The Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Expansion has 20 Lynian Research Request Locations (Photos). They are needed for the Fledgling Observer and Outstanding Observer trophy / achievement.
In Seliana the Lynian Researcher will wait for you at the entrance to the Round Table Room. He will give you a camera and give you the quest to finish 20 photo challenges for him.
Before you start, here are some things you have to know:
- Some photos can only be taken during a specific time of the day
- Some photos can only be taken during a specific weather condition
- Some photos can only be taken if the grimalkyne faction you are supposed to study is leveled up high enough (Ancient Forest needs level 7 for the Bugtrappers, Rotten Vale and Hoarfrost Reach at least Level 3)
- You will need to unlock all the Palico Skill Gadgets from the main game, followed by unlocking the new Tailraider Signal gadget for Iceborne in Hoarfrost Reach which lets you call a Tailraider on demand wherever you are (this will also help you level up the factions faster)
- You don’t need the gold tier reward for the trophies
- Photos which have to be taken in a specific area are marked on your map by a symbol of the grimalkyne faction
Lynian Research #1 – A Keen Sense of Smell
Region: Ancient Forest
This can be taken in Bugtrappers camp at the very top of the tree in Ancient Forest. Head there from Camp 17 and take a photo of a Bugtrapper sniffing around.
Lynian Research #2 – Keeping Up the Pace
Region: Ancient Forest
In area 6 of Ancient Forest use the roots in the middle of the area to climb up to higher tree level. From there you can take the picture of the felines running in a group.
Lynian Research #3 – The Leaf Boat
Region: Ancient Forest
Have a Bugtrapper in your crew and head to wherever the water is deep enough for him to not be able to stand. He will take out a leaf boat and use it to cross deep water. Take a picture while he is doing so.
Lynian Research #4 – Grimalkyne Under a Chilly, Wet Roof
Region: Ancient Forest
For this you will have to level up the Bugtrappers up to level 7. During rainy weather you will have to take a picture of 2 of them using a leaf as an umbrella. This can be done in either Area 4 or 6.
Lynian Research #5 – Itchy Ears
Region: Wildspire Waste
In Protectors’ lair near area 15 camp take a picture of the animal scratching his ears.
Lynian Research #6 – The Grimalkyne’s Out of the Bag
Region: Wildspire Waste
Have a protector in your crew and head to one of your camps. At some point your Palico will start digging in the bags, searching for something. The Protector will watch him doing that. Once your Palico gets out of the bag the Protector will get scared by the sudden movement. Take a picture of this exact moment.
Lynian Research #7 – Day Training
Region: Wildspire Waste
In either Area 6 or 9 take a picture of 2 Protectors fighting with their sword. Take the picture once their swords are crossed. This can only happen at day (not at night).
Lynian Research #8 – Hello There!
Region: Coral Highlands
In Troupers Lair (area 11) take a picture of 2 of them greeting each other with their weapons doing some weird moves.
Lynian Research #9 – Taming the Wildlife
Region: Coral Highlands
During Clear Weather during Day take a picture of a Trouper taming a Shamos in either Area 3 or 8 of Coral Highlands.
Lynian Research #10 – The Sound of Success
Region: Coral Highlands
During a Night take a picture of Troupers practing their gig in either area 3, 9 or 12 of Coral Highlands. I couldn’t fulfill the “Completing a Coral Orchestra rehearsal” conditions no matter when I took the picture. I watched them for about 20 minutes and they never seemed to do something different. Since you don’t need the golds – don’t waste your time.
Lynian Research #11 – Air Pollution
Region: Rotten Vale
Recruit a plunderer and head into any area polluted by the yellow mist. He will start coughing and you will have to take a picture while he does.
Lynian Research #12 – Polished to a Sheen
Region: Rotten Vale
In Plunderer’s lair (area 15) he will sit atop of a cliff polishing his weapon. Take a picture while he does.
Lynian Research #13 – A Big Catch
Region: Rotten Vale
Can only be done once you unlocked the ability of Plunderers trapping a large monster by reaching level 3 unity with them. Once you have it check your map in which area (1/8/9) you can use the trap. Mount a large monster and they will trap it. Take a picture of them holding the monster.
Lynian Research #14 – Eat or be Eaten
Region: Rotten Vale
Can be only taken at Night while Acid Rain hits the area. In either Area 12 or 15 take a picture of a Plunderer trying to catch a big fish.
Lynian Research #15 – Let’s Dance!
Region: Elder’s Recess
In Gajalaka lair (area 16) take a picture of one of them dancing. To unlock the lair you must have done the questline for the Elder’s Recess Palico Skill Gadget “Meowlotov Cocktail” (part of main game). Refer to Monster Hunter World – All Palico Skills and check #6 for Elder’s Recess.
Lynian Research #16 – Big Bang Attack
Region: Elder’s Recess
Taking this picture can be annoying. Recruit a Gajalaka and have him throw a bomb. A Gajalaka tends to throw the bomb more often at large monsters from mid-range distance. As you may imagine it can be annoying taking the picture during the short period of time he takes to do this while a large monster is in the same room as you, trying to attack you.
Lynian Research #17 – Flight of the Gajalaka
Region: Elder’s Recess
During Day in one of the Areas 1, 8 or 11 take picture of a Gajalaka using a rope to hang onto a Barnos.
Lynian Research #18 – Popo Pecking Order
Region: Hoarfrost Reach
In Area 2 or 7 on the edge of either of those 2 you can sometimes see a Boaboa on top of a Popo. Take a picture of it.
Lynian Research #19 – Ready, Aim, Fire!
Region: Hoarfrost Reach
You will have to unlock the ability of harpooning first by reaching Unity Level 3 with Boaboa tribe. Then check your map in which area the Boaboa harpooning can be done at the time (6/11/14) and head there. A Boaboa will stand on a cliff offering you help. Mount a large monster and they will catch it with their harpoons. While they are having it trapped take a pic of the leader on the cliff.
Lynian Research #20 – Skinny Dipping
Region: Hoarfrost Reach
During a Blizzard at Night you can take a picture of a Boaboa having a bath in the hot springs in either area 2 or 17. If you don’t know how to reach area 17 – grapple onto a barnos in area 2.
That’s all of the lynian research photo requests in MHW Iceborne. After doing all of these you’ll earn the trophy “Outstanding Observer”.
For more guides check out our full Monster Hunter World Iceborne Wiki & Strategy Guide.
Can you elaborate more on #2? I don’t get which tree you refer and the photo is too obscure.
I’m gonna add another map location screenshot for it within the next few hours.
Updated now =)
Thank you! Then you might wanna correct the text, since it says “east area” thats why I was confused.
On the orchestra you have to do it when they give each other a high five
They don’t high five….
@Alex yes they do, that’s how I got the gold. They go in a circle as they play when they return to starting position they high five, jump in celebration then the cycle repeats again
Yes you’re right; I came back a different time and that time they were doing a different animation
I can’t get #13 to register. I’ve taken so many images of a monster being tied down and the icon never shows.
Nevermind. You have to be really far backand the the whole shot. There is a lot going on that map that can knock you around while trying to take the shot.
@littlejay that one took me forever because the cats that trap it have to be plunderes to count for it. Other cats like the protectors showed up for 3 of my attempts will show up too. If you pay attention to the text after your cat tells you they want to help the name of the tribe will be before the … bring it over well trap it for you.. if it’s not a plunderer its reset time
Can you elaborate number 13? Does any vine trap work? Ive mounted several monsters and triggered a trap but it wont accept tge photo
You need to get a good distance back and capture the whole group capturing it. Once it didn’t register for as well for some weird reason.
Thanks, I managed :). By the way, the Choral Orchestra one you need to find a group of cats that does the 2nd segment of the rehersal. You can say its the right one because they’ll play a 2nd round instead of 1 of the cats falling to the ground 🙂
Having trouble getting gold with “eat or be eaten”… anyone figure this out yet?
You don’t need gold. This one as well as the coral one for the gig practice session were a riddle for me as well. Only managed to get silver on those.
You only get the one chance because when the big fish is hooked the cat gets dragged from the boat. Silver will be any during the process since its fishing, to get the gold its before the huge long fish comes up ther will be alot of splashing and you’ll barely be able to see the cat because of it. I think gold would have been better when the cat is proudly displaying a fish it caught because it looks so proud of itself and you can actually see it well.
Will the cat get back in the boat or if I miss it I have to reload it?
Yes, took me forever. You need to wait until the big fish is hooked – you can tell because the splash is very large – take a picture of the splash with the cat zoomed in – Gold. The splash is far larger than when it catches the little goldfish. I had to watch him for about 20 minutes, maybe longer, for the right animation. Reset it twice after missing the shot… This one can be a pain.
Lynian Research #10 – The Sound of Success
For the gold – you need to take a photo after they finish playing and jump with high five
Having issues getting a frontal shot for #20: skinny dipping. The Boaboa seems to hide if you try to go around it, and the Ghillie Mantle doesn’t work either. Anyone figure this out yet? It’s the last gold I need.
Your palico can still scare it dont forget that!
Nevermind even with ghilie and without palico he runs away. You have to use the zoomfunction to make it work i guess
I can’t get #4 to work no matter how many times I go to the forest in rainy weather the cats just don’t show up. I go to each of the areas even if there is no symbol on the map but nothing. I have their level at 7 so I don’t understand what else I could be doing. Hell I would rather be looking for moly’s
Did you talk to the researcher after reaching level 7 with them? I had the same problem^^ I also struggle to get it gold its the last one
#19 Is giving me the most trouble. There never seems to be a Boaboa in any of the locations where they’d do the harpoon strike. It’s only ever a Cat vine trap or a Gajalaka, never a Boaboa.
My unity with them is 10, so unless the unity has to be specifically 3… well…
Seriously. I’m really struggling with #19. My unity with the Boaboa is 10 and they’re just not spawning whenever I go to the Reach, Is there something else that I might be missing here?
i have same problem , did you fix it
thanks for this guide i was looking for those missions
#10 – The Sound of Success – Gold
Bring your palico with the Coral Orchestra gadget to get the “Completing a Coral Orchestra rehearsal” conditions for Gold as they will high five at the end instead of falling over.
Will you add #21 and #22 from the current event?
For #20 – Skinny Dipping, be aware that the BoaBoa will flee if it sees you, and Ghille Mantle will not prevent this. If they spawn in area 17, this makes it tricky to get a clear shot, but there’s a small snowy slope to your right as you land; put on your mantle to be safe (as I didn’t test it without it) walk up the slope until you’ve got a clear line of sight and the paw print should appear.
For #14 – Eat or be Eaten, you must capture the Plunderer while his line is in the water, waiting for a bite; submitting a photo of him while he is A) struggling with a fish on the line, B) holding an empty hook, and/or C) catching and holding a fish will not net you the the third requirement, “Angling for a large fish.”
To correct my own misinformation, it’s not when he’s waiting for a bite. There’s actually 3 results of his fishing: 1) catches nothing at all, 2) catches a small Goldenfry fish, 3) a massive fish is caught (either a Sealord or Great Goldenfish, i missed identifying it) and literally upends his boat, ending his fishing trip. The time to capture for 3 star reward is during the animation of him struggling to reel in the massive catch, not the fish itself or the empty boat afterwards.