Monster Hunter World - Nergigante strategy, Nergigante weakness explained
Take down the challenging Nergigante.
Nergigante is a late game creature and one of the toughest you'll face in Monster Hunter World.
When you finally come up against the Elder Dragon in battle, there are a number of Nergigante weaknesses and strategies to learn about.
Elsewhere, our Monster Hunter World tips can help you decide when to get, what to forage and what to do between hunts, and our Monster Hunter World walkthrough and guide can help with main quest and story progress.
How to prepare for Nergigante the first time, search for evidence of Nergigante
You'll come up against Nergigante several times as part of Zorah Magdaros story missions, but each time you get enough damage in, it'll flee. Don't worry, your time for a proper battle will come as part of the High Rank's set of Assigned missions.
Once you unlock Elder's Recess, you'll have to find Nergigante tracks. This operates much the same as the ??? Rathian tracks several missions prior, but instead focuses on blue-coloured tracks specifically within that area.
Keep exploring and finding tracks until the gauge is full, and you'll then be given the mission.
Nergigante should then be easy to find within that Assigned quest, and any subsequent Investigation you unlock, frequenting areas 8, 9 and 14, before eventually retreating to area 15 at the far north of the region.
To prepare for Nergigante, you'll need some strong armour. Whatever you had to face the Pink Rathian should be good enough, but if you are struggling, then consider an upgrade based on the new creatures you've come across in the Elder's Recess.
Otherwise, make sure you have plenty of curatives (and don't be afraid to withdraw mid-mission to your tent to stock up on Mega Potions if you run out) and defensive Mantles (Vitality) and Palico Gadgets.
Nergigante weakness and strategy
Nergigante weaknesses:
- Fire - Low
- Water - Low
- Thunder - Medium
- Ice - Low
- Dragon - Medium
- Poison - Medium
- Sleep - Medium
- Paralysis - Medium
- Blast - Medium
- Stun - Medium
Nergigante isn't dramatically different to the wyverns you've faced so far, but that doesn't mean Nergigante isn't a challenge. It moves fast and hits hard, and requires a lot of caution if you are to make it through in one piece.
Up close, Nergigante has a variety of hard hitting attacks, such as smashing its paws, body slams and swipes of its tail. At a distance Nergigante is deadly, too, leaping huge distances or flying in with a fast dive that can one-shot you if you take the brunt of the attack.
The safest place to attack is the hind legs, which is where you are least likely to get hit by the above. That said, not only can Nergigante turn on a dime, but it has a shoulder barge move that it can pull out of nowhere.
As such, it's best not to get into any combos unless you are certain you can complete them without getting swiped. Just use fleeting attacks before rolling away.
Thankfully, Elder's Recess has plenty of opportunities to try and mount and get aerial attacks in. Nergigante often frequents areas 8 and 9, which has giant crystal walkways and slopes you can use.
When Nergigante retreats to area 15 to rest, beware that not only can't you capture Nergigante and end the fight prematurely, but is when its at its most dangerous, so don't become complacent in this final stretch.
Note there might be some fireflies for blinding here (appearing when Nergigante smashes down walls) which you can use to your advantage.
If you are struggling with the Nergigante encounter after a few attempts, then improve your armour, or have others join you in the fight. Having other hunters as a distraction will at least give you a chance to retreat and cure yourself.
Players will always want to be farming Nergigante gear so you'll have no shortage of help if you use a bog standard SOS flare.
That said, we highly recommend facing Nergigante alone once if you can, just to give you an idea of what its capable of before you get other players involved. Good luck!