There are times when Monster Hunter Rise can feel like something of an endurance test. Whether it's meticulously gathering ingredients for Monster Hunter Rise's traps, or chasing a monster across the map, each encounter can, at times, feel like climbing a mountain.
Players can turn this around on their quarry, however. With the right approach and gear, players can exhaust monsters, which is especially helpful with Monster Hunter Rise's monster capturing system.
If exhausting monsters is their aim, then players should definitely invest in the Stamina Thief skill. But Monster Hunter Rise doesn't fully explain how it works.
What Monster Exhaustion Does
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Monster exhaustion occurs when the fight has gone on for a longer than usual amount of time, or if the player has consistently hit monsters with attacks with an exhaust value.
When the monster is exhausted, they'll have a special stagger animation, lower stamina, and won't have access to some of their attacks. The clearest visual tell is that the monster will start excessively drooling.
What Stamina Thief Does
Like most of the game's skills, players can get the Stamina Thief skill by equipping specific pieces of Monster Hunter Rise's equipment. Some examples include the Bone Mail, the Kulu-Ya-Ku Coil, and the Drain Jewel.
Players can power up Stamina Thief by wearing multiple pieces of armor or decorations with that skill. One piece gives a 20% boost, two pieces give a 30% boost, and three pieces give a 40% boost. It caps off there, however, so players shouldn't worry about coordinating their entire wardrobe for one skill.
How To Inflict Exhaustion
Not every type of attack will exhaust monsters. Even if they have Stamina Thief, it's no good if they're walking into battle with the wrong weapons or items.
The most common form of monster exhaustion comes from blunt weaponry, like Monster Hunter Rise's hammers, hunting horns, and shields. A switch axe can also exhaust, but only if it has exhaust phials.
For players that prefer a ranged fight, bows and bowguns can also exhaust, but only with the right items. Bows need exhaust coating, while bowguns need exhaust ammo.
Players should also note that, even if they're completely prepared, exhausting monsters is not a one size fits all solution. Some of Monster Hunter Rise's strongest monsters, like the Khezu or the Apex Rathalos, have an extremely high resistance to exhaustion and will refuse to go down quietly.
Monster Hunter Rise is available now for PC and Switch.