Home
/
AAA games
/
Game expansions
/

Strange monster encounter in rare den: what next?

Gamers Steer Clear of the Espinas | Caution Around New Monster Grows

By

Sophie Patel

Feb 7, 2026, 12:46 AM

Edited By

Emma Collins

Updated

Feb 7, 2026, 08:13 AM

2 minutes of duration

A player stands in front of a strange monster in a dimly lit den, looking puzzled while searching for Rathian eggs.
popular

A fresh wave of warnings is circulating in the gaming community about the newly encountered monster, Espinas, in the latest downloadable content (DLC). Players are increasingly concerned about the dangers tied to hunting for Rathian eggs in its vicinity.

The Espinas: A Formidable Foe

Players describe the Espinas as an elder dragon-level monster, amplifying the alarms around it. Many are urging caution not to engage with it, especially since trying to wake it up leads to swift repercussions. Comments from various forums reinforce this stance.

Voices from the Community

The community's voice is clear and largely discouraging:

  • Multiple players stress, "Do not wake the sleepy boi lest you wish to be burned, poisoned, and paralyzed all at once."

  • One player enthusiastically remarked, "Fine, Iโ€™ll play MH Stories 3!" demonstrating eagerness toward the content despite the looming threat.

  • Another quipped, "That is someone who doesnโ€™t like to be woken up. You have been warned."

Some discussions address the game's balance, noting the demo limits players to level 10, making it hard to grind for improved stats. "Especially since the demo locks you to level 10," noted one commenter, highlighting the additional barriers to successfully confronting or avoiding Espinas.

The fear and respect for the Espinas are evident as one user humorously dubbed it "Frank" while another stressed it was tied to past Monster Hunter Frontier lore.

What's at Stake?

The heightened caution around the Espinas suggests many players have adjusted their gameplay strategies. As excitement grows for the full game release, which may introduce the monster more regularly, users are strategizing on teamwork and avoiding direct confrontation.

  • โš ๏ธ Forums continue to serve as a platform for sharing experiences, with many noting that waking the creature is akin to a "death sentence."

  • ๐Ÿšซ A significant portion of players now recommends focusing on collaborations for egg collection rather than risking a fight with the Espinas.

  • ๐ŸŒŸ Enthusiasm for battling this formidable monster in future updates appears high, reflecting players' desire for dynamic content.

Concluding Remarks

As Monster Hunter Stories 3 approaches its full release, the Espinas is likely to challenge players in new ways. The lessons learned from past encounters resonate, pushing players to embrace a mix of caution and strategy. This experience echoes earlier gaming days when unexpected creatures could turn a quest upside down, offering a reminder of the thrills and spills in monster hunting.