Baaladius

Baaladius (ブレードゼウス, *Burēdozeusu*) is a nomadic Brute Wyvern/Rampart Wyvern first introduced in Monster Hunter World and Iceborne, and later Monster Hunter: Generations Ultimate as a tie-in for a 2nd World DLC, *Homecoming*. It is known for its obsessive hostility towards many large monsters, most especially Deviljho.

## Physiology

Baaladius is a large quadrupedal Brute Wyvern (Rampart Wyvern) armored with many bluish-purple scales and adorned with large organized plates along the backside, acting as organs to store electricity in. Running down the tail are many flat, gray spines. Similar scales run down the thick, muscular thighs, horizontally of the lower forearm, and jutting out from the throat.

The massive head is armed with a wide, curved frill crowned by four large epoccipital spikes and armed with a sharp-beaked mouth, bladed jugal bones, and three reddish-brown, extremely conductive horns forming into one, tipped with yellow markings and topped above equally yellow eyes. The nose horn is gigantic and overgrown, while the brow horns are small and overshadowed, and act as support for the destructive power the nose horn yields. In addition, there are small ears jutting out between the frill and the jugals, indicating relativity with Rhenoplos and Slagtoth.

## Behavior

Extreme caution is to be taken when near a Baaladius. They merely tolerate a hunter's existence, and will see them as challengers the moment a weapon is drawn or they are provoked. When angered, they will sway their heads violently while their horns and back will glow a bright and veiny blue to signify their electrical powers are active.

## Useful Information

The most dangerous weapons of Baaladius are its very pronounced horn and frill. They, aside from the back, hold the most circulation of electricity and will most certainly knock a hunter out at any opportunity. The tail is also dangerous, as directed outbursts can catch hunters off guard. Focus on breaking the horns and frill, as while electrical charges become much more chaotic, it becomes hard for Baaladius to control. Breaking the tail will also help in this regard. Finally, focus on the flank and employ hit and run strategies, as a turning Baaladius is sure to hit you.

### Mount Check

In a similar gimmick to how Deviljho will continue attacking when pitfalled and Rajang can prevent itself from staggering into a wall, Baaladius will forcibly shock you off if you remain mounted or clutch-clawed for too long. After 4 seconds mounted and 2 seconds clutch-clawed, there is a chance for the mount check to occur that increases each passing second it doesn't. The chance for a check is much higher when using clutch-claw, so hunters are urged to stagger it as soon as possible.

### Encountering Deviljho

Baaladius is notorious for being Deviljho’s greatest rival, more so than even Rajang or Bazelgeuse. Whenever the two nemesis cross paths, all large monsters will

immediately leave the area, even Elder Dragons, as the hateful clashes between the two rivals are overwhelming and unstoppable. It is strongly advised that hunters leave the area as well, regardless of which monster is their target, or at the very least get to a safe vantage point to admire the spectacle until either monster flees or dies.

## Environmental Information

### Placement in the Food Chain

While being herbivorous would usually leave most monsters on the bottom, Baaladius climbs to the top through sheer power and aggression alone. Only Deviljho and some Elder Dragons dare to hunt a Baaladius. Not even juvenile Baaladius are safe to hunt, as they are always under the protection of a parental figure until a certain age.

### Behavior towards Other Monsters

They are extremely aggressive towards monsters of similar size, especially Deviljho. Oftentimes they will track down any large monsters entering their area, swiftly put them out of commission, and return to their usual activities. Under no circumstances will they submit to Elder Dragons or monsters of equal status, such as Kirin and Rajang, and will fight them on the spot. While aggressive towards most large monsters, they seem to act docile around the herbivorous Brute Wyverns of Montane Cove, including but not limited to Barraquonn, Teratialtus, Celerarx, and Larinoth (including Great Larinoth) It is believed this is due to their native familiarity with each other and lack of competition among them.

### Tracks

Baaladius will leave **footprints** similar to that of a hippo, with the back foot being slightly more splayed. They will also leave unique **scrapes** and **burn marks** on trees and rocks, along with **bark scraps.**

### Special Locale Interactions

In Montane Cove, Baaladius can be seen knocking down magnolia, cypress and walnut trees with one swing or push of its horn to access the branches and vegetation. They are likely to claim territory around distinct and specific landmarks.

### Special Behavior

Baaladius can be observed partaking in a number of activities, such as scraping their horns and back against trees and rocks to generate electricity, feeding on tough bark, and resting out in the open during storms, allowing themselves to be struck with lightning to generate more electricity.

## Abilities

Baaladius’ body is extremely conductive to electricity, and is able to self-generate said electricity. This is usually carried out through scraping its abrasive horn on trees and rocks to generate friction, standing out during a thunderstorm to be struck by lightning, or by simply shuffling its plates, acting as a sort of magnetized generator when no other means of producing electricity are available. When encountering another monster of the same element, it will proceed to incapacitate it and absorb all the electrical energy its opponent has, colloquially referred to as “Stealing their Thunder.”

It has an unusually high level of control over its electricity compared to other Thunder element monsters, able to release electricity to the exact desired voltage, currency, intensity, and direction throughout its body, rather than through simple outbursts like other monsters. Most of this electricity goes into their horns, where it can be utilized in controlled outbursts, as lingering hazards after a charge, or through guided thunderbolts or lasers shooting out from the tip of the horn, which cause Paralysis alongside devastating damage. This electricity can also be channeled through the four frill spikes, the legs, the back plates where it is stored and produced, and through the tail.

## Cutscenes

Baaladius’ introductory cutscene occurs in the Coral Highlands. A heavy fog has overtaken the region, and the hunter is sent to investigate the unusual lightning activity occuring, most likely caused by a Kirin. Upon entering Area 8, you hear the signature whinny of a Kirin and stop to look around. The Kirin in question bursts out from the fog, however it is evidently running from a large shadowed figure behind it. The small elder dragon bumps into the hunter in panic, knocking both over as the shadowed monster closes in. The Kirin attempts to regain footing, however is slammed to the ground by the aggressor's horn, penetrating through the fog. The obscured monster bites the Kirin on the hip and drags it back into the fog, flinging around the poor elder dragon to subdue it like a dog's plush toy. Upon finishing, the larger horned monster bursts with electricity, clearing the fog and seemingly absorbing the Kirin's own electrical powers, revealing itself to be Baaladius. The horned brute eventually notices the nearby hunter. It does not immediately deem you a threat, however it chucks the limp Kirin at you as a warning. Your hunter ducks under and avoids getting hit by the horse a second time, looking back at the Baaladius to see it huff from its nostrils, lightly shake its head and walk away.

## Rage and Tired States

Rage State: After roaring, heavy electrical pulses will emit off the back, horns, and frill, and the blue electricity veins along with the head move more rapidly. It will always be charged in this state. Thundering Baaladius, the mutated variant, will always have even heavier electrical pulses as it is in a constant rage.

Tired State: Baaladius will noticeably drool, the saliva pulsing lightly with electricity. The blue electrical veins fade slightly and move slower. Its attacks will become noticeably slower and less charged, however, they involve a lot more spinning and turning, so beware.

## Mounts/Clutch Claw Effects

### Mounting

You can mount Baaladius on the head and back. Doing so will count towards breaking the respective body parts. Beware, though, as it will shock you off if you stay on for too long. (See Mount Check above)

### Clutch Claw

Baaladius can be Clutch Clawed on the head, back, thighs and sides to soften them. Baaladius can still shock you off for sticking on too long, faster than when mounting.

## Attacks

### Normal

**Head Swing:** A simple upwards swing of the head, quick to pull off. Horn inflicts Thunderblight.

**Head Swerve:** Angles head and swings left to right to cover a wider area. Slower to pull off.

**Swerve to Head Slam:** Above move, however it ends with a horn slam on the ground.

**Head Slam:** Slams horn on the ground. Simple as.

**Body Spin:** Turns its whole body 140 degrees followed by a head swing in quick succession to discourage back camping.

**Ground Bite:** Raises its head and bites down on the ground, taking a chunk with it before spitting. Watch for the horn. May result in a pin while enraged.

**Charge:** A simple wind up and charge move. Pivots its charge to better hit the hunter.

**Pointer Tail:** Swings its small tail around as a string of electricity beams out like a reverse lightning rod. Blends with other animations. Does not inflict Thunderblight if hit by tail only.

**Shock Stomp:** Raises front of body and slams down head and forefeet for a stomp, wave of electricity spreads out. AoE within a short distance from the head and legs. Inflicts Paralysis on hunters and other monsters when in Rage state.

**Frill Smite:** Shakes head angrily and beams electricity out from the frill spikes onto the ground in front of it. Moves head to track hunters, albeit slowly.

**Back Burst:** Electricity bursts from the back plates and channels through the rest of the body. Will be used when Mounted or using Clutch Claw for too long.

**Hipcheck:** "Prances" sideways and juts its body and hips out. Often combined with Pointer Tail.

**True Pulse:** Slams ground in front with horn, pulls back sideways and slams again, raises horn for a final time, visibly charges horn with electricity, and slams ground in front twice in rotating fashion whilst moving forward.

### Rage State

Almost all attacks in this stage will inflict Thunderblight, so expect it unless stated otherwise.

**Conductor:** Aforementioned pin move. Upon biting, it thrashes you around in its mouth, drops you, and drags you against the ground with its left forefoot. Does not inflict Thunderblight.

**Horn Reap:** Plants the side of its frill on the ground before swinging its horn along like a scythe and finally upwards, spinning its body around and facing the opposite direction from when it initiated the attack.

**Smiting Beam:** Rises itself for a stomp, however instead its horn swells with electricity, then on the drop, angles its horn straight forward and releases a large beam of electrical energy from it.

**Circuit Stomp:** Does normal Shock Stomp, but is followed up by two upward headswings as it jumps forward aggressively. Inflicts Paralysis if hit by AoE stomp.

**Electric Charge:** Signature move. Drags its forefeet like a bull, charges forward with its horn dragging against the ground as electricity crackles. It swivels around and repeats a second and third time, then swings upward with a large, powerful burst on the final charge. Sparks linger for 8 seconds in the path it charged. Turns mid charge to meet the hunter.

**Frill Boogaloo:** Shakes head angrily and raises it as electricity swells from the frill spikes, then bangs down as lightning strikes the ground three times from the frill in random orientation. The third strike is always the strongest.

**Batter Up:** Bites the ground again, however this time, they lift a rock from the ground in their jaws, throw it straight up into the air, reposition themselves, and bat it with their horn at the direction of the hunter. 50% chance to be charged and inflict Thunderblight.

**Power Rush:** Slamming horn move, however it is noticeably slower and charged in the wind-up. Upon hitting the ground, an AoE wave of strong electrical sparks flow at 60 degrees.

### Tired State

**Exhausted Swerve:** Swerves its head side to side slower than normal, but covers a wider area.

**Bumbling Hipcheck:** Attempts a hipchecks, however it falls on its side in the process before getting up. Potentially more dangerous.

**Drunken Spin:** Attempts a 140 spin, however it trips, then tries again. Covers wider area as a result.

**Second Slam:** Performs horn slam, stays in that position for a moment, then repeats the move seemingly at random. Inflicts Paralysis on the second slam.

**Space of Anger:** Shakes its head while performing a horn swerve, rotating itself left and right and roaring in annoyance. Covers a wide area.

**Electrical Surge:** Swings its horn down releasing an outburst of electricity, repeating it three times in a sickly manner. Inflicts Thunderblight.

**Biting the Dust:** Performs bite move, however it also shakes its head around in a distressed manner, flinging dirt everywhere.

**Tail Burst:** Rather than a concentrated string of electricity, a single outburst is released from the tail in its tired state.

## Breakable Parts/Damage Effectiveness

Nose Horn (x1) Weakens Thunder element attacks from the head.

Head (x1) Damages the frill, preventing lightning bolts from discharging out the four spikes.

Tail (Severable) Removes ranged bolts from the end of the tail.

Back (x1) Limits the amount of electricity it can charge

### Physical Damage Effectiveness

 Back
 Tail

### Shiny Item Drops

Material Items

* Large Wyvern Tear, Baaladius Chip (HR), Baaladius Thorn (MR)

Slinger Ammo

* Damaging the back of Baaladius can allow for Flash Pods to drop

## Carves

### Master Rank

Additional rewards from Thundering Baaladius

## Ecology

### Taxonomy

* Order: Ornithischia
* Suborder: Marginocephalia
* Infraorder: Great Horn Wyvern
* Family: Baal
* Species: *Fulguceratus ultorius*

### Habitat

Due to its nomadic nature, Baaladius can be found anywhere Deviljho has reached, including into the Old World where it is spreading rapidly. However, it is considered native to Montane Cove as per its evolutionary history. Though the word “native” might have lost its meaning by now.

### Ecological Niche

True to itself, Baaladius easily assumes the title of Apex Herbivore wherever it travels. Baaladius specializes in eating bark due to their sharp beak and shearing teeth, gnawing and chewing the branches of whatever tree they’re engorging upon. They will happily gorge on dry and scorched bark as well. Baaladius are known to topple over entire forests to get their fill of bark, making them just as destructive as their counterparts. They may also dig holes in the ground using their horns to search for roots and tubers if need be. The only predators of Baaladius are Deviljho and a select few Elder Dragons, as many other monsters, even the powerful Deviants, would fail miserably best-case scenario. Juveniles under the protection of an adult are incredibly risky as well. (See notes)

Baaladius is noted to actively hunt down Thunder Element monsters should they know they are present, such as Zinogre, Kirin, and Astalos. They do this to steal their electricity, incapacitating them and absorbing all electrical energy housed within them (potentially stealing the Thunderbugs in Zinogre’s case), by the end either leaving them toppled or having to fight them off depending on the strength of the monster.

### Biological Adaptations

Beneath the tough, scaly hide of Baaladius lies a densely packed, heavily muscular body, enabling them to overpower most any monster they come across. Everything from the legs to the torso and even the tail is full of muscle. The neck muscles are especially powerful and maneuverable, but as a result, happen to be the most delicious (assuming you’d even get to eat this thing.) The body and scales of Baaladius are incredibly conductive, allowing electricity to flow anywhere throughout the nervous system. Along the back are an organized set of large, plate-like osteoderms, usually just referred to as plates, that shuffle about as the Brute Wyvern moves, allowing it to effectively generate its own electricity. That said, they prefer to generate electricity by rubbing their abrasive horns and back plates on trees and rocks or being exposed in the open during a thunderstorm to be harmlessly struck by lightning.

While they may have nearly total control of their electric powers, they may lose that control after living too long and "short-circuit" themselves, resulting in not too long a lifespan. However, by sheer chance or due to severe mental trauma, they may experience a weakened "short-circuit" that only bolsters their powers. Their rage now tenfold, and their electrokinesis at ludicrous levels, these individuals are known as Thundering Baaladius, and are the equivalent to Savage Deviljho, Seething Bazelgeuse and Furious Rajang.

### Behavior

Baaladius are incredibly hostile to monsters larger or more aggressive than a Great Jagras. On a normal basis, they will track down the monster in their area, defeat them in battle, potentially killing them, and return to their usual activities. They are not hostile towards the native monsters of Montane Cove, save for the large predators, due to ecological familiarity and holding different herbivorous niches. They are primarily solitary as many environments cannot support groups of these monsters, and will ignore eachother or enter a territorial dispute upon meeting. They only intentionally meet together to mate and produce offspring. When the nest is made, the parents will fight over who will raise the young, to ensure they grow under the most capable parent.

Baaladius are a precocial species. The young will stay by the adult from birth, learning which foods to eat and how to engage in combat by observing the parent figure. This will continue until adolescence, approximately half the height of the adult, in which the parent will chase off its offspring, now able to fend for itself. Siblings may stick together in a group, but will separate either due to infighting or upon reaching subadult age.

## Turf Wars

* **Vs. Canine Fanged Wyvern (Odogaron, Zinogre\*):** The canine lunges at Baaladius' face, scratching furiously trying to get at the neck. The brute wyvern shakes off the opponent and stares menacingly. The fanged wyvern turns to flee, but is prevented by Baaladius biting down on the tail and dragging it back. As the fanged wyvern panics, Baaladius brings its massive horn down upon it, then throws the opponent away. [Baaladius wins] *(\*If the opponent is Zinogre, its Thunderbugs will temporarily redirect to Baaladius and remove elemental attacks for the rest of the hunt)*
* **Vs. Fulgur Anjanath:** The Anjanath circles around its opponent while the Baaladius continually rotates to face its attacker. The theropod roars revealing its nasal sacs and back fins, then lunges in, but only manages to bite down on the frill. Anjanath is shoved off with great force, then thrown to the ground with a single swing of the Baaladius’ horn. The herbivore stomps down on the theropod before roaring in victory. Fulgur Anjanath will have its electrical powers be stolen. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Psuedowyverns (Nargacuga, (Brute) Tigrex, (Frostfang) Barioth):** The psuedowyvern circles around Baaladius similarly to the above turf war, trying and failing to get into a good position as the brute wyvern rotates in response. Eventually, they give in, leaping forwards at the ceratopsid before promptly being knocked back with a strong swing from Baaladius. After being toppled, the psuedowyvern wisely flees the battle before worse damage is dealt. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Lagiacrus:** Lagiacrus attempts to ensnare Baaladius, spiraling around its torso and again meeting its face. Baaladius bites down on the leviathan’s face, whipping it off its own body and slapping it to the ground before inflicting one last blow with its horn. Lagiacrus loses its Thunder element damage as a result. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Kirin:** Baaladius approaches Kirin from a good distance away. In vain, the equine elder dragon summons lightning strikes upon the brute wyvern, which only helps to empower it further. Baaladius’ body increasingly glows with blue electric veins, approaching further as the Kirin continues attacking. Now within striking distance, Baaladius prevents Kirin from fleeing by biting the leg, slamming it down and digging it further into the earth with a swing of its massive horn. This breaks the Kirin's own horn. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Brachydios:** Brachydios punches forward, but misses as Baaladius bites the arm and throws it to the ground. It gets on top and pins Brachydios down. Baal lifts its horn and smashes Brachy's face into the ground, breaking the other monster's own horn. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. (Acidic) Glavenus:** Glavenus immediately swings its blade tail upon Baaladius’ horn. The two blades clash against each other for a short period of time, similarly to a sword fight, before Baaladius knocks Glavenus’ tail away and gores into its side with the horn, piercing through the armored hide. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Flying Wyverns ((Azure/Pink) Rathalos/Rathian, Astalos, (Shrieking) Legiana):** The flying wyvern swoops around Baaladius, threatening it with claw swipes and bites. On the third swoop, Baaladius catches the wyvern in its horn and swings it down onto the ground. Astalos loses any charge it may have. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Gammoth:** The Gammoth trumpets angrily while the Baaladius sizes up its opponent in relative silence. The fanged beast grabs the wyvern's horn as it attempts the charge. The brute wyvern struggles for a moment before charging *again*, lifting the Gammoth and toppling it over on its side. (Baaladius wins)
* **Vs. Mizutsune:** Mizutsune reacts fast and slides in a circle around the Baaladius. The brute wyvern attempts an escape, only to slide awkwardly and nearly lose balance. Mizutsune closes in for an attack, only for the brute wyvern to swivel around and smack the weasel with its horn. Both topple to the ground, however Mizutsune remains fallen. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Diablos:** Diablos sizes up to Baaladius, roaring in each other's faces. The desert wyvern attempts a charge and misses as Baaladius side steps. It charges and fails again, the brute wyvern now playing bullfighter with the desert tyrant. On the third charge, Baaladius catches the Diablos’ horns with its own, rears its body upward, and slams into the ground, toppling Diablos over with a broken horn. [Baaladius wins]
* **Vs. Elder Dragons (Namielle, Blackveil Vaal Hazak, Velkhana, Teostra & Lunastra):** Baaladius immediately charges the Elder Dragon, they react by grabbing the frill, halting the charge but noticeably struggling. The brute wyvern charges up its horn whilst pushing as the elder dragon spews their respective breath in its face. Baaladius breaks free and swings its charged horn, launching both of them back from the combined force of their attacks. [Tie, both take damage]
* **Vs. Kushala Daora:** Kushala beats its wings furiously in an attempt to keep Baaladius away. While the brute wyvern struggles against the strong air force, it builds up a charge in its horn, then strikes the elder dragon down from a distance using this electrical charge. It attempts to close in, however Kushala bites up on the throat, pushing it back but loses its grip. [Tie, both take damage]
* **Vs. Nergigante:** Nergigante pounces and grabs Baaladius' horn, lifting it in the air and forcing them around. The elder dragon attempts a neck bite, but is only met with a large horn in the face when the brute wyvern breaks free of its grasp. Nergigante slaps Baaladius away in retaliation. (Tie, both take damage)
* **Vs. Rajang:** Immediately, Rajang gets up to the Baaladius’ face, swinging furiously. While facing the simian flurry, Baaladius horn-slams the ape into the ground to quickly absorb its electrical powers. By the time it's finished, Rajang punches it away and gets back on its feet. [Tie, both take damage, Rajang loses Elemental damage]
* **Vs. Bazelgeuse:** Bazelgeuse attempts a divebomb, first dropping its scales around Baaladius, who is already bracing for impact, then performing the actual divebomb. It mostly succeeds, however halfway through Baaladius grabs it by the neck with its beak, pins it to the ground, and shoves the tip of its horn down the neck and right behind the wyvern’s head, attempting to decapitate it. Bazelgeuse flaps its wings in sheer panic, but luckily, the flying wyvern squirms free. [Tie, both take damage.]

* **Vs. Deviljho:** Deviljho and Baaladius circle each other for a moment, roaring threateningly and sizing up one another. Then the clash begins, both monsters slamming their sides into each other. Deviljho bites the frill of Baaladius, swinging it around as the herbivore keeps holding its ground. Baaladius frees itself and digs its horn into Deviljho’s side, earning a scream from the latter. The destructive theropod reaches to the neck, chomping down, pinning the other brute. The ceratopsid knocks it off, the theropod now biting into the back while the horned one bites into its thigh, still shoving one another about. They release their grips, staring the other down before one last charge between them. The Deviljho and Baaladius swing their heads into each other's own, knocking both to the ground. They get back on their feet and roar at one another [Tie, both take damage. Tends to repeat over time.]

## Notes

* The discovery of Baaladius’ parental life is an interesting one, as it also revealed how Deviljho raised their young. The discovery happened in the forest region of Guiding Lands, during a chance encounter between a parent Deviljho and Baaladius and their respective offspring. (Since we're here now, an elaboration is due, topic be damned.)
	+ Juvenile Deviljho give off a pheromone inducing effects similar to the pacifying hormone when a mature individual is ready to mate. This brings out maternal instincts in mother Deviljhos not otherwise seen. Juveniles will observe from the mother behaviors such as rock-throwing, dragon breath, etc. and imitate these actions when hunting smaller prey items under the mother's surveillance. They may even engage in play behavior, doing tug of war with meat chunks between siblings or with the mother. Upon reaching adolescence, all parental behaviors are dropped immediately, similarly to Baaladius, however this is due to the juvenile pheromones no longer being active, and the mother Deviljho will revert to cannibalistic instincts should the juveniles not instinctively escape in time. The siblings may stick together for a while, but will inevitably separate due to infighting. It is still unknown what occurs during infancy. It has been theorized the babies will eat other for dominance in the nest, similarly to shark pups in the womb, however there is no evidence to support this claim.
* Baaladius requires Earplugs to block its roar
* Baaladius can be carved four times
* When climbing, Baaladius bite onto the surface they're climbing on to hold their position.

## Trivia

* Baaladius’ name is derived from Baal, the Semitic equivalent of Zeus, and *gladius*, the Latin word for sword.
	+ The Japanese name, *Burēdozeusu*, translates literally to "Blade Zeus."
* The rivalry between Baaladius and Deviljho is a rather obvious reference to the rivalry of T. rex vs Triceratops but also references the dubious genera Agathaumas and Dynamosaurus.
	+ Because of this, it's the only reason that Deviljho gets Master Rank missions in Baaladius update along with it, as well as new turf wars (including the ones used by Savage Jho, in which it overrides some.)
* Baaladius was the first monster concieved by the creator, due to frustration from the supposed treatment of Diablos as an "expendable" monster after seeing the preview of its turf war against Glavenus. (he was wrong)

## Gallery

First draft. Note the early classification as HerbivoreFinalized draft. Unedited version of an above imageOriginal page image (MH: Generations Ultimate appearance??)Original sketch version of current page image