The Ruiner Nergigante is an Elder Dragon first introduced in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. It is a much older and experienced member of the Nergigante species, which has caused it to gain the ability to develop metallic spines to protect itself in exchange for lacking the regenerative capabilities of its younger kin.
Physiology[]
Despite having darker scales and a darker carapace, Ruiner Nergigante appears to be constructed similarly to Nergigante. The black metallic spikes that develop between their normal bone spikes are what distinguish this variation.
Abilities[]
In contrast to most monsters, Ruiner Nergigante will not attack at the first chance. Instead, it will begin the battle surprisingly slow and predictable, growing more vicious and lethal as the battle progresses and it takes more damage, with the end of the battle being a far cry from the beginning. Ruiner Nergigante is physically stronger than its already strikingly powerful normal counterpart, yet it is just as relentless, if not more so, due to the innumerable encounters that have hardened it. So far, it has been seen brawling with a Seething Bazelgeuse mid-air, surviving the resulting plummet along with its foe, and killing a weakened Shara Ishvalda with a single bite to the neck.
The Ruiner Nergigante has metallic spikes on its wings, nape, and forelimbs in addition to the bony spikes of a normal Nergigante. These spikes are much more durable and make more lethal weapons than the typical ones, but they take longer to grow and can't be regrown quickly. As the dragon loses health during combat, the spikes gradually grow larger until they reach full size, at which point they will give a larger "spike burst" effect to attacks that use the corresponding body parts, which also causes the Bleeding effect.
Behavior[]
Ruiner Nergigante, like its original version, is extremely aggressive and hunts victims with great vigor. However, Ruiner Nergigante exhibits wisdom and patience, and will not immediately go all out if it would be detrimental, in contrast to its typical counterpart, which will assault any enemy at any time, regardless of the cost. The variety is willing to let others do the work for it before swooping in for a meal, whereas the ordinary Nergigante exhibits a wild and all-consuming urge to devour prey at all costs. Seeing as the Ruiner Nergigante seen killing Shara Ishvalda appears to be the same one hunted earlier, it appears that Ruiner Nergigante can play dead so convincingly the hunter can carve its parts, displaying an incredibly high intelligence and level of self-restraint greater than most other monsters.
