The Shagaru Magala is a species of Elder Dragon and the adult form of Gore Magala first introduced in Monster Hunter 4, serving as the game's main antagonist. They are powerful and territorial Elder Dragons that are the progenitors of the Frenzy Virus, a mysterious virus that turns monsters savage and unusually powerful, which the Shagaru Magala use to establish their domain. Thus, the hunter is tasked with defeating the individual that appears in Monster Hunter 4 so as to prevent its territorial conquest from upending the ecosystem.
Physiology[]
Shagaru Magala has a body structure resembling Gore Magala, its juvenile version. Its horns, claws, and other spiky protrusions have transformed from crimson red/purple to dark brown, and its body is now coated in shimmering golden scales as a result of the skin-shedding. The eyes that were buried under the horns are now completely open as well. When both of its raggedly torn wings are completely spread, they resemble a star. Its raggedly tattered wings also turned into golden, scaly sheets.
Abilities[]
Shagaru Magala has drastically improved his physical attributes as an adult; he is now more stronger, more nimble, and most importantly, more fierce. They often have an angry Gore Magala-like demeanor, but they may also be more varied in their assaults and evasive techniques. They often soar into the air and drop down to attack, and they mostly utilize their wingarms to beat and pin victims into submission, much like the Gore Magala.
Their development also improves their control over their Frenzy Virus. They no longer use the scales to see, but may deploy more harmful and volatile viral breath attacks, shoot Frenzy beams and waves from their mouth and claws, spread pools of scales that burst after some time, and create pillars of energy to erupt from the earth. Furthermore, the passive spread of their scales is even more destructive, having the capacity to infect and eradicate the life on entire mountains at once.
Shagaru Magala is an exotic species in Monster Hunter Frontier and has the ability to go into a True Frenzy state. Shagaru's pale parts change to a jumble of purple hues in this stage, and the claws also take on a purple hue with a white undertone that resembles crystal. A bright purple hue with shiny white edges also covers most of the wing membranes. On Shagaru Magala's neck, there appear to be Frenzy Crystals growing in addition to more on the horns. Lastly, Shagaru emits a light purple and white aura along with what appear to be bright white sheddings flaking off it. Those final two details disappearing with death. Shagaru, in contrast to Gore Magala, cannot be forced from its True Frenzy.
Thanks to possessing the Frenzy Virus, Shagaru Magala is naturally immune to the Qurio's disease, allowing it to effortlessly seize the bioenergy they've absorbed for its own uses. As such, it can utilise this bioenergy to achieve a Risen state, not only making it much more powerful physically, but also granting it a keener control over the Frenzy Virus. It can passively leave puddles and clouds of the deadly pathogen in its wake, and even summon pillars of Frenzy Virus which converge on the target before causing a devastating explosion. As such, they are considered extremely deadly threats on par with the likes of Risen Crimson Glow Valstrax.
Behavior[]
Its initial meeting with the player in the Sanctuary demonstrated that, despite its divine appearance, it is also calm and calculated. It quietly assessed its opponent and identified it as someone it had previously faced. The monster will pursue and attack its foes in a reckless and destructive way, releasing all of its might until its target is dead, but once it launches an assault, its feral and vicious nature is on full show. Being in a permanent anger state that is equivalent to a raging Gore Magala that can increase even more if it becomes even angrier, its divine looks belie its monster ferocity. They will savagely fight anybody who tries to enter, much like many other Elder Dragons do.
They unleash Frenzy Virus to infect adjacent creatures, much like they did when they were young. This is to mark their territory, keep other Gore Magala from fully molting, and release the upcoming generation of Gore Magala into their domain. The virus can be seen pouring out of its burrow and infecting several monsters on the Heaven's Mount, although it appears that the infection radius is broader than before. It also appears that the viral strain is more potent, since it can corrupt powerful creatures like Zinogre with ease and turn pack-monsters like the Iodrome and Ioprey against one another. Shagaru Magalas radiate a black viral aura that is said to fade only once the progenitor monster has perished.
Shagaru Magala are also known for their bizarre method of reproduction: mist production. By infecting creatures with special Frenzy Virus contaminated mist, the Shagaru Magala can introduce its young into their bodies. The germ cells of these Gore Magala will slowly assimilate and consume the cells of their hosts. Afterwards, what happens next is unclear: some reports indicate that the hosts themselves are completely assimilated into the Gore Magala's body, while others claim that the infant Gores burst out from their hosts á la Xenomorphs, killing them before continuing their maturation later on.
There isn't much information available about this rare and dangerous creature save the encounter in its burrow in the Heaven's Mount. This is because of Shagaru Magala's extraordinarily territorial behaviour, as well as the fact that so far, only three individuals have been sighted so far, making the species incredibly rare.
Habitat[]
Even though the juvenile Gore Magalas are known to roam far, it appears that they would return to shed their dark skins in order to enter adulthood high up in Heaven's Mount, to avoid potential threats during the shedding process. This is because even though they are not seen in places like the Frozen Seaway, the monsters there can still become infected by the Frenzy Virus, suggesting that the Gore Magalas have definitely been around possibly during their long flights from one area to another to find more prey.
A long-ago stone door that was securely closed remained at the Heaven's Mount campground. Called the Confined Arena or Sanctuary, the true location beyond the door is actually Shagaru Magala's nest. That gate could have been built by the people of old to keep wanderers out or, more likely, creatures in. That locked entrance is no longer necessary, though, for the Confined Arena has no walls and Shagaru Magala can enter and depart at will.
Shagaru Magala can occasionally be seen roaming the Everwood, in addition to its remote lair on the Heaven's Mount. Shagaru Magala was spotted wandering about the Citadel a few years back. Additionally, a second individual has been spotted, having achieved a Risen state, though it's possible that this is simply the individual in the Citadel having achieved a new form.
