Nargacuga is a popular monster from previous Monster Hunter games and can also pose difficulties for many hunters in Iceborne. We provide you with useful tips on how to exploit Nargacuga’s weaknesses.
This is what Nargacuga can do: One of the key characteristics of Narga is its high speed. The flying wyvern is very agile and can make very large jumps, giving its attacks a long range.
It primarily attacks with its wing claws and its tail, which is covered in spikes. It can also hurl these spikes at you during its attacks. When they hit, they cause significant damage and inflict bleeding status.
Narga also has a rage mode, which you can easily recognize by its eyes glowing red and its spikes standing up. In this state, it becomes stronger and more aggressive.
The monster is also able to destroy traps, which can make it a very annoying opponent.
Elemental and Status Weaknesses
These are Nargacuga’s weaknesses: In Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, you can see in your monster directory that Narga has three weak points on its body:
- Head
- Base of the tail
- Tip of the tail
You will likely spend most of the fight attacking the base of the tail to stay out of range of claw swipes and the mouth, which likes to bite.
Elemental Weaknesses:
- Fire 2
- Water 0
- Thunder 3
- Ice 1
- Dragon 1
Status Weaknesses:
- Poison 2
- Sleep 2
- Paralysis 2
- Explosion 2
- Stun 2
It is recommended to either use a weapon that has the thunder element or a weapon that combines two 2-star attributes, for example, fire and poison.
Preparations and Combat Strategy
These items you should bring to the fight:
- Astera Jerky or Sushi Fish Scales against bleeding
- Scream and Flash Pods to interrupt Nargacuga in its jump
- Shock Traps if you want to catch Nargacuga
- Sleep or Poison Knives if these statuses are not already on the weapon
- Throwing Ammunition for the Clutch Claw
- Dodge Mantle, Guard Mantle, or Lifesaver Mantle to make the fight easier overall
Avoid these moves: The move set of Nargacuga in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is quite small compared to other large monsters. However, the attacks come quickly, have a high range, and are always signaled by short animations:
- Bite – Narga opens its mouth and then bites immediately afterwards. The attack is accompanied by growling.
- Tail Swipe – Just before the attack, the monster will slightly jump up to face you. It then swings its tail sideways in your direction.
- Claw Attack – Here too, Nargacuga will jump slightly beforehand and make a wide swipe with a wing claw. The attack has a long range.
- Spinning Attack – Narga spins in a circle and swings its tail. To evade, you must either be underneath it or far enough away from it.
- Spike Shot – The beast will lean forward and swing its tail overhead. A barrage of spikes will then come from its tail, causing bleeding.
You can normally evade most attacks by dodging to the side. For the tail swipe, it’s also helpful to stand closer to Nargacuga, as it has a long range.
If you get hit by the spikes, try to stop the bleeding immediately. For example, Astera Jerky can help you.
How to attack: At first glance, it may seem that there are no openings to deal damage between Nargacuga’s fast attacks. But that’s deceptive.
It will often happen that Narga rams its tail into the ground during an attack, and it gets stuck. This is a good time to latch onto the monster with the Clutch Claw and deal some good hits.
You can also try to use the environment to your advantage. The first fight against Narga will take place in the Ancient Forest. There, there are many opportunities to attack the monster from above and mount it for extra damage.
Alternatively, you can use vine traps to catch Nargacuga and get further hits in. You can find more tips on using the environment in our guide:
If you have good timing, you can take the beast down from the air while it jumps. You need to shoot a Scream Pod with the Slinger – and do this when the monster is about to jump.
But watch out! Although it gives you ample time to deal damage to Narga, it can immediately switch into rage mode afterwards. This comes with both advantages and disadvantages.
Enraged Nargacuga
How do I fight against the enraged Narga? Of course, Nargacuga becomes more aggressive and stronger in rage mode. So you can expect to take more hits because it chains 2 to 3 attacks together without pause.
The mode also provides some advantages:
- Narga will no longer be able to destroy traps.
- You can only sever Narga’s tail in rage mode.
In this mode, thanks to the traps, you get more time to attack and deal damage.
The severed tail provides more loot at the end of the fight. However, it also reduces the chance of obtaining bleeding if you get hit by the spikes.
Otherwise, its attack set does not change much due to the loss of the tail.
You can watch how the fight looks live and in color here:
Loot from Nargacuga
These rewards you will get: After defeating Nargacuga, you can collect the loot. From the flying wyvern, you will receive:
- Nargacuga Hardfang
- Nargacuga Shell
- Nargacuga Whip
- Nargacuga Shard
- Nargacuga Cutting Wings+
- Nargacuga Black Fur+
- Nargacuga Tail Spear
Especially materials from Nargacuga’s tail are needed for many armor parts. So try to sever it as often as possible.
This is Nargacuga’s armor: Here is a preview of the stylish armor sets.
“Armor made of Nargacuga parts. Its glossy scales possess a dangerously tempting beauty.” #Iceborne pic.twitter.com/ljoxbKNlVo
— Monster Hunter (@monsterhunter) June 7, 2019
“The eyes peering out of this Nargacuga armor are so unsettling, few dare look at them.” #Iceborne pic.twitter.com/tuB7qyafoa
— Monster Hunter (@monsterhunter) June 7, 2019
The “Nargacuga Alpha +” set is based on the Master Rank Nargacuga and has the following stats:
- Defense: 700
- Fire: -10
- Water: 10
- Thunder: -15
- Ice: 0
- Dragon: 0
The “Nargacuga Alpha +” set also has the following abilities:
- Head: Maximum Performance Lvl 1 and Piercing Boost Lvl 1
- Chest: Invulnerability Lvl 2 and Fast Heal Lvl 1
- Gloves: Stamina Recovery Lvl 2 and Camouflage Lvl 2
- Belt: Invulnerability Lvl 1 and Stamina Recovery Lvl 1
- Pants: Invulnerability Lvl 1 and Maximum Performance Lvl 1
Set bonus from at least three pieces drastically reduces weapon sharpness loss. Bows and ranged weapons get the chance to retain ammunition when attacking.
These materials you need:
- Head: 2x Nargacuga Black Fur+, 1x Nargacuga Hardfang, 2x Nargacuga Tail Spear, 2x Steel Gajau Whiskers
- Chest: 2x Nargacuga Black Fur+, 1x Nargacuga Shard, 1x Nargacuga Whip, 3x Gajau Hide
- Gloves: 2x Nargacuga Black Fur+, 1x Nargacuga Shard, 2x Nargacuga Hardfang, 4x Fine Fur
- Belt: 2x Nargacuga Black Fur+, 2x Nargacuga Cutting Wings+, 1x Nargacuga Whip, 1x Nargacuga Shell
- Pants: 2x Nargacuga Black Fur+, 2x Nargacuga Shard, 1x Nargacuga Cutting Wings+, 3x Vespoid Daggerwings
Good luck with the hunt!
