Firestone Location and Obtaining Guide
Brian Arnold a.k.a bmarnold
Email:
[email protected]
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
