Elder Dragons are the toughest hunts in Monster Hunter Wilds. Each has unique attack patterns, elemental weaknesses, and gear requirements. This guide covers every Elder Dragon in the game and how to hunt them efficiently.
Tier List
S Tier: Most Difficult
- Alatreon
- Fatalis
- Xeno'jiiva
- Velkhana
A Tier: Hard
- Namielle
- Nergigante
- Shara Ishvalda
- Teostra
B Tier: Moderate
- Kushala Daora
- Vaal Hazak
- Kirin
- Rathalos (Elder Dragon-tier monster)
Alatreon Strategy
Alatreon is the most difficult Elder Dragon. It shifts between ice and dragon modes and has a powerful supernova attack.
Attack Patterns
- Ice mode: ice beam, ice fang, ice claw
- Dragon mode: dragon beam, dragon fang, dragon claw
- Supernova: massive area-of-effect dragon attack, requires elemental resistance
Weaknesses
- Ice mode: fire damage
- Dragon mode: ice damage
- Supernova: elemental resistance or dragon resistance
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Royal Switch Axe (Dragon Phial)
- Armor: Alatreon Armor
- Skills: Elemental Attack 4, Dragon Attack 3, Blight Resistance 3
Strategy
- Track the element mode (visible on Alatreon's body)
- Switch weapons or use dragon element when in dragon mode
- Save elemental resistance items for supernova
- Team hunt is recommended
Fatalis Strategy
Fatalis is the final boss of the main story. It has three phases and a massive moveset.
Attack Patterns
- Phase 1: standard fire attacks, cone of flame, tail sweep
- Phase 2: adds fireballs, more aggressive melee
- Phase 3: massive cone of flame, nuclear explosion, flight mode
Weaknesses
- Head (cut damage)
- Belly (thunder damage)
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Fatalis Blade (crafted from Fatalis materials)
- Armor: Fatalis Armor
- Skills: Critical Eye 7, Critical Boost 3, Weakness Exploit 2
Strategy
- Phase 1: focus on the head, avoid cone of flame
- Phase 2: use thunder element on the belly
- Phase 3: focus on the chest, avoid the nuclear explosion
- Solo hunt is possible but team hunt is recommended
Xeno'jiiva Strategy
Xeno'jiiva is the first Elder Dragon in the story. It has a unique mechanic where it absorbs energy from the surroundings.
Attack Patterns
- Energy beam: ranged attack
- Energy ball: bouncing projectile
- Energy claw: melee combo
- Final attack: massive energy nova
Weaknesses
- Head (cut damage)
- Tail (dragon damage)
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Xeno'jiiva Blade (crafted from Xeno'jiiva materials)
- Armor: Xeno'jiiva Armor
- Skills: Dragon Attack 3, Elemental Attack 4
Strategy
- Avoid the energy beam by staying behind Xeno'jiiva
- Hit the head when it leans back
- Save dragon element for the tail
- Solo hunt is recommended
Velkhana Strategy
Velkhana is the ice Elder Dragon. It has a unique ice armor mechanic.
Attack Patterns
- Ice beam: ranged attack
- Ice fang: melee attack
- Ice storm: area-of-effect
- Tail sweep: ice trail
Weaknesses
- Head (fire damage)
- Tail (cut damage)
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Velkhana Sword
- Armor: Velkhana Armor
- Skills: Fire Attack 4, Critical Eye 3
Strategy
- Wait for ice armor to break before dealing full damage
- Use fire element on the head
- Avoid ice storm by staying close
- Solo hunt is possible
Namielle Strategy
Namielle is the water Elder Dragon. It has a unique water armor mechanic.
Attack Patterns
- Water beam: ranged attack
- Water fang: melee attack
- Water storm: area-of-effect
- Tail sweep: water trail
Weaknesses
- Head (thunder damage)
- Tail (cut damage)
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Namielle Blade
- Armor: Namielle Armor
- Skills: Thunder Attack 4, Critical Eye 3
Strategy
- Wait for water armor to break before dealing full damage
- Use thunder element on the head
- Avoid water storm by staying close
- Solo hunt is possible
Teostra Strategy
Teostra is the fire Elder Dragon. It has a unique fire cloud mechanic.
Attack Patterns
- Fire beam: ranged attack
- Fire fang: melee attack
- Fire cloud: area-of-effect
- Nova: massive area explosion
Weaknesses
- Head (ice or water damage)
- Wings (cut damage)
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Teostra Blade
- Armor: Teostra Armor
- Skills: Ice Attack 4, Water Attack 4
Strategy
- Avoid fire cloud by staying close
- Use ice element on the head
- Wings are the easiest to hit
- Solo hunt is possible
Nergigante Strategy
Nergigante is the brute Elder Dragon. It has a unique spike mechanic.
Attack Patterns
- Dive bomb: aerial attack
- Spike shot: ranged spikes
- Claw swipe: melee combo
- Roar: stun attack
Weaknesses
- Head (cut damage)
- Tail (cut damage)
Recommended Gear
- Weapon: Nergigante Reaper
- Armor: Nergigante Armor
- Skills: Attack Boost 4, Critical Eye 3
Strategy
- Wait for spikes to be soft before dealing full damage
- Use cut damage on the head
- Avoid dive bomb by staying close
- Solo hunt is possible
FAQ: Elder Dragons
Q: Are Elder Dragons required for the story?
A: Some are required. Others are optional hunts.
Q: What level should I be to hunt Elder Dragons?
A: Minimum Hunter Rank 50 for non-required Elder Dragons. HR 100 for required Elder Dragons.
Q: Are there Elder Dragon weapons worth crafting?
A: Yes. Most Elder Dragon weapons are top-tier.
Q: Can I hunt Elder Dragons solo?
A: Yes, but it is harder. Team hunt is recommended for the toughest ones.
Q: Are there Elder Dragon-exclusive armor skills?
A: Yes. Elder Dragon armor often has unique skills.
With this guide, you will be ready to take on any Elder Dragon. Study the attack patterns, build the right gear, and always have an elemental strategy.