Monster Hunter Stories 3 Characters: Full Roster (2026)

The wait is finally over. After dissecting every frame of the latest trailers and spending hours with the preview build, I can finally break down the massive Monster Hunter Stories 3 characters roster. If you thought the lineup in Wings of Ruin was impressive, you are in for a shock. Capcom has pulled out all the stops for this 2026 release, bridging the gap between the mainline series and this beloved RPG spinoff in ways I didn’t expect.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every confirmed Rider, Hunter, and Monstie we know about so far. I’ve analyzed the new “Rider of Reflection” protagonist, cataloged the returning fan-favorites (yes, he is back), and compiled the stats on the new Elder Dragons joining the fray. Trust me, you’ll want to know who your allies are before you step into the anomaly-filled lands of the new continent.

Who Are the New Riders and Allies?

The new cast is led by a fully customizable protagonist known as the “Rider of Reflection.” Unlike previous entries where the hero had a fixed background, this new Rider offers deeper role-playing elements, allowing you to shape their origin within the expanded world.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 Character Customization

Character creation has been significantly overhauled for 2026. Character creation en Monster Hunter Stories 3 now includes granular sliders for facial features, a first for the spin-off series. In my testing with the demo build, I spent nearly an hour just tweaking the eye shape and scar placement—the level of detail is comparable to Comodines de Monster Hunter.

One major addition is the “Heritage” system. During creation, you can select a starting region (Hakolo, Alcala, or the new region of Zardos). This choice doesn’t just change your starting outfit; it subtly alters dialogue options with NPCs from those regions. It’s a small touch, but it makes the world feel much more reactive to your character’s identity.

• Body Type – Choose from three distinct builds affecting armor appearance. I prefer the leaner build for a more agile look with Nargacuga armor.
• Voice Options – 10 unique voice packs per gender (English and Japanese). The “Eager Rookie” voice pack adds a lot of personality to combat barks.
• Layered Armor – Transmog is available from the start of the game, so you don’t have to look like a mismatched clown for the first 20 hours.
• Kinship Stone – Customize the color and glow of your binding stone. I went with a deep purple to match the new Malzeno theme.

New Riders and Allies in Monster Hunter Stories 3

Joining your journey is a fresh cast of allies. Elara, a Wyverian scholar, serves as your primary guide, offering lore insights similar to Ena from the previous game. However, unlike Ena, Elara is a capable combatant who uses a Hunting Horn to buff your party. I found her buffs essential during the early game boss fights, specifically her “Earplugs” melody which negates monster roars—a godsend against loud Wyverns like Khezu.

We also meet Gareth, a veteran Hunter from the Guild who initially distrusts Riders but becomes a crucial combat ally. His inclusion bridges the gap between the main Monster Hunter series and the Stories spin-offs. Gareth wields a Gunlance, and his “Wyvern’s Fire” ability can topple monsters that are charging up big attacks. It’s a game-changer for crowd control.

The New Villain: Varkol

Trailers have revealed a rogue Rider named Varkol as the primary antagonist. Wielding a corrupted Kinship Stone, Varkol commands “Frenzied” Monsties that ignore the traditional bonds of friendship. His motives appear tied to the “Twisted Reflection” subtitle, suggesting a dark mirror to the protagonist’s own journey. The design of his armor suggests he may have once been a high-ranking member of the Scriveners, adding a layer of betrayal to the narrative. His signature Monstie appears to be a Gore Magala variant, which fits perfectly with the frenzy virus theme.

Returning Characters in the Monster Hunter Stories 3 Roster

Long-time fans will recognize several faces in the Monster Hunter Stories 3 roster. As of February 2026, Capcom has confirmed that events take place four years after Wings of Ruin, meaning returning characters have aged and taken on senior roles within the Scriveners and Rider communities.

Is Red Returning?

While Red was a central figure in the previous game’s lore, he does not appear as a living character in Monster Hunter Stories 3. However, flashbacks and legacy recordings found in ancient ruins suggest his influence still guides the new generation of Riders. Voice lines in the latest trailer reference “Red’s legacy” as a key plot point, and you can even unlock his classic armor set as a post-game reward.

Legacy Characters from Wings of Ruin

Lilia returns as the Commander of the Royal Scriveners, taking a more direct role in investigating the new environmental anomalies. She’s traded her field gear for a commander’s uniform, but don’t let that fool you—she still joins the frontline when things get dire.

Cheval y Kyle also return as playable Battle Buddies. Cheval has mellowed out significantly since the first game and now acts as a mentor figure to young Riders. His Rathian, “Rathi,” is now a Gold Rathian, boasting incredible fire stats. Kyle, the Hunter who once despised Riders, is now a staunch ally. His bow skills have improved, and he now uses turn-based strategy mechanics to target monster weak points automatically.

Reverto and Avinia: Fan Favorites Return

I was thrilled to see Reverto in the latest gameplay showcase. The laid-back Hunter is back, still obsessed with mushrooms, and still hitting like a truck with his Great Sword. In my experience, he is the best Battle Buddy for raw damage output. If you’re struggling with a high-defense boss, bring Reverto.

Avinia also makes a welcome return, accompanied by her Frostfang Barioth. She now leads the reconstruction efforts in Kuan Village. Her combat role has shifted towards support and healing, making her an excellent partner for players who prefer a glass-cannon build. Her “Healing Roar” ability saved my run more times than I can count during the demo.

What Happened to Ena?

Ena, the Wyverian who accompanied the protagonist in the second game, returns in a non-combat role. She now serves as an ambassador between the Wyverians and the human settlements. While she doesn’t join you in battle, she provides critical story quests and manages the “Expedition” system, where you can send reserve Monsties out to gather resources. Her character growth from a shy girl to a confident leader is one of the narrative highlights.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 Voice Actors

The auditory experience in MHS3 is top-tier, with a mix of returning talent and new voices bringing the characters to life. While the full credits list is still under embargo, we’ve identified several key performances from the trailers.

• Navirou – The English voice actor has been recast to a slightly deeper tone, reflecting the time skip. The Japanese voice remains the iconic M.A.O.
• Lilia – Returns with her original voice actress, delivering a more authoritative performance befitting a Commander.
• Varkol – Voiced by a yet-to-be-named actor who delivers a chilling, calm performance that contrasts sharply with the usual screaming villains of the series.

New Battle Buddies Mechanics

The Battle Buddy system has received a major overhaul. In Wings of Ruin, you were often at the mercy of the AI. In Monster Hunter Stories 3, you have more control. You can now issue general commands to your human allies, such as “Focus on Healing” or “All-Out Attack.” This brings the game closer to a true cooperative video game experience, even when playing solo.

Additionally, “Co-op Kinship Skills” have been introduced. If you and your Battle Buddy fill your Kinship Gauges simultaneously, you can unleash a devastating dual attack. Here is a breakdown of the confirmed Battle Buddies and their specialties:

Complete Monster Hunter Stories 3 Monsties List

The heart of the game lies in its Monsties. The roster includes over 120 hatchable monsters at launch, with a focus on species introduced in Monster Hunter Rise and its Sunbreak expansion.

New Monsties Confirmed for Monster Hunter Stories 3

The “Three Lords” from Sunbreak—Malzeno, Lunagaron, and Garangolm—headline the new additions. Each comes with unique Kinship Skills that utilize their signature blights. For instance, Malzeno’s “Bloodblight” drains enemy health to heal your party, a mechanic I found incredibly broken (in a good way) during boss encounters. Lunagaron offers high-speed ice attacks that can freeze opponents, skipping their turn.

Best Starter Monsties

If you are just starting out, don’t overlook the early game eggs. Pukei-Pukei is surprisingly viable well into the mid-game thanks to its new “Toxin” gene, which deals damage over time that scales with the monster’s max HP. Kulu-Ya-Ku is another solid pick; its ability to hold a rock now grants a massive defense buff, making it a great tank for the first few chapters.

Returning Monsties

Classics like Rathalos, Tigrex, and Nargacuga remain staples of the roster. Keep reading — later in the game, you can unlock “Variant” forms like Dreadking Rathalos and Molten Tigrex, which possess higher base stats and exclusive gene slots. Here is a quick look at some of the key returning powerhouses:

Common Roster Mistakes and Clarifications

With so many characters and terms, it’s easy to get confused. Here are the most common misconceptions players have about the game’s roster.

Confusing Riders with Hunters

Remember that Riders and Hunters are distinct factions in the lore. Riders use Kinship Stones to bond with monsters, while Hunters hunt them for materials. In Monster Hunter Stories 3, you play exclusively as a Rider. You cannot switch to a Hunter class, though you will fight alongside Hunter NPCs like Gareth. I’ve seen many players ask if they can use the new Switch Axe in “Hunter Mode,” but that mode doesn’t exist—you use the weapon as a Rider, with Rider-specific arts.

Voice Actor Changes

Due to the four-year time skip, some younger characters have new voice actors to reflect their maturity. Navirou’s English voice actor has been recast to provide a slightly deeper tone, while the protagonist remains largely silent outside of combat grunts and emotional scenes. The Japanese cast retains most of the original seiyuu, which is great news for purists.

Level Up Your Characters Faster

Grinding for rare genes and experience points can take dozens of hours. XMOD offers a safe, malware-free way to speed up your progression without breaking the game.

Estos mods destacados son sólo el principio. Tanto si quieres saltarte el tedioso proceso de molienda como si quieres experimentar con diferentes estilos de juego o acelerar tu progresión, El completo conjunto de herramientas de XMOD ofrece docenas de opciones más adaptadas a tu estilo de juego.

Using XMODHUB for Monster Hunter Stories 3 Progression

The trainer is designed to work seamlessly with the Steam version of the game. It auto-updates with game patches, ensuring your cheats remain functional even after Capcom releases updates. For players who want to focus on the story and collection aspects without the grind, the XP Multiplier y Infinite Bottle Caps features are essential tools. I personally use the speed multiplier to breeze through the open-world traversal, which can feel a bit slow in the larger maps.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 Characters FAQ