Fanged Beast Ecology : Goss Harag in Monster Hunter

[@stronghold325]

Besides Goss Harag's surprising amount of emotional intelligence, something else I've also noticed is that Goss actually only uses his ice tools on smaller animals: he will never fight a larger monster with them. Goss's turf war with Tetranadon is the most standout example as he simply punches him the length of a football field before mauling and pummeling him with claws and fists, but beyond that every time another large monster enters the same area as him Goss Harag will always fight them with his bear hands. In fact, if a large monster intrudes on Goss Harag during your fight while he's in rage mode, and he currently has his ice blades out, he will actually slam his fists on the ground to smash the ice apart before turning to fight them. He does this every time without fail, leading me to believe that it's very much an intended behavior on his part. Against larger opponents he prefers to use his sheer natural strength and bulk in order to defend his territory and thus only uses his claws, fists, teeth and size. But when he's hunting smaller creatures like Anteka he's smart enough to understand that it's more difficult to catch something of lesser size and great speed with just his bare hands; even with his great mass it's not enough to give him long reach. As a result they began to invent their own rudimentary tools, such as long sweeping blades in order to catch multiple prey animals at once at a much greater range, or to scoop up lots of fish, while the bludgeon is probably for food processing. On the subject of combat, Goss Harag is actually capable of out-damaging some Elders in the base game: I found that his punches actually did more damage than Kushla's attacks during wyvern riding and he even ended up breaking both of his wings before killing the storm dragon. Special quests that include Goss Harag also featured him alongside Magnamalo (where the two are called "the strongest", and when I did that quest and let the two fight Goss Harag killed Magnamalo every time without fail) and even put Goss with a Rajang (who fed off of Kirins even back in Dos; he was always that level). There's even a video where people actually got Goss Harag and Rajang to fight each other in the arena, and Goss actually wins the match-up (and even more fittingly, it was observed that, yes, Goss Harag actually does perform better against other monsters when he's using his claws over his tools). Combine that with his incredible specialization for his habitat (Goss Harag is one of the few monsters that inhabits only one environment in the base game of Rise, appearing exclusively in the Frost Islands, not dissimilar to how Diablos only lives in the Desert) and his boogeyman inspiration and it seems that Goss Harag was intended to be the Top-Order Carnivore of his region from the start. Which I love, since it suits him perfectly and he feels like a much more grounded example of one than some of the other monsters, such as how he prefers to never use his ice tools against large opponents in canon and his sheer brute strength and durability. He's a Polar Bear after all, and a terrifyingly awesome one at that.

[@Sprusselsprout]

🎉 congratulations 👏👏👏👏💐💐💐👍👍 to

[@wichiewamirez5599]

I sometimes wonder is some monster behaviors and adaptations are specifically adapted to deal with hunters. I’m not sure if humans developed alongside monsters for long enough for this to happen, but it’s an interesting thought. If you’re constantly getting attacked by small mobile super predators, you might adapt to counter that

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Unnatural selection does seem to happen surprisingly quickly even in large species, so it's quite possible with some intensively hunted species in the MH world.

[@MattHedgern]

In this case in particular, it really wouldn't surprise me if Goss' ice weapons are specifically adapted to defend against hunters. I know this ain't really how evolution works but I almost imagine it like "Hey, those weird monkeys that keep murking everyone are using these big pointy things, maybe we should start doing that too"

[@vincentpey3929]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel an interesting point to consider is the implyed overhunting of certain species (like kushala daora) by the ancient civilization. This civilization seems to have existed before the technological rise of humanity, as its implyed that the wyvernians are decendents of the population that survived whatever it was that destroyed it, so maybe monsters adapting to better fight humanoid foes shouldnt be that odd. But the canonicity of everything surrounding the ancient civilization is hazy at best, the tower and the underwater ruins in cadeuses arena seem to be relics of this civilization and shrade originally seemed like it too but the way it was talked about in world made it seem like a more recent event, so maybe the ancient civilization is now just some ruins and a tower at least partually made from kushala scales.

[@jameswilliams2075]

The current monster hunters games are post apocalyptic world in the great dragon War humanity was super advanced and hunted many monster species to extinction so its possible

[@brokenmirror3911]

It should be noted that this wouldn't be entirely out there as I do recall Ahtal-Ka having adapted to raid Human settlements for higher quality Nest materials, so "Human" (Not exactly given Wyverians, Lynians, etc are things and aren't human) influence affecting their way of operating is feasible. Just Goss doesn't go so far as to build a mecha.

[@thewolfofcomedy5966]

I was one of those people who loved Goss Harag just by virtue of the fact that it’s an apex-level bear monster. Bears in our world are literally the largest and most dangerous mammalian carnivores in their given environments, with the exception of tropical or subtropical species, so it never really say right with me that the only bears in MH were Jaggi-tier. Regardless, I also think Goss’ refusal to hibernate may also be an anti-predator defense. Goss Harag is a large and dangerous animal, but in a deep torpor it would still be at the mercy of large Wyverns, of which there is no shortage of in MH’s arctic environments. Tigrex, Barioth, Magnamalo, and Stygian Zinogre would all be large enough to deliver a devastating strike to a sleeping Goss. A Baggi/Giaprey pack or even an Ebony Odogaron could potentially predate sleeping Goss Harag as well considering Cave Hyenas could do this to Cave Bears in the Pleistocene. Regardless, fantastic video as always.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Potential predation by things like Tigrex and Magna were originally going to be a chunk of this video, especially in regards to Goss no longer hibernating. It was ultimately cut as it doesn't seem to be frequent enough for bears to need to evolutionarily respond to it, but it could well have been a contributing factor for Goss.

[@latincear4558]

Polar bears do not hibernate because slowing their heart rate down for them to do so would lower their enteral heat to a fatal degree. So Id assume that Goss had the some reason?

[@thorveim1174]

even worse, would you hibernate if caves happened to be the home of things like Khezus that could paralyze you while you hibernate for an easy meal?

[@lucasmaxvargassilveira853]

Rather than a Subspecies, giving him something more akin to a Deviant would suit its agressive predatorial behavior better. Something like: bigger, meaner, has a scarred face and a missing arm wich was permanently replaced with a more powerful version of his ice constructs and with a more red mane as if were covered in blood. "Carnage Goss Harag" or something of the like.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Damn, one armed Goss Harag is a cool idea. Bonus points if he gnawed it off himself to escape a trap

[@Danchamp07]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel Maybe chopped it off using an ice blade on the other hand?

[@notsae66]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel Especially if the arm is replaced with a red blade made from it's own frozen blood, just to make it that much more hardcore! Covered in scars, with red fur and permanently red skin, and with one arm always encased in a blade (or big spiky club, to fit the Oni theme) formed of it's own blood still there from the day it gnawed it's own hand off to escape capture! That would be one badass deviant! Could also be the red oni to the normal versions blue oni look.

[@1000Tomatoes]

If it was cut off by another Goss Harag it could show that the ice blades are used is territory disputes. And given it's habitat it could nake sense that some of the blood be frozen or even turn some of its ice weapons red (though that might be too far). If they do lean into that "Bloodice Goss Harag" would work. Also, it could lean into the one-armed samurai trope. With in the first phase just using one arm with a longer blade (maybe that's what the blood is for) with more swaying attack due to the lack of a counterbalance, and when enraged using the empty space to form weapons they normally couldn't to catch the hunter off gaurd. (And yes I am thinking of how Baiken uses hidden weapons in her empty sleave)

[@Tomahara]

This sounds absolutely amazing...

[@CrownofMischief]

What I like about Goss Harag is that it feels like the first mammalian monster that felt...unique. Not just a normal animal with extra stuff. Sure it has the general shape of a bear, but it still felt different enough that you could believe it was it's own evolutionary lineage

[@stronghold325]

As a guy who absolutely loves the monster, I believe you missed one of the most important parts of Goss Harag that's crucial to fully understanding his identity: his intelligence. Specifically, Goss's emotional intelligence. You are looking at Goss through the lens of him solely being 'just' a predatory animal; and he is definitely the apex predator of the frost islands, but he's more than that. Goss Harag has a lot of behaviors, some subtle some not, that show him doing things that don't make sense if you just view him as an unthinking beast. And somehow you failed to even mention the most famous thing about Goss entirely! For example, you mentioned in the video how Bears are smart enough to use tool usage in the wild, and true to this Goss Harag isn't limited to his ice blades: if he notices you while you're out of his reach, he will immediately respond by throwing a giant ice boulder at your location in an attempt to knock you down (if you're above him) or slow you (if you're far). But, and here's the thing, Goss Harag can also just punch the mountain so hard it causes it to shake and literally force you off anyway, and he's so fast he can easily catch up to you. Why does he use the boulder? Goss Harag, when calm, fights with his fists and prefers slower, methodical attacks or quick swipes. When he's enraged, he forms one or two ice blades and will become much more erratic and vicious, and will attempt to read the player's movements. He can redirect his ice breath's initial animation to attempt to catch you off guard, and he'll occasionally switch up his combos or timing to try and smack you. But, and here's THE most important part of all of this: Goss Harag has a handful of attacks that are capable of stunning the player, leaving them in a helpless state. If Goss Harag is calm when this happens, he'll just charge up a haymaker and try to lay you out. But if Goss is angry, and he has at least one Ice Blade out? He will STOP attacking you. He will stand upright on his hind legs. Goss Harag will roll his head back onto his shoulders, in a very lax position. And he will grin. And then Goss Harag will, slowly but deliberately, DRAG the Blade over towards the Hunter while they are desperately trying to mash out of the status. Fail to escape in time, and Goss Harag will bring the blade down like a guillotine for an almost guaranteed cart. No matter how you look at it, this is behavior that can't be explained and makes zero sense if you regard Goss Harag as just "an animal". So why does Goss Harag do this? Why does he intentionally take his time to look down on you and slowly drag his blade upon the ice if you're stunned? Because Goss Harag, like real life Bears, has emotional intelligence. Bears in nature have been known to have a sense of beauty. They enjoy staring as sights for hours on end because they think they look pleasant, and Bears are also known to be able to feel complex emotions, such as sadness or joy. Goss Harag has this same level of intelligence, but even further. He doesn't just feel emotions, he understands that other creatures can feel them too. More importantly, he knows that other creatures can feel fear. And he ENJOYS IT. Why does Goss fling boulders at you when you're in a location you think is safe, instead of just getting to you? Why does Goss Harag drag the blade when he could easily kill you otherwise? Because he's a sadist. That's literally the reason. He derives joy from inflicting fear. He knows you're terrified and he relishes in it. He is based on a Japanese Oni Boogeyman and it shows. The Frost Islands relics tell of him terrorizing a shipwrecked crew as a 'shadow with a bloody knife'. His LR and HR quests are both sent out because he's terrorizing children; the former is from a mother who begs you to help because the kids can't even go to the bathroom alone anymore and the latter is given by a child who worries it's going to kidnap and eat him. His introduction is given as a folktale warning that "The Beast is on it's way". His equipment describes how he uses the tools to prepare food, and how he strides the wastelands alone in search of prey. His skull-like face is armored for protection and has little emotion, but it can emote, and when it does it's usually to show this enjoyment from terror. Goss Harag is not just "a bear" or "animal". He feels emotions, and he knows you do too. He knows other creatures find him scary. He knows that his prey is terrified of him. And he enjoys it. He's a genuine MONSTER. And THAT is why I love him so god damned much. He's not just an awesome boss fight, or a cool design, or "cool bear with swords". He's a monster, in every sense of the word. And I'd have it no other way.

[@TiredofGaming]

Yes, about the ice execution thing! When I first got slammed by it I expected him to just get it over with and maul but nah it was like he enjoyed seeing the incapacitated hunter in their vulnerability. I like Goss because he feels like a creature that is more intelligent than normal, even if its just for malicious intent or combat strategy (like the Indoraptor from Jurassic World). I enjoy the naturalistic feel of most monsters in this game but the more intelligent *monster* monsters like Ibushi/Narwa, or Dead eye Yian Garuga where the monster is hunting you back are my favorite type of fights.

[@XALKEMPORAS]

Well fucking said

[@eduardor-o4884]

That makes him even more terrifying, that those foolish enough to see him as a dumb animal will learn soon enough he's more then just animal, it's like you said, he has intelligence and he knows and is VERY well aware what he is doing, he reminds me of a serial killer who enjoys what he's doing.

[@thechadster3430]

On Goss's face: a possible reason it has the ability to flush its face with blood would be to counteract any freezing that might occur, either naturally from the cold climate or as a result of its ice breath malfunctioning or being interrupted, around the crucial areas of its nostrils or eyes. Enough bloodflow to this area would warm it, and thus melt any ice that isn't supposed to be there. This theory is supported by the fact that this occurs when Goss is enraged, as this would be the time in which it would be using its ice breath the most to combat an immediate threat. It might also be the case that, since Goss has limited motor capabilities of its facial features, its ice breath may not be very focused, and thus some of it might "leak" and contaminate/freeze unintended parts of its body, notably the face.

[@gallixypegasuss1546]

Velkhana could be a great vid idea. Also, if underwater combat returns, I hope that there could be a Spinosaur-like Brute wyvern; a paddle-tail with a sail-like protrusion on the back would be awesome

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

I also really hope for a spinosaur brute if water combat ever comes backs.

[@gallixypegasuss1546]

I can see a coastal variation, and perhaps a desert variation(where the Spinosaur failed irl). The coastal variation is bulkier as there are most likely more competitors on the coast, and the desert variation wades more through mud and uses a more pronounced sail as a method to shed heat.

[@spinoguy9775]

Since I saw Anjanath I always tought we need a semi-aquatic brute wyvern based of a Spinosaurus, and I even came up with a design for it and also a new mecanic: boiling water. This brute wyvern will have a rudimentary flame sack that use for boiling the water that he ingest while swimming, produncing a boiling water beam … the excessive heat would be dissipated by the vents on the top of the sail

[@chancegivens9390]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel that would be incredible

[@tylermacgregor1320]

I can’t see underwater combat returning, mainly because of all the mechanics that exist now and how hard they’d be to adapt. Like how would the insect glaive work underwater? That said, I’ve been wanting an amphibious, spinosaur-type brute wyvern for the longest time. I can see it prowling a bayou type map, perhaps it fights like a water element Anjanth 80% of the time, but specifically lures you into the bayou itself, where it has much more mobility, kind of like a Jyuratodus. Kind of like how in World, Diablos lures you into it’s cave, where it can disappear into the sandfalls and come at you from a wider range of directions. I can even picture a turf war with Nerscylla where tries to rope his snout with a web, but then he yanks it and ragdolls Nerscylla around, then washes him away with a water jet.

[@hiddenrollcrouchingchin9358]

Well going by your Cave bear, brown bear analogy. I feel like a “subspecies”/new monster Goss harag who specializes in herbivory could be interesting. One that maybe doesn’t use blades, but Ice “appendages” that help it dig through the snow or soil.

[@steelwixom5502]

How about a subspecies that lives in a warmer climate that lost the ability to make ice weapons and became smaller and herbivorous and instead of a ice beam it's and water beam for defense against predators.

[@BR4IN1N4J4R]

Also, cave bears are one of those creatures of prehistory that I'm very thankful is extinct (hopefully) because that thing would be horrifying to stumble upon

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

An almost badger-like shovel fist Goss harag would be nice!

[@sharksuperiority9736]

I think a giant axe weapon would be cool, I can imagine it’s intro would have it cleave through a bunch of trees or something (Maybe it would live in a forest and form weapons from petrified wood or something?)

[@Ocean_Lord_derpfish]

how about goss harag but with hammer? the stun will cart so many hunter...

[@MegaGeewee]

Man is like a fuckin slasher movie villain. His slow walk towards stunned hunters gives him so much character, it's amazing. If only he wasn't so easy. Hopefully the G-rank version in Sunbreak is more difficult, relatively speaking.

[@EnraiChannel]

I wish more monsters had unique animations under certain conditions. Goss stunning you and walking slowly towards you is pretty great.

[@fishfillet9355]

Aw heck yea, Man I love Goss Harag so much. his little edgy walk he does to you before (likely) carting you is so chock full of personality

[@xexyz4165]

Animal ecology and animal behaviour aren’t my specialty at all but if I were to take a wild potshot, the ice appendages(specifically the bludgeon) might be used for crushing bones. This might provide better access to bone marrow. As for the blades, it might just throw them at prey to severely injure and eventually go for the kill. Those are just guesses tho.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

I do like that - the reduction in cheek teeth would really limit Goss's ability to crack and process bone.

[@SonicSanctuary]

now see thats a good guess.

[@Ajehy]

Ooooooh, smart! It would also allow for better/quicker access to nutritious organ meats under the ribcage or inside the skull, and getting through tough hide. That improves the processing time for each carcass, making it more efficient, like Unnatural History Channel said in the scavenger-Bazel video.

[@ChompDude]

Goss Harag quickly became my favorite of the new monsters introduced to Rise, even over Maggy. I love it's design and the fight. Hitting the ice blades is so satisfying.

[@cerrack_7522]

Goss Harag was one of those monsters I didnt get until I fought him in Rise. I love the cultural reference, its gimmick with the freezing arms, and the armor is just fucking great looking. Hope this big fluffy boy returns some day.

[@thecuriousone0680]

Loevely video as always. The idea you mentioned for a water combat bear monster would certainly be interesting. If underwater combat is brought back I hope we get a monster that can fight on both worlds. While leviathans already do this, they feel more at home in the water than on land, so having a mainly terrestrial monster who can still chase you into the water while not being the best swimmer would definetly be a cool concept. Forcing land monsters into water could be an interesting "enbiromental trap", and who knows, maybe if you forced a cephadrome into an oasis you'd get to see its blue scales beneath the sand.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Seeing a clean blue Cephalos after tricking them into an oasis would be pretty awesome. And yeah, more fluid transitions between water and land monsters would be really nice for really amping up the intensity of a hunt when you can't run.

[@Ajehy]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel imagine Goss Harang swimming under the ice like Zamtrios! Or just bring back Zamtrios. I miss the angry bite-balloon.

[@snowingsteak8761]

I love Goss Harag, he's my monster that I instantly became flustered with it upon its reveal. As for the fight whilst it did trip me up the first few times I do wish it was faster especially when in enraged, we'll just have to see how sunbreak goes and whilst I'm also cautious about him being rajangafied it was still a shame that Rise didn't give us more turfs with him with monsters like Tigrex, Barioth and even Kushala (if they actually make it a reasonable struggle and not just a fanboy crowd pleaser). One thing you I noticed you didn't mention is that in high rank we see Goss Harag create some sort of bludgeoning tool, I'm not too sure on what purpose Goss has this over the blades so I'm wondering what your thoughts were.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

One thing a few in the comments have suggested is the tools created my be for processing food after a kill, an idea I quite like. With his reduced molars unable to process bone well, Goss may use a ice bludgeon to crack them for the marrow.

[@delmerputnam1679]

Finally! Herbivores get some love! I thing something good to point out is how Aptonoth wreck small predators in cutscenes. It’s something really important to show that the push over nature of herbivores is mostly just gameplay. I do agree that goss is a little nuts, but I do think he’s a cool monster. I would also like to point out that if you don’t use the wirebug, Goss can actually be really frustrating (of course, it sounds like the wirebug making the game too easy is a problem across the board for Rise based on what I’ve heard) I may go even further than Goss’s ancestor being more general and even say it may descend from an arboreal form (given its opposable thumb)

[@marcusaaronliaogo9158]

Have you seen mhgu, where 85% of the monsters cannot counter hunter arts?

[@freaky_owl5833]

Yet another really good video! A welcome surprise for my birthday haha I know you mentioned how Goss likely doesn't utilise the blades against large monsters in case they snap, however I think it may be possible they're used against certain large monsters like Tigrex or maybe Barioth? The ice would allow for more pinpoint strikes at a longer range, keeping Goss' arms away from Tigrex's crushing jaws, while also adding even more protection against counterattacks as Tigrex would need to bite through the ice and the thick keratin to even wound Goss' arms. I wonder could the act of spraying frigid air on its arms be a method of dealing with parasites as well? Maybe coating its arms in ice kills parasites, which eventually lead to Goss learning it could make weapons from the ice as well.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Goss using his blades like a mix of armour and a lance is interesting, and could well be a decent application in combat. The parasite removal hypothesis is also a nice one! Actually quite applicable as animals with mange sometimes recover in winter when it the cold kills the mites.

[@prawn1717]

I like the parasite theory a lot, maybe his arms frequently get harassed by them due to the high concentration of blood.

[@ScanovatheCarnotaurus]

Goss Harag was a monster that was easily one of my least favorite new Rise monsters upon seeing him. He really did just look like a spiritual creature rather than an animal, at least initially. Fighting him however made me change my opinion drastically. Not a favorite monster of mine, but out of the new Rise monsters he's probably one of the best ones imo. I love how his moveset capitalizes on the fact that bears can often appear very human-like. In combat, when not using the ice weapons, you got him using shit like wind-up punches, which tickles my fancy for some reason (I've compared it to a 'Santa Claus gone rogue'). Also, now that I've played Rise finally, with the PC port, I really have to disagree with it being too easy. It might be that the game's difficulty increases with better hardware (yes this is an actual thing for some reason, and is an objective technical issue the game has) but I've personally found Rise to be harder than base-world was. I've found myself fainting much more frequently than in World, along with actually failing a quest, which in World I never had trouble with until post-game content. Personal experience, I know, but the game's difficulty is hotly debated and pretty subjective to begin with. Polar Bears could also be a good analogue to Goss Harag with hibernation, since afaik Polar Bears don't hibernate at all unless giving birth.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Yeah that sums up my thoughts on first seeing him too, but luckily I also thawed (hah) on Goss with more gameplay and fighting him. Interesting to hear that too, I found Base World harder than Rise for sure, but others have said they also found Goss a lot more difficult than I describe so it yeah it does seem quite subjective.

[@aussiepuppet5250]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel In regards to it's difficulty, I'd say this is more to due with it's A.I. being quite odd. While I didn't find it too difficult, I noticed that even though I was using the same tactics it would sometimes be far more accurate than it was before. It wouldn't aggro on my pets as much and focus solely on me, and the switch between calm and enraged often felt weirdly more pronounced because of this. Sometimes it was even more punishing with it's combos and attacks, which actually carted me once or twice. It's a seriously awesome fight regardless, and I LOVE it's armour and weapons. Another thing is that it also depends on how reliant you are on Wirebugs. If you've run out of them and are at the mercy of his combos, he suddenly becomes much harder to dodge or escape from despite how sluggish he can be.

[@fist-of-doom487]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel maybe you’re just a better hunter than you thought?

[@wolffang489]

For me my first sight impression was also that it looked more like a character than an animal, but I also found the fight initially to be too easy. High rank elevated it a bit but it's still a very predictable fight. It's first impression might have been improved by not having a low rank version at all. My respect for the design improved though when I looked closer at it. In a world divorced from our own, it was likely the inspiration for mythology rather than just inspired by it and that thought combined with it's bearlike qualities saves it in my book, even if it still just feels like a gimmicked arzuros.

[@EnraiChannel]

Yeah monster tracking is way better on higher FPS but I don't know how much that helps Goss though. Also saw a video where 30fps and lower can actually miss attacks for no apparent reason (it was DB doing combos + the new spinning move it got in SB, losing sometimes 1-2 hits out of like +50 hits with fps limited to 30).

[@The_PokeSaurus]

I gotta say, I'm so happy to see this channel grow as much as it has. 2021 was one of the hardest years I even had to slug through, but finding your channel made it a LOT better.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Thank you, and I have appreciated your comments all through it too! I'm glad it helped make a bad year better!

[@Ajehy]

An idea about the ice blade: Goss Harag drops *Block of Ice+*, which is used to make ice-element weapons. However, we can’t mine these materials in the overworld, which means they must be hard to get. Perhaps Goss Harag digs up these minerals using its ice blades, then mixes them with other chemicals in the Freezer Sac to create an endothermic reaction. Essentially the opposite of a bombardier beetle. The ones with bigger ice blades can dig for these minerals more effectively, which improves their defense/hunting mechanisms. That selects for bigger ice blades, until you have a giant sword.

[@Supersaurus4]

Goss Harag is truly a unique monster in my opinion. Given how aggressive it is, makes me wonder if it would dare to fight a Deviljho.

[@BoneReaperLagiallosaurus]

It probably would fight Deviljho because Goss Harag show signs of high level aggression which somewhat matches that of something like Magnamalo, Rajang, Bazelgeuse, Tigrex, and etc also this creature is clearly highly intelligent given the fact that it has emotional feelings and could make weapons with it’s ice breath not only that Goss Harag in lore has a voracious appetite/metabolism so it is likely that Goss Harag will see Deviljho as a big competition because Deviljho is stealing the Goss Harag’s food supply aka eating its entire home and since these 2 creatures eat quite a lot we could determine that Deviljho and Goss Harag might be perfect rivals towards eachother (not as perfect as Rajang and Bazelgeuse tho) so basically yes and I really do wonder how will the Goss Harag handle such a dangerous opponent.

[@Hunti_3D]

I normally never comment on videos, but I discovered your channel two days ago and have since watched trough every single video you've put up. I don't have a clue about zoology and am just a big fan of the Monster Hunter series, but your videos are extremely interesting and educational while also conveying your own interest in the source material, it's just a sincere joy to watch. You're doing an amazing job and I want to thank you for it wholeheartedly.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Thank you so much for that, and I hope you'll stick around for more!

[@scorpiopede]

Really great video on Goss. I have to admit my first impressions were very similar to yours; I was worried it was too humanoid but was relieved to see it more beast-like in game. Fight wise I actually think he's plenty difficult so that might just be a difference in skill or weapon choice between us. In terms of its ecology I think something interesting to bring up is the Frost Islands themselves, as the scrolls you find suggest that the Frost Islands were a lot more barren before the Zorah Magdaros was slain there, and that what we see now is far more productive as a result of the decayed elder dragon, which might mean that Goss is adapted to even more barren conditions than what we are seeing. A small detail I also like are the fake claws on its knuckles for walking, it really adds a lot to the design as well as the anatomy of it. In terms of a potential subspecies or variant, I really like the idea of a Goss that only uses a single blade or club, since in the intro we only see it using one when hunting but in-game it always freezes both. Fight wise it can keep the frozen appendage behind it, making it a lot harder to reach, its damaged or otherwise mishapen arm being used almost like a shield to block attacks and even aid in mobility with wide swings as it grips the ground with its claws.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Thank you! And good point re: Zorah too, the frost islands may well be much more enriched than they normally are. Goss may be well at home in open steppes too which fits well with my ice age theory some have taken to. And an almost 'sword and shield' like Goss sounds pretty interesting!

[@scorpiopede]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel You're welcome! Glad you like the idea, I may even draw it myself now, I'll share it on your server when I've got something I'm satisfied with. Also very much looking forward to the Aptonoth video, the poor herbivore finally getting some love.

[@scorpiopede]

@@gamecavalier3230 Now THAT is an idea I love and I'm gonna try to see what I can do with that.

[@falconeer3245]

Maybe the ice blades are a thing the Goss Harag developed after watching hunters using blades and hammers on their quests to the frost island, sine Goss Harag create just blocks of ice on their forelimbs for bludgeoning as well as the blades. It's an interesting thought that these fanged beasts developed this as a hunting strategy from watching humans and wyverians.

[@kasiahmura2816]

You are probobly correct about the ice forming abilites being a special fluid and countercurrent heat exchange because that is exactly how Velkhana does this, according to the wiki

[@Ajehy]

And Zamtrios!

[@Brian-tf2li]

Blacksmith Goss Harag: It can now form weapons like axes, lances, any of the weapons besides gun type and bows. It has survived many hunts and has learned the move set and weapon from each hunter it encountered and defeated. It’s fur is more black and red like full of scars due to its many battles.

[@babyyodaco9345]

I really like this idea. It sounds really cool, I’d amagine it wouldn’t act like a normal Goss if it was older and more experienced. It sounds like it would be a lot more aggressive too.

[@Carnidrome]

Never really thought much about why Goss Harag's head would be as rough as it is, though this is a cool explaination of that part of it. Also, I am genuinly hyped for an episode on Aptonoth.

[@sharksuperiority9736]

I feel like Goss Harag’s blade would be used as a fishing tool for deep water. It’s hands are fortified for the cold, but the rest of its body isn’t, so maybe it would use the blade as a fishing spear for giant fish. I don’t think it’s more flattened face would be effective at grabbing fish out of the water either There’s plenty of holes in this theory obviously, but I like it as a headcanon.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

This was a theory I had too, and read a similar paper on raccoons ages ago but couldn’t find it again for the video.

[@purplehaze2358]

"Why isn't this bear asleep in the winter like the ones in our world?" Polar bears: Every day is winter. Every day.

[@katyvern9116]

I believe that Goss Harag don't hibernate is also because of the other wyverns around the Frost Islands. Goss Harag probably doesn't do it as it is to defend itself from other wyverns that would probably take advantage over a Goss during it's hibernation. Anyway, I honestly think that a Goss being injured to the point it couldn't produce ice anymore would not be a bad idea, maybe it's fur reflects off of this by being a semi brown-ish color(from the bodies it hunted) or maybe even just an Apex(making it the only Apex that isn't based off of a Deviant) would be pretty interesting.

[@joseal8319]

Unnatural, a theory that I have been developing for a while, it's the Pale Extract that both Khezu and Gigginox produce, I previously thought was a compound exclusive of them because its close relationship, but in World is given as a reward when hunting Paolumu and Odogaron, now renamed as Nourishing Extract, with the Witcher Collaboration the Leshens also gave it on rewards, so it seems that rather than being an exclusive compound of the cave wyverns, there is a point in the Monster Hunter universe where a monster adapting to a nutrient poor enviroment, either develops the ability to produce the extract as an additional supply of nutrients, or it does not survive. Paolumu and the Leshens are a counterpoint to this however, because the Highlands and the Forest seem to be more regular enviroments than the Vale, but the diminute coral eggs that Paolumu feeds on may be the reason (even though, the fact that the extract cannot be carved from its body may mean it does not produce it), while the Leshen may be an opposite situation, where the rich enviroment of the Forest allows it to use less of its magic and as a result it produces the extract to further reduce is nutrient comsunption (even though it also cannot be carved from it). Something similar happens to the Dash Extract, previously unique to Gypceros and Royal Ludroth, in World is rewarded, not carvable, from Tzitzi-Ya-Ku, Diablos and Banbaro in Iceborne, because both Extracts must appear in every game to combine into Drugs and Dash Juice.

[@agisuru]

The ice blades may play a part in competition between Goss Harags. While bears typically remain rather isolated from other individuals, the ice blades could solve territory disputes (or play a role in mating rituals) without exposing either duelist to fatal injury.

[@jacobjerny7502]

While Goss Harag may not hibernate, it may still build a warm nest, similar to behavior seen in feral hogs within southern Canada. It may use the blade to process trees and turn them into mulch bedding, and the branches into anti-parasite material, or to use as a makeshift blanket when sleeping.

[@MonsterMindEntertainment]

My gues for the next episode is gonna be. Aptonoth and their relatives.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Bingo!

[@alejandroelluxray5298]

That would be Awesome, Aptonoth is taken as cannon fodder when it actually has very good defenses like it's thagomizer, Apceros has Armor and a spiked tailclub and Slagtoth can defend itself like a Pachyrrhinosaurus

[@randomguyanese5080]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel i can't wait

[@diablosprime5342]

I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with us in the comments even when we disagree with difficulty or monster design.

[@ISayEssays]

I would love a three bears quest where each Goss Harag uses only one loadout, sns, dual blades, and dual hammer fists. As an extra FU the last bear standing switches to an ice lance with disgusting range and a throw attack that's a recolor of Magnamalo's hellfire tail cannon.

[@winterturner897]

Happy to help with providing photos as a reference for your vids and Kaiju King's art, getting Goss's in particular was rather fun to do

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Thank you for them!

[@Zall]

Thank you for the Shout out! Can't wait to put some time aside to watch this in full! Great work as always :)

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Cheers Zal!

[@carmelosaurus7480]

A new Unnatural history video this made the rest of my day.

[@meursault223]

I just finished bingewatching all your videos. Absolutely fantastic, keep em coming!

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

More to come this week!

[@justinhitriz8770]

Not sure if anyone has said this yet, but just in case I will. While I was watching a video on Monster Hunter by Oceaniz, he brought attention to the fact of Goss Harag's ice blades, noting how Human-like it is. That has made me develop the theory that Goss didn't evolve to use ice blades, but rather a skill they learned when observing Humans and how they use weapons and managed to replicate it using their ice breath. Sort of like how we developed swords, in a way. This does mean that ever Goss the Hunters face are individuals that have been around Humans for a fair length of time, some perhaps even veterans of previous hunts on them, and had learned the ice blade trick as a means to level the playing field a bit. That shows that Goss Harag is quite intelligent. Enough that it can observe, learn, and adapt.

[@007accessb4]

great video as always!!! on the subject of goss being "rajangified" i don't think he will be but by the looks of it seems that his very much at that level of strength were he can at least fight off elder level threats similar to monster's like pink rathian, and black diablos and going off of that one event quest screenshot we've got his has no issues facing off against magna.

[@Goji-Moji]

I think it’s less that Goss Harag is evolved to form ice blades and more that Goss Harag has learned to make ice blades as a result of more primary together well. Goss Harag only forms Ice blades when its arms are glowing red (and there does seem to be a dull glow, so they’re likely very hot)-when the normal blue color it just freezes in a big lump on the hand. The blade itself is most likely formed in a manner similar to icicles due to the heat of the hand when applied, causing it to flow while freezing. If there’s any adaptation towards blades specifically here, it’s likely just in the shape of the arm to influence that flow to form an edge while freezing rather than a haphazard cone or block. More experienced Goss Harag are likely better at holding their arms at just the right angles and applying the breath at just the right speeds to get a nice, sharp, sturdy blade. The technique to throw the blades likely takes a good deal of learning as well. Perhaps mother Goss Harag take the mother bear role to the next level in actually instructing their children how to do certain things in a manner befitting their apparent intelligence. Then the question becomes not “what evolutionary purpose do the ice blades fulfill for Goss Harag” and more “why do Goss Harag’s limbs heat up? How and why does it do so selectively, with the ability to heat one or both limbs to the red state?” The face and presumably other parts of the body can turn red as well-what benefit does this provide, and why does it do this? There are potentially close analogues in a number of wyverns generating large amounts of body heat in conjunction with high physical performance, but among other fanged beasts the closest behavior is likely seen in another abnormally strong-for-its-size creature in Rajang, whose face and forelimbs also turn red in exchange for a change in performance of some kind. Contrary to Rajang the reddened forelimbs are more easily damaged, but there does seem to be an increase in performance associated. Given the prevalence of even larger predators like Barioth in their known ranges (and the odd roaming Tigrex pursuing Popo), as well as the hypothetically intense interspecific combat, this burst of metabolic activity likely gives it an edge in survival or coming out on top, similar to Rajang, Odogaron, Tigrex, Deviljho, and any other monsters that display similar traits. Learning to form weapons and shields/clubs with a pre-existing ice breath adaptation only helps further equalize their position, especially as direct application of the breath may be extremely effective for immobilizing small, agile prey like Anteka, and hugely improve predatory success in attempts on them, (it could also potentially use its icy breath to freeze fish swimming through shallow water?) but would be basically useless against something like Barioth unless aimed directly at the face, and any Tigrex close enough to try using the breath on to slow down is already in range to maul before the breath could reasonably accomplish anything. A burst of metabolic activity and strength would be the only thing Goss Harag could do to possibly escape or fight back. The ice weapons would also be of excellent use in insulating Goss from bodily contact with live Khezu that may share the cave networks Goss seems to frequent. Whether competition or outright predation, it would definitely help. In regards to why and how it can selectively control which parts of its body heat up and flush, it could either be an energy saving mechanism, or even a matter of communication with other Goss, since it was noted they lost facial expression with the Oni-mask. Similar examples that come to mind are the way dogs send different messages by the direction which they wag their tails or approach. Goss may send different signals through body language and which parts of their bodies flush.

[@darkerm76]

It's sad that we didn't got any varient or subspecies of goss. I wanted a more aggressive Goss as varient like Frost fang or a Sub Species that has Poison as it's hand looks like Poisonous like a real life Comodo Dragon tail.

[@edryu9688]

I am so mad KZbin didn't put this video to me sooner, I've been frothing at the bits for more of these. I do hope you get to the other bears as they have a lot of ecology and charm going for them, and I do agree it's strange goss freezes over his forelimbs that have adapted to be so much like hands. Said hands also would give an indication that they don't hibernate as hands make for poor digging tools to make a den out of. Great video as always and congrats on making it big. Wish this was longer but rise monsters don't have a lot of ecology to work with unfortunately.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Thank you! If nothing else the comments have also given me a few things to bring up in the debrief next episode.

[@jamescampbell4416]

Great vid as always! Goss harag is by far my favorite fanged beasts, though I have my fears of it becoming a higher tier because ‘big scary means powerful’ I would like to say this about it not hibernating as well, another reason early ancestors of goss not hibernating and possibly using the ice blades for hunting could be because that past ice age you theorized about made the frost islands have much less prey availability (or at least much less large prey) than there is now

[@antoinerossouw9533]

While I haven't played Rise and fought Goss Harag, this was really cool. I love seeing these videos on monsters not in World and Iceborne, so that I can learn more about them even if I can't actually play those games.

[@SylvesterAshcroft88]

Goss Harag is surprisingly fun to fight in Rise, especially because of it's unusual use of weapons, also the fact that it's probably the closest thing to a yeti we're going to get in Monster Hunter, as it's basically an ice demon, but it would be interesting to find out where they originally originate from, as i imagine in a real world analogue, they'd probably live in mountanous regions.

[@fishpickles7316]

I mean, when you think about it, a goss harag hibernating just makes it vulnerable. You're basically free food for another goss or barioth

[@marcoasturias8520]

When you mentioned Goss might use the ice structures to fish I immediately thought of Brinicles. As sea water freezes only the, well, water freezes, leaving the salt, brine behind between cracks in the sheets. Sometimes this cracks reach the lower end of the sheet pouring into the waters below. The brine is colder than the surrounding sea water, thus it freezes immediately, generating more brine forming a long freezing finger of death know as Brinicle. The stream eventually reaches the seafloor, killing any unsuspecting equinoderms it touches... I imagine a very smart and creative Goss touching the sea surface with its claws, then pouring vile onto its arm forming this brinicle and then pulling out the root like structure and breaking onto a rock to eat the catch! Also, I believe Goss' ice powers are already explained, or at least hand waeced, with flavor text. Often in MH the rarest drops of a monster are gems and sometimes these gems are the very explanation for said monsters elemental powers, like the dynamo of lagiacrus. In the case of Goss, it is an organ, iirc, its called Goss Panacea, probably because of popular use in homeopathy.

[@victory8928]

9:40 Wasn’t arctodus also an omnivorous bear? Cause from what I gathered from recent studies, it appears to be more varied in its diet than a more predatory bear, but yeah it definitely could have eaten some larger prey items though. Also lovely video again Unnatural, was putting this one off till now and glad to see it is quite the lovely one. Hope we learn more about Goss in Sunbreak and later games maybe showing it use the iceblades for nest making or display with other goss.

[@stardino9475]

I just love the fact that he becomes a a slasher killer when he knocks you down

[@regularbricksstudios1109]

An interesting monster nonetheless, i think it is cool that we get monsters that stand out from the others due to strange characteristics every now and then A theory I had for its ice blades in terms of predation was that Goss Harag used them to take down and eventually start eating prey faster. Despite being strong I doubt a Popo would go down with only 2 hits, as their dense fur and fat could aid them tank deadly blows, therefore, using sharp blades to quickly kill a Popo and eventually get to the insides thanks to the blades would ensure that Goss Harag consumes a good portion of meat in the case another large predator came by with the intention of stealing the meal from Goss (such as Barioth or Rajang who could produce serious injuries to a Goss Harag in a confrontation over food) The Frost Islands seem to be a very reduced environment so I don’t think predators of all sizes fighting to steal each other’s meals is a rare sight Amazing video as always man, love how you always make speculation seem as the real lore and ecology of the monsters (Also that short advance sounded like some of the noises many herbivores do hahaha, If so I’m glad you’re making a video on them)

[@Cubey3]

Thats a good theory! Sounds quite likely. A Popo would definitely be able to satiate goss for a while

[@latrodectusmactans7592]

The tough facial protection might also be against the cold, especially with the ability to flush blood into the face.

[@jamesk2325]

Fascinating take on this and great work as always! Your explanation is far more in depth and has much better backing than what I had come up with, but I had assumed the red appearance of the arms looks remarkably like an exaggerated portrayal of early stage frostbite. The small protrusions and the way the flesh turns from blue to red read to me like goss harag following something of a brachydios strategy: I will hurt myself somewhat in order to hurt you far more. This would explain their use only in fights that are against things that need to die swiftly, be it swift prey or swift threats like hunters. I further assumed it was foregoing using the blades on tetranadon out of a lack of seeing it as a mortal threat: the fight is "get out of my way". But the material being closer to horn makes more sense in the context of reusing the weapon on a regular basis, and your readings on everything else make more sense than mine as well. It's fascinating seeing this!

[@gabbrooh9126]

Quality content after a hard day of work, keep up the good work

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

More to come!

[@pastelsunset]

With the glowing eyes and carapace on the face, Goss reminds me from the colossi from Shadow of the Colossus. Easily one of my favourite monsters in Rise, at least design-wise

[@PoptartsNinja]

Goss Harag lives in areas with lots of Zamites, and its blades are quite perfectly shaped to literally scrape 'ticks' off its back.

[@Stroggoii]

We read a lot of lore about the dangerous intelligence of Elder Dragons but to be honest other than Ahtal-Ka, I'd never felt like I was fighting anything but an animal with super-powers until Goss Harag. We've seen minor tool use and strategizing before but it's usually just the animal weaponizing it's anatomy. Goss and Ka's tool use feels like purposeful martial behavior.

[@Froggsroxx]

I'd love to see a subspecies of him, something like "frostbite goss harag" in which he always has his blades, be much faster with them, and creates clouds of freezing mist around it's body like teostras flames.

[@agisuru]

I'd like to come back and revisit an idea I posited in a previous comment: that the ice blades are, as with many animalian oddities, meant for competition within the species and/or mating displays. This can explain the original impetus for the development of both the ice and the reinforced epidermis on the arms-- with the massive and dextrous talons possessed by Goss, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine them grappling one another to prove which one was stronger, frequently incurring bloody wounds to the arms and face in the process. These are the two areas Goss shows the most (obvious) growth of reinforced epidermis, likely as a way to protect itself not just from the blood loss, but the very significant heat loss an open wound would cause. The ice, in turn, may have begun as some kind of scent marking using proteins in saliva. The higher freezing point of this substance may have been to help it adhere to surfaces in order to prevent it from being washed away by the weather. It may also have been involved in ritualized intraspecific competition, with Goss slathering its arms in saliva to make sure its rival got a good whiff to try and make the opponent back down. This may have led to the formation of ice upon its arms, which had already hardened and capable of bearing the frost. This would grant it two advantages in intraspecific combat: a surface more difficult for an opponent to grapple, and a clear display of fitness (with fitter individuals able to produce greater volumes of the freezing fluid and thus larger ice ornaments). Eventually, this gives rise to the most derived version of the ice ornamentation in the ice blades. These are an extreme but logical extension of the two outlined uses for the freezing fluid to begin with: scent-marking and combat. Goss Harag no longer needs to slobber on every surface it wants to mark, as it can now simply scrape its blades across them to leave signs and scents, making it less expensive overall to scent mark a large territory by reducing the amount of protein needed for each individual mark. Second, it allows an advantage in intraspecific competition: the creation of the ice weapons is a highly ritualized process that serves as a very clear warning sign, and the extended reach and also the fragility of the blades reduces risk to the competitor by allowing it to duel from a distance, with a broken blade signifying a clear loser and usually resulting in that individual backing down. As is often the case, this can be involved as well in displays of fitness for things like mating, as larger blades mean the individual has the necessary resources to produce greater amounts of expensive proteins, thus indicating greater fitness and a superior mate. It ALSO can be VERY indicative of an individual in poor health, because dehydration or excess salivation from things like disease will both result in lower volumes of saliva and freezing proteins when time comes to make the ice ornaments, resulting in smaller and more fragile blades. Finally, the club that only begins appearing in higher ranks may actually be something only older and fitter Goss Harag use. I would posit this to be a learned behavior specifically for advantage against Goss Harag's own blades-- a literal rock-beats-scissors maneuver that allows it to easily shatter an opponent's blades. Its use of the ice club against the hunter may be an attempt at the same thing, as it views hunters' weapons as analagous to its own. As one final addendum, the ice ornaments may actually counterintuitively PROTECT Goss Harag from the cold. Yes, the substance responsible freezes quickly in contact with cold air, but once adhered to the arm, it would actually provide an insulating layer of a constant temperature between Goss's skin and the cold air. What's more, it would actually give off heat during the freezing process, especially considering it's stored internally and thus probably at the same temperature as the rest of Goss Harag.

[@TheBitingBat]

Hoping that we get a goss harag variant/deviant that further elaborates on the ice abilities and brutal cunning of Goss. It was a massive letdown that he was the odd man out of the rise monsters to not get a stronger version. Goss could be made way more interesting if he used his bile in more varied ways, like a quick spit to freeze you in place before blasting you with a full force beam or creating ice traps to try and box you in. Bears are pretty intelligent animals, and I think Goss deserved better

[@tyranitararmaldo]

The bony protrusions around the face is consistent with inter-species combat. The most notable example is Entelodonts, who had copious bony protrusions along their skulls, to prevent damage to vital areas during combat. Combat that left tooth marks that could only be made by other Entelodonts.

[@OnyxLink]

My take is Goss Harag uses its ice blades to process specific portions of meat. He obviously has to contend with potential kill stealing monsters like Baggi, Barioth, and maybe even Somnocanth. So processing the kill quickly at the kill site might benefit it more than a slower methodical process. Another commenter mentioned the blunt one being used for crushing bone which sort of helps with that. Perhaps the club and blade can be used to cripple potential prey.

[@dartole7611]

“Shatun” Goss Harag would be absolutely insane

[@GGchannel1025]

I feel the best way to bring back underwater combat would be to have Dolphin-Palamutes that you ride on. It would get rid of the issue of it being too slow.

[@sarcirinsdaefarin3950]

Goss is amazing all around, I was sold right from the first teaser. People were debating what other weapons he could emulate, and i said, whats better than one greatsword? two. people laughed, thats just dual blades they said. ha! I was pleasantly surprised in game :)

[@CornOfTheBreads]

I propose the theory that the ice blades are a learned behavior that this creature learned from observing hunters much like the hot spring monkeys in japan and its ice organ was more just a general adaptation for defense or to hunt fish in the water instantly freezing or at least slowing them.

[@transnewt]

goss's ice weapons may have developed before its obligate carnivory, and thus may have originated as tools to reach particular high fruits or even insect nests, which will often hibernate in winter.

[@transnewt]

predator defence, specifically as a shield or bracer, may have also been an origin, or in its most basal form, goss may have simply sprayed water. eventually, in colder climates, with a more carnivorous diet, the weapons became weapons, chiefly against small swift game.

[@vincentpey3929]

Goss harag is probably my favorite out of the new rise roster.

[@multiverseecologist1641]

What if the ice weapons aren't ice, but a brittle mass of Antarcticite (CaCl2·6H2O)? With goss harag living near the oceanic ice flows, it wouldn't be hard for it to collect the salt required to synthesize the stone. This theory would also explain why the weapons are brittle enough to break from a few hits of our weapons as well as how goss harang can throw shards at us since the stone is quite brittle. With the upper temperature limit for antarcticite to solidify being 77°F or 25°C, then it wouldn't be hard to form the blades as quickly as goss does during combat. What really makes me thing the blades could be antarcticite is that when goss forms the blades, it seems to grow out similar to how crystals grow, but much faster. My comment comes many months late, but i hope someone sees it.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Saw this and I like it a lot! Impressed with this theory and would have suggested it had I known.

[@multiverseecologist1641]

@@unnaturalhistorychannel thanks! I love your channel. I knew that antarcticite was a solidifying crystal of some kind, so did some research first and it made more sense the more i found out.

[@avidpaintwatcher]

Goss Harag should've been the titleship of Rise tbh he's a lot more interesting than Magnamalo to me.

[@alexkazam444]

Wouldn't be surprised if Goss Hibernated during warmer seasons

[@justsomejojo]

Because of its use of tools, I just thought it was more based on apes than bears and never paid much more thought to the matter. So I learned a bunch in that regard. With Sunbreak on the horizon and the jungle area coming back, I hope we'll see a take on the presumed generalist ancestor - a Goss Harag that doesn't use ice but rather wood and rocks found in the jungle. I really like fighting the normal Goss Harag anjd would love to see another take on the same concept.

[@bobisuncanny2760]

17:20 Actually Goss could have upper hand against Rajang just for the icy blades

[@knightlyfiver9733]

but would the rajang see the windups from a mile away?

[@Phze]

I think that due to its size goss harag used is ice breath to create is own place to hibernate in but with time it complitely abandon this behavior and compensate for is lack of nutrien by hunting smaller fast prey, using is ice breath to make the blades. Plus it would help him defend against hunters or the small zamtrios thingy

[@danielg2967]

maybe the ice blades are for cutting up and storing food in the snow.

[@Outlawbyname]

The ice blades could be useful simply because their forelimbs are so dexterous. They use their "hands" for most things like defense and grooming, so the ice blades might be a way of not damaging their best way of interacting with their environment, especially when they're just after small prey or dealing with humans. The blade itself might even have just been a side effect of coating their limbs in a protective ice sheathe, that as in its introduction extends into a blade after being applied

[@menacingpyukumuku4041]

I always assumed that the blades were made for organ removal. Some predators try to eat organs first or exclusively due to the high density of vitamins, so I just assumed that the blade would allow a way to remove the organs quickly without causing too much damage to things that might spoil the meat like fecal matter or acid, and quietly to not alert any other predators that might want to kill steal, although that last one is second due to the fact that most monsters have good or great olfactory organs

[@Umneriko]

It’s possible that the ice blade isn’t the only tool it can make. So when it needs its ice making skills for something other than hunting it will make the appropriate tool for the job.

[@lordofsandvich3630]

Around 7:00 - Monsters are goddamn HUGE, and they most likely take a long time to grow. A young or small Goss Harag would be much more reliant on its intelligence than a fully grown Goss Harag, and there are a lot of situations where Goss might not have enough of a physical advantage to just maul everything in sight. So it still makes sense that Goss would possess unusually high intelligence even if its apparent ecological niche wouldn't require it

[@aurnknight2813]

Personally I imagined that Goss harags iceblades were also be used for intimidation and projectiles usage as shown in game. Also I find that capcom could not truly show goss harag use of the iceblades as that would shoot up age rating, Stabing or slicing the soft bellied tetranadon would reasonably almost instantly kill it would not only be a bit much also would be bad game design (insta kiII, easy farm).

[@DissedRedEngie]

I wish instead of the blade just forming, Goss would make a chunk of ice that it then breaks into a sword.

[@eser8167]

At first I was a bit off-put by how human-like he is in both movement and behaviour but he's grown on me a bit. Still, it's a shame his fight is so easy. They could have just made his ice blades harder to break and not make him fall over when they are broken, but this seems like a rise issue in general.

[@Jakearoo3009]

Since Goss doesn't have facial expressions it can use and can only use its arms for communication, maybe the ice weapons are used to attract mates since as u said it only seems they were used against small prey and hunters, so being able to make good or big ice weapons could be a show of how effective they can cull a herd of creatures or something of the like to not use as much energy to get a lot more food.

[@yuujinner5801]

Yknow, it's weird, every time you do a video on a monster I seem to like it more.....

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Well Magna definitely isn't getting a video then

[@ZombieJeff]

I know this video is old by now, but in regards to the iceblades as a tool for hunting Od also observe that some of the nearest threats that weigh under gros are Lagombi and Great Baggi Lagombi’s ice boulders might be splittable by the ice blades, something a punch would be less useful for. And the extra reach would do well at negating the advantage multiple pack members of the Baggi. I do also wonder if it might help the gross split open the giant mollusks of the frost isles

[@ratalonoohm1085]

Could imagine that the ice blades are used against mobility based opponents and prey. The sweeping motions of the Blades make it Harder to Dodge and can help reaching the wyverns that have a greater reach, like a tigrex tail, or to better hit a flying baroth. I dont know how good a goss harag can break bones from their kills, but the ice blades can build up more power through leverage, making it easier to break bones (althoug a axe or hammer design would probably mor helpful)

[@Jemski_T]

just going to point this out but maybe the reason Goss Harag uses Ice blades is for defending against zamite feeding? perhaps it even got the behaviour of using ice from a Zamtrios in the Frost islands (I know there isn't any Zamtrios in Rise, but Zamites existing in the frost islands do make it plausible). The whole idea basically is that sweeping turning motion with the ice blade Goss harag does, it could be useful for avoiding getting overwhelmed by zamites (which have been known to be opportunistic and bite onto bigger creatures just to feed)

[@adrianbaker8875]

Goss Harag is is my favorite new rise monster and fang beast his design is so unique and I say I love his fight. I love to see him have a walrus monster rival that a fang beast that can swim and not a leviathan for some stupid reason looking at you Pokaradon. I heard that polar bear use rock and huge ice to bludgeon walrus to death maybe goss harag use they ice club to do the same with the walrus monster in a tuff war. GOD PLEASE NO GOSS BUT HE HAVE FIRE SWORDS!!!FUN fact him and barioth are the only monsters as of right now do not appear in the Rampage despite the loading screen showing him in the ramrage.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

I also really hope for a walrus-pinniped monster someday!

[@prawn1717]

Great video, as always! I don't have much to add to this one, and while I think the teaser is a hurt roar of either a brute or a fanged wyvern, I can't tell exactly what it is. Maybe Zinogre?

[@averybaumann]

"On occasion of our 1 year anniversary I'm going to do something " monstrous"" - a missed opportunity

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Damn - next time.

[@theoverseer393]

I like to believe Goss Harag, like Arzuros, get countered by the sheer sumo capabilities and need to adapt. Hence why tetronadon seems to be incapable of taking damage from ice blades, it already is insulated. However, I’m sure goss harag won his turf war

[@dapperraptor8789]

admittedly this is a stretch but maybe goss use's the blades in courtship battles as well? I don't have much to base this on but maybe goss harag battle with other goss harag with their blades rather than brute force, they might have blade clashes in a attempt to break the other's blade and only the strongest goss harags with the strongest ice blades getting breeding rights to the females. Idk thought I'd through in some speculation to the mix.

[@webbers2236]

Have been recently binging these monster hunter videos and it really has me hoping for a monster hunter game that keeps a good amount of the hunting simulation so monsters can do more in a vast open world, an example being a world where you could witness Goss with their ice blade walking around areas searching for prey, or being able to witness Gammoth protecting Popo and getting enraged if a hunter kills one in her presence. I feel Monster Hunter recently is veering more towards treating monsters as boss fights overall rather than animals that can be dangerous to a human civilization trying to coexist while also being a fun boss fight. Thank you for taking the time and effort to make these videos, it's fun learning and taking in theories and speculating or imaging these amazing monsters in environments where they have more animations to show their ecological lifestyle while retaining the difficulty of humans hunting these giant badass monsters. Edit: Also I think a fun detail about Goss is he seems to walk around on his knuckles, and there is an interesting set of what look like fake hooves when it walks on all fours.

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Thank you for watching them too! I too would like the series to go open world, and think it will for perhaps MH 7 or 8.

[@Never_at_All]

Nice, finally got around to watching this! Also, I kinda want to get into art just so I can draw a possible Goss ancestor like the one you mentioned, I would imagine it with shorter horns and maybe a droopier more expressive face. Who knows tho lmao

[@unnaturalhistorychannel]

Keen to see it!

[@kassmalz2069]

goss harag is like the rajang of the bear skeleton (arzuros, lagombi, volvidon)

[@chrisc.5911]

This is a pretty common view feom what I've seen, but I think Goss harag should have been the flagship monster for Rise.

[@GoobyMcWbr]

Perhaps goss also uses ice to protect his fingers, because compared to other bear monsters his are really long and more dexterous. This would be kinda similar to boxers or combat sports that use padding in general to protect against deterioration of bones in the hand leading to decreases dexterity.