balanced roster with varied specializations provides flexibility for different monster matchups and mission types. Consider creating at least two of each Palico specialization to cover various combat scenarios.

The Meowcenaries system enables your unused buddies to conduct resource-gathering expeditions while you’re on main hunts. This passive income system becomes increasingly valuable as you progress through the game’s content.

Meowcenary chief Kogarashi managing expedition deployments

Strategic Meowcenary deployment involves matching buddy types to specific locations for optimal resource yields. Gathering-type Palicoes excel in material-rich areas, while combat-oriented buddies perform better in monster-dense regions.

The Argosy trading vessel complements your resource acquisition by offering rare materials in exchange for points. Submarine missions can be tailored to target specific resource types you need for crafting and upgrades.

Optimization tip: Always keep Meowcenary missions running concurrently with your hunts. The 5-quest duration typically aligns with your own hunting pace, ensuring continuous resource flow. Prioritize locations that contain materials for your current upgrade goals.

Advanced players should coordinate Meowcenary missions with their crafting schedules. Time your returns to coincide with when you need specific materials, reducing downtime between equipment upgrades. The Argosy’s rare material trades often provide components otherwise requiring extensive farming.

The Buddy Dojo serves as your primary training facility for leveling inactive companions. Understanding its mechanics ensures your backup buddies remain combat-ready when needed.

Buddy Dojo training interface showing experience progression

Dojo efficiency increases with facility upgrades, which become available as you progress through the story. Higher Dojo levels accelerate experience gain and reduce training time significantly.

Training prioritization should focus on buddies with optimal skill combinations first. Since training time is limited, concentrate on developing your primary rotation companions before secondary options.

Pro tip: Always keep your Dojo training slots filled, even with buddies you use infrequently. The passive experience accumulation ensures your entire roster remains viable for specialized missions or emergency substitutions.

Buddy gear customization dramatically enhances their combat effectiveness and survivability. The equipment system parallels your own, with weapons increasing damage output and armor providing defensive bonuses.

Weapon selection should complement your buddy’s primary role. Palamutes benefit from high raw damage weapons, while Palicoes often perform better with status-effect or elemental options.

Armor optimization involves balancing defense ratings with skill bonuses. Certain armor sets provide passive abilities that synergize with specific buddy types and specializations.

Crafting prioritization: Focus on creating gear that addresses your most frequent hunting challenges. If you struggle with certain monster elements, equip corresponding resistance armor. For damage-focused builds, prioritize attack-boosting equipment.

Endgame gear planning should include multiple loadouts for different monster types. Create specialized sets for fire-resistant, thunder-resistant, and general-purpose scenarios to maintain versatility.

Common gearing mistake: Neglecting armor upgrades in favor of weapon improvements. Balanced development ensures your buddies survive longer in high-rank hunts, maintaining their support value throughout encounters.

No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Monster Hunter Rise Buddy Explainer: How Palamutes And Palicoes Work Master Palamute and Palico recruitment, training, and gear optimization to maximize hunting efficiency