Rathalos

This article is about a non-canonical topic in the Metal Gear series.

Rathalos charges at Big Boss on Isla del Monstruo.

Rathalos is a flying wyvern, also known as the "King of the Skies." With its deadly breath and claw attacks, Rathalos was considered to be synonymous with death from above.

History

During the Peace Walker Incident, the Militaires Sans Frontières encountered Rathalos on Isla del Monstruo after being invited to the island by the Felyne Trenya. It attacked by spitting fireballs, charging, tail-swings, and swoops. Chico claimed that Rathalos was in an old Pirate Lore book of his and implied that it may have been responsible for attacks on ships in the middle of the ocean.

Behind the scenes

Rathalos is a monster from Capcom's Monster Hunter series. It appears in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker as part of a crossover promotion. It can be hunted by the player in various optional "Monster Hunter" missions. If the player attempts to scan it with the Analyzer, it will state that it is unknown. During the fight against it, its boss theme from the Monster Hunter franchise plays in the background.

If the player defeats Rathalos and gets lucky, he or she will receive an intact, top grade Rathalos wing whose fine cut is worthy of the Sky King himself. Aside from including an image of the Wing as well as a Model-viewer bio of Rathalos, it also unlocks design specs for the Tanegashima Musket. Also, defeating Rathalos non-lethally as well as earning an S-rank will unlock the Rathalos Uniform, which adds Rathalos's Bind Voice ability to CO-OPS messages. The message causes enemies to stop moving.

In the briefing file dealing with Rathalos, Snake and Chico discuss how Wyverns (Rathalos's species) were utilized as the personal coat of arms for Vlad the Impaler, the basis for Count Dracula. This was a subtle reference to the initial origin of Dracula's name, where it was Old Romanian for "Son of the Dragon" (referring to how his father, Vlad II, was a member of the Order of the Dragon). In newer translations, largely due to "Dragon" being designated a loan-word, it's instead translated as "Son of the Devil."

Items

Rathalos Wing - Top-grade Rathalos wing. The fine cut is worthy of the Sky King himself.

Rathalos (Uniform) - Variation of Jungle Fatigues camouflage. Adds Rathalos's Bind Voice ability to CO-OPS messages. Battle Cry can then stop enemies from moving!

"Rathalos
A winged wyvern, also known as the "King of the Skies." And it certainly lives up to its name. With its deadly breath and claw attacks, Rathalos is synonymous with death from above.
©CAPCOM CO., LTD."

―Rathalos Wing model viewer description from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Other appearances

Rathalos will appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as both a boss in the World of Light stoyline and an assist trophy (being the first character to be both). Due to Solid Snake returning in the roster after his debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it will also mark the second time Monster Hunter and Metal Gear have interacted after Peace Walker. Rathalos during the storyline constantly flies around the battlefield if the player approaches it, requiring that the player back it up to a cliffside where it is to be fought. Upon defeating it, it will result in Galeem's shield being destroyed, allowing the player to confront it. Rathalos, like the other bosses, can also be rematched, should the player decide to conquer both Galeem and Dharkon's respective light and dark forces via Master Hand and Crazy Hand.

Gallery

Rathalos daytime

Rathalos

Rathalos attacks with a large fireball

Rathalos charging towards the player

Rathalos airborne

Rathalos's full wingspan view (backside) during its dive from the sky.

Rathalos in full flight

Rathalos landing