Many players have been asking how the partner system works in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, which companions are worth bringing along, and how their side stories actually function. The system is not explained particularly well in the game, so it can be confusing at first.
This guide breaks down how companions work, how you can influence their behavior in battle, and what rewards you get from completing their personal quests. The goal here is to make the whole system clearer.
TL;DR — Companion system explained
- Companions are AI-controlled Rider + Monstie duos that fight alongside you.
- You cannot directly control them, but you can adjust their behavior via the party menu.
- Side stories are crucial — they unlock weapons, skills, recipes, and new Monsties.
- Each partner (except Simon) has 4 quests with major rewards.
- Coordinating attacks with companions enables powerful double attacks.
Table of Contents
Explaining the Role of Companions
In MHS3, your character is the captain of a dedicated group of rangers researching the local ecosystem. Naturally, you do not enter these dangerous habitats alone. The game pairs you with companions, each one a Rider and Monstie duo that joins you in battle and is controlled by the CPU.
We know what you are thinking: great, AI teammates in a Monster Hunter game, time to watch them spam the wrong moves while you do all the heavy lifting. In practice they are not that bad once you understand how to manage them properly. You cannot directly command partner characters or their Monsties to use specific skills the same way you control your own roster, which can hold up to six Monsties that you swap at the stables, but you still have some overall control.
Open your main party menu and select the Change Battle Allies option. This lets you adjust their general battle behavior. You can set them to Prioritize Same Monster, Prioritize Different Monster, Large First, Small First, or simply leave the decision to Battle Allies’ Choice.
This feature unlocks after defeating the Feral Chatacabra during the Feral Monster main story quest.
Tip: Check the types of attacks and skills your allies tend to use and adjust their behavior accordingly, because coordinating double attacks with your partner’s Monstie is absolutely possible. Landing those double attacks and watching the enemy topple over never gets old.
Partner List: Name, Default Weapon, Default Monstie
Partners Side Stories
This is easily the most important part of the system. Do not skip partner side stories. Every companion except Simon has four unique quests that unlock sequentially as you progress through major regions. Completing them rewards you with powerful secondary monsties, new weapons, recipes, and upgraded skills.
Thea’s Side Stories
Thea’s questline helps a lot early on. The Gale Force Porkers rewards the Poogie Hunter skill. Next comes Shai Of Sheparden, which unlocks her Hunting Horn weapon, develops Kagachi, and teaches the Stealthy skill.
After that, The Tarkuan Trotter upgrades the active skills Aerial Aim (AMP) and Rousing Riff (AMP) and adds a Grape Juice recipe.
The final quest, One To Go, brings the biggest reward. Gnocchi joins your team, which lets Thea fight alongside a Goss Harag Monstie.
Gaul’s Side Stories
Gaul acts as your ranged backup throughout the story. Gaul’s Unexpected Side grants a Lifepowder recipe. A Request From Kol unlocks his Bow weapon, develops Legia, teaches the Tailwind skill, and gives the Key To Combos, which offers a low chance to gain double crafting rewards.
Rent Negotiations upgrades Spirithelm Breaker and Rapid Shot to AMP and rewards you with Dust Of Life, Max Potion, and Ancient Potion recipes.
The final quest, As A Friend, unlocks Sereg, allowing Gaul to bring a Seregios Monstie into battle.
Ogden’s Side Stories
Ogden focuses heavily on traps and control tools. Letter From An Unknown Sender unlocks the Shock Trap and Tranq Trap recipes. Ogden’s Theory rewards his Hammer weapon, develops Chirpy, and teaches the Proliferating Poison skill.
The Sender’s Identity upgrades Defensive Ditty and Meteor Hammer to AMP and unlocks the Pitfall Trap recipe.
The final quest, The Truth Unfolds, brings Plessie into your party, giving you access to a Green Plesioth Monstie.
Kora’s Side Stories
Kora has the most unusual quest titles in the group. A Rocky Past rewards Big Barrel Bomb, Sonic Bomb, and Flash Bomb recipes.
Her second quest is called Kora’s Gunlance, though the reward listed is a Long Sword weapon. It also develops Gravy and teaches the Protective Shell skill.
Cave Kids upgrades Wyvern’s Blaze and Sakura Spiritblade to AMP and unlocks Azure Armor and Mega Barrel Bomb recipes.
The final quest, A Sense Of Belonging, unlocks Golma and allows you to use a Garangolm Monstie alongside Kora.
Eleanor’s Side Stories
Eleanor’s questline focuses on cooking buffs and food bonuses. The Proof Is In The Dumpling unlocks Cooking Note 1 for Vermilion Dumplings.
The Feast Can Wait rewards Cooking Note 2 for Bouillon Waterfall, unlocks Eleanor’s Hammer weapon, develops Angie, and teaches the Fiery Spirit skill.
Bitter Food, Bitter Memories unlocks Cooking Note 3 for Convalessomé and upgrades Strong Charged Slash and Perfect Crush to AMP.
The final quest, Rangers’ Reminiscence, unlocks Cooking Note 4 and adds Dee to your lineup, allowing Eleanor to fight alongside a Glavenus Monstie.