Primordial Malzeno is an Elder Dragon introduced in Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, serving as the expansion’s overarching protagonist. It is a variant of Malzeno that lacks a symbiosis with the Qurio, viewing them as an enemy along with their master Gaismagorm. As such, it is viewed as a heroic and noble monster that defends humanity and the ecosystem from the threat of Gaismagorm and the Qurio.
The Primordial Malzeno fought in game is an exceptionally ancient specimen, having fought Gaismagorm centuries ago and being the basis for the myth of the Archdemon of the Abyss. Upon its return to Elgado following the latter’s death, it is mistaken as the destructive monster mentioned in Elgado’s legend by Fiorayne and hunted by her and the hunter. Fortunately, this misunderstanding is cleared when Primordial Malzeno displays its opposition to the Qurio, and the duo leave it to keep the balance of nature.
Physiology[]
Primordial Malzeno is quite similar to a normal Malzeno, but it seems more robust. Its wings, head crest, and most of its body are coated with silver and gold plates and blades that mimic armor, and the areas of its body that were originally gold turn darker and richer. Its crimson wing membranes have turned dark bluish-purple, its horns are less twisted, and the patch on its chest has been replaced with a larger portion of armor plates, eliminating the Qurio from its torso.
Primordial Malzeno will experience a "Bloodening" condition when infested by the Qurio, which is comparable to that of a normal Malzeno and is characterized by duller scales, Qurio clusters on the arms and chest, and the appearance of Qurio energy between the tail's prongs. This will progress into a more advanced "Bloodrage" stage as a result of additional Qurio corrosion, as evidenced by the significant blackening of Malzeno's silver armor and the magenta tainting of its wing membranes. Malzeno can enter the Bloodrage state without first undergoing the Bloodening if it sustains enough injuries.
Primordial Malzeno will reach the "Bloodlust" stage when it is seriously hurt because Qurio will swarm it and appear to burn it. Similar to the Risen Elder Dragons in their Risen stages, its scales and armor turn totally black in this form, and its jaws, head crest, wing membranes, and spaces between scales begin to flash brightly with flaming orange light.
Abilities[]
Prior to forming its symbiosis with the Qurio, Primordial Malzeno was the original form of Malzeno. It has much more physical strength and agility, and its armor gives it durability. It fights more like a knight than the original version, preferring to employ its physical prowess in a more adaptable and efficient manner by using its armored wings for both attack and defense in addition to its tail. In spite of its immense power, it is so accurate that it can use its wings to spear a single Qurio out of the air. Primordial Malzeno can defeat or drive away other strong monsters like Scorned Magnamalo, Velkhana, and Gaismagorm with its physical might alone, utilising its keen intelligence and physical prowess to trip up and overpower its foes. Additionally, it possesses some control over the Dragon element which it can enhance its attacks with or shoot out as a breath attack.
Primordial Malzeno, in contrast to Malzeno, will destroy any Qurio that approaches and will not use any to help it. The Qurio will try to form a relationship with Primordial Malzeno and coerce it into going into the Bloodening stage, albeit, if it is preoccupied. Primordial Malzeno is able to use the Qurio's energy for much more potent and violent new strikes because of its greater physicality, even though the symbiosis was forced. This evolves into the Bloodrage state as the infestation worsens, during which Primordial Malzeno becomes much more violent, its attacks more destructive, and its speed grows to the point that it repeatedly uses the "teleportation" of the normal variety. Like a typical Malzeno, though, these states weaken the Qurio-covered body parts, and if enough harm is done to them, the condition will cease and Primordial Malzeno will fall.
Behavior[]
Primordial Malzeno, in contrast to Malzeno and the majority of Elder Dragons, is a rather calm Elder who is able to live with people. In fact, it was formerly regarded as a guardian of the Kingdom who would punish evildoers. Its deft use of its limbs and apparent comprehension of emotions like gratitude and hatred demonstrate that it is reasonably intelligent by extension. Primordial Malzeno can still be fiercely territorial, though, and if provoked enough, will strike back with great ferocity and devastating power, as demonstrated in its bloody conflict with Gaismagorm and the Qurio. Despite this, its fighting style is regarded as graceful and knightly, but if the Qurio continue to influence it, it will grow more vicious and cunning.
Primordial Malzeno chases down Qurio and opposes their rule since he is a fierce enemy of Gaismagorm and the Qurio for crossing its borders. It will continuously try to thwart the symbiosis, even when infested by them, giving the impression that it is continuously suffering. The perception of it as a plague against its own kind is the cause. After Rondine and the hunter help Primordial Malzeno repel the Qurio after initially fighting it, the monster raises its wings as a sign of gratitude to the two before leaving, showing that it is perfectly capable of forgiving others and letting bygones be bygones. Thus, while it seems that Primordial Malzeno may only be fighting Gaismagorm to preserve its territory, this act makes it possible that it does acknowledge the good it's doing for the ecosystem and for humans.
Trivia[]
- In accordance to the theory that several monsters have movesets and designs based off hunter weapons e.g Glavenus being based off the Greatsword, it's possible that Primordial Malzeno draws inspiration from the Lance, seeing as it uses its sharp wing tips and tail to impale foes whilst using its wing membranes as shields.
- It may also be inspired by the Sword and Shield as it often utilises slashing attacks reminiscent of the weapon.
- Primordial Malzeno was voted 13th place in the Hunters' Choice for Top Monster during Monster Hunter's 20th Anniversary, making it the most popular monster introduced in Monster Hunter Rise.
- Primordial Malzeno is similar to Red Khezu in the fact that they are both the "original" versions of their respective species despite being classified as variants/subspecies, with regular Khezu being albino individuals and regular Malzeno being ones tainted by the Qurio.
