Intro: The Hunter's Handbook
There's no deadlier prey than monsters, and if you're planning to hunt them in Evolve, you're going to need some advice (and no small amount of ammunition). Luckily, we've got your back.
In this quick guide, we'll give you the rundown on monsters in general, and then look at each one individually so you know exactly what you're up against and how you can take it down. Many hunters died to bring us this information, so honor their memory and use it to avenge them and obliterate that big ass monster.
(Thankfully monsters can't read, otherwise they could use this information to recognize their weaknesses, play up their strengths, and kill more of us. Phew.)
Monster Basics
Monsters love to do three things: kill, eat, and deconstruct complex, expensive electrical equipment. And all three of those things are a major threat to your continued existence.
You probably already know that letting the monster kill things is a bad idea -- mostly because "things" typically means you or your allies. But letting monsters kill wildlife is almost as bad! Eating wildlife lets monsters evolve into more powerful stages and upgrade their death-distributing abilities, so they'll try to do it a lot early on in the match.
However, when monsters retreat into their cocoons to evolve, they're temporarily vulnerable. So, if you're feeling risky, you can try to set up a trap.
Some monsters prefer to avoid conflict and try to win by destroying your power relay -- the glowing engine box in your base. This takes a lot of time and if you're around to pepper them with death bullets, they'll be forced to fight or retreat.
You have reinforcements on the way, so you don't necessarily need to kill the monster to win. You just have to prevent if from destroying the power relay -- or all of your faces -- before the time runs out.
It's hard. It's bloody. And every single second is an intense adrenaline rush you won't forget.
The Behemoth
A massive, hulking rock monster with plenty of durability, dangerous area attacks, and a refined love of smashing little things to bits.
Abilities:
Lava Bomb: When the Behemoth belches out his nasty fireball surprise, everybody runs. These burning bombs will ignite everything where they land, including you and that tasty animal you were trying to prevent it from eating. He can lob them insanely far, so find cover.
Tongue Grab: Lady rock monsters look out -- the Behemoth is most definitely a grade-A kisser. His expert control of his tongue lets him grab anything not nailed down and pull it to his gross husk. Not only is it super gross, but this can be a death sentence for a lone Hunter caught out of position. Especially because...
Rock Wall: When the Behemoth gets you alone, he can cut you off from all of your allies by smashing up a massive wall in front of him. You're not going anywhere.
Fissure: In case you haven't taken the hint yet, you shouldn't stand on the ground in front of the Behemoth. Still don't get it? He'll be happy to teach you in person with this massive line-damage rupture attack.
Survival Tips:
Stay in the air or on higher footing -- the Behemoth is slow and can't jump.
Aim for the gaps in his armor on his torso, especially when he's preparing a big attack. They aren't huge holes, but if you can hit 'em, he'll definitely feel the pain.
You won't be able to scare him away from the things he wants, like wildlife or your power relay too easily. His massive health pool gives him more time to soak damage before he gets worried. Punish his complacency if he overstays his welcome, though.
The Goliath
A surprisingly agile lizard-ish monster that wants to burninate your home, jump across ravines, and claw off your face -- preferably in that order.
Abilities:
Fire Breath: Don't group up -- unless you think being lit on fire together could be a good team building exercise. (Spoiler: It's not.)
Leap Smash: The Goliath is way more mobile than he looks. He'll leap right onto your tiny body if he wants to fight, or leap across a canyon or over a building if he doesn't.
Charge: Sometimes the Goliath gets tired of jumping, so he mixes it up by just running straight at your face, and then proceeding to smash it. Try to keep sturdy structures between you and him whenever you can to break this up.
Rock Throw: Of course, if you're too hard to reach, the Goliath will just chuck a huge boulder at you. It's their version of slapping you with a lace glove -- when it happens, you know it's time to duel.
Survival Tips:
It's hard to be sneaky when you're on fire. Cloaked characters need to be careful about avoiding Fire Breath if they want to remain unseen.
Trapping a Goliath in a dome doesn't make him an easy target. Watch out for his constant leaping and charging and focus on slowing him down to make it easier to land your hits.
Be careful about attempting to rescue a downed ally within leap range of a Goliath. If he's paying attention, you could be setting him up for a double kill.
The Kraken
Sometimes life isn't fair. The Kraken is proof of that with its massive electric tentacles, screaming death mines, and swooping snipe attacks.
Abilities:
Lightning Strike: Just in case you hadn't heard: lightning hurts. The Kraken can dish out massive pain from afar by sniping with the lightning bolts he shoots out. They hurt just as much up close, but the real threat is getting hit before you even know it sees you.
Banshee Mine: Speaking of getting yourself surprise killed, these little bastard mines can be attached anywhere in the world, and will often be planted in tight corridors. Skirt over or around any potential choke points to avoid them.
Aftershock: When the Kraken starts glowing, do whatever you can to get away from him. He's a ticking time bomb of electric death when this happens. And always keep one eye looking up -- the Kraken can fly short distances and loves to pounce on unsuspecting Hunters right as his Aftershock is ready to explode.
Vortex: At least it's not electricity, but this gust of wind still hurts. Try to avoid the front of the monster if you can.
Survival Tips:
More than any other monster, the Kraken wants to set up traps and ambush points. Always be wary of walking into tight corridors or blind corners. Assume every choke point is a trap.
The Kraken has a big power spike at stage 2 of its evolution and will often try to force fights to take advantage of it. Since you know they're likely coming for you, make the Kraken fight on your terms.
Keep an eye on dangerous wildlife near you. A well-placed Vortex can send you flying backwards into big trouble.
The Wraith
You will curse this monster's name more than any other. It's annoying hit-and-run tactics are deadly, unpredictable, and absolutely legitimate justification for wetting your pants.
Abilities:
Warp Blast: The Wraith does everything with finesse. When she charges you, she doesn't bash heads like the Goliath -- she teleports forward, bypassing mines and traps. And then, to top it off, she releases a minor explosion every time she does it.
Abduction: They say the true test of a friendship is when a terrifying monster suddenly appears behind your friend and teleports them both away behind a nearby boulder. Lesser folks would count themselves lucky and run away, but Hunters have to charge in after them.
Decoy: Just when you think you've got the sneaky bastard cornered, you'll realize that it was just her decoy -- an illusion that looks real enough to waste bullets on while she lurks invisible nearby.
Supernova: When the Wraith wants a piece of land, you give it to her. She'll mark it with a Supernova that grants her insane attack bonuses while fighting inside. Unless you want to end your life as a shishkebab, force her to leave the area to fight you.
Survival Tips:
Instead of jumping, the Wraith dashes forward, making her extremely hard to keep up with. But each dash leads a small puff of smoke behind, so you can still track her.
Her decoy leaves a small smoke trail behind it, and flashes white when it's shot, so keep an eye out for those signs when fighting what you think is the real Wraith.
Communicate constantly with your teammates and make sure no one gets stranded. When an ally gets abducted, you need to be able to rush to their aid immediately.
Happy hunting
Each monster has a lot of nuance and personality that you'll learn as you fight it, but hopefully this quick rundown will help you get started.
When in doubt, remember the two rules of being a Hunter: stay with your friends, and shoot everything else.
