A few weeks ago, you may recall that I was getting deep into Monster Hunter: Generations. I came up against a Village 3* quest. Picking 8 Abyssal Mushrooms. Pretty easy right? I just have to run to the area with the mushrooms and hand them in! I’m an experienced hunter, so I thought “Nah, I don’t need to bring anything else with me, no food or rations, it’s just mushrooms right?”
It was not just mushrooms. I took the quest, a cutscene played and I knew I was in trouble. Crawling out of the deep thicket and forestry came out what was to become my nemesis. Glavenus. A huge, dinosaur-like creature with scales like stone, breathing fire and had a tail as sharp as the most well-crafted blade. Did we mention he can spark his razor sharp tail up to become engulfed in flames?
I was incredibly unprepared, but there’s another option. I could avoid Glavenus, just pick the mushrooms and end the quest, or I could stand and fight against him. I was donned in full Tetsucabra armour, with Aerial Switch-Axe to match. I might not be prepared right now, but I’m no coward. The first of the Fated Four in Monster Hunter: Generations was right in front of me, and I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. I ran towards the beast, entered greatsword mode and launched myself at Glavenus.
After marking the beast with paintballs and dodging out of the way of its tail. The battle raged on. My axe cracked his skull and Glavenus retreated. I started to use my evasion skills to run behind and try to get a few more hits on the beast before he retreated. Having picked up a single scale from Glavenus, I sharpened my blade, healed and went after him further.
Glavenus turned around, with steam pumping out of its nostrils, he was angry. Very angry. It didn’t seem to enjoy being thwacked by an axe. He shot fireballs my way and singed my skin. After setting me alight, the enormous range of his tail hit me. I was in a bad way. After attempting to run to heal my wounds, I realised that my endurance bar had been cut down significantly. I’d not brought any rations. This was going to be an issue, I need the endurance to mount the beast and run out of the way of its attacks.
After healing up and realising what a predicament I was in, I needed to finish off Glavenus quickly. Not having any items with me to keep me going meant that I had to do some heavy damage to the beast to finish it off- and also be aware of the 50 minute quest time limit. I ran back towards Glavenus, bolting into the air and releasing an Aerial Axe Discharge, my skill with the highest damage. As I was doing this, Glavenus fell once more and I mounted the beast and started to drive my daggers into its body. With a keen eye on my endurance bar, I was able to topple the monster once more and wail on its body further, breaking off the scales on his back.
After Glavenus got up, saliva was pouring out of its mouth. It seemed like the monster was just as exasperated as I was. This is it, this is my chance! When Glavenus is tired, it can’t use its fireball attacks, so I went in for the kill, after wailing on the monster, I was out of endurance once again, my axe had been battered down and was not even sharp anymore. My endurance had been reduced to an inch, but both I and Glavenus were on our last legs. As he limped out to another zone, I used the last of my health potions and went to finally take him down. I transformed my Switch-Axe into sword mode and trudged along, ready for our final bout.
Glavenus was feasting on a poor herbivore as I sprinted up and let out another Aerial Discharge, as he turned, it seemed that I was too late. The monster had regained its health and endurance and blasted me off with a scorching jet of fire. As I was getting up, I was scorched further by his flaming tail. I was running out of health, fast. After seeing it limp towards me, I mounted the monster once again while I was on fire, but it was too late. My health ticked to zero and I was carted off to the beginning of the area.
As I went to the chest with supplies, hope wasn’t lost just yet. I took the potions and rations as well as a map, and set off on my way to find and finally kill it. I found it feasting once more, twice again. The monster was just too powerful. Quest failed.
I failed to deliver 8 Abyssal Mushrooms, I lost a load of items, but I’d gained knowledge of how Glavenus fights, it’s movements. How to dodge his attacks. I just needed to be prepared. There was no way I will complete that quest without taking him down. My only record of fighting Glavenus was my knowledge and a single scale.
I got to work preparing for the fight ahead. I went into the fields, gathering blue mushrooms and honey to mix together Mega Potions, roasted 10 Steaks to use as rations in the field and concocted together Energy Drinks. This time, I was also going to recruit two support Palicos, Cats who can heal me while I battle Glavenus. After hours of preparation to forge a new Axe after researching Glavenus’s elemental weakness, I stepped back into the quest. This time, I am going to pick those 8 Mushrooms right over Glavenus’s dead body.
Immediately, I felt more powerful and confident than ever. Dodging Glavenus’ attacks, trapping it in place and smashing it in the face to maximise potential damage. The beast was still no walk in the park, but I was ready to take him down comfortably. After focusing my attacks on its face and breaking its hard scales off, I targeted another place on Glavenus- It’s mighty sharp tail.
I mounted Glavenus once more, and once I toppled the monster. It was my time to shine, I activated my Demon Riot skill and unleashed hell on its tail. After chopping it’s tail off. Glavenus was struggling. With Demon Riot still activated, I launched myself into the air one last time and finally took the monster down after 40 minutes of fierce battle. He was dead. I carved its body for materials and then went on my way.
I’d never been more prepared to pick 8 Mushrooms in my life.
