The Great Hunt Guide – Rathalos Trial Mechanics

Encounter Overview

The Great Hunt is a level 70 trial featuring Rathalos, introduced during the Monster Hunter crossover event in Stormblood. Unlike traditional encounters, Rathalos ignores enmity, cannot be tanked, and relies heavily on animation-based attacks rather than clear telegraphs.

The fight is divided into three distinct phases: a grounded phase, an add phase, and a flying phase. Players must rely on positioning, awareness, and personal responsibility rather than standard tank-healer-DPS structure.

Arena Overview

The encounter takes place in a circular arena with open edges. Positioning is critical, as Rathalos frequently uses charge attacks and knockbacks that can displace players.

In the final phase, the arena becomes more dangerous while healing is heavily restricted, shifting responsibility to individual survival tools.

Mechanic Archive

No Enmity System

Rathalos does not follow traditional aggro rules and cannot be tanked. All attacks target random players, requiring everyone to react individually.

Mega Potions

Each player is given a limited number of Mega Potions that restore full health after a short cast. These become essential during the final phase where healing is restricted.

Whipping Bite

A close-range attack hitting both in front and behind Rathalos. The safest positions are along his flanks.

Tail Swipe

A two-part sweeping attack rotating counterclockwise. Players should move to Rathalos’ left flank or disengage entirely.

Charging Bite

A targeted charge attack toward a player. Players must sidestep quickly to avoid damage and knockback.

Fireball

Targets a player with a marker and deals splash damage. The targeted player should move away from the group.

Evasive Breath

A backward leap combined with a frontal fire blast. This has a short telegraph and must be reacted to quickly.

Add Phase Creatures

Various enemies spawn during Phase 2. Unlike Rathalos, these can be tanked and grouped to maximize efficiency and allow overlapping damage.

Garula

A powerful add that must be defeated quickly. It performs heavy auto-attacks and cleaves, requiring proper tank positioning and focus damage.

Mount Mechanic

A player mounts Rathalos and must complete an active time sequence while taking damage. Failure results in a wipe.

King of the Skies

A massive arena-wide attack following the mount phase. Players must position behind cover (Garula’s body) to survive.

Scalebound

A debuff in Phase 3 that reduces all healing received to zero (except Mega Potions). Shields and mitigation still function normally.

Down Counter

A duty gauge that fills through attacking Rathalos. When full, Rathalos is knocked down, allowing for increased damage and tail breaking.

Claw Swipe

A fast aerial charge that inflicts damage, poison, and knockback. Players must sidestep quickly.

Mangle / Sweeping Flames

Frontal cone attacks that require players to move behind Rathalos or to his flanks.

Fireball (Phase 3)

A stack marker that leaves a persistent burning puddle. Players must stack to share damage, then reposition to avoid lingering effects.

Encounter Flow

Phase 1 – Grounded

Rathalos cycles through various animation-based attacks targeting random players. Positioning is key, with players generally staying on Rathalos’ left flank to minimize risk.

Players must react quickly to attack wind-ups such as Charging Bite and Tail Swipe, while spreading for Fireball.

Phase 2 – Add Phase

Additional enemies enter the arena and can be tanked. The party should group these adds near Rathalos to maximize damage efficiency.

A Garula eventually spawns and initiates a DPS check. One player mounts Rathalos and must complete an active sequence while the party defeats the Garula.

Failure to complete this sequence results in a wipe from King of the Skies.

Phase 3 – Flying

Rathalos takes to the air, and players receive Scalebound, disabling traditional healing. Players must rely on Mega Potions and mitigation to survive.

The Down Counter gauge fills through attacks, eventually knocking Rathalos down and allowing for burst damage windows.

Players should focus damage during knockdowns and use Limit Breaks during these windows for maximum efficiency.

Rathalos continues using high-pressure mechanics with minimal telegraphs until defeated.