User blog comment:BannedLagiacrus/Monster Appreciation Week: Vaal Hazak/@comment-26421638-20180823184104

Vaal is a interesting addition in MHW's roster, after many years Kushala and Teostra have a new far cousin replacing, in a certain sense, that ugly derpy face known as Chamelezzo... Huh... I mean Chameleos. The zombie/necromancer of MH is the pure essence of Rotten Vale, and just like anything related to that area, is a big thumbs-up by myself.

Aesthetically is perfectly done, I absolutely like the idea to make a white-silverish dragon involved in a coat of flesh, giving both the appearance of an undead beast, but also remembering the incarnation of death itself. The additional jaw, its fake yellow eyes and its unusual crooked claws deserves to be mentioned too.

Ok BGM, but I love its roar.

I like fighting this Monster, sure, maybe is a bit slow and this monster depends too much by its effluvium, but if Vaal was faster wouldn't fit at all with its gimmick and since is the first monster that use Effluvium, it should use it a lot. Vaal attacks consists of a few claw swipes, tail whips and most importantly with bites, but is also capable to do long ranged or AoE attacks with its peculiar gas. Effluvium causes a tolerable amount of DPS but after a while (or by getting hit directly by its strongest attacks) can reduce your health bar, a debuff that you should never underestimate because even the simplest Attack may hurt, however is not a problem if you know where to gather nullberries or if you have some skill that protects you from effluvium (may turn extremely easy with them). I cannot deny that some attacks are poorly done, like the double tail swipe&turning claw or Teo-like pounce (bad hitbox) but is a well-done battle, it is also one of a few monsters who is capable to heal itself (without counting sleeping of course).

Beside the one obligatory for the story, I've always had, I have and I always will face Tempered Vaal Hazaks, while Tempered Nerigigante I dies faster, Tempered Vaal is the easiest Tempered ED. On the Other hand, Arch-Tempered Hazak is just another case of artificial difficulty, worst roar that ever existed: roar+Daora's wind pressure+huge DPS caused by its gas. The insane amount of damage caused by its gas made the fight terrible... But let's not judge too much Vaal Hazak on its AT state, is just like to judge Zinogre by its Apex Status.

Vaal offers acceptable weapons and a good armor if you're looking for dragon element damage or a surprisingly good HP regen, really appreciated the Gamma Armor too. Bland weapon design but a real good armor if we talk about aesthetics.

Overall: Vaal is simply a good monster, I still prefer Gore Magala if we compare the two ebola brothers but our necromancer dragon is a welcomed addition to MHW. If I should make a Top 5 of my favorite monsters of MHW, Vaal earns the 4th place, he didn't step up on the podium for just one place but is still good.