Rathalos Guide - Weakness, Drops, and How to Unlock

Learn How to Handle Status Ailments

In Monster Hunter Wilds, Rathalos uses two main status effects: 'Poison effect from Leg Attacks' and 'Fireblight from Breath Attack.' To counter the Poison status, use Antidote or Herbal Medicine to cure it. If you get inflicted with Fireblight, repeatedly perform Evade actions to quickly extinguish the effect.

Attack When It's on the Ground

Rathalos is more vulnerable when on the ground. It has a longer opening after its attacks compared to when it's flying, so make sure to take advantage and be aggressive with your attacks.

Flash Pods Can Bring It Down When It's Flying

When Rathalos takes to the air, you can use Flash Pods to knock it down. Once it falls, it will be in a downed state, providing a great opportunity for attacks. However, be aware that repeated attempts will gradually build its resistance, shortening the down time or making it impossible to knock it down, so use Flash Pods wisely.

Slinger for Massive Damage on Wing Part Break

Destroying Rathalos' wings will cause it to drop a 'Heavy Severing Pod,' which is highly effective against Rathalos and can deal significant damage in a short period. While it might be a bit hard to notice, it's recommended to pick it up after breaking the wings for maximum damage output.

Chase When the Camera Pulls Back in Mid-Air

When attacking Rathalos in the air, if the camera pulls back, continue your pursuit and attack. You can aim for a stagger, followed by a knockdown, which creates a significant opportunity for a powerful attack.

Prioritize Evasion While Airborne

Rathalos has many troublesome attacks while airborne, so until you're more familiar, prioritize dodging over attacking whenever Rathalos is flying. For melee weapon users in particular, it’s difficult to land attacks while Rathalos is in the air, so if you want to attack Rathalos while it flies, it’s a good idea to prepare a ranged weapon as a sub-weapon.

Aim at its Feet

Against an airborne Rathalos, long-reaching weapons will often find it easier to land attacks. You can engage with the intent of triggering a knockdown by inflicting and destroying wounds, so in such cases, focus on positioning yourself around its feet.

Avoid Fighting from the Front

Many of its attacks, such as its breath and tail attacks, are aimed towards the front, so avoid fighting from the front and instead aim at its feet from either side or the rear.

Observe the Sweeping Breath

When Rathalos spits fire toward the ground during flight, it’s preparing for a long-range sweeping breath aimed at the Hunter. There is a brief delay between the sweep and the impact, so quickly move away from the area.

Dodge the Quick Stomp

After letting out a short roar and lifting one leg, Rathalos will perform a quick stomp. This attack's range is quite narrow, so you can evade it with a single dodge towards the rear.

Pre-emptively Avoid the Air Dash

The aerial dash attack performed while flying has a quick wind-up, making it a difficult attack to avoid the first time. It is telegraphed when Rathalos pulls both legs back, so quickly move sideways.

Extended Flight

The tempered Rathalos often uses multiple aerial attacks consecutively, resulting in an extended flight time. If it's allowed to remain airborne and utilize its aerial mobility, the fight will certainly be tough, so make use of Flash Pods and traps to control the pace of the battle.

Anticipate Shifting Fireballs

Tempered Rathalos will sometimes take 3-steps (2 back, and 1 forward) before firing off 3 consecutive fireballs. These fireballs are large, and Rathalos can quickly shift its angle, if you don't re-position, there's a possibility that a single dodge won't be enough to avoid it, so consider using a large movement with a Secret or performing an Emergency Evade.

Keep Track While Circling the Sky

Rathalos will roar before soaring up and circling the sky. During this time, it will fire off two fireballs and then quickly dive at the Hunter as a finishing blow. If you lose sight of Rathalos, the likelihood of getting hit increases, so always keep Rathalos in sight and move to dodge until it charges.

Evade the Retreating Fireball

When Rathalos raises its wings and head significantly, it will perform a retreating fireball and before taking flight. If you get hit by the initial fireball, it will likely follow up with aerial charge attacks and other follow-ups, so once you see the telegraph, either prepare to evade or use guard to defend yourself.