Monster Hunter Rise added a brand new selection of powerful monsters and brought back some of the most notorious monsters from the series' past. The introduction of strong monsters such as Almudron and Magnamalo has led to Rise having some of the most powerful monsters in the series' history.
Returning favorites such as Anjanth and the classic Diablos also rank highly in Rise, going toe to toe with the game's latest additions. If you are entering the wide-open world of Rise then don't worry. We've uncovered the most powerful monsters' biggest weaknesses.
Updated February 15, 2022 by Ryan Bamsey: With Monster Hunter: Sunbreak just cresting over the horizon, we've taken another look at the crop of dangerous beasties already present in Monster Hunter: Rise and added a few more of the truly dangerous ones.
Tigrex
Tigrex is a returning monster in Monster Hunter Rise and possesses a threat level of seven. Despite its size, it's a very mobile monster and has a series of dangerous charge attacks that you should watch out for.
Tigrexs' Weaknesses
The major weakness the Tigrex has is thunder, which can potentially deal a significant amount of damage in all areas. It is also vulnerable to several of the traps available in Rise, including Shock and Pitfall traps.
Bishaten
Bishaten only has a threat level of four, but that doesn't stop this monster from possessing a set of dangerous tail attacks. It's also one of the most acrobatic monsters in all of Monster Hunter Rise, being able to glide and use its rather bizarre tail hand to move around with ease.
Bishatens' Weaknesses
The Bishaten's major weaknesses are ice-based attacks and fire attacks. As such, it has a lot of areas to exploit, putting it lower on this list as a result. Just make sure to watch out for its fruit-throwing attack, which can inflict various status effects.
Anjanath
Returning from Monster Hunter World, the Anjanath has a strong jaw attack, as well as the ability to breathe fire. It also possesses a threat level of six and a fierce temperament making it a strong fighter.
Anjanaths' Weaknesses
Anjanath has two big weaknesses, though, those being both water and ice attacks. While it does possess a large moveset, making its attacks unpredictable at times, it is also vulnerable to most of the game's traps.
Zinogre
Zinogre is a franchise staple and returns to Monster Hunter Rise with a threat level of six. Its tail features heavily in its various attacks, but its body slam is another to watch out for.
Zinogres' Weaknesses
Its main weaknesses are ice and water attacks, with both dealing substantial damage to Zingore's back and tail. Its primary attacks are mainly thunder-themed, with attacks using its tail, body, and even summoning lightning from the sky.
Mizutsune
The Mizutsune is one of the strangest looking leviathans in Monster Hunter Rise and returns to the series having debuted in Generations. It has a threat level of six and primarily uses water-based attacks, mainly occupying watery areas on the map.
Mizutsunes' Weaknesses
As a water monster, its primary weakness is thunder attacks, but it also has a similar degree of weakness to dragon attacks. Its weakest areas being its claws and front legs; just watch out for its jumping slam.
Almudron
Almudron is a new addition to Monster Hunter Rise and has a high threat level of seven. It is also a water monster, with the majority of its attacks being mud-based, using the environment it lives in.
Almudrons' Weaknesses
Almudron is a strong monster, but it has big weaknesses to both fire and ice attacks, making those weapons the best options to take it on. Keep an eye on its tail during battle though.
Rathalos
Present in every Monster Hunter game, the Rathalos have been terrorizing hunters since 2004. They are described as 'Kings of the Skies', and possess a threat level of six. Having wings naturally makes them a major aerial threat, so you have to constantly be scouring the sky in their habitats to avoid a surprise attack.
Rathalos' Weaknesses
Rathalos are primarily weak to dragon and thunder attacks, with dragon attacks, in particular, dealing major damage to every part of their body aside from legs. The new flame streak move can be deadly though, possessing a high KO chance when successfully executed.
Diablos
Diablos are another mainstay of the Monster Hunter franchise, and in Rise, the 'Tyrant of the Desert' possesses a threat level of seven. They may be herbivores, but that won't stop them from attacking any hunters who come close. Its charging attack is a move to watch out for, with its potential to deal devastating damage.
Diablos' Weaknesses
The best elements to use when attacking Diablos are ice, water, and dragon. All three deal fairly consistent levels of damage across the board, although ice is the most potent for Diablos.
Goss Harag
Goss Harag is a new addition to Monster Hunter Rise, and any hunters hoping to deal with this fanged beast easily should be aware of its threat level of seven. This yeti-like monster can be found in Rise's more cold climates and is one of the toughest monsters in the game.
Goss Harag' Weaknesses
Its major weakness is to fire attacks, with high levels of damage being dealt across the Goss Harag's entire body. Beware, it can also conjure ice weapons that deal high damage and deal iceblight to players.
Magnamalo
Magnamalo is the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Rise and possesses a threat level of seven. The 'Wyvern of Malice' is one of Rise's most dangerous monsters, with its main method of attack involving its hellfire, a hazardous gas that can inflict hellfireblight on hunters.
Magnamalo's Weaknesses
Anyone looking to take on Magnamalo would be wise to bring some wirebugs to avoid damaging attacks. Its main weakness is water, though thunder attacks can also deal substantial damage across the body, it has full resistance to fire and dragon damage so avoid taking these weapons into a fight.
Bazelgeuse
Returning from World with a vengeance, Bazelgeuse (fondly referred to as the B-52 Bomber) is back to pepper battlefields with blastblight. It will strafe hunters without exception and becomes angry at the mere sight of an intruder in its territory.
Bazelgeuse's Weaknesses
Thunder damage is the king when it comes to combating a Bazelgeuse, but ice and dragon weapons can pack a pretty punch, too. As with many monsters, aiming for its head will work wonders, especially if you're wielding a heavy Hammer or Hunting Horn.
Kushala Daora
As an Elder Dragon, Kushala Daora is truly a force to be reckoned with. It can create huge, horrible gusts of wind that make facing it a horrible task. If the beast manages to send you up into the air with its windy breath, use your wirebug to zoom out of the way of its follow-up attack.
Kushala Daora's Weaknesses
Add some lightning to Kushala Daora's storm with thunder damage for a lot of damage, especially if you target its wings or its tail. If you're bereft of good thunder weapons, though, packing dragon or fire attacks is a second-best strategy.
Crimson Glow Valstrax
This Valstrax variant is a true horror and one of the biggest challenges you can fight in Monster Hunter: Rise. It has a challenge on par with even the most ferocious of Apex monsters and with its tendency to ambush, you'll never know the warm embrace of safety ever again.
Crimson Glow Valstrax's Weaknesses
If you truly wish to face off against Crimson Glow Valstrax, you'll be pleased to know that all elements are equal when it comes to determining weaknesses. All except dragon - don't bother using dragon attacks against this red nightmare. The best strategy you can use is to learn the fight and Valstrax's attacks, lest you be pulverized into dust by its fiery attacks.