Vaal Hazak Guide: How to Hunt, Defeat, and Craft Gear

by enricofairme · Published February 11, 2018 4:13 PM · Updated February 19, 2025 4:26 PM

After defeating Nergigante, you will learn about three Elder Dragons terrorizing the various areas of the New World. As a monster hunter, it’s our responsibility to track down and defeat them. To unlock each Elder Dragon’s mission, you’ll need to search for clues in the Ancient Forest, Wildspire Waste, and Rotten Vale—similar to how you unlocked Nergigante’s quest. The Elder Dragon you will face in the Rotten Vale is Vaal Hazak, a creature that specializes in using Effluvia, a toxic gas that can be deadly if you aren’t prepared. Let’s dive into the Vaal Hazak fight with this helpful guide.

Vaal Hazak Information

Vaal Hazak Physiology. — This is the Vaal Hazak Physiology report.

Difficulty: 8⭐
Location: Rotten Vale
Size: Large
Species: Elder Dragon

Weaknesses:

Fire – 3⭐
Dragon – 3⭐

Breakable/Severable Weak Points:

Head
Tail
Body
Front Legs

Material (Carves + High Rank Rewards):

Scale – 5⭐
Carapace – 4⭐
Talon – 3⭐
Wing – 3⭐
Fang+ – 2⭐
Gem – 4⭐

Reward Money: 18,000 z

Hunting Quest: Hellish Fiend Vaal Hazak
Quest Text: “I’m absolutely sure the effluvium is controlled by Vaal Hazak. It’s time to prove my theory. Go to the vale and end this dragon’s reign!”

Characteristics:
Vaal Hazak is a grotesque Elder Dragon that inhabits the deepest part of the Rotten Vale. It uses the fatal vapor in the area to its advantage in a symbiotic relationship. Vaal Hazak’s primary mechanic revolves around Effluvia, a toxic gas that can drain your health.

Vaal Hazak Fight Guide

Main Fight Mechanics:

Roar: Vaal Hazak can roar, causing a stun effect that briefly disrupts your actions.
Effluvia: The toxic gas emitted by Vaal Hazak can build up in your system, causing your health to drain quickly. When it triggers, it will instantly deplete half of your total health. Use a Nullberry to cure the buildup.

Key Attacks:

Vaal Hazak has a few notable attacks that you should be aware of during the fight. Managing the Effluvia buildup is the primary challenge, but these attacks also need attention.

Swipe: A claw swipe attack when near the head.
Tailwhip: Vaal Hazak swings its tail behind it.
Charge: The dragon charges across the arena towards the hunter.
Effluvia Jet: Vaal Hazak shoots a stream of toxic gas directly at the hunter.
Effluvia Blast: A large explosion of accumulated Effluvia in a blast radius.

Fight Tips

Managing the Effluvia buildup is the key to surviving the Vaal Hazak fight. Ensure you come prepared with Nullberries and healing items. The dragon’s other attacks are fairly manageable as long as you stay focused on dealing with the gas.

1. Eat Up: Always eat a meal from the Canteen before the fight to boost your health and defense.

2. Bring Nullberries and Healing: Stock up on Nullberries to keep Effluvia buildup in check. Having healing items is crucial as well, as Vaal Hazak can deal consistent damage.

3. Stand Near Its Head: When Vaal Hazak uses its Effluvia jet, it leaves itself open. If you can get to its head, you can land some damage while staying safe from the gas.

4. Use Health Boosters: Bring along Health Boosters to help recover health, especially when you’re affected by Effluvia.

5. SOS for Help: Don’t hesitate to send out an SOS to get help from other hunters in the community if you’re struggling with the fight.

Vaal Hazak Armor Set

Vaal Hazak α+β Set (Rarity 8)

Vaal Hazak α Set. — The Vaal Hazak α Set on a female hunter.

Vaal Hazak β Set. — The Vaal Hazak α Set on a female hunter.

Armor Requirements:
All materials are Vaal Hazak carves and drops unless noted.

Helm: 5x Deceased Scale, 4x Carapace, 4x Talon, 4x Elder Dragon Bone
Mail: 5x Carapace, 3x Fang+, 2x Tail, 1x Odogaron Plate
Braces: 3x Fang+, 6x Deceased Scale, 2x Membrane, 1x Gem
Coil: 5x Carapace, 4x Wing, 2x Membrane, 3x Elder Dragon Blood
Greaves: 5x Deceased Scale, 4x Carapace, 2x Membrane, 6x Dragonvein Crystal

Set Bonus:
3 Pieces – Vaal Hazak Vitality (Super Recovery): Allows health recovery to exceed the red portion of the health gauge, providing some additional healing when you’re at low health.

Vaal Hazak Palico Armor
All materials are Vaal Hazak carves and drops unless noted.

Vaal Set Palico. — The Vaal Set on my Palico.

Sword: 1x Talon
Skull: 1x Carapace
Bones: 1x Membrane

Palico: All Materials are Vaal Hazak Carves/Drops unless noted.

Sword – 1x Talon
Skull – 1x Carapace
Bones – 1x Membrane

If you’re looking for more challenging monsters to hunt, don’t miss our guide on Black Diablos. This aggressive variant of Diablos requires a different approach, so be sure to check it out for tips on handling its furious charges and deadly attacks.

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