Rathalos Guide: How to Hunt, Defeat, and Craft Gear

by enricofairme · Published January 29, 2018 7:36 PM · Updated February 18, 2025 3:13 PM

Rathalos, the “King of the Skies,” is a formidable Flying Wyvern found primarily in the Ancient Forest. His aerial dominance, combined with poison and fire attacks, makes him a challenging adversary. Here’s a Rathalos guide on how you can prepare and succeed in this epic hunt.

Rathalos Overview

This picture shows Rathalos Physiology report from the Ecological Research center. — Rathalos Physiology can be viewed in this picture. Here you can see weak spots, as well as what’s severable/breakable.

Difficulty: Master (5⭐)
Location: Ancient Forest
Size: Large
High Rank Subspecies: Azure Rathalos
Species: Flying Wyvern

Weaknesses

Dragon: ⭐⭐⭐
Thunder: ⭐⭐

Breakable/Severable Parts

Tail (Weak Point)
Head (Weak Point)
Back (Weak Point)
Legs

Materials (Low Rank)

Scale (5⭐)
Shell (4⭐)
Webbing (4⭐)
Marrow (3⭐)
Plate (⭐)
Flame Sac (3⭐)
Monster Bone+ (3⭐)
Tail (2⭐)

Materials (High Rank)

Scale+ (5⭐)
Carapace (4⭐)
Wing (4⭐)
Medulla (3⭐)
Plate (⭐)
Ruby (⭐)
Inferno Sac (3⭐)
Monster Hardbone (3⭐)
Tail (2⭐)

Rathalos Fight Strategy

Main Mechanics

Poison: Causes gradual health drain, indicated by two pink dots. Use Antidotes to cure.
Fireblight: Health bar turns red; roll in water, on the ground, or use Nulberries to remove.
Roar: Temporarily stuns you; later armor perks can reduce this effect.

Attack Patterns

Charge: Ground-based charge attack.
Tail Whip: A sweeping motion if you’re behind him.
Claw Attack (Poison): Aerial claw swipe that can poison.
Firebreath: Shoots three fireballs from the ground.
Bite: Close-range head attacks.
Dive: Aerial dive bomb aimed at you.

Fight Tips

Preparation: Always eat at the Canteen for buffs.
Gear: Equip Fire-Resistant Armor and carry Nullberries, Antidotes, and healing items.
Tactics:
- Ground Rathalos: Use Flashbombs or Flash Pods to knock him out of the sky.
- Wing Damage: Damaging wings can make him less agile.
- Elemental Weakness: Dragon and Thunder elements are effective, with Dragon being superior.
- Hit and Run: Engage briefly then retreat to avoid his aerial attacks.
- SOS: Use the SOS flare if you need assistance.

Rathalos Armor Sets

Rathalos Set (Rarity 4)

Image of the Rathalos Set on a female hunter. — The Rathalos Set on a female hunter.

Image of the Rathalos Set on a palico. — The Rathalos Set on a female hunter.

Helm: 2x Scale, 2x Shell, 2x Wingtalon, 1x Marrow
Mail: 2x Scale, 2x Shell, 2x Webbing, 1x Plate
Vambraces: 2x Shell, 1x Webbing, 2x Flame Sac*, 2x Monster Bone+*
Coil: 2x Scale, 2x Shell, 1x Webbing, 3x Monster Bone+*
Greaves: 3x Shell, 2x Scale, 2x Wingtalon, 1x Tail

Set Bonus (3 or more pieces): Rathalos Power (Critical Element) – Boosts elemental damage on critical hits.

Palico Gear

Blade: 1x Scale
Helm: 1x Shell
Mail: 1x Shell

Rathalos α+β Set (Rarity 6)

Image of Rathalos α Set Female. — The Rathalos α Set on a female hunter.

Image of the Rathalos β Set Female. — The Rathalos α Set on a female hunter.

Helm: 4x Scale+, 4x Carapace, 2x Inferno Sac, 1x Medulla
Mail: 4x Scale+, 6x Carapace, 3x Wing, 1x Rathalos Ruby
Vambraces: 6x Carapace, 2x Wing, 2x Inferno Sac, 6x Rath Wingtalon
Coil: 4x Scale+, 4x Carapace, 2x Wing, 2x Tail
Greaves: 6x Carapace, 4x Scale+, 2x Inferno Sac, 1x Plate

Set Bonuses

2 Pieces: Rathalos Mastery (Critical Element) – Enhances elemental damage on critical hits.
4 Pieces: Rathalos Mastery (Mind’s Eye/Ballistics) – Prevents deflections, shortens max power distance for ranged attacks.

Palico Gear (α Set)

Blade: 1x Scale+
Helm: 1x Carapace
Mail: 1x Carapace

Note: Materials marked with * are not Rathalos-specific drops.

After conquering the “King of the Skies,” take on the ferocious Odogaron, known for its rapid movements and bleeding attacks. Dive into our Odogaron guide to understand how to counter its agility and emerge victorious.

Thoughts on our Rathalos guide? Drop them in the comments below.