Monster Rancher 2/Rank A

With the move to Rank A, expect enemies to have some stats that reach in the 500s. They hit harder, dodge harder and the monster types start to make a bit more sense (Kitty's Kato sub complements its Int and Speed stat nicely as well as adding in Kato's Phantom Claw skill). Taking advantage of their weaknesses is a good strategy in taking them down.

Invitational (Durahan)

 * Torble Sea Arena
 * 4wk February
 * 1 vs 1
 * 6000G
 * Double-Edged

To access this tourney, you need to have first gotten the Old Sheath from the Parepare expedition, have that talk with Auntie Verde about swords that were recently confiscated and have an A Rank monster heading into February. The Head of IMA will then personally deliver the invitation to you on the first week of February. Here, your monster is pitted you against Leo, a Durahan, and your reward is a secret seasoning that will help you get a Durahan of your own. Also, battle music from the IMA vs FIMBA Meet plays in this match.

Leo has high-tier B class stats overall, but don't let them fool you, particularly Skill. It is capable of performing Heavy Techs like Rolling Slash and Twister Slash. It is also weirdly capable of sub-exclusive techs like V Slash (only for Ruby Knight, Duurahan/????) and Kick Combo (only for Vesuvius, Durahan/Dragon and Hound Knight, Durahan/Tiger). With all that said, a monster with a high enough Pow/Int and Skill should have no problems beating it.

Phoenix Cup

 * Papas Arena
 * 4wk April
 * Elimination - 4 Entries
 * Purse: 4000G

You are guaranteed a match against a Phoenix here in the final round, the difference being Volcane is bad-natured and Bernerd is good-natured. Before that, you square off with a Jill/Hare monster. Note that these opponents are exclusive to this cup and don't participate on other cups.

- Bigfoot hits hard. Don't relax yet once its down, as it has Grit.

IMA Chairman Cup (Spring)

 * Papas Arena
 * 3wk May
 * Elimination - 4 Entries
 * 3000G
 * Dino's Tail

This elimination tourney pits you against Sharkin the Naga and a Final match against either Siva the Dragon or Goatrek the Zilla.

-Goatrek has high HP and Power as well as good Defense. If it hits, it will hit hard, so be sure to avoid getting hit. You should have no problem hitting it with Heavy techs. Another tactic is to use Withering techs to lower its Guts once it has been hit. -Sharkin sometimes starts the battle with Drill Attack. Also a glass cannon in its own right. Be wary of its techs, like the above-mentioned Drill Attack which can end a battle if hit on a weak monster, and focus on hitting it with Heavy and Hit techs. -Siva is a monster that's not meant to be taken lightly. It has Pow and Int stats past 600 and a wide variety of techs. Lesser attacks like Tail Swing or Wing Attack may hurt a bit, but it's Heavy Techs can do so much more. Heavy Techs and Withering Techs are a huge advantage against it.

Taurus Cup

 * Parepare Arena
 * 3wk May
 * Round Robin - 4 Entries
 * 5000G
 * Taurus Horn

Elimination Round Rank A

 * Torble Sea Arena
 * 4wk July
 * Round Robin - 4 Entries
 * 4000G

This tourney determines the IMA representative for the upcoming IMA-FIMBA Meet tourney next month. While other monsters can serve as representatives on the meet (on the ranks that you don't represent for), you are always guaranteed a fight with 3 specific monsters on this tourney.

-A glass cannon, so to speak. High offense in Intelligence and Skill for Int type techs, but bad Speed and Defense. Catalina is better off defeated sooner rather than later. -Identical to Catalina offense-wise, Caplan can prove to be hard to hit due to its high Speed stat. It is possible to lose the match by not being able to hit it while it attacks with weak techs like Bound. Missile and Explosion are techs to be avoided.

Teromeann Cup

 * Torble Sea Arena
 * 1wk September
 * Round Robin - 4 Entries
 * 4000G
 * Teromeann

IMA Chairman Cup (Autumn)

 * Mandy Arena
 * 4wk November
 * Elimination - 4 Entries
 * 3000G
 * Pure Platina