Elder Dragons (Japanese: 古龍種 Koryūshu) are a class of monsters introduced in the first generation. Unlike other monster types, which classify monsters by shared traits, Elder Dragons are creatures that defy typical classification and sit outside of the normal ecosystem, regardless of any superficial resemblance to a dragon. These monsters are usually rare creatures with immense power that have lived since ancient times, making them more of a phenomenon than a mere animal; disasters, cataclysms, living forces of nature.[1]
First Generation Elder Dragons
Second Generation Elder Dragons
Third Generation Elder Dragons
Fourth Generation Elder Dragons
Fifth Generation Elder Dragons
Frontier Generation Elder Dragons
Monster Hunter Online Elder Dragons
Monster Hunter Explore Elder Dragons
Monster Hunter Stories Elder Dragons
Monster Hunter Orage Elder Dragons
Notes
- Uniquely, many Elder Dragons can be repelled if they are not slain. In some games, they will retain the damage dealt to them, allowing one specific dragon to be fought over multiple quests.
- Elder Dragons exhibit a wide variety of body types not found in other classes, the most common being a quadrupedal entity with a long tail and a pair of wings. For this reason, Kirin, Yama Tsukami, and Nakarkos were placed in the Elder Dragon category.
- Elder Dragons cannot be captured in traps. They can, however, be put to sleep using a sleep weapon (in some cases), which enables a hunter to perform Sleep Bombing.
- Despite Shagaru Magala being classified as an Elder Dragon, its juvenile form Gore Magala is not: it is classified as a "???" Type, has Wyvern-specific loot (such as Wyvern Tears), and can be captured in traps.
- In the past, some Elder Dragons were worshipped as gods; however, in the present, the Guild marked them as threats to the ecosystem.
- As of Monster Hunter: World, the tone of which people perceive Elder Dragons have softened to the point where they are considered as embodiment's of great natural forces rather than just threats. It is unknown if this applies universally in the Guild or is limited to the Research Commission.
- When an Elder Dragon is present on a standard hunting ground, all small monsters (except Neopterons and/or Remobras) are absent.
- Despite not being native to the Monster Hunter universe, Behemoth is classified as an Elder Dragon in Monster Hunter World. Behemoth originally appeared in the Square Enix RPG Final Fantasy II, and its design is based on the version seen in Final Fantasy XIV. It was brought to Monster Hunter World as a crossover event between Square Enix and Capcom, the creator of the Monster Hunter Series.
- While Elder Dragons all count as one classification some Elder Dragons are powerful enough to receive the classification of "Black Dragon" (also known as "Dangerous First-Class Monsters"). This classification refers to the fact that these creatures are not only much rarer than normal Elder Dragons but, it also refers to their innate abilities that defy understanding (even by Monster Hunter logic), being described as capable of bringing the entire world to destruction even.
- The only Elder Dragons to obtain this title so far are; Fatalis, Crimson Fatalis, White Fatalis, Alatreon, Disufiroa Dire Miralis, Merphistophelin, and Elemental Merphistophelin.
References
- ↑ Dialogue from the Chief Ecologist, Monster Hunter: World: "We've taken to using the term Elder Dragon for any creature that defies ordinary classification, but I suppose you could call them a type of phenomenon: disasters, cataclysms, living, breathing forces of nature."