Summary
- Exceptionally rare monsters like Xeno'jiiva and Fatalis pose the biggest challenge and are the most powerful in the Monster Hunter series.
- Rare subspecies like Silver Rathalos, Gold Rathian, and Molten Tigrex are more aggressive, have unique abilities, and are among the rarest monsters in Monster Hunter.
- Abyssal Lagiacrus and Safi'jiiva are other rare, powerful Elder Dragons that are exceedingly hard to defeat, with unique abilities and environments.
The Monster Hunter games are known for their large variety of monsters, ranging from colossal Elder Dragons to smaller beasts at the bottom of the food chain. Throughout the Monster Hunter series, from the very first game to the latest titles such as Monster Hunter: World and Rise, these creatures have been classified into multiple, often confusing sub-groups, with some monsters having their own variants and alternate forms that make navigating the world of Monster Hunter challenging.
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One such group is the rare species category, which depicts several nearly impossible monsters to encounter. These creatures are powerful and deadly, giving the player a run for their money if they are lucky enough to experience fighting one.
10 Silver Rathalos
The Rarest Rathalos
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Present during the first generation of the Monster Hunter games, the Silver Rathalos is a rare species of the flying Wyvern 'Rathalos.' This particular variation of the famed dragon is clad in bright silver armor and has blue flames that appear on its body when provoked.
While many of the attacks of this creature remain the same as those of its common counterparts, it is notably more aggressive and punishing. It is easily the most powerful version of the Rathalos and the rarest, with little being known about the beast apart from its aggressive nature.
9 Gold Rathian
The Rarest Rathian
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
The female version of the Rathalos, the Rathian, is a strong flying Wyvern that plagues its prey with fire, brute strength, and a poisonous barbed tail that can put a hunter on their knees. The Gold Rathian, much like the Silver Rathalos, is a rare subspecies.
This particular creature keeps all the weapons of the common Rathian, such as the poisonous barbed tail. However, it doubles down on attack and defense with a golden hide that is nearly impenetrable. The Gold Rathalos is the ultimate wyvern foe for hunters to seek and is also one of the rarest.
8 Molten Tigrex
A Scarce Tigrex With Explosive Behavior
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
The bull in the China shop, Tigrex, is a classic monster in the Monster Hunter series, known for its bold attitude and bulldozer-like attacks that make even the most battle-hardened hunters struggle to keep up. The Molten Tigrex is (if possible) a stronger, far angrier version of its normal counterpart, with the creature being able to produce explosions from its body when it attacks.
This molten-colored version of the Tigrex is, in effect, a charging volcano that is a nightmare to battle. It is also the rarest Tigrex variation in Monster Hunter.
7 Lucent Nargacuga
Elusive And Invisible Behemoth
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
- Released
- April 20, 2010
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The giant bat-like Wyvern, Nargacuga, is terrifying to fight in its normal form, with its lightning-fast speed, spike attacks, and wings-like blades, let alone in its far rarer Lucent variation.
Lucent Nargacuga, introduced in the third generation of Monster Hunter games, has the additional ability of invisibility and more powerful spike attacks that make this apex predator deadly. The beast also has a more defensive hide. It is easily one of the rarest monsters in Monster Hunter, only present in two games.
6 Violet Mizutsune
A Rarely Seen Fire Demon
Monster Hunter Rise
- Released
- March 26, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- Switch, PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Violet Mizutsune is an incredibly rare Mizutsune variation encountered in the newest game in the series: Monster Hunter: Rise. This version of the beast is violet in color, with a distinctly different palette than its more common counterpart.
A fairly well-tempered animal, this creature can become aggressive if provoked, using its fire abilities to set the world ablaze if disturbed. Hunters fighting this monster must be prepared to deal with immense levels of fire to stand a chance against this rare creature.
5 Xeno'jiiva
An Infant Dragon From Outer Space
Monster Hunter World
A new species of Elder Dragon, discovered in Monster Hunter: World, Xeno'jiiva is the final boss of the game's base game. This Elder Dragon is known for its power, absorbing other elder dragons' power when they are dying, and impressive attacks of blue energy that can effortlessly take out a team of veteran hunters.
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Only a couple of these creatures are known to exist, potentially coming from outer space. What is known, however, is that Xeno'jiiva is the young form of the Elder Dragon Safi'jiiva - a strong dragon that is equally rare.
4 Abyssal Lagiacrus
A Leviathan Only Found At The Bottom Of The Ocean
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Abyssal Lagiacrus is a larger, more powerful variant of the Leviathan Lagiacrus, using water and lightning attacks to defeat opponents. Notably, employing whirlpools to drown the sorrows of unsuspecting hunters, this beast is a force to be reckoned with.
It is also exceedingly rare, only found in the deepest parts of the ocean. Any hunter wanting to battle this creature must travel far below the depths of the sea.
3 Safi'jiiva
The Only Known Monster Of Its Kind
- Monster Hunter: World
As mentioned, Safi'jiiva is a newly discovered Elder Dragon in Monster Hunter: World. Shedding its skin over time as it matures, Xeno'jiiva eventually transforms into Safi'jiiva. This adult version is far stronger than its infant form, having far more controlled energy blasts, devastating finishing moves, the ability to absorb the environment, and nearly impenetrable armor.
This creature is exponentially powerful and one of the most challenging monsters to defeat in the series. Safi'jiiva is also very rare, with only one having been discovered.
2 Espinas Rare Species
A Rage-Fueled Species Of Limited Number
- Monster Hunter Frontier
Literally called Espinas Rare Species, this interesting monster is, as its name suggests, a rare variation of Espinas found in Monster Hunter: Frontier.
Espinas Rare Species has a white and purple appearance and a skill set of moves and attacks fueled by extreme rage, making defeating it challenging. This rare species is only present in the Monster Hunter: Frontier games, making it one of the rarest monsters in the Monster Hunter series.
1 Fatalis
The Rarest Elder Dragon Of Ancient Times
- Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
The species of Fatalis are undeniably the hardest beasts to kill throughout the Monster Hunter franchise. Fatalis is split into normal, crimson, and white forms; these creatures can wipe out kingdoms and even entire species.
While each species of Fatalis is rare and far less common than other Elder Dragons, the White Fatalis variant is said to be the creator of all Elder Dragons and the most powerful, which means that this beast is the rarest monster in all the Monster Hunter games, existing since ancient times.
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