As the Monster Hunter Rise DLC Sunbreak comes out in the summer of this year, we watch all of the trailers to see if any of our favorite monsters from this fictional hunting game series could return. Today, I will be telling you my top ten favorite monsters, not just in the base game of Monster Hunter Rise, but also other popular monsters that could be coming to Sunbreak. However, I will not be including elder dragons like Kushala Daora and Teostra or unknown monsters like Gore Magala because there are too many or too few to count on this list.

1.) Rathalos

Up first on the list is the main mascot of the entire series, Rathalos. I personally like this wyvern because of its uniqueness from other dragons in films and games of being the most realistic when it comes to wingspan and how it incorporates the myths of dragons and wyverns to make it seem real. He is a special case of whenever you come back to fight him in every game, he never fails to disappoint. Whether it’s dodging the fire breath and poison talons or the feeling when you defeat the king of the skies, Rathalos will always hold a place in the hearts of many fans, including me.

2.) Nerscylla

Nerscylla isn’t the most popular among fans, partly because it’s a human-sized spider that releases a sleeping effect when a player tries to defeat it. However, due to the fact that Rakna-Kadaki is a new monster to the Temnoceran class of monsters, and that he was one of the most prominent monsters in the Monster Hunter movie, I could see him make a return into sunbreak. I personally love this silk weaver myself and although the concept of a giant spider is generic, I think that the crystals and dead skin of its prey that are on its back make it unique enough for me.

3.) Astalos

Astalos is going to be the only fated four-member on this list. I personally love this monster because of its green and black colors and the fact that it’s a wyvern with dragonfly-like elements in its design. I also like the fact that it has the power of electricity that can paralyze you or give you thunderblight when you’re fighting it. Although it’s an edgier version of Rathalos, Astalos takes my cake for being my favorite out of the other three members of the fated four.

4.) Great Izuchi

Being the first-ever monster that I have ever hunted, Great Izuchi is one of my favorites out of all dromaeosaur monsters. It was the first monster that you hunt in rising, and it’s one of the most intelligent of all the dromaeosaur monsters, coordinating with its pack to do different spin attacks, and caring for its pack as well by grooming them. Although Great Izuchi may look like a simple fluffy velociraptor, due to its intelligence with its pack, it makes it a fun first monster to hunt.

5.) Great Jagras

Great Jagras is a giant iguana with a never-ending sense of taste and hunger for herbivores. Although it can’t control its appetite when it comes to eating an Aptonoth, it’s so silly but so simple to understand, which makes it likable. Like Great Izuchi, it can control a pack, but unlike the intelligent dromaeosaur, it’s pack has a greater advantage in numbers. This makes it a challenge to hunt because it can call more members of its pack to take you down. Overall an amazing concept for a “Great” monster (pun intended).

6.) Diablos

After defeating the final boss of the game, Monobloc, Diablos was a special monster unlocked after crafting a piece of Monoblos’ armor, which makes this monster more special. This monster was a surprise to hunters in the first game. The subspecies of this monster, Black Diablos, is the main monster of the Monster Hunter movie. I love this monster’s roar and the fact that it’s a triceratops dragon, but I feel the black smoke coming out of Diablos’ mouth when it is a little too much, but overall Diablos is an awesome monster.

7.) Magnamalo

The monster that is featured on the box cover of the latest installment to the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Rise. This giant tiger monster is really awesome because it features a new status effect called hell light, which is like blast blight but can also be used on Magnamalo to cause him to fall to the ground. Magnamalo is also more unique than most flagships because of the fact that it has to do with an angry spirit, but overall this is a good monster with a good concept.

8.) Tigrex

Tigrex was created to be a simple monster that would later become iconic. The point of this monster is that it is always hungry and can adapt to any environment. It also has a loud roar that can hurt you. This monster also makes the design something to remember after fighting. Tigrex is a fusion between a tiger, a tyrannosaurus rex, and a wyvern, which makes this monster iconic. I love fighting Tigrex and the fact that it’s the rival to Rathalos, being the king of the ground, instead of the sky. This monster is awesome and it puts up a good fight.

9.) Zinogre

The thunder wolf, Zinogre, makes it into ninth place on this list. This monster is more iconic than the Monster Hunter series itself. Zinogre is a thundering monster that controls the fulger bugs on its back to help it do its electric attacks, which makes it unique when compared to other thunder-wielding creatures from other franchises like Pikachu from Pokémon. Zinogre is also very beautiful at night when howling at the moon, making the title of this monster make sense. Although I never fought Zinogre, I still think it’s a good monster and I hope to fight it soon.

10.) Nargacuga

And for the final spot on my list, it goes to Nargacuga. This monster is the most popular Monster Hunter monster in Japan, and for a good reason. Nargacuga is a cat-like monster that fights with stealth, speed, agility, blades on its wings, and spikes from its tail. I personally like Nargacuga because of the fact that its a cat monster for one, and two that it’s speedy and agile when it comes to fighting. Its armor also makes you look like a ninja which is pretty cool. I will always make Nargacuga my favorite Monster Hunter monster.