Explore Abilities

**Explore Abilities** are special abilities that every Monster has that can be used in the field rather than in combat. Each of these Explore Abilities can handle different obstacles, and some may even be a combination of two abilities. In New Game+, you cannot use an Explore Ability until you encounter a Monster that has it (the Monster must be an opposing Monster) or its egg is given by an NPC.

Below, you'll find a complete list of all of the obstacles in the game along with every ability that can handle it and which Monsters have it. For a list of all Explore Abilities, see Explore Ability List.

## Destruction

### Breakable Walls

Some walls in the Monster Sanctuary can be destroyed using a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Charging Mount** ability allows you to destroy walls while riding the Monster.

* Claws
* Tackle
* Slash
* Heavy Punch
* Toxic Slam
* Light Crush
* Crush
* Corrosive Jabs
* Charging Mount

### Impassible Vines

Vines that bar your passage forward can be removed using a Monster's Explore Ability.

* Claws
* Ignite
* Slash
* Fiery Shots

### Diamond Blocks

Diamond blocks preventing you from proceeding forward can be destroyed using a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Charging Mount** ability allows you to destroy diamond blocks while riding the Monster.

* Light Crush
* Crush
* Charging Mount

### Magic Walls

Magic walls can be dissolved with music using a Monster's Explore Ability.

* Minnesang

## Orbs

### Fire Orbs

Fire Orbs can be activated using a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Fiery Shots** ability can activate Fire Orbs from a further distance.

* Ignite
* Fiery Shots

### Water Orbs

Water Orbs can be activated using a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Corrosive Jabs** ability can activate Water Orbs from a further distance.

* Bubble Burst
* Corrosive Jabs

### Lightning Orbs

Lightning Orbs can be activated using a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Shock Freeze** ability can activate Lightning Orbs from a further distance.

* Lightning Bolt
* Shock Freeze

### Earth Orbs

Earth Orbs can be activated using a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Slime Shot**, **Jewel Blast** and **Toxic Freeze** abilities can activate Earth Orbs from a further distance.

* Slime Shot
* Toxic Slam
* Jewel Blast
* Toxic Freeze

### Ice Orbs

Ice Orbs can be activated using a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Snowball Toss**, **Shock Freeze** and **Toxic Freeze** abilities can activate Ice Orbs from a further distance.

* Freeze
* Snowball Toss
* Shock Freeze
* Toxic Freeze

## Mobility

### Distant Ledges

You can float out an extra distance to reach distant or higher platforms or ledges with a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Improved Flying** and **Dual Mobility** abilities lifts you higher and carries you farther. The **Lofty Mount** ability allows you to glide to reach faraway ledges.

* Flying
* Improved Flying
* Lofty Mount
* Dual Mobility

### Swimming

Some Monsters allow you to swim freely in the water. The **Improved Swimming** and **Dual Mobility** abilities allow you to swim through water streams.

* Swimming
* Improved Swimming
* Dual Mobility

### Mounts

Some Monsters allow you to ride them. While mounted, you run faster and jump slightly higher than normal. Mounts allow you to run through fragile floors. There are four upgraded versions of mounts:

* **Sonar Mount** allows you to navigate through dark rooms easily.
* **Lofty Mount** has increased speed and jump height compared to other mounts.
* **Charging Mount** can be ridden to destroy breakable walls and diamond blocks.
* **Tar Mount** makes you unaffected by tar.

* Mount
* Sonar Mount
* Lofty Mount
* Charging Mount
* Tar Mount

### Tar

Some Monsters allow you to mount them without being affected by tar. The **Dual Mobility** ability allows you to swim freely in tar, whereas the **Tar Mount** ability makes you move faster through tar.

* Dual Mobility
* Tar Mount

## Utility

### Ground Switches

Ground switches bounce back up when you step off of them. Some Explore Abilities create an object to keep them pressed. The **Summon Big Rock** ability is required to activate larger switches.

* Summon Rock
* Summon Mushroom
* Summon Big Rock

### Heavy Blocks

Heavy blocks can be pushed aside using a Monster's Explore Ability.

* Tackle

### Torches

Torches can be enkindled using a Monster's Explore Ability.

* Ignite
* Lightning Bolt
* Fiery Shots

### Dark Rooms

Dark rooms can be properly navigated with a Monster's Explore Ability. The **Sonar Mount** ability allows you ride the Monster while giving dark room vision.

* Sonar
* Light
* Sonar Mount
* Light Crush

### Intangibility

Some Monsters allow you to avoid detection by wild Monsters using their Explore Ability.

* Ghost Form
* Spore Shroud

### Grappling Anchors

Some Monsters allow you to latch on to special grapple points and pull yourself toward them using their Explore Ability.

* Grapple

### Narrow Corridors

Some Monsters allow you to transform into a smaller shape in order to enter and navigate through narrow, small passages using their Explore Ability.

* Blob Form
* Morph Ball

### Big Boulders

Large, heavy square boulders can be lift up using a Monster's Explore Ability.

* Levitate

### Invisible Platforms

Some Monsters allow you to see otherwise invisible platforms to jump on with their Explore Ability.

* Secret Vision

### Magical Vines

Magical vines can be opened up when you get close to them using a Monster's Explore Ability.

* Spore Shroud