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The most common way to get strong gear in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is by forging armor and weapons. You can also make powerful tools by learning how to combine items. However, there is a way to get upgraded gear and items early in the game by finding bottle caps for Melynx Inc. merchants. Bottle caps can only be obtained from Everdens and through the quest board.
In this Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin guide, we’ll show you how to easily locate Everdens to find bottle caps. By using a specific riding action from certain Monsties, you can quickly find Everdens while you travel throughout the game.
How to find Everdens
Dens exist throughout every area in the open world sections of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. These small areas usually have dozens of pieces of crafting equipment to be found, treasure chests, and a monster egg at the end of their small, dungeon-like layout. However, dens appear randomly so there’s no way to rely on knowing where they are.
Everdens on the other hand have fixed locations throughout each named locale you travel through.
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Everdens are easy to spot since they look different than normal dens. The typical den looks like a natural cave entrance that may be resting up against a cliff wall or even coming out of a tree. Everdens look like they are made up of three stone slabs that form an entrance.
The easiest way to find Everdens is by having a lead Monstie with the riding action “Nest Search.” When you’re out in the open world, you can tap the B button, and that Monstie will scan the immediate area. If a normal den or Everden is within your vicinity, it will appear on your map.
This skill will highlight all the dens that appear randomly and the static location of Everdens. While the icon of a cave on your map won’t tell you the difference between den types, they are easily identifiable once you see them up close.
Once you find an Everdeen, explore the entire cave completely to find crafting materials and bottle caps. The trader cats of Melynx Inc. only accept bottle caps as currency. Their unique wares include strong weapons and armor that are usually unattainable in the early game, plus special items that unlock new features like new hairstyles, new combination recipes, upgrades to your Monstie stable, and more.