Monster Hunter Rise provides you with a variety of tools to aid you on your hunts, but some of the most invaluable assets are your buddies--the game's term for your Palamute and Palico companions. Not only can buddies accompany you on quests, lending their support as you battle monsters, but they can also be sent off on their own separate missions, gathering additional resources for you. Here's everything you need to know about recruiting and utilizing buddies in Monster Hunter Rise.

Buddy Overview

As previously mentioned, there are two types of buddies in Monster Hunter Rise: the dog-like Palamutes and cat-like Palicoes. You'll begin the game by creating one of each, with additional buddies available for hire as you progress through the adventure. You can bring two buddies along with you on solo quests (or one buddy if you're playing with other players), and each type has distinct attributes and abilities that make them helpful in different ways.

Palamutes are generally better attackers than Palicoes and will lend a paw in the heat of battle, but they're most helpful when it comes to traversal. You can ride your Palamute at any point during a quest for an extra bit of speed. Your Palamute won't lose any stamina while running, letting you cover ground much more quickly than you could on foot--a huge boon considering how large the game's maps can be. Not only that, but your Palamute will also sprint vertically up climbable walls, allowing you to reach elevated areas in a fraction of the time it would normally take.