Monster Hunter World - Beotodus strategy, Beotodus weakness and how to get Beotodus Hardhorn and Cortex explained

How to take down piscine wyvern Beotodus in the Iceborne expansion.

Guide by Matthew Reynolds Former Guides Editor

Updated on Sept. 13, 2019

Beotodus is the first new creature you'll be introduced to as part of the Monster Hunter World Iceborne expansion.

Whether you're tackling it in the wild or as part of the mandatory quest when starting Iceborne, there are a number of Beotodus strategies and weaknesses to learn about.

How to prepare for Beotodus the first time

The fight against Beotodus throws you in the deep end with the Iceborne expansion - so don't worry if you come away from the first encounter with your tail between your legs.

As well as nailing the strategy, there are a number of things you can do to help prepare for Beotodus - that'll also serve you well when it comes to getting to grips with Iceborne's other opening quests.

Learn how Hot Drinks, Hot Springs and removing Iceblight works - things you'll have to cope with as part of this new area and the Beotodus fight.
Get some Master Rank gear. There are a few ways to do this without beating Beotodus first - back in the Astera hub, chat to the Melder to pick up several optional quests that pit you against Master Rank versions of existing monsters, including Great Jagras. If you're playing at Iceborne's launch, there are several events designed around giving you resources to help craft Master Rank gear faster - such as Pearl Snatchers. Easier still, you can mine new Ores while hunting Master Rank creatures and forge the Alloy equipment from that. Finally, Arekkz has a list of recommended beginner Master Rank armour if you're looking for additional inspiration:

Make use of equipment to give you the edge, including the new Clutch Claw introduced in the expansion, or Screamer Pods - allowing you to bring Beotodus out into the open.

Doing the above will also get you back into the swing of things with Monster Hunter World in general, especially if you've been away for a period of months. By the time you've got yourself set up, Beotodus should be much easier to confront.

Beotodus location

Beotodus is in Hoarfrost Reach, walking around areas 1, 2, 3 and 4 as the battle progresses. Walking around the first few areas should be more than enough to quickly tracks for the Scoutflies to hint his trail.

Beotodus weakness and strategy

Beotodus weaknesses:

Fire - High
Water - Low
Thunder - Medium
Ice - Null
Dragon - Null
Poison - Medium
Sleep - Medium
Paralysis - Medium
Blast - High
Stun - Medium

Beotodus is a fast and powerful creature, sliding through the snow-covered ground and emerging to strike, or simply thrashing around to cause serious damage.

Beotodus will spend most of the battle moving while submerged in snow, and at this point it's best to keep a fair distance, moving in wide circles to keep mobile. It'll then get close by either sliding up near you - allowing you to get in an attack - or submerging, before diving or suddenly appearing next to you - if you see this, then sprint to the side to avoid the on-coming attack.

If you are immobilised due to Iceblight, when it submerges and attacks it can put you in a lot of trouble - so the aim of the battle is to stay as agile as much as possible.

First, let's talk your offence. It's after it emerges, or stops thrashing around when above ground, that you can go in for some attacks. The Beotodus weakpoints are the fins on its back, and the legs underneath - though the latter doesn't come into play until it stands above ground, either way you'll want to attack from the side.

Beotodus's standing form and exposed legs are more common in the second half of the fight - and this is when you can really go to town and inflict some serious damage.

Until then, having to wait for it to emerge and be still for much of the battle can be a drawn out process, so there are a few things you can do in the meantime. One is using Screamer Pods, which you can fire into the ground to bring Beotodus out into the open. Beotodus will only submerge for a second or two, so this is difficult to time.

The other is using your Clutch Claw and Mounting. This is best used on slower creatures, but it can be used effectively against the Beotodus when it has just emerged, staying still between attacks, or retreating. Clutch Claw won't inflict a lot of damage, but it means you are out of range of its attacks and chipping away where you can instead of waiting for Beotodus to come to you.

Beotodus on its own isn't too difficult when you learn its attacks and movement, but one major factor is having to adapt to the cold. Two things to do is keep using Hot Drinks to keep your temperature (and stamina) up, and the other is avoiding Iceblight.

You can catch this from submerged attacks (you can tell by your stamina bar turning blue, the ice covering your body, and the little icicle icon above your health bar) and though it will naturally go away on its own, you'll see your stamina go down much faster as long as the infliction has taken hold - a problem when you'll want to keep as mobile against an agile fighter such as this.

One faster way to remove Iceblight is to find a Hot Spring - of which there is one in the corner of area 2. Beotodus can follow you in when using it, so keep your eye on the monster while you recover.

Once Beotodus starts standing above ground, you know you are well on your way into winning the fight. It will continue to alternate between those two phases, even until it is downed. The key is to take your time and be patient, especially if you are affected by Iceblight, as it can take most of the 50 minutes with less powerful gear to take it down.