Monster Hunter Rise: Where to Find (& Slay) Crimson Glow Valstrax

The latest major update for Monster Hunter Rise is here, and with it comes the return of an extremely powerful elder dragon. Valstrax made its debut in 2018. For the latest entry in the Monster Hunter franchise, this massive creature has gotten an upgrade and is now known as Crimson Glow Valstrax.

The new take on this epic hunt gives the creature new moves and new capabilities not seen before, so hunters should know everything they can before taking on this impressive foe.

How to Find and Slay Crimson Glow Valstrax in Monster Hunter Rise

The first thing to know about Crimson Glow Valstrax is that hunters won’t be able to take it on right away. Though Version 3.0 of the game added the monster, players will need to progress extremely far into the experience before they can attempt the mission. After defeating Narwa the Allmother, players will need to reach HR 100. At that point, Master Hojo will give them an urgent quest to take down Valstrax.

The Urgent Quest will always take place in the Shrine Ruins. After the player completes that quest, a new one is added to the 7 Star list where they can take on the Crimson Glow Valstrax as often as they want. This quest actually takes place in a random location, and every environment is possible for the locale. Additionally, Valstrax can ambush a mission at any point, so watch out for the blue monster ambush icon on the quest select screen.

According to the story, Crimson Glow Valstrax has become overwhelmed by its dragon energy. The pain this causes forces it out of seclusion, which is why it will ambush missions unexpectedly. It also means that its attacks are far more devastating than its normal version. Crimson Glow Valstrax attacks almost exclusively with its jet-engine-like wings. These dragon-element-fueled appendages act as swords, lances, and dragon beam emitters depending on how they’re positioned.

If hunters see the wings swept backward, then Valstrax is most likely to use them as melee weapons, to propel itself forward in a charge, or launch into the air for an ambush. When they are swept forward, hunters should be on guard for projectile attacks. Crimson Glow Valstrax can shoot orbs of dragon energy, or unleash a massive beam that does an incredible amount of damage.

Its melee attacks have a very long range. Hunters should be cautious, because all too often, they’ll believe they’re far enough away to avoid an attack, only to be knocked to the side by a sneak attack from one of Valstrax’s wings. Additionally, the elder dragon rarely only attacks once. More often, it will strike and follow up with one to two more attacks. It’s important for players to keep their guard up at all times.

To aid in defeating the monster, bring weapons with a blast element. It has minor weaknesses to other blights, but blast is the best bet here. Additionally, the Valstrax will occasionally start revving up its energy by vacuuming in air through its chest. While it does this, its chest will glow bright red. Attacking it at this point will do massive damage, and stun it for some free hits.

Careful positioning, awareness of Valstrax’s wings, and blast elemental weapons are the key to taking down Crimson Glow Valstrax, one of the most difficult hunts in all of Monster Hunter Rise. Hunters who accomplish this feat should consider themselves among the best of the best in all of Kamura.

Monster Hunter Rise is available on Nintendo Switch.

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