User blog comment:Kogath/Monster Hunter Generations Discussion/@comment-6050823-20161003221508/@comment-26034899-20161006033023

@ Dracosaurian: Good point. However, I did not say that Astalos was incapable of adapting to Rathalos’ attacks or countering them; what I said is that if you don’t use sheer power properly, such as keeping the pressure on the opponent so they can’t adapt or counterattack as easily, and capitalize on its advantages, you won’t get far. If you don’t reap the benefits of such imposing strength, you’ll lose them. Also, the Rathalos in that video was caught off guard by the Astalos’ ambush (though that could be argued as being a smart move on the latter’s part); who knows how he would have acted if he knew the Bugzapper Wyvern was coming after him and had the chance to show off his skill?

In regards to my previous comment, Astalos (in-game at least) tends to fight in a straightforward manner and is vulnerable to strafing tactics (though that could be said for all members of the Fated Four bar Glavenus) while Rathalos fights from all angles, isn’t as easy to outmaneuver, and has been shown to be quite intelligent (Tri and 3U’s opening cinematic had it trick the opposing Lagiacrus into attacking him instead of stealing his kill, allowing him to escape with both his life and dinner intact). Astalos may not be a pushover or a dumb brute, but he has some serious competition in my opinion.