Monster Hunter World Lore: Vaal Hazak

In this video we discuss the lore, ecology and common misconceptions surrounding the Elder Dragon Vaal Hazak in Monster Hunter World.
And hey look, now we even have a new Arch Tempered Vaal Hazak to hunt on ps4 and xbox!
This video is a small part of a larger video series covering the history, lore, and monster ecology from all the games in the Monster Hunter series including Monster Hunter World, Monster Hunter Tri, Monster Hunter 4U, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (GenU), Monster Hunter Stories, and more!
Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=10256254
Twitter @xSTRAWFOOTx
PSN: strawfoot-
Discord Server: / discord
Background music is payed for and licensed for use in this video through Envato.
Special Thanks to my fireteam Jordi & Drew, my Patreon crew, my good friends and podcast co-hosts Jer and Malek, and also, of course, to my best friend Liz.

[@Strawfoot]

Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=10256254 Twitter @xSTRAWFOOTx PSN: strawfoot- Discord Server: discord.gg/m56PQy3

[@TyreeWells]

Strawfoot are you doing a lore on Elder Dragons now? Cause we need Nergigante, Teostra, Kirin, maybe Zorah Magdaros, Xenojiva,

[@Strawfoot]

@@TyreeWells I did Nergigante, the others should be on the way soon :)

[@TyreeWells]

@@Strawfoot awesome I saw it, can't wait for Iceborne, the lore you'll provide will be epic!

[@Jeffron27]

My intial reaction when I saw this thing: "IT'S A FRICKEN ZOMBIE!" *looks closer* "Oh no, wait it's just wearing a corpse on its body. COOL!" I love how they managed to make an "undead" dragon beast work in MH gotta give the MH team props!

[@basil_leaf7036]

I love how this elder dragon carries a misconception from its appearance when it really is just a gentle giant, I love how you described it and though it lives in a nasty decaying home that it really is just a peaceful kind creature when it comes to humans.

[@scrumdiddy6888]

It’s actually fascinating how an entire new ecosystem can flourish from the death of one monster... not saying it’s a very clean one.

[@alexandroskaminas]

Tranquility It happens in our planet too,whale falls for example create mini and temporary ecosystems that give life to the otherwise barren ocean bottom.

[@Strawfoot]

Ahh that's so cool, I never made that connection in my head until you said it. I wonder if that's where they got the idea?

[@nuke2099]

It is. The Rotting Vale is the twilight/abyss and the Coral Highlands is the upper part of a sea. The Vale is made up of 9 (someone on reddit did a count) dead Dalamadur.

[@MasterRedPanda]

There's actually 2 dead dalamdur in rotten vale. 1 set of jaw can be found in area 4 and another set of jaw can be found in area 14. The reason behind death of these 2 huge elders in yet unknown.

[@brandonvang3242]

The 2 massive skulls one on the surface of the vale and another within it so that leads me to think that there was a fight between two Elder dragons. The reason which is possibly the most likely they were probably having a dispute over something and it was probably during the first age. Or that they were mates and died together

[@themoonlitspice325]

You know, for the most grisly and feared Elder Dragon, Vaal Hazak is pretty peaceful and breathtaking in its refusal of death. I mean, it uses a virus which acts as a decomposer in the Vale as a source of nourishment and a means to survival. The Elder Dragon of death/life has to be one of the most mysterious as it didn't seem to want to release its bioenergy like the others.

[@mudshrooze]

Seriously this guy is so interesting. It's a very unique creature. Using hive mind like bacteria as its weapon is super cool

[@anothertemplarchuunibyoude3750]

arent shagaru magala and gore magala does the same??..

[@man_like_forg1121]

@@anothertemplarchuunibyoude3750 yes they are just gore Magala that has sheded it's skin and opened a path to it's ultimate power. Gore Magala is simply a child. Waiting for it to be able to shed it's skin to adult hood only then it's revered to an elder dragon

[@emenova3553]

@@anothertemplarchuunibyoude3750 well, in a different way, Gore and Shagaru uses the frenzy virus to kill, Gore/Shagaru infects its prey, wait for the virus to take effect, then they kill, another way this could go is by the frenzy virus ending theyre lives, if the monster they infect fights long enough, it would turn apex, and if the apex monster sees the gore or shagaru, theyre very much dead

[@wiiblii8584]

The bacteria is not a weopon the bacteria is the beast for it is the physical manifestation of rot and miasma

[@nulllex0099]

The tranquil way in which you normally present your videos just goes hand in hand so well with this episode. I had been waiting for this one, because seeing an undead dragon was far from weird at first, but when I heard that magic doesn't exist in MH, I really started to wonder what was up with Vaal. And now, despite such a terrifying appearance, it turns out to be one of the calmest elder dragons I've seen, akin to a large filter feeder. It just goes to show that nature is not cruel, merely indifferent, as Vaal feeds on viruses that plague other animals. Not to mention, looking at the creature without thinking of some soul-sucking freak of nature, lets me take a breath and just be marvelled at what a macabre beauty the viral clouds are (I'm thankful for not having to smell the place. It really breaks the spell). I can only say, thank you for your videos, they really bring these other aspects of the monsters out. Fun fact, moray eels actually have that double jaw, with one further down their throats. Also, really Strawfoot? Defenceless researcher? You were peppering those lesser monster with arrows as you talked XP

[@mattp2788]

and had a XENO'JIIVA bowgun

[@dracogatom7873]

you know, it sucks that magic doesn't exist in MH since some elder dragons are able to do some things that are considered magic. However it does make things seem more interesting that magic is not really a thing in this world

[@nulllex0099]

Matt P that so? Yeah, a weapon made from the remains of whatever monstrosity that creature is, is someone that lost the right to call himself defenceless XP

[@nulllex0099]

Draco Gatom it certainly forces them to come up with much more detailed explanations, and study biology so much more. Like the symbiotic relationship between Ziogre and the electric bugs he uses, it simply goes deeper than to say it can use lightning magic. Though, if you want to be realistic, MH's humans are leagues beyond irl humanity's physical prowess, to be able to properly fight with their weapons, when it'd take a properly fit irl human just to carry them around. Not to mention that for weapons that rely so heavily on their ability to shift position, like the charge blade and switch axe, to function so well in combat, never mind at all, is nothing short of a mechanical, or magical, miracle.

[@dracogatom7873]

NullLex00 yeah, though to be fair just imagine if magic did exist in MH. That would mean that you could play as a wizard, or the equivalent to it, and cast spells from afar. Also would explain how ancient/white fatalis was able to come out of a portal from the sky. And how the behemoth got to MHW as well

[@CarMADforever]

My favourite elder dragon, hands down.. shame I had to slaughter 20 of them to make the armour set cus no matter how many times I broke his (is it a he, Vaal and Hazak sound very masculine so I always referred to it as he) head he REFUSED TO DROP TEETH, could have done it 4 but noooo. Also he definitely has the most intimidating entrance. Like "Oh, this is a lot of Girros... uhh, Girros, don't wish to alarm you but the corpse pile is moving... oooohkay, that Girros just got impaled aaand his... soul.. is.. being... sucked out... okay then... and all of them are being drained now, great.... *Vaal chucks off the corpse pile with his wings and, oh my god, that scream* oooooooohkaaaaaay, well done Vaal, consider me intimidated by the soul sucking-tooth tongued-evluvia hissing-reanimated looking corpse dragon... yeah, I wanna run now, mission achieved, intimidation levels are over 9000% and climbing, well done Vaal.... I'll uh, I'll just be going, sorry to disturb you."

[@griffingower1883]

I'm still trying to finish my set of jagras armor

[@tora4683]

I know he doesn't want to give us his teeth no matter what T^T he probably trolling us on purpose

[@Jedran275]

I cant thank you enough for giving monsters humanity, Strawfoot. Restrictions in the consoles which previous MH games were on prevented us from seeing genuine intelligent, varied behavior from these amazing creatures. Now we get to see that just because a monster wears the dry, decaying flesh of other, already doomed monsters infected with effluvium...it doesn't make them an active threat to the lives of all creatures. Now that my drive to make ALL THE GEAR has lessened, I have felt the remorse set in for having to hunt such majestic beasts for my next barely used piece of weaponry or armor. Every time I see a video of yours, I click because I know I'm gojng to be treated to a TRUE display of kindness and consideration. I only wish that I had money to offer on Patreon.

[@Strawfoot]

Hey Devin, thanks for the kind words, I feel the same way about the old console games. I'd love it if they ported a few of the monsters from the old systems over to world just so I could see their actual personalities. Also don't worry about the patreon thing I don't expect that most people could do it, I know when I was younger there was no way I could have. Even now I'm doing pretty well and I only can afford to sub to a very select few on patreon.

[@xdiscordx3088]

god im in love with these role-playing documentaries,simply wonder, you're voice, the background music, your choice of words just get me hooked on the first min of each and one of these. Stupendous work on this one!

[@Strawfoot]

Thank you Discord the Hunter, that's very kind of you to say. It always makes my day to see comments like this. :)

[@xdiscordx3088]

Strawfoot you're welcome :) it just makes me extremely happy when i see a notification from you. See you when you put anothrr vid strawfoot. \˚ㄥ˚\

[@DarkZholt]

Great video. 0:29 Yup, I even suspect that those pools might not only be acid but outright ridioactive. They look like nuclear reactor cooling tanks and, as you pointed out, at least one Dalamadur did die in the Rotten Vale, that monster is believed to have a nuclear reaction going on inside it. Some radioactive fluids might have gathered there.

[@mudshrooze]

This is such a wonderful view on what Vaal is. I love it. I hope you are well Strawfoot and family

[@Strawfoot]

Thanks again Mudshrooze! I am well, how have you been?

[@kamimikyu4483]

I'm so mad at Vaal Hazak rn but I love watching your lores hahaha

[@Strawfoot]

Hey, thanks for the comment KamimiKyu, I remember you from that live stream the other day, glad you stopped by. :)

[@GrievousKhan]

Damn, love the peaceful, tranquil music and vibe of this video. Vaaly is my fav elder dragon and it's awesome to learn more about this beautiful if terrifying creature. You have really come a long way with your videos, so much improvement and it's nice to see you have adoipted your own unique style now. Good stuff mate.

[@Strawfoot]

Thanks Khan, and I'm glad the improvement shows, I get a lot of great feedback from people like you and I try to make every video better! Thanks for commenting.

[@duskbringer4583]

I just thought of something. Vaal Hazak is similar to one monster from Monster Hunter Orage, sorta... Gilkuza, the Skeleton Dragon. Both are undead, both use smoke-like breath weapon. Expect Gilkuza moves more like Khezu on the walls... >_>

[@Strawfoot]

Oh, you're right! I haven't read that book in so long I totally forgot about the skeleton dragon. I need to go back and reread that one, i bet there's all kinds of stuff i missed. Thanks Duskbringer!

[@duskbringer4583]

@@Strawfoot No problem! I also thought that if you mix Xeno'jiva with Kushala Daora, you'd get "The Forbidden Dragon of Light", Myo Galuna...

[@jurholstgcermangrinderburd1335]

Vaal is definitely an awesome looking monster. Hopefully archtemper Vaal is even more intimidating and much harder than he is now.

[@Strawfoot]

Yeah me too! Thanks PUG!

[@unrulytrickster2338]

I feel you made an excellent video, when you do videos like these it makes one rethink how they think about the monster and it's actions/behavior's. Awesome dude, awesome.

[@cometchris1090]

Vaal Hazak has always been my favorite elder dragon. It was the first monster I was ever told about in this game and Ive always found the concept to be creative.

[@metalrain300]

I hope you read this even though it’s been two months. I discovered something important about Vaal. If you look closely the orange parts on his head aren’t his eyes. Upon closer examination after his death it’s clear his eyes are further forwards. That’s when it hit me, only one other dragon his orange areas on its head and his it’s eyes closer to its snout. Xeno’jiiva upon closer looks the wing structure is nearly the same as well and so are the claws. My theory Vaal was prematurely born, a new born with defects weak and fragile could not at the time hunt on his own. The smell of rotting flesh would have eventually brought him to the vale. There he would eventually adapt to the bacteria the inhabits the land and make a symbolic relationship with it lowing him to hunt and feed properly. The deformed claws and spikes and even bump on the base of his tail would have been by products of his way to early birth. Basically he’s is xeno’jiiva’s older brother.

[@Strawfoot]

Wow, that's a really cool theory, I did notice they have similar (fake?) eyes. It would be interesting to ask the design team about your theory, I wonder what their intention was. Thanks for the comment Metalrain's Gaming!

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

This is your best video yet. I absolutely love the insight you've provided. Vaal is one of those mysteries I love to ponder, and hope to see again in future games. Keep up the good work, my friend. I am glad to have found your channel.

[@andywijsman9708]

As a fellow researcher who has studied this creature known as Vaal Hazaak would like to share some findings. The room it resides in is connected to the Elder Recess which in turn is part of the Everstream. There have been reports of a strong energy presence gathering in the Everstream at one spot. However that energy seems to be kept stable somehow. It is my belief that Vaal Hazaak is the cause of this. Similar to the Gilkuza who was first also thought to be a zombie dragon. With this in mind i would urge not to kill Vaal Hazaak for if it is truly holding something back then who knows what might get unleashed once not there anymore. As what happened when Gilkuza was defeated. Further research into the Everstream should be done before hunters should be allowed to take down Vaal Hazaak. As currently it is not a threat to anything anyway.

[@ashgarden5863]

Deym bruh, the way you made that intro and the eloquence you put into choosing those words... man... Worthy enough for a like and a sub.

[@anwmus]

What's certain though is Vaal Hazak's theme is so awesome!

[@Kuromaza]

I LOVE the way you took this one!

[@Eoraptor-he2lh]

Awesome work as always. I just love how you talk about all these monsters as creatures of beauty and not just savage creatures to kill and make armor from. As while monster hunter is about killing huge dragons and other creatures to make armor and other creatures. To me it’s also about nature both it’s beauty and it’s dangers and I’m so glad that you take it up yourself to capture that side of the game in your videos

[@Strawfoot]

lol, thanks, it wasn't really a planned thing, I'm just an old hippy at heart. I'm a vegetarian in real life because I love animals and I think it just leaks through into my Monster Hunter vids. If capcom ever made a Monster Hugger i'd probably play it. :P

[@Eoraptor-he2lh]

Strawfoot same here

[@ajtheva6694]

Always great to hear from you Strawfoot

[@voltix9594]

One of my favorite elders, I just love fighting him! Also, I've seen some videos, and there might be a tundra map added, along with new monsters Edit: I always thought Vaal was undead, but is he really?

[@andreadecolle9029]

Voltix That leak was false. It said that the map and monsters had to be announced during sony e3 conference

[@tylermacgregor1320]

Only parts of that leak that you can safely assume to be true are Oroshi Kirin, Alatreon and the summer festival which have been leaked/confirmed by other, more reliable sources. The rest of it was most likely false, seeing as it wasn’t revealed at e3 like they said it would be, and it made no mention of Behemoth. MAYBE if the summer festival comes out on the 22nd like the leak said, you can cling to hope again, but I honestly wouldn’t bet too much on it.

[@mattp2788]

Vaal is not undead. Vaal , like many other elder dragons, went to the new world to die but when it reached the rotten vale, it suddenly tried to survive in this new environment and began to devour the effuvia and developed a bond with it. Vaal is also NOT a necromancer, he can not bring back the dead.

[@voltix9594]

I know he's not a necromancer, but he looks undead because of the skin, even though he's wearing the skin of an Odogaron, and the Effluvia covering his entire body makes him look ghastly

[@mattp2788]

I just said that because everyone seems to think that Vaal is a necromancer for some reason.

[@LinkVsShadowNeo]

One of my favorite elder dragons. Your commentary is just amazing!

[@VhanchyShu]

I'm new to the Monster Hunter universe so I searched for lore videos before progressing in MHW and man I'm glad I found your channel. Other than being informative lore wise which what I was looking for, they are amazingly created. Keep up the amazing work! You just earned another sub. :D

[@huffjuff7824]

Another good video. Congratulations Strawfoot.

[@naomist.claire8419]

This is the most incredible Monster Hunter World video I’ve seen on KZbin. Thank you for sharing! Xoxo

[@Strawfoot]

Oh my goodness, thank you Naomi, you just put a smile on my face!

[@elizabethhibbs4196]

This is the BEST video yet! Keep it up!

[@Strawfoot]

Thanks wubby!

[@aramirezar564]

I always find it so cool how in lore, elder dragons are extremely intelligent. Im not sure if they are sentient and are aware of their own existence and stuff like that but it would be amazing to see this side of the monsters explored in games

[@brendoncoyle5905]

Brooooo you sound so good now! I guess this is the first video I’ve seen since that last time I commented. I also think you slur your S’s and that was part of what I thought was audio issues

[@hirenkilljoy9103]

You do such a good job with these lore videos! please do more! :D

[@jbfn14]

It's stuff like the nightmare-like Vaal Hazak actually being docile that made me fall in love with Monster Hunter. The monsters have so much thought put into them, so much personality

[@asakirothman5459]

As always, exceptional piece

[@pheonix5487]

Another master piece thanks strawfoot

[@christiannuzzo7227]

A lot later in the game’s lifespan with iceborne; I believe that Vaal hazak is one of the stronger elder dragons in lore; as he completely transformed the ancient forest in a short amount of time

[@MrChupacabradude]

Dude your videos are so good i love them so much they are very well done

[@Strawfoot]

Thank you very much Chris!

[@jordiramone6698]

Funny how games often parallel reality so closely, Not just in and ecological way but also in a cultural way. It seems we could all benefit from the realization of these parallels as we enter the strange new world of our own future.

[@Strawfoot]

Haha yeah I was trying to inject a little bit of a moral into the story, glad you noticed. :)

[@Kalebfenoir]

Damn spooky how it doesn't just ignore you... it will actually turn it's head to watch you, but keep travelling. Especially creepy at the end when you stopped right in front of it and it paused, looked down at you, flapped it's wings and then resumed walking.

[@pupptarts4439]

Man this opens up my eyes much more to these monsters rather than thinking it's nothing more than something I need to kill.

[@Strawfoot]

Thanks for the comment Pupptarts, much appreciated!

[@johnsibal9245]

i hope you can make more lores specially on the Old World, MH 2 up to MH Tri monsters. I want more stories like these please! the way you narrate is amazing!

[@mrpoool1015]

Fantastic job man

[@MissBeeBonnet]

You are one of the only people I have EVER seen do justice to Vaal and to the Vale itself... one of my favorite areas, the tomb and womb of almost all life in the New World thanks to it recycling the nutrients of the dead back into the system, and the wonderful profusion of life that seems to spring from the very rock... Together with their cousins in the Ancient Forest, carriers of likely some of the only microbes and fungi strong enough to properly break down plants and animals with such a high quantity of “Bioenergy”, I’ve taken to referring to the Vaal Hazak as the “Gardeners”... They tend and cultivate the whole of the new world, by ensuring the gifts of life are appropriately returned to the soil for the rest of the food chain to make use of, and to allow new life to begin! Surely we owe them so much more than Fear and occasionally Ridicule.... Thank you so much for highlighting their beauty and nobility.

[@thebenis3157]

This may be your best video so far

[@Strawfoot]

Aww thanks friend!

[@silverwolf240]

Ik ik...im super late of this...but you are right ...as humans we usually fear the unknow...and as you said this is such a magnificent elder....not just the pose or how it react....idk how to explain it...but dude...you dis make me cry thinking aboutthis creature as a such a docile and intelligent being

[@kmawnster]

Wow this is a good video on vaal hazak now vaal hazak is my new favorite elder dragon (previously was teostra now this dragon thank you

[@bottasheimfe5750]

Beautiful.

[@weertangel7231]

I really like how u tell all these video, u got some really great talent as a storyteller :)

[@sootmancer9851]

never through about all the curled spikes being the reason for all the rotten flesh covering its skin.. i love all these details that have gotten into the monsters and thank you for making these vids about them!

[@bottasheimfe5750]

This is quite beautiful

[@TyreeWells]

Awesome stuff as always, now I gotta work up good armor against him

[@naeleahbell2978]

A very nice and peaceful video ♡

[@brandon17m]

Another great chapter to the compendium. You make us proud, friend.

[@Strawfoot]

Thanks Brandon!

[@sirwise4691]

Can someone give this man a round of applause good job you alway make me feel calm even in the mist stressing of times

[@Strawfoot]

Thanks for the kind words Sir Wise!

[@mattiaberti9160]

That concept art, so you visited the Twitter account of BannedWyverian/Lagiacrus/Tobi-Kadachi or whatever his nickname is now... you truly are a man of culture. For now this is the best video of the series, keep the good work!

[@caoticspazim3611]

This might of been said already but the 'it doesn't see me as a threat' thing rings true since vall will not on sight but he will attack instantly if a torch pod is set anywhere in the area hes in since fire gets rid of the gas

[@fransiscusrudolf5359]

When that piano kicks in and Vaal just strut along peacefully, beautiful

[@lewisedwards3549]

You can never get enough strawfoot

[@cardmanwithaplan67]

I love this video Vaal is my favorite monster. After I fought him I just I loved him. The battle was intense and I did it by Myself to. So now when I see someone online in a quest to fight him I join.

[@josecarrillo7026]

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt The Vaal Hazak seemed to fit this famous line so well in my opinion, at first it seemed frightening but over time it’s something that hinders the progress of learning. Yes as humans we will be afraid of the unknown, but the willingness to face that fear is very rare to see let alone actually facing the fear of the unknown with some certainty or tenacity. The Vaal Hazak is one of those cases, at first it seemed like a monster, some uncontrollable beast the first explorers faced. If you look past the fears and see what it is, then that fear of what Vaal Hazak could be is gone.

[@antoinewilliams290]

Fear is for everyone but if you learned how to get used to it, is not that bad.

[@duskbringer4583]

Amazing, as always! I admit, I didn't know that Vaal is passive... ...Maybe because I have hunted 17 of them when trying to get Gem for my armor. (Good luck when it comes time of Nergigante or Lunastra...)

[@jurholstgcermangrinderburd1335]

Duskbringer I seem to have great luck. First Nerg ever, I got a gem.

[@Strawfoot]

Yeah that happens sometimes with the Gems. It took me forever to get my Deviljho gems this game but I got Vaal's first try.

[@duskbringer4583]

I have more Xeno gems than I need... -_-' Every hunt and I get atleast one!

[@jurholstgcermangrinderburd1335]

Strawfoot yeah, got my jho gem in Gen first try. Can’t say the same for World, though -_-

[@duskbringer4583]

I... Have yet to hunt Jho again. I don't really like Pickles. Even less so when they try to bite your head off. :P Though, I guess I need to if I want to make that bow.

[@jasonh8640]

Another good video Strawfoot. I wanted to learn more about the story since i just played it fast the first time and i did a second play through focusing on the story. When i got to the Val Hazak part one of the researchers said that Val Hazak produces the Effluvium and that is why the vale is covered in it. I found that strange because everyone else says it has a bond with the effluvium.

[@Strawfoot]

My feeling is that he cultivates it and helps it grow and spread rather than produces it but I guess it's difficult to say for certain, I'll have to go back and look at that dialog you mentioned though! Thanks Jason.

[@jasonh8640]

I could have read it wrong also you do more research than i do on these sorts of things. The way i take it is Val Hazak produces the effluvium to help break down the rotten vale corpses and by us killing Val Hazak have destroyed a vital part of the eco system that they are trying to protect. That is how i feel about it

[@mattp2788]

the effluvium is still there. just that now there is a little bit less of it.

[@entrippyZ]

your writing is amazing

[@matthiasknaak4219]

See good storytellers never die out ! Like in the old days on a campfire we listen to ur calm voice and realize that this is truly an amazing game . Cause only then ppl start to tell stories . Keep spreading the lore . Thx ☝️✌️

[@Strawfoot]

You're so very welcome, I love making these lore videos so it's really encouraging to get comments like this! :)

[@enid22ful]

You are quite intriguing specimen yourself. A heart capable of kindness like a rider. A mind open to ideas with a curiosity of uncovering the unkown like a scholar. And the courage to strike a powerful hunter.

[@FunnymanVel]

Vaal is just a chill dude

[@StarlightDreamDolls]

I love this monster. I love its design, its incredibly beautiful and eerily fascinating. And your video makes him... cute? Awe xD. One of my fav monster in the serie period.

[@justinharrell8737]

Vaal Hazak was the main villain of MHW. It's effluvium was what created the life stream & elders recess underneath the rotten vale that fed Xeno'Giva.

[@SkippeAccented]

GORE ISN'T AN ELDER DRAGON, REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

[@Strawfoot]

He's unclassified in the storyline until he becomes Shagaru Magala, at that point the classification is decided on as Elder Dragon.

[@SkippeAccented]

Ha lel

[@SkippeAccented]

I knew what you ment tho, good vids m8

[@ferro9926]

WOW after eagh of these videos I think about why and how we are here, now I think about if it is inhuman or superhuman to be fearless

[@bramcorvus2198]

Tbh Val Hazzak is one of the few monsters I love to just sit back and observe. It's very beautiful in the way it moves, I think.

[@RG-sz4ni]

A little more interesting information I can as a fellow hunter I was preparing to fight the elder dragon where there entrance of it’s home was but the smaller monsters continued to attack me so I got rid of them and surprisingly this was in the Elder Dragon’s presents and it immediately went to attack me once I killed the smaller monsters.

[@shinygamer3424]

Wow, that was preety deep

[@indoraptorking9143]

Just defeated this monster today (two times in fact) and it is already one of my favorite monsters

[@mudshrooze]

Favorite Elder Dragon! Woohoo!

[@BuffaloBorgine]

This video is great, I always thought Vaal is hostile at sight but you proved him not. Thank you. Anyway, I know it's a bit late, but, may I add something I found about Vaal's design? Firstly, about the ecosystem of Rotten Vale. I believe, in a way, Vaal somehow added in the creation of this ecosystem, the Girros and the Barnos are both effected by effluvium, wandering around although still living, to protect the area for Vaal. Then later, when they get weakened by the effluvium, they will wander to Vaal's nest and become his source of nutrition. However, Vaal can control the effect of effluvium in Rotten Vale, so as not to decrease the population of Girros and Barnos to critical point, as if he is cultivating them for food source. In our reality's nature, this way of co-habitation can be found in ants (those that cultivate aphid), making other animals into slaves can also be found in ants (raider ants) and the way effluvium works is similiar to the toxoplasma or some flatworm parasite. Secondly, Vaal's fake eyes (eyespots) are a type of mimicry that helps distract either preys or attackers from his true eyes. This kind of mimicry can be found in orca. And the way he puts the skin of dead corpses onto his body is similar to the way an assassin bug put dead bugs onto its shell, probably to fend off dangerous enemies like Nergi. Thirdly, the jaws. Vaal's double jaws are similar to that of a moral eels. Which means Vaal is more of an opportunistic hunter than an active one. In Iceborne, we have Blackveil variant of Vaal Hazak, this variant now co-habits with spore and infuses them with effluvium. The Blackveil variant is more hostile and I believe that is because he moves to a new area that he is not familiar with, hence why he has to co-habit with spore, his effluvium is much weaker and he has to be more mobile in offensive. (by the way, the spore is quite similar to cordiceps). So in conclusion, Vaal Hazak (both original an variant) is a scavenger with high level of adaptation and co-habitation to its surrounding. An Elder unlike other Elders after all.

[@ezragrynberg3393]

It is me and great work on the video keep up the great work

[@nicolevickyhades]

Honestly, Vaal has one of the coolest designs. Like how cool is it?

[@OPTIMUMELITE]

These are so epic.

[@Strawfoot]

Thanks so much Jzilla, I work really hard on my lore videos so it's great to hear! :)

[@alexanderchon9058]

Vaal Hazak, the benevolent dragon of decay.

[@gundamcollector77]

Oh Strawfoot you are so right in your saying that fear is mans greatest weakness and that we must discard are mantel of fear because in the coming weeks are fear is going to be challenged greatly at the we must look at the coming situation with great reason and logic and discard are fear and bias and except the truth and not let are fear control us.

[@YourCrazyDolphin]

If one must be hunted... Effluvium is extremely flammable. Utilizing torch pods found strewn across the area will prevent the monster from properly building an effluvium shield. Also, interestingly, the monsters it "revives" are apparently still concious enough that my Palico could talk to one.

[@Strawfoot]

Yeah I've seen my palico Donut talking to those Girros thralls in Vaal's nest also. I always feel so bad for them, that skin condition looks a bit uncomfortable. I should have included that bit about the fire in my video, wish I would have thought of that. Thanks CrazyDolphin!

[@YourCrazyDolphin]

@@Strawfoot I don't think that is a skin condition at all, but rather just Effluvium resting on the Girro's carapaces. They are clearly highly resistant if not nearly immune to the stuff, considering they live exclusively in the area Effluvium resides, and I've observed the condition both forming an dissipating on them, particularly when a bunch of angry Girros follow me outside of the area.

[@grantmitchell1602]

My favorite Elder Dragon yesss

[@xc809]

Ahh yes,the creepy corpse creature that carries a coat of comfy carrion on its back coughing contaminated mist

[@batspidey7611]

Strawfoot, can you do a lore video on the Behemoth when it comes out?

[@denzellizasuain563]

For you yes

[@Kurochana]

Its out in case you've not seen it. :x

[@JOHNDAYLL]

Damn u giving life to the lore

[@Seezyification]

Dude you need to work for Capcom! These lore video's are always on point!!! We need more!

[@Strawfoot]

haha I'd love to work for capcom, you should tell them that! :) Thanks for the comment Seezyfication!

[@hydraworldofficial4359]

Bruh this is like info magazine of monster hunter! You should work for Capcom for this brilliant videos!

[@taurusmachina]

Is it just me, or does the ending sound like a grandpa Hunter telling his grandchildren a bit of the wisdom he had gathered on his hunts? I could even see this sort of speech in a medieval show or game somewhere.

[@phazonight3727]

*Was just studied by Strawfoot.* Such a curious Hunter ..

[@Strawfoot]

yeah he's a weirdo just following monsters around. :) :) :)

[@rzhecheah4114]

I still remember my first fight with Vaal Hazak as if It see though my very soul, for the first time I actually feel like I am fighting (death) itself.It was a fight I shall remember for the rest of my life

[@drackool3544]

Oh oh can you do tobi kadachi pretty please!

[@ExquisiteCorpse_1919]

WOOOOOOOO I STARTED ON MH4

[@lozm4835]

I feel like a dick for my first assessment of Vaal - a tryhard who was basically a hybrid of Gore/Shagaru Magala and Fatalis, and that it had nothing of it's own. And, yeah, fight-wise, that assessment still kinda stands. But I never knew it was a peaceful Elder. Especially considering that the two I linked it with are two of the fiercest. This fact alone has led to me pretty much re-evaluating how I saw the whole Vale. Sure, it's a cutthroat world if you disturb it - like an unfortunate Bazelgeuse that barged in whilst I was investigating an Odagaron's habits - but it's more peaceful than the altogether friendlier-looking Coral Highlands if you're willing to co-exist with it. Hell, when I was tailing the Odogaron before Bazel kicked the hornet's nest, I didn't even need the Ghillie Mantle. Odogaron will roar at you, but won't actually attack, as far as I know. God, this game has such a good area design. And well done to you for allowing me to practically redefine my understanding of it.

[@Strawfoot]

Hey Loz M, I'm glad you enjoyed the video, the design in this game really is incredibly deep if you start digging into the little details of the monsters. Anyway, thanks for commenting here, I really appreciate it!

[@clementegimenez]

i wish many others elder dragons allow hunters to walk by their side, vaal hazak is cool, but imagine walking by a Teostra, or a Alatreon

[@thegidzor8612]

I was hunting this Elder Dragon then this video came up, the timing of it all right?