Nergigante: Wound And Thirst

Learn how to hunt Nergigante in monster hunter world, including its attack patterns, weaknesses to Thunder damage, and how to break its growing spikes.

Nergigante is an aggressive monster in monster hunter world, rivaling the ferocity of the most aggressive monsters. It frequently attacks and leaps with little pause. Its common, short-range attacks include a frontal claw attack or bite, a charge attack leading with its horns, and a head-butt using its prominent horns. These are easily avoided by not standing directly in front of it.

Against flanking or rear attacks, Nergigante can perform a side-swipe with its claws. It can also tuck in its wings and violently unfurl them; this attack takes time to launch, so be prepared to dodge or block when you see it folding its wings. The tail smash, often performed twice, is another common move. Nergigante also uses a relatively long-range roar.

Nergigante can grind its wing and shoulder into the ground to perform a charge attack with improvised spikes. In addition to its shorter charge attacks, it can perform a leaping charge that covers ground quickly. When it wants to make a significant impact, it rears up on its hind legs and performs a stumbling, short charge before smashing the ground with its fist for a powerful punch.

As the battle wears on, Nergigante can grow enraged and, uniquely for an Elder Dragon, become fatigued. Unlike some Elder Dragons that grow stronger and more aggressive, Nergigante develops rapidly growing spikes. Initially on its back, these spikes start white and harden over time, turning black. They also grow on its wings, arms, and tail. These spikes deflect attacks, requiring higher weapon sharpness to avoid blows being deflected. Some attacks may be accompanied by spike discharges, making its headbutt attack particularly dangerous. Breaking off white spikes can temporarily retard their growth, keeping Nergigante calmer and less dangerous.

When Nergigante's spikes are fully grown and hardened, watch out for its diving attacks, including a diving headbutt and a massive ground-smashing punch. Its most dangerous attack is a spinning dive that uses its bulk and wing spikes to deal massive damage, capable of nearly killing a character with full health and good defense in one hit. Evade this by sprinting to the side. Nergigante signals this attack by rearing back on two legs and roaring. A well-timed Flash Pod may interrupt it, but it's a gamble.

Your fight will start in AREA 9. Nergigante may move to AREAS 8, 12, and 14. AREA 14 is where it's likely to be found on future optional quests and investigations. In AREA 9, you can use your Slinger to destroy crystal pillars while Nergigante is underneath one for hefty damage, but this is the extent of environmental aid. When severely wounded, Nergigante retreats to its lair in AREA 15.

If you find it sleeping in AREA 15, plant Large or Mega Barrel Bombs near it before waking it up. This is a good way to break parts like its horns and deals appreciated damage, shortening the fight. Use ranged weapons or Slinger ammo if possible, or smack the bombs in melee. They do more damage to Nergigante than to you. Expect it to dive bomb through walls to the south or east shortly after, likely the first of many such attacks in its final moments.

Nergigante’s horns, head, and front limbs are most receptive to damage. The horns are the most vulnerable target. The head is less receptive to cut and ammo damage, and the front limbs take less blunt and ammo damage. These are better targets than others, but attacking from the flanks or rear is safer. Nergigante is weak to Thunder damage and is not particularly vulnerable or resistant to any ailments.

• Immortal Dragonscale (***)
• Nergigante Carapace (****)
• Nergigante Talon (***)
• Nergigante Horn+ (**)
• Nergigante Regrowth Plate (***)
• Nergigante Gem (*)