Monster Rancher 2

2014-03-06 10:29:01 pm

Hi, all. I'm looking into running what was probably THE game of my childhood. As far as I've been able to see, there's no one that runs this game.:-\ I have a good feeling on how to go about routing it, but it's just a matter of figuring out best tournaments, monster, etc.

Thread title:

Wawlconut

2014-03-11 05:19:26 pm

I believe it has been run on Nico before and I could see 2 different categories (possibly 3). One for no disc summons, 1 for discs, and possibly one for slates but I don't know how that works. That said I don't know how they do their timing or how they ran the game.

UltraDoof

2014-03-11 05:55:53 pm

Interesting. I was actually thinking the same thing about the 2 categories. One for no disc summons and one with discs. I'm not sure slates would work out that well since they rely on saved data from monster rancher 1. Also, that's interesting to hear there's actually been some runners. I really thought no one ran this game.

Wawlconut

Edit history:

Wawlconut: 2014-03-13 07:42:11 pm

2014-03-13 07:35:28 pm

http://www40.atwiki.jp/niconamarta/pages/400.html
No recorded runs but at least something of it does exist. Also I don't know how much you know but this game is full of background mechanics to be aware of.
Also I think a way to get started is to just pick a monster with a playstyle you like and just start thinking about what stats you need to get past each cup. I'd imagine you would train a lot, possibly do an errantry, and then go right into D rank. Possibly rinse and repeat for B, then S and spam many saves and loads for the Big Four.

UltraDoof

2014-03-13 08:30:52 pm

Interesting, thanks for the link. I've pretty much got the mechanics down as far as maximizing a monster's lifespan and stats. It's just a matter of trying to figure out ways that get me to the end faster. I've decided to use ape, since he's arguably one of the fastest (in terms of K.O.'ing monsters) and most consistent heavy hitters (with the bonus that he's actually been my favorite monster since I was little). Your strategy for advancing ranks is actually exactly what I was planning thumbsup

. I plan on running a basic schedule of Pull, Shoot, Rest, repeat. Preliminary testing seems to suggest that I will need to buy some mint leaves. Around 1 a month. I'll probably be getting to my first test run tomorrow. I'll post how it goes.

Wawlconut

2014-03-16 03:54:42 pm

I know nothing of apes except that I'm always nervous about taking a hit from one. Also isn't pull heavy? Does ape have high power to counter the high failure rate it will have during its infancy period or whatever? Also what is even the longevity of the ape anyways?

UltraDoof

Edit history:

UltraDoof: 2014-03-16 04:06:48 pm

2014-03-16 04:04:22 pm

Yeah, pull is heavy. Ape's have a little over a 10 year maximum lifespan. Also, the high failure rate so far isn't much of a problem. During my tests, he gets over it after 2 or three times. His initial power is also very good.

Wawlconut

2014-03-16 06:49:33 pm

Do you think it would ever be beneficial to also bring in nuts oil or would buying those be counter productive for speed? I know it would take a toll on money. Also that longevity is amazing.

UltraDoof

2014-03-17 05:07:00 am

I do really want to avoid buying nuts oil, if I can. It is really good when I'm playing normally, but I think it's best to avoid it in a speed run. As long as I rest after every two training sessions (one heavy, one light), my monster never gets tired. Money is getting stretched already. The biggest problem actually seems to be overcoming luck. You know how bad actually hitting something can be in this game sometimes. Even with all the skill training, I'll sometimes run into fights where all my 60% attacks miss, and then the enemy monster's 35% hits me Angry

. I may have to very well accept that sometimes I'll have to soft reset in a single-segment run. Still, I really want to minimize this.

UltraDoof

2014-03-17 08:57:35 am

Further testing shows luck isn't nearly as bad after the first rank up tournament (which would be the d-rank for this speed run). After that, I have enough funds to further train until I can easily and quickly win the next rank up tournaments (with a few short tournaments here and there to keep funds going).

Wawlconut

2014-03-17 08:33:30 pm

Do you have a stream? Also are there stat goals that you hope to hit before a tournament or what? Also what about learned moves because I don't know if having the basic moves with ape would be ideal (I don't even know what his basics are I'm just throwing out ideas).

UltraDoof

2014-03-17 09:28:22 pm

So far I've been using monster age as my milestones for when to do each tournament. Once I get a better idea of the stats I'll need for each tournament, I can start going by stats instead. As for his moves, you're right, his basic moves are only really good for finishing off monsters. Luckily, there are two moves I can get early on from the power errantry. Either one should be adequate for my needs. I'm not sure if it would be worth my time to try to unlock his strongest technique, since I 1 and 2 shot most everything anyway.

And I don't have a stream right now, but I might start a stream if I can set up my computer to do it, and if I can find a good time. It would probably be later at nights if I do.

Elipsis

2014-03-20 03:51:53 pm

Man... I really love this game, but I have absolutely no interest in running it because my god the headache involved in routing...

How much do we know about RNG? Not just for hit% but also the training stuff and other random events. Can it be manipulated? Is there a strategy for the early training stages of the monster's life to make it not fail initially?

UltraDoof

2014-03-20 04:14:03 pm

It is a headache. A BIG headache, haha.
As far as the RNG, the best I know of, no one cared enough about this game to dig into stuff like RNG Cry

.
So far, I've actually not had too much of a problem with early life training. Simply scolding my monster seemed to be effective. I'm thinking smoked snakes might have to be used, as they really helped at points during my practice running.

UltraDoof

2014-03-20 04:21:02 pm

I think the optimal route may be the inconsistent route. Unless RNG can be figured out and manipulated, the fastest route seems to be hyper aggression. Ideally, I'll be able to one and two shot enough in my fights to quickly win tournaments with minimum resetting. It's inevitable with this game, though, that sometimes I'll miss two 80 accuracy attacks in a row and be forced to reset a few times. I could be much more consistent if I build up my defense as well, but that would stretch out the time it would take to prepare, and thus, make a longer run. Hyper aggression seems to be working well for me. It wouldn't take too much luck to get a fast run with minimum resets this way.

Long story short, I believe a well-rounded monster would be better for a marathon run (though I don't think this would make a good marathon game at all Wink

.). While a hyper aggressive monster (skill, power, and life) would probably get the best time with a little luck on my side.

Wawlconut

2014-03-20 07:21:06 pm

I think the problem with routing this game is the different types of monster combos you can have and movesets and stats upon creation then there's the random traits that can be pretty shit plus the fact that people probably just don't know where to start and I think the best choice for this is just playing the game with an idea and going in and then working things out.

UltraDoof

2014-03-20 07:26:01 pm

Yeah, definitely. I agree.

UltraDoof

2014-03-26 06:33:50 pm

Just a little update. Been pretty busy but I haven't forgotten this game. Gonna start recording attempts probably this weekend.

Wawlconut

2014-03-27 06:34:32 pm

This is the best news I've heard in 2014.

JackOfHearts

2015-06-13 10:31:29 am

I need another painkiller!

Hey there. Old thread I know but I have had MR2 on my to do list for ages. Recently I started playing around with it and have managed so far to get myself some decent times with this game. Me and some people on twitch have come up with some basic categories. http://pastebin.com/mprGPiuj

Using a basic strategy of making 3 Seuki Suezo's, combining 2 to make a suezo with an avg of 200 on it's stats. Raising it to C before 1002, A before 1003 and Doing S on Mar 4th. Completing all Greatest 4 battles every 3 months until winning Feb 2nd battle. Real time the best completed run (with resets) is 2:16:54. I am definitely sure it's possible to get that in under 2 hours.

The 3rd seuki is to make some money early on by only fighting one battle before official D.

JackOfHearts

2015-06-13 10:34:52 am

I need another painkiller!

Record of my best run