Monster Hunter Wilds presents an impressive array of monsters, offering fans a refreshing variety compared to previous titles in the franchise. Although its launch roster featured fewer monsters than its predecessors, Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter World, the innovation and creativity embedded in each design set Wilds apart. With exciting new monster teasers already on the horizon, it’s an ideal moment for Capcom to introduce fantastic new creatures that could enhance gameplay and storytelling.
Capcom has long sought to reintroduce the beloved Lagiacrus into the franchise, and Wilds is the prime setting to showcase this formidable Leviathan. The anticipation surrounding Lagiacrus’s potential comeback persists, especially as the intricate designs of Xu Wu and Nu Udra exemplify the cutting-edge technology now available in this fifth generation of games. However, fans are feeling the void left by the absence of powerful Elder Dragons, with one particular flagship creature eagerly awaiting its chance to emerge in these uncharted territories.
Nergigante: An Ideal Addition to Monster Hunter Wilds
Reintroducing an Iconic Flagship
Nergigante stands out as one of the most iconic flagship monsters within the Monster Hunter series, largely thanks to its pivotal role in the hugely successful Monster Hunter World. Just as Lagiacrus introduced Western audiences to the franchise, Nergigante demonstrated the aggression and ferocity that these monstrous beings can unleash. Remarkably, despite being a relatively recent addition, Nergigante secured the spot as the second most popular monster in the official 20th-anniversary poll on MonsterHunter.com.
This deadly creature’s regenerative abilities could synergize exceptionally well with Wilds’ wound mechanics, creating a complex and engaging challenge for players. Famed for its spiked exterior, Nergigante becomes more formidable during a fight, requiring hunters to devise strategies that involve destroying its scales to mitigate incoming damage. Its ability to launch hardened spikes or perform dive-bomb attacks adds layers of strategy to combat, reminiscent of the encounters with Zoh Shia. To defeat Nergigante, hunters need to be quick and decisive to exploit limited opportunities effectively.
Embracing Environmental Adaptability: Nergigante’s Return
Nergigante’s Strong Potential for Reintegration
Despite the immense fanfare surrounding Nergigante, there has been concern regarding its ecological role and whether it can thrive in the novel environments presented in Monster Hunter Wilds. Nergigante is biologically designed to maintain ecological balance among Elder Dragons, feeding off their energy to enhance its own combat capabilities. While Wilds offers very few Elder Dragons — with Gore Magala categorized as a newly-defined Demi-Elder — the Ruins of Wyveria provide a rich backdrop that could still support Nergigante, as its existence is not solely predicated on the presence of Elder counterparts.
Apex Monsters: Filling the Elder Dragon Void
Spotlighting New Monsters
With the absence of Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds’ late-game content, apex monsters have stepped in to provide players with thrilling challenges. While apex creatures may not exert the same level of environmental influence as Elder Dragons, they showcase distinct themes related to their habitats, creating unique hunting experiences rivaling those of Elder Dragons. In fact, thanks to the enhancements in Wilds, even standard monsters like Mizutsune have risen to match the challenge traditionally offered by Elder Dragons by gaining new forms and abilities.
This approach allows for a refreshing experience, preventing Elder Dragons from becoming commonplace in player battles, which could lead to their diminished awe factor. By maintaining a more selective presence for Elder Dragons, they can reclaim their rightful place as formidable foes reserved for endgame encounters. This strategic shift creates opportunities for newer monster designs to flourish, ensuring diverse gameplay experiences.
Anticipating the Return of Elder Dragons
Preparing for Monster Hunter’s Fiercest End Game Challenges
The monster hierarchy remains fundamental to the Monster Hunter franchise. Although Wilds allows players to combat the artificial dragon, Zoh Shia, even before achieving high rank, it’s important to note that this guardian monster, while powerful, is not an official Elder Dragon. Instead, it serves as an Elder-Dragon-like entity, similar to Xenojiva, which was a prototype of Safijiva introduced in previous updates.
Should Capcom decide to incorporate Nergigante into Wilds, they could take the opportunity to introduce the even deadlier Ruiner Nergigante variant as part of a DLC expansion. With its darker, metallic spikes, Ruiner Nergigante presents an escalated challenge during hunts, featuring powerful attacks that inflict bleeding damage. While the exact timing of Nergigante’s integration into Monster Hunter Wilds remains uncertain, Capcom is well-equipped to expand the monster roster significantly, ensuring the game continues to escalate in difficulty and excitement for players.
Source: MonsterHunter.com