Mar 17, 2026

Monster Hunter Stories 3 Walkthrough Part 5: Entering Cataracts

Saad Bin Asif

The war between the Azuria and Vermeil kingdoms takes an unexpected turn and leaves both of their princesses in shambles due to unforeseen and unfortunate events. Now, to get more answers, Leia and Eleanor decide to cross the Wyverian Gate and enter the sacred Sacrosanctum. In this walkthrough of Monster Hunter Stories 3, we will reach the next area of the game: Cataracts.

For more information on Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection beyond this walkthrough, check out the official website here.

Hostile Encounter – Quest Walkthrough
Magnamalo Boss Fight
The Northern Meridian – Quest Walkthrough
Feral Somnacanth – Boss Fight

Hostile Encounter – Quest Walkthrough

You will be dropped into a vast freezing area after Eleanor and Leia decide to cross the Wyverian Gate. Move in the southern direction to find an exit; don’t fight any monsters here as they’re stronger at night.

If a monster tries to initiate an encounter, use your monstie’s roar and keep moving. Cross the cliff with the wind geyser and move through the Ashen Pass. A wall will obstruct the path, so attack it with any of your monsties to break it. However, another cliff blocks the path ahead with no wind geyser to cross it.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 Cataracts walkthrough — **Climbing The Wall With Tobi-Kadachi.**

Jump down and switch to Tobi-Kadachi to climb up the wall ahead. Now, once you reach the objective’s location, all the Rangers will reunite after they learn about a map from Simon’s pouch. With the party assembled, continue your journey to the Wyverian Gate.

Avoid the monsters and advance to the objective. If you do get entangled in an encounter with Velocidrome, Velociprey, or a Bnahabra, use the Quick Finish skill to end the battle immediately. Note that it can only be activated if the protagonist has significant experience.

A Catavan awaits you in the Ashen Pass. Interact with it to save the game and wait until Daytime to weaken monsters. The next area is covered in fog, and as the party tries to cross it, a Magnamalo ambushes them.

Magnamalo Boss Fight

Similar to Glavenus, Magnamalo has three battle states:

Normal: Speed Attacks
Hellfireblight Mantle: Power Attacks
Hellfireblight Critical: Technical Attacks

The Hellfireblight Crystal on its back is an enhanced version of the Blightstone Crystal, and attacking it will result in a significant Backlash immediately. Attack its Torso or Head to weaken the Wyvernsoul Gauges, and keep an eye on Head-to-Head targets. If the target is either your monstie or you, shift to the counter variant.

Speed beats Power, Power beats Technical, Technical beats Speed.

When Magnamalo’s state shifts to Hellfireblight Mantle, focus on its forelegs and destroy them before it executes another powerful attack. Use Rathalos’s Venom Strike and any Iron Bow’s ability on the forelegs; that’s its weakness.

Focus on its forelegs until they’re destroyed. Still, remember to use Iron Bow against them to exploit its weakness and keep your monstie ready for attack.

Tip: Facing defeat repeatedly? Return to the Catavan and forge/upgrade your weapons and armor. Magnamalo is a difficult boss, so I had to forge a Chatacabra build and upgrade the Chata Clobberer.

Additionally, focus on your Kinship progress with the monster. If you’re lucky enough, both your battle ally and Leia will ride their monsties. Now, when you’re riding the monstie, go to skills and use double Kinship Skill to deliver massive damage and simultaneously stagger Magnamalo.

Double up the attacks and don’t hold back. Heal, attack, and use Kinship Skills to defeat Magnamalo and cross the Wyverian Gate. While Leia and Eleanor plan to leave the kingdom together, the Rangers eventually decide to follow and aid them during their journey into the Sacrosanctum.

**Eleanor and Leia’s Dual Kinship Skill.**

And thus concludes the first major story arc, “Azuria”.

The Northern Meridian – Quest Walkthrough

The Rangers have successfully earned Wyverian Gate’s guardians’ respect, and they are now allowed to cross the border. Now, in the Meridian, follow the river downstream and interact with the nearby Catavan to save your game.

Seeing all the Blightstone Crystals spread in the area, Rudy confirms that this disaster has spread across the entire map. Keep following the crystals to enter Canalta Timberlands. After inspecting the frozen Egg Quartz on the ground, the Rangers hear a scream.

Since this is a new area, you will encounter never-before-seen monsters like Tetranadon. A fallen hunter can be found in the objective’s area, and a Feral Somnacath covers its body; the fighter’s Palico asks you to fight it to save them.

Feral Somnacanth – Boss Fight

Similar to other major monsters, Feral Somnacanth has three battle states:

Normal: Technical Attacks
Balancing: Speed Attacks
Balancing (Storing Power): Speed Attacks

Considering it’s a boss fight, attack its Head and Torso, and avoid the stomach due to the Blighstone Crystals. Use an attack of your choice to deplete all of its Wyvernsoul Gauges.

Doing so will stagger Somnacanth, allowing you to dodge all of its Backlash attacks. Aim for the Stomach and put pressure on it until the monster gets up.

Repeat this process:

Attack on any body part without Blighstone Crystal
Deplete its Wyvernsoul Gauges
Once staggered, aim for the crystal for maximum damage
Keep healing and use Kinship Skill when it’s ready

Don’t forget to add your own twists, as every build is different. After defeating the monster, the hunter named Corbin finally gets on his feet (thanks to his Palico) and tells the Rangers about a village nearby.

Learning this makes everyone realize how ill-informed they were about the forbidden grounds. The Rangers hide their identity and join Corbin on his journey to find the village.