Rathian Monster Guide for Monster Hunter Wilds

Rathian is a returning monster from the first generation of Monster Hunter. It was introduced in Monster Hunter in 2004 for the PS2. It is a flying wyvern and is the female counterpart of Rathalos the flagship monster of the entire franchise who's been around since its inception. Both Rathalos and Rathian are always in every single Monster Hunter game as they are considered to be the main poster monsters. In Monster Hunter Wilds Rathian is a high-rank monster only, meaning that it doesn't not exist in low rank and can only be fought in the later half of the game. Rathian can be found in the Scarlet Forest, Windward Plains and the Oilwell Basin.

Crown Sizes

• Small Crown - 1578.9
• Silver Crown - 2017.5
• Large Crown - 2157.8

For a full comprehensive video guide on Rathian including tips, tricks and strategies, then check out the Rathian video guide below:

Let’s go over Rathian’s strengths, weaknesses, attack patterns, and best strategies for fighting her. If you are looking for optimal damage and the fastest kill time, it is recommended to bring a Thunder or Dragon elemental weapon. Rathian is highly susceptible to status ailments such as Sleep, Paralysis, Blast, and Stun, making any of these a viable option. However, Poison is ineffective against her, so avoid using poison-based weapons or strategies. She is vulnerable to all crowd-control tools, including Flash Pods, Shock Traps, and Pitfall Traps, though Sonic Bombs are completely ineffective.

Rathian’s moveset is relatively simple, as she does not have many attacks. One of her more common attacks involves spitting out three consecutive fireballs. The first fireball shoots straight ahead, the second veers to her right, and the third fires to her left. By positioning yourself behind her or near her sides, you can completely avoid damage while capitalizing on a free damage window, so always take advantage of this opening.

At times, she will simply spit out a single fireball, which follows a straight trajectory. However, she also possesses a far more dangerous variant, where she slowly backs up and begins charging her mouth with fire. This signals her strongest fire-based attack, which deals heavy damage in a large explosion if you are too close. Always be mindful of this animation, as getting caught in it can be devastating.

Rathian’s most iconic and dangerous attack is her tail flip, which is both highly damaging and poisonous. If you are struck by this move, you will not only take significant damage, but you will also be poisoned. If your HP is already low, this attack can easily one-shot you, or if you survive the impact, the poison may finish you off unless you use an Antidote quickly.

When you recognize Rathian preparing for this attack, position yourself either near her head or directly behind her tail as she lands. This strategy allows you to continuously deal damage to her tail, making it easier to sever over time. Cutting off her tail significantly reduces her attack range, making this move far less threatening. Additionally, severing her tail grants an extra carve, which is especially useful when farming materials. Speaking of tail-based attacks, Rathian also performs a double 180-degree tail swipe, an old-school move that has been present in Flying Wyverns since the inception of Monster Hunter.

A smart tactic when Rathian takes to the air to perform her tail flip is to immediately use a Flash Pod. This will stun her and force her to crash to the ground, allowing you to completely avoid the attack while also capitalizing on an opportunity to deal significant damage. From time to time, Rathian may charge at you if you are positioned near her. This move is highly unpredictable, as she executes it at random intervals. When she does, she will follow up with two additional charges, resulting in a total of three consecutive dashes. The best course of action is to keep your distance and avoid getting too close when she starts moving aggressively.

When mounting Rathian, be sure to create wounds on her head, midsection, and tail. Wounding the tail first will help speed up the process of severing it, as it allows you to deal extra damage to that area. Another one of Rathian’s attacks includes taking to the air before charging downward, attempting to slam into the ground and land on you. Be mindful of this aerial attack, as it can catch you off guard if you are not paying attention.

As for her enraged state, Rathian does not gain any new attacks. However, her attack speed increases significantly, making her chain attacks together at a much faster pace. During this state, you will need to be more reactive to her movements, as she will aggressively pressure you, but her core moveset remains unchanged.

In conclusion, that covers everything you need to know about Rathian. If possible, prioritize severing her tail at the start of the fight, then focus on attacking her face to finish her off quickly. Cutting off her tail is especially valuable when fighting Tempered Rathian, as it reduces her attack reach while also providing an extra carve. Always ensure that you carry Antidotes, as she frequently poisons hunters throughout the fight. If you are having trouble defeating her, utilize environmental hazards, sneak attacks, traps, and explosive kegs to turn the fight in your favor. And with that, you now have everything you need to hunt and slay Rathian.