Firestone Location and Obtaining Guide Brian Arnold a.k.a bmarnold Email: bmarnold@uga.edu In Game Name: Tweeks Hunter Rank 20 Guide Started on 9/5/2005 Version 1.0 on 9/6/2005 Copyright 2005 Brian Arnold This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. Background: Many people will go through the first 13 Hunter Ranks (here on abbreviated as HR) not having any clue what a Firestone is. Hark, they then hit that glorious level in which a world of possibilities for armor and weapons opens to them. They look at the materials needed for crafting their much wanted Grayberg Javilen, and they think, "What the hell is a Firestone?" Off they go to the Message Boards at GameFaqs.com and post a message entitled "FirestonesÉ..where?" However, there seem to be a couple misconceptions as to how and where a Firestone can be found. Well, be confused and deceived no more. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- What is a Firestone? A Firestone is a rare ore that is used to make some of the best weapons in the game, pre-HR 17. The three best examples I can give are the Red Dragonsword, Grayberg Javelin (in my opinion, the second best lance in the game), and the Gunhammer Prototype. These tricky ores can be acquired several different ways. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where Can I Find A Firestone? As said before, there are a couple options for finding these stones, and in the following section, I hope to uncover all these possibilities. Mining: Yes, they can be mined. In fact, pre-17 players find this to be the fastest way to acquire them (including my self when I was HR 16). They are found in advanced quests (a.k.a. "+ quests") that take place in the Volcanic zone. They are found in area 8, which is the northern most area in this zone. There are three mining points in this area, and a firestone can be mined from the two points against the southern wall. In case that is a little confusing, I will explain using directions. When you enter into zone 8 you will run up a large hill. At the top, you would turn left and run next to the fire pit. The two mining points are on the wall to your left marked with an "X." The other mining point is found at the large rock to your right, when you reach the top of the hill. It is not marked and it does NOT have any firestones. There have been many misconceptions that firestones can be mined in areas 4 and/or 5. THIS IS FALSE!! There are no firestones in this area. If you hear someone say the contrary, they are incorrect; area 8 only. Carving: Believe it or not, a firestone can be carved. When doing a Gravios + fight, a firestone can be carved from itÕs tail. It doesnÕt matter whether youÕre fighting him in the volcanic or swamp zone, you can carve them from both. Chances are kind of rare to carve one, although I am not positive on the percentage. Rewards: Firestone can be obtained in the rewards that you receive for finishing the Powderstone + quests. There are two of them (one with Gravios and one with Rathalos), and you can get them from both. I seem to get one almost every time I do the quest, so its percentage must be relatively high. Forest Elder: The forest elder will trade you a Firestone for a Lao Spine. Lao Spines can be obtained only in the Lao+ fight. However, they are very common in carves and rewards. I usually come away from the fights with several of them. This can be the fastest and most consistent way to acquire firestones, however the Lao+ fight can only be fought by characters HR 17 and up. If youÕre anxious to get your firestones before 17 (like I was), then this option isnÕt for you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-HR 17 Guide to Acquiring Firestones: This section of the guide is to aid/help any player who wants their firestone before HR 17. This is my technique, and I found it to be the most profitable and least time consuming process. First off, if you are ever doing an advanced (+) quest in the Volcanic zone, go mine in area 8 first, if you need Firestones. 9 out of 10 people do this, and itÕs accepted by practically everyone. Even if you get someone who tells you not to, and that you have to fight or whatever, just do it anyways. People who piss and moan about people mining in area 8 first are usually not the brightest bulbs in the box. Any ways, on to my technique. The best way to get the stones is to Suicide Mine for them. The best time to do this would be when youÕre HR 16 and you have you Basarios+ Urgent quest. What you want to do is start it up. As soon as you spawn in the quest, run over and grab a couple meds and cool drinks, but donÕt use them yet. Your first stop will be to area 8. Go through the following areas to get to 8: 1-2-4-5-7-8. Yes, you will lose health because of the heat, but donÕt worry. You will have plenty of time to get to 8 and mine. DonÕt stop in the other areas; go directly to 8. When you reach the area, mine the two points that will possibly yield a stone. If you do not get a firestone, abandon the quest, and start over. If you do get a firestone, follow the next couple steps. Make sure that you gather two Dragon Seeds at the far left side of area 8. You can use these later either for Dragon Shot or you can sell the seeds to compensate for the cost of the quest. Then head back over to third mining point in area 8 and gather what you can. Then exit into area 7. After zoning, to your left, there will be a bunch of rocks that seem to be in a circle. Go over there and gather; you will find Power Seeds and Unknown Skulls which sell for a decent amount, more than enough to cover the cost of the quest and pick axes. I then head to area 5 and let the Ioprey and Vespoids kill me. When I return to camp, I run up to area 4 and mine the two points in there while the Vespoids and heat kills me. However, there are two cats in this area. Make sure you keep an eye on them. If they spot you, kill them, or else you might fling your controller into you television screen after they steal your firestone (and boy did it piss me off). If you want to be safe, just kill them when you enter. While mining in area 4, you will die and be sent back to camp. If you did not finish mining there, return and mine until there is nothing further. Then return to area 2 and mine there with the Ioprey killing you. After you die for the third time, you will be a firestone (or two) richer with some other nice ores (Dragonite, Union, Rustones, Earth Crystals, etc.). ThatÕs how I broke it down, and it gave me the biggest profit with the least amount of work. Feel free to try it and modify it as it fits your needs. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Rumors and Misconceptions: This section is provided to eliminate any rumors that you may here about Firestones, or how to acquire them. 1. You can mine Firestones in areas 4 and 5. This is false. Firestones can be mined in area 8 ONLY. And they can only be found in the two mining points that are on the southern wall. Please donÕt be tricked by someone who says that you can find them elsewhere. 2. If you throw stones into the lava pool in area 8, then your chances will be increased. I know this may sound like a bit of a joke, but I have heard it before. Again, this is about as false as my grandmotherÕs teeth. 3. If you pet all the pigs, you chances for getting a firestone will be increased. False, False, and FALSE. This is a common misconception about mining in general. I will explain it again, as most others have before me. Petting the pig will raise you luck only for one reason: the rewards and the end of a quest. It has NOTHING to do with mining and will not increase your chance of mining anything rare. Firestones fall under this category. If petting the pig gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling, then knock yourself out. Just know that it really doesnÕt matter when searching for firestones. 4. Lao-Shan spines can be obtained in the regular fight (as opposed to the + version). Even though this doesnÕt directly pertain to Firestones, it does concern itself with an avenue of obtaining one. Spines from Lao-Shan can only be found in the + version of the fight. 5. Firestones can also be carved from Basarios. Nope. Again, another false claim. It can only be carved from the tail of a Gravios +. If there are any other rumors that I am unaware of, please email them to me, and I will update them. The worst players are the misinformed ones. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, that about does it. My hope for anyone reading this guide, is that they go away feeling confident that they know what a Firestone is and how to properly find one. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to send me an email, or let me know in the game, if you see me. Thanks. Thank Yous: To Holly, my audience. To Daniel (Spehie), my editor. To Buschka, Probably the best guy I know online. To Capcom, for making a great game. To Game Faqs, for posting this guide. And finally to all of you who have started these rumors (you know who you are). Without you, Monster Hunter would be a much less interesting game.