Sign Up   Sign In   User C/P   Add Favourite  SignOut

An Explanation
I don't particularly like the way the current ones are set up - a lot is educated guesses, and they don't provide much information of the kind I'm looking for. Most notably, the main one is not up to date, and it is doubtful it ever will be changed.

Here is how I propose to organise it:
First and foremost, no conjecture. If you have never trained somewhere, don't post about it.

I will create a list of all the monsters currently in GMS, sorted by level most likely. Feel free to describe your experiences training with any of them, I will try to update frequently. Any monsters that remain here for a long time without being suggested can probably be assumed to be poor training.

I will assign them to levels based on good training, but I have not tried a lot - I was at least level 65 when Ludibrium came out and I never trained at most of it.

Primary headings will be groups of ten levels (1-9, 10-19, etc.). Within these, monsters will be listed in order of the first level you can train efficiently at them.

Each monster will have the level range in which they are most efficient (erring on the side of staying longer than necessary), then the monster's name, a rating of how good they are during these levels (in comparison to other monsters grouped in the same levels), then any pertinent comments explaining this rating ("map shared with Dark Yetis", "Very good spawn", "Terrible on the wallet", "Minimum damage should be at least 1200", etc.)

If a monster has different ratings for different 3rd jobs, I will enter the monster multiple times, in different colours. This can be worked out later.

Similarly, if a monster is viable through several 10s of levels, it will be entered twice, so it can be compared at each point.

Once a significant amount of the monsters have been described thus, I will begin to colour-code the monsters by training quality and produce some relevant graphs for quick reference. (eg. Great, Good, Ok, Poor, Terrible.)

Through this I hope to reduce the number of threads asking where to train.

Training Areas
How to use it:
Find your level.
Try monsters suggested for that level.
If they're good, stay there.
If they're not good, try earlier or later monsters, depending how you feel about it.
If you straight out disagree with my advice, post. I'm listening.

[Beginning level]-[ending level] [Monster name] [Rating]
[Explanation]

Level 1-9
1-6 Snail Great
Until you're doing about 18-20 damage, these are the best choice. Spawning all on their own in the first map, stay here. By far the best exp per HP in the entire game.
4-8 Blue Snail Good
The maps are shared with either Snails or Red Snails - Still a good choice.
5-9 Mushroom Ok
No real place that spawns lots of these, their exp is reasonable though.
8-9 Red Snail Good
These are good once you do lots of damage with those beginner weapons.
8-9 Slime Ok
A bit tough at this point, if you've got a good weapon for whatever reason though, go ahead.
Level 10-19
10-19 Slime Great
I love these guys. They don't do much damage, and thus the amount of mesos you get is very reasonable. They spawn in huge numbers, so it's usually easy to share a map.
12-18 Stump Poor
Slow-moving, but also slow-spawning. There's really no good spot to hunt these, and they give lower exp than the others.
15-19 Pig Ok
Pig Beach is crowded with ranged characters. At these levels they don't care what they do to you - you'll have a tough time competing with them. I avoided this place entirely.
16-19 Ribbon Pig Good
If you can get these to yourself, you'll get exp quickly. As I said earlier though - it can be tough to find a spot.
17-19 Octopus Ok
I've never found a decent map to hunt these for a length of time. Most of them have too many other monsters, especially the frustrating Jr. Neckis.
18-19 Green Mushroom Ok
A bit tough to tackle now unless you have a decent level Powerstrike and good equipment. You might have trouble making money here at this point.
Level 20-29
20-22 Slime Ok
Exp starts to slow down, but you continue to rake in the cash.
20-24 Pig/Ribbon Pig Good
Should be able to fend for yourself a bit better by now, the exp is again slowing down though.
20-25 Octopus Ok
Again, I don't like the maps they're in, but their etc. item is used in a quest so you may be able to sell it for a reasonable price.
20-29 Green Mushroom Great
With a fast spawn in several of the Tree Dungeons, get used to it. They'll keep you going to your second job.
23-29 Bubbling Good
Nice spawn in B1, but requires a jump quest to access. Money is not so good and accuracy requirement is higher, but exp is fast.
25-29 Horny Mushroom Good
Tougher than the Green Mushroom, but more experience. If your character is well equipped they'll be a better choice.
25-29 Blue Mushroom Ok
These have more HP for the same exp as Horny Mushrooms. They also spawn slowly. Hunt them if you must, but it won't be that great.
28-29 Zombie Mushroom Ok
A bit too strong for my tastes at this point, the Ant Tunnels they share with Horny Mushrooms are good though.
Level 30-39
30-32 Horny Mushroom Ok
By this point the exp is getting rather slow. Time to move on unless you're strapped for cash.
30-32 Blue Mushroom Poor
Only hunt these if you need the items.
30-34 Zombie Mushroom Good
They hold the position until you're ready for the Wild Boars. Oh, those crazy Wild Boars.
30-38 Wild Boar Great
If you can get a free training spot, these are nice. They drop lots of cheap jewelery, padding your pocket nicely. Plus everywhere from here is down.
34-39 Evil Eye Ok
The main thing I disliked about these was the money drops. It's practically impossible to earn money here, since they drop so little and the Jr. Boogies infest the maps. The spawn and exp are quite good.
35-39 Fire Boar Good
Really these are the leadup to Jr. Kitties - more convenient to try these since they are on Victoria, and their drops are decent.
38-39 Jr Lioner, Jr Cellion, Jr Grupin Great
Lots of money and the etc. drops sell to impatient noobs quickly. The main drawback is the crowd of Mages who train here - many are impolite.
Level 40-49
40-43 Fire Boar Good
At this point you'll want to choose the map shared with Copper Drakes - your first monster that should take several hits to kill.
40-47 Jr Lioner, Jr Cellion, Jr Grupin Good
These remain a good source of income through these levels, though the exp drags on.
41-46 Copper Drake Good
I don't personally like this monster much due to other players' inability to share it properly, but it has potential. Should take a few hits to kill until the late 40's, at which point the exp will suck.
42-48 Curse Eye Good
Poor money, unless you find items. The exp is reasonable.
43-49 Nependeath Poor
If you want to find a Honey, go here as soon as you can hit the Pixies all the time and kill Nependeaths in about 2 hits. The money and exp will be nothing to write home about, but you have no choice. Drop rates are decent on the Pixies so you should get some items.
44-49 Iron Hog Ok
Not a great spawn and lots of armor, but they don't do much damage so it's pretty cheap to train here.
44-49 Cold Eye Good
Unfortunately there's no great map of these at this level. They're nice exp and have decent drops.
45-49 Stone Golem Ok
Slower to kill, but they move slowly too. I wouldn't consider them one of the better places to get exp.
45-49: Block Golems / King Block Golems (Good)
Better than Copper Drakes because they do less damage and move more slowly, so can be avoided better. The map is also smaller and entirely Block Golems.
46-49 Drake Good
More HP, more money, and so on. Good place to train while you work up your 2nd job skills to prepare for the tougher stuff at level 50.
Level 50-59
50-53 Block Golem / King Block Golem Good
Still a similar exp rate to Jr. Yetis at these levels, but they require much less accuracy.
50-59 Jr. Yeti Great
Ah, the source of 60% Glove Atk scrolls. You'll probably want to check these out, they lend themselves to large mobs thanks to the map design.
50-59 Drake Great
When you've not got much accuracy, you go here. Easy to kill, and they drop loads of Kumbis.
50-59 Cold Eye Good
At this point you're mostly killing them because they're in all the maps Drakes are in. They're not hard to kill though.
53-59 Wild Cargo Good
You're here for the equipment drops. They give lots of exp but don't spawn very quickly.
Level 60-69
60-64 Drake / Cold Eye / Wild Cargo Good
Exp is slower but money is better. If you find yourself poor, stick here a few levels.
62-68 Hector Good
Another mob-friendly monster, these have an easily avoidable magic attack, but do not give great exp.
63-69 Coolie Zombie Great
Exp is awesome, mesos catch up in the later levels as you kill them more efficiently.
65-69 Master Chronos / Platoon Chronos Good
Exp is comparable to Hectors, but these have better drops. You should be shooting for 1 hit kills here, and running at high speed. Master Chronos have slightly higher HP & EXP, choose whatever suits.
66-69 White Pang Good
Exp is best when partied, these have good item and meso drops with low-risk.
66-69 Mixed Stone Golems Good
Respawn rate is very fast, but you should have decent equips - able to consistently kill them in 2 hits.
67-69 Yeti / Jr. Yeti (Transformed) Ok
Still a bit tough, you'll need 3rd job skills to take these on more efficiently. The maps with lots of real Jr. Yetis are probably the best place to take these on for now.
68-69 Pepe Good
The maps are split with either Hectors or Jr. Yetis depending where you go, and the exp rate is pretty good. These require quite a lot of accuracy, though.
Level 70-79
At this point the classes begin to diverge, thanks to the variety provided by 3rd job skills. For now most of it is from my White Knight perspective. I've never played any other 3rd job class, so I can guarantee nothing.
70-73 Tauromacis Ok
Slower exp but better drops than Zombies. If you really need a change, go here.
70-75 Pepe Good
In between Zombies and Yetis' HP, these are a place to go if you want a change. The exp is not as great as Zombies, but the money in my experience is better (since the drops are rarer) and the Pepes drop better ores.
70-75 Drake / Cold Eye / Cargo Good
For Polearm Dragon Knights, the exp here is still good in the 70s since there are mobs all over the map. Unfortunately this map is a common target for hackers and very far from towns.
70-78 Coolie Zombie Good
Still decent exp as in levels 6x, depending on job you can stay here a while.
70-79 Mixed Stone Golems Great
Fast exp and can be partied, these have good drops as well.
73-79 Yeti / Jr. Yeti (Transformed) Good
Mostly good for money. Coolie Zombies have an unparalleled spawn rate.
75-79 Buffoon / Deep Buffoon Ok
The only real option for White Knights with Ice Charge, exp is ok and mesos are good but the spawn is poor.
79- Yeti and Pepe Good
Last time I was here these had several valuable drops. This was the main reason to hunt them. You don't make money otherwise; they stomp and bump you too much.
78-79 Death Teddy / Ghost Pirate Good
Great exp, horrible money use. Try to get a Cleric or Priest to party.
Level 80-89
80-84 Yeti and Pepe Ok
Slow exp, but the money is still good if you find stuff. The White Pangs were nice to me.
80-85 Death Teddy / Ghost Pirate Great
Good exp, bad money. Ghost Pirates are better when you solo, since they don't attack if you stay in melee range. It's much easier to find a Priest at Death Teddies.
83-89 Master Death Teddy Great
(Note: Not for White Knights)
Until you can tackle Grims, these are the best monsters in Ludibrium for exp, so expect to spend the 8x here if you can find a Priest.
85-89 Dual Ghost Pirate Good
Drops here aren't great either, but the exp is good. Unfortunately to make money, you're still heading back to the Death Teddies for parties, unless you find Steelys.
Level 90-99
90-99 Dual Ghost Pirate Good
More soloing goes on here. They don't attack you if you're careful, which is more than I can say for the Vikings.
91-99 Spirit Viking Great
Hook yourself up a party and watch the exp come flooding in. Partying is the big thing by this point. The major catch is your Accuracy - you need a crapton of it.
92-99 Squid Good to Great
Decent exp, no elemental weakness so not so great for WKs.
93-99 Grim Phantom Watch Great
Quite simply, nothing compares to these for exp. They're a bit higher level than the Vikings so accuracy is again the trouble.
Level 100+
Grim Phantom Watch
Highest exp per monster that can be trained on for now.
Lethal Squid
Good Priest navigation for large parties (5-6)
Spirit Viking
Alternative to Lethal Squid, advantage for White Knights in that they are weak to Lightning.
Dual Pirate
Good exp in parties, better if you can KB. Not really fast exp for soloing.

Here is the full list of monsters. Any in italics are entered already:
Level 0
Snail
Blue Snail
Shroom
Stump
Red Snail
Slime
Pig
Orange Mushroom
Ribbon Pig
Dark Stump
Level 10
Octopus
Bubbling
Green Mushroom
Axe Stump
Blue Mushroom
Stirge
Level 20
Jr. Necki
Horned Mushroom
Dark Axe Stump
Pinboom
Jr. Sentinel
Trixter
Cicle
Zombie Mushroom
Wild Boar
Krappi
Evil Eye
Cico
Green Trixter
Bubblefish
Flowerfish
Fierry
Ice Sentinel
Fire Sentinel
Sentinel
Brown Teddy
Drum Bunny
Krip
Level 30
Chirppy
Ligator
Fire Boar
Ratz
Pink Teddy
Mask Fish
Leatty
Dark Leatty
Jr. Cellion
Jr. Lioner
Jr. Grupin
Dirty Ratz
Roloduck
Tick
Curse Eye
Jr. Wraith
Star Pixie
Jr. Boogie
Jr. Pepe
Bloctopus
Helly
Panda Teddy
Scuba Pepe
Lorang
Lupin
Propelly
Chronos
King Bloctopus
Planey
Jr. Seal
Tweeter
Toy Trojan
Cold Eye
Zombie Lupin
*King Slime
Tick-Tock
Poopa
Poison Poopa
Barnard Gray
Level 40
Flyeye
Tobo
Platoon Chronos
Mateon
Nependeath
Iron Hog
Block Golem
Freezer
Zeta Gray
Jr. Cerebes
Sparker
Master Robo
Plateon
Lunar Pixie
Copper Drake
King Block Golem
Iron Boar
Ultra Gray
Tortie
Master Chronos
Mecateon
Dark Nependeath
*Rombot
Wraith
Clang
*Chief Gray
Jr. Yeti
Drake
Level 50
Jr. Effy
Croco
Luster Pixie
Cellion
Lioner
Grupin
*MT-09
Stone Gollem
Hector
Malady
Dark Jr. Yeti
*Alishar
Coolie Zombie
Minor Zombie
White Pang
Dark Stone Gollem
Mix Gollem
Red Drake
*Mushmom
Pepe
Level 60
Buffy
Wild Cargo
Soul Teddy
Dark Pepe
Yeti
Jr. Yeti (Transformed)
*Zombie Mushmom
Lazy Buffy
Master Soul Teddy
Dark Yeti
Dark Jr. Yeti (Transformed)
Tauromacis
Klock
Level 70
*High Dark Star
Cerebes
Lucida
Buffoon
Taurospear
Werewolf
*Blood Boom
Dark Klock
Deep Buffoon
Yeti & Pepe
Jr. Balrog
Lycanthrope
*Low Dark Star
Level 80
Dark Yeti & Pepe
Ghost Pirate
Death Teddy
Goby
Dual Ghost Pirate
Master Death Teddy
Bain
Exploding Goby House
Level 90
Bone Fish
Spirit Viking
Black Squid
Phantom Watch
Grim Phantom Watch
Lethal Squid
Gigantic Spirit Viking
*Time Sphere
*Crimson Balrog
Shark
Level 100
Cold Shark
Thanatos
Gate Keeper
*Doom Flounder
*Papulatus Clock
*Papulatus
*Zakum

*'s indicate Bosses and their Minions.

Other Information

How to choose maps when names are not specified:
http://www.4maple.com/database-html/monsters1.html
Find the monster you want to hunt. Use a search on this page to get it and click it. Maps where they appear are listed. Click a few - look at how the minimap is, and what other monsters are on the map.
Generally, smaller maps are better for soloing (narrow or single platform - eg. Eos Tower or Zombies). However, sometimes the larger ones will have better mob buildup while you're wandering around the map. Fortunately most maps with certain monsters are near each other - the main exceptions I can think of are all on Victoria Island, where the monsters you'll hunt in level 10-30 may appear in very distant places.

Consider the other monsters on the map. If they're much stronger or much weaker than the ones you want to hunt, it may be a problem - you'll have to judge this for yourself.

Another thing to look for is good circulation. If you can go around the entire map without covering the same ground twice, that's ideal. A little backtracking is ok, but gigantic ladders and running around on platforms with no monsters left is not fun. Some of the bad maps for this are the Croco maps, and to some extent the Chronos maps.

If you find something not mentioned, or have something to say about one of the descriptions, feel free. I'll take it into consideration.



If this post gets too long, I'll throw the level categories into Spoilers too. For now I think we're ok.


If you have experience with the Ludibrium or Aqua Road monsters, help is appreciated in categorizing them.