Rathalos

Rathalos
Official artwork of Rathalos from Monster Hunter: World.
Universe	Monster Hunter
Debut	Monster Hunter (2004)
Smash Bros. appearances	Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Monster Hunter: World (2018)
Console/platform of origin	PlayStation 2
Gender	Male

Rathalos (リオレウス, Liolaeus) are a type of flying wyvern from the Monster Hunter series, created by Capcom. They are one of the most well-known monsters in the series, and can appear in many varied habitats.

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Monster Hunter Armor made out of Rathalos, called the Rathalos Blademaster Armor appear as a downloadable content costume for Mii Swordfighters.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

“	This giant beast will appear when summoned, spreading its wings to create a powerful attack. Rathalos has fire breath and a roar that stuns opponents. Finding a opportunity to get an attack in can be difficult!	”
—Super Smash Blog, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site

Rathalos facing Link, Marth and Shulk on Coliseum.

Rathalos appears as both an Assist Trophy and a boss. It can strike the opponent with its claws or breathe fire onto the stage. When it roars, nearby fighters may be stunned.

It is unclear whether Rathalos can be defeated like other Assist Trophies, and unknown where and under what conditions it appears as a boss, though it may appear in the new Adventure Mode: World of Light as it can be seen it its trailer. In its reveal footage, the boss Rathalos does battle in a flat and empty Monster Hunter-inspired area that resembles the Ancestral Steppe.

Origin

A Rathalos as it originally appeared in Monster Hunter.

Rathalos is a recurring monster from the Monster Hunter series, and the flagship monster for the original Monster Hunter; it is sometimes known by its epithet "King of the Skies" and belongs to the Flying Wyvern family of monsters. In addition to its female counterpart Rathian, there are a number of Rathalos subspecies in existence, such as Azure Rathalos. Its description in Monster Hunter World states that "Rathalos descends upon invaders from the sky, attacking with poison claws and fiery breath", which is reflected accordingly in its attacks in Smash.

Rathalos Blademaster Armor also appears in the Monster Hunter series as an armor set that can be made after gathering enough parts from hunting Rathalos.

Gallery

• 

  Official artwork of Rathalos from Ultimate.

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  Rathalos in an unknown arena in Ultimate.

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  Rathalos in Ultimate.

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  Rathalos attacking Lucas on Garden of Hope.

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  Rathalos attacking Link, Pikachu, Bowser and Inkling with its fireballs on Tortimer Island.

Trivia

• Rathalos is the first character in the series to appear both as an Assist Trophy and a boss.
  • Ridley was planned to be an Assist Trophy in Brawl, but the idea was scrapped to keep him as a boss instead.