This is Monster Hunter Wilds best fight and it’s not even close

From the Mighty Jin Dahaad to the ferocious Tempered Gore Magala, Monster Hunter Wilds’ roster is filled with more toothy terrors than you can shake a Long Sword at. This is a good thing, considering you’ll be wrestling with all 29 beasts to forge the best weapons and armor sets. 

As I mentioned in my glowing review, Monster Hunter Wilds’ combat is the best I’ve ever seen from Capcom’s beast-slaying series. While the reworks for all 14 weapons types have had a huge impact on combat, particularly thanks to Focus Mode, the monsters themselves have never felt so satisfying to hunt.

While Zoh Shia’s reveal may be the best in terms of jaw-dropping lore (you can read all about why it’s so special here), the golden crown for best hunts goes to a familiar scaly face. 

Return of the king 

Rathalos is a special monster. He’s not the King of the Skies, he’s the face of Monster Hunter. Ever since the first game stomped its way back onto TV screens back in 2004 (god, I’m old), Capcom’s iconic Flying Wyvern has appeared in every single MH game to date – including spin-offs. 

It’s easier to think of Rathalos like Pikachu. Well, that’s if the little yellow mouse suddenly grew a pair of wings, breathed fire, and decided to eye up Bidoof as a tasty treat. Rathalos is the guy at the party that everyone knows and loves. He’s the glue that holds everything together, and he’d be missed if he didn’t show up. 

Killing your first Rathalos is a rite of passage for every Hunter, and while his attacks may look threatening at first, they become easier to read the more you hunt him. In fact, for veteran Hunters, the old King often poses very little threat. 

Well, Capcom has brought their aging dragon out of the retirement home, dusted him off, and given him a new lease of life. Yes, we’re talking about Tempered Guardian Rathalos, and this deadly new variant is a terrifying threat. 

Having spent thousands of hours across the series fighting every kind of Rathalos that Capcom has thrown at me, I don’t mind admitting that Tempered Guardian Rathalos obliterated me, and I couldn’t be more happy. 

This thing hits like an absolute truck. Not only does Guardian Rathalos unleash devastating AoE fireballs that engulf large areas in flames, but it also has some incredibly powerful aerial attacks. I went into this fight thinking it would be an easy time, but boy, was I wrong. 

You need to keep on your toes when Guardian Rath is around. I’ve seen countless Hunters burnt to a crisp after overcommitting to an attack, only to find themselves becoming the Well-Done Steak they had just eaten mere minutes prior. 

While regular Rathalos’ design isn’t exactly cute and cuddly, his Guardian counterpart is the very definition of aura farming. I’ll never forget watching in horror as the Flying Wyvern channelled its inner Super Saiyan, engulfing its wings in blueish energy that screamed, “I’m in trouble.” 

Guardian Rathalos is proof that Capcom’s most iconic monster is still its best and that the King of the Skies still deserves its crown.