The Ultimate Palico Secret Support Move: Healing Clover Bat
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If you’re diving into the world of Monster Hunter Rise and its Sunbreak expansion, you’re likely aware of the indispensable role your Palico companion plays. But with so many support skills to choose from, which one reigns supreme? The answer, without a doubt, is the Healing Clover Bat. This isn’t just a great move; it’s arguably the best Secret Support Move for maximizing survivability, particularly in multiplayer hunts. The reason for its dominance lies in its unique ability to provide consistent, area-of-effect healing, a trait unmatched by other support skills.
Why Healing Clover Bat Is Superior
The Healing Clover Bat isn’t just a simple heal. It releases a cloud of restorative powder, healing not only the Palico but also any hunters standing nearby. This area-of-effect healing is a game-changer, especially in chaotic multiplayer hunts where maintaining everyone’s health can be a struggle. Think about it: while you’re dodging a monster’s attack, your Palico is passively and consistently healing you, and your fellow hunters, significantly reducing the need for constant potion consumption.
Benefits in Multiplayer
In multiplayer settings, the Healing Clover Bat truly shines. The ability to heal multiple hunters simultaneously transforms it from a useful support move into a powerful team asset. The convenience of passive healing from your Palico allows everyone to focus more on attacking and less on dodging and healing. This increased uptime on offense can significantly speed up hunts, making it a superior choice over other single-target healing options.
Accessibility and Availability
Unlike some other powerful moves which need intricate setups or specific skills to function effectively, the Healing Clover Bat is straightforward. Its benefits are immediately apparent, making it incredibly accessible to players of all skill levels. Once unlocked, you can count on its reliable and consistent healing output in any situation.
How to Unlock Palico Secret Support Moves
Palico secret support moves, like the Healing Clover Bat, aren’t obtained through traditional methods like leveling up your Palico. Instead, they require a bit of exploration and interaction with specific NPCs in the Elgado Outpost (introduced in the Sunbreak DLC).
The Special Palico
The key to unlocking these moves involves first finding and talking to a special Palico located within the Elgado Outpost. This Palico will have a quest for you, and upon completion, will reward you with a new secret support move. The specific quest will vary depending on the desired skill, but the process is consistent: locate the Palico, complete their request, and unlock the move.
Beyond Leveling
Keep in mind that these Secret Support Moves are not obtained through traditional Palico leveling. Instead, you’ll need to engage in this quest system to unlock them. This system adds a new layer to Palico management, encouraging players to interact more with the game’s environment and NPCs.
Other Notable Palico Support Moves
While Healing Clover Bat is considered the best for survivability, several other support moves deserve a mention.
Shock Trapper
The Assist Palico type can be incredibly effective with the Shock Trapper support move. This ability allows your Palico to inflict Thunderblight on all monster types, including formidable foes like Elder Dragons such as Malzeno. Thunderblight makes KOs easier, opening up more opportunities for your team to deal significant damage.
Felyne Wyvernblast, Zap Blast Spinner, and Giga Barrel Bombay
Moves like Felyne Wyvernblast, Zap Blast Spinner, and Giga Barrel Bombay offer great direct damage output, making them viable options for players seeking offensive support from their Palicos. Anti-Monster Mine is another solid attack that has the added benefit of causing monsters to flinch, creating openings for your team. These moves are viable depending on playstyle but lack the utility and survivability factor of Healing Clover Bat.
Understanding Palico Mechanics
It’s important to have a firm grasp on some core Palico mechanics to fully utilize them.
Palico Support Types
While you can’t change a Palico’s support type after creation, this mechanic allows you to switch to a different Palico for a different role. Whether it’s an Assist Palico for debuffs and crowd control, or a healing-focused Palico, having a variety to choose from means you can tailor your Palico setup to specific hunts or situations.
Palico Leveling and Gear
A Palico’s level directly affects its Health, Attack, and Enthusiasm. As a Palico levels up, it gains access to more Support Moves and Palico Skills. As for gear, it does provide marginal benefits but doesn’t have as high an impact as proper support skill selection. Palico weapon status effects can proc decently and increase team output.
Palico Layered Armor
You can customize your Palico’s appearance using the Layered Armor Settings menu on the Buddy Board. This allows you to personalize your Palico without affecting their stats or abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I get a second Palico?
You get one Palico at the start of the game. If you want more, visit the Buddy Scout to recruit additional companions. Your main Palico is the one you create initially, and a second, “sub” Palico can be chosen from your roster.
2. Is Palico better than Palamute?
Palicos offer better support effects, such as healing, statuses, and wirebugs. While Palamutes are useful, Palicos excel in providing active benefits that enhance team survivability and damage output.
3. Does Palico level matter?
Yes, a Palico’s level significantly affects its stats and ability to learn new skills. Higher level Palicos have better health, attack, and enthusiasm, along with access to more support moves and Palico skills.
4. Is Palico armor important?
While it does provide marginal benefits, Palico gear isn’t as crucial as proper support skill selection. Focus on skills that enhance your Palico’s effectiveness and survivability rather than worrying too much about their gear.
5. How do you unlock Grimalkynes?
To find Grimalkynes, you must advance the story to the fourteenth quest in the region to unlock the lower level. Make sure to have Raw Meat in your pouch to lure them.
6. Why put Palico on standby?
When a Palico is on standby, it undergoes training automatically, gaining experience even when not actively on quests. This is useful for passively leveling Palicos you are not currently using.
7. What does Rousing Roar do?
Rousing Roar applies a green star status effect, making you immune to stuns and providing a minor increase to attack and defense.
8. What is the max level for Palico?
The maximum level for Palicos in Monster Hunter Rise and Sunbreak is Level 50.
9. Do Palico weapons matter?
Palico weapons do matter, especially those with status effects, which can proc relatively often and help to control monsters.
10. Can you upgrade Palico gear?
No, Palico gear cannot be upgraded. Instead, you must craft new weapons and armor with materials found from monster hunts.
11. What is the Palamute max level?
The maximum level for Palamutes is also Level 50, similar to Palicos.
12. Is your Palico male or female?
Palicos do not have distinct gender tells, though they are often referred to with male pronouns. It is largely up to interpretation.
13. How intelligent are Palamutes?
Palamutes are very intelligent and are capable of many of the same functions as Palicos, making them valuable companions.
14. Can you play as a Palico in Monster Hunter?
Yes, for the first time, Monster Hunter Generations allowed players to play as a Felyne/Palico.
15. What is the lifespan of a Palico?
Palicos typically reach adulthood by age 5 and rarely live longer than 50 years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while other Secret Support Moves offer valuable benefits, the Healing Clover Bat is undeniably the best choice for maximizing survivability, especially in multiplayer hunts. Its area-of-effect healing provides passive and consistent support that other moves simply cannot match. Mastering the art of Palico utilization, especially with a Healing Clover Bat wielding companion, will give you a significant edge in your hunts. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-equipped and well-chosen Palico; they can be the difference between success and failure in the challenging world of Monster Hunter Rise.