Archduke Malzeno

Archduke Malzeno are a rare and powerful variant of Malzeno created by DinoGamer13 and introduced in Monster Hunter Strike: Eclipse.

## Physiology

Archduke Malzeno are strange beasts, as they share the rugged scaling with their Primordial Brethren, yet the smooth and daunting wings and frills of its normal form. Their scales are a dark black, cracked with streaks of crimson. Their tails and wings emanate an uncharacteristic rose color, similar to Primordial Malzeno’s Bloodlust State. Their eyes are sunken into their skulls, and their horns have split at the ends. Qurio cover their necks and arms as normal, but more can be found along their spines, wings, and tails. When they enter their enraged state, the reds across their form fade to a more dark violet, and excess energy seeps from the Qurio on their wings. When entering into their final “Demonlord” state, the purples become a soul-piercing blue, and the Qurio begin to swarm around in a frenzy.

## Behavior

Archduke Malzeno are hyper-aggressive, even more so than their normal counterparts. They are a fast-moving invasive species that ravage entire ecosystems for sustenance.

### Tracks

Archduke Malzeno leave only various Monster Corpses in their path.

### Specific Locale Interactions

Archduke Malzeno have no specific Locale interactions.

### Special Behavior

Archduke Malzeno have no special behavior.

## Interactions with Other Monsters

Archduke Malzeno mercilessly execute all other wildlife on maps they are present, using the Qurio to swiftly consume their life. They specifically target other Malzeno in their crusade, and brutally battle for control of the victims Qurio swarm.

### Turf Wars

Archduke Malzeno shares all of its Turf Wars with regular Malzeno.

#### Vs Malzeno

The Archduke Malzeno opens by brutally slamming into the normal Malzeno with its entire body, separating both’s Qurio swarms. The normal Malzeno tries to call it’s swarm back to it, only for them to be assimilated into the Archduke’s swarm. The normal Malzeno is then gripped around the neck by the interloper’s tail, which then snaps shut, instantly breaking the victim’s neck. This has a chance to instantly kill the victim Malzeno, as well as it will always break the head. The Victim Malzeno will then act as if flash-bombed for the remainder of the quest, as well as being unable to perform any Qurio-using attacks. Result; Archduke Malzeno win.

#### Vs Primordial Malzeno

The Archduke will roar in an attempt to ward off the Primordial slowly approaching. The paladin attacks the swarm around the Archduke, hoping to aid it, but it is for naught, as the swarm closes in and consumes the Primordial. After flailing about, the now Bloodlust state, Primordial strikes at the Archduke, dueling tails for a moment until the Archduke is stunned by attacks from the wings. They then roar and separate. Primordial Malzeno is then stuck in Bloodlust state for the remainder of the quest. Result: Tie

## Abilities

Archduke Malzeno are relentless in their attacks, utilizing an immensely expanded Qurio arsenal to their maximum potential. The wings in particular leave the parasites in their wake due to the sheer amount. This arsenal includes attacks and abilities from both normal and Bloodlust state Primordial Malzenos. The sheer amount of Qurio allow it attacks similar to those of its rival, Gaismagorm, with bloody explosions and beams. The cost of this power is the Archduke’s relatively frail frame in comparison to its predecessors.

## Ecological Information

### Habitat

Archduke Malzeno do not inhabit one singular area due to their nature forcing them to migrate constantly, draining ecosystems of their blood (literally and figuratively) and survive.

### Ecological Niche

Archduke Malzeno are an anomaly even among the “normal” Malzeno cycle, as they have broken through the very earth to achieve their state. They are to be considered nothing more than destructive anomalies.

### Biological Adaptations

Archduke Malzeno have adapted poorly to the influx of qurious power, their colors have shifted and their power has grown, but their bodies aren’t capable of properly holding such potential, this the splitting horns and scales.

## Cutscenes

The Blood Moon Rises: ShadowHold; area 2:

The Hunter(s) slowly enter(s) the zone, the sun covered in red stormclouds. It is late in the evening, the moon rising opposite the sun. The large crater left by the invading Gaismagorm is visible in the distance. Stepping onto the exposed platforms, the Hunter(s) notice(s) something off. Qurio swarm the pillars about the area, and the corpse of Ziro Swaimuti lies in the center, completely and utterly drained of blood. Landing with an impact and jumping the hunter(s), a Malzeno makes its presence known. It creeps down from the raised platform, eyeing the Hunter(s) with malicious intent. However, as it's about to strike, a mangled, yet similar, roar rings out. The swarming Qurio leave their posts and rise into the sky, and the malzeno changes its attention to the point of the disturbance. Suddenly, a dark form swoops down and grabs the Malzeno by the throat. The hunter(s) reel(s) back, joined by the Elgado Emissary. The dark form lands atop one of the larger pillars, shrouded in dark clouds. As the clouds dissipate, the intruder is revealed as another malzeno, darker and covered in Qurious energy. The Archduke has arrived. It swiftly snaps the victim’s neck, as Qurio swarm around it. It rears back and emits an echoing roar, forcing the Hunter(s) and the Elgado Emissary to cover their ears. The Moon has turned a blood red as the sun lowers below the horizon. The beast takes notice of the crew around the landing site, and sends a smaller swarm down to them. The Elgado Emissary takes notice, notifies the hunter(s), and leaves to intercept the parasites. The Archduke lands from his position, rears back, roars, and begins the hunt.

## Game Data

### Rage and Tired States

* Rage State: reds and orange turn a malicious purple. Qurio are ruled across the body
* Demonlord State: the purples shift into a soul-piercing blue color and emits a haunting glow. Qurio swarm en masse across the body.
* Tired State: qurio settle significantly, reds fade to the normal dark crimson color.

### Interactions With Unique Statuses

Archduke Malzeno, being an elder dragon, is immune to most states. It hasn’t even been seen as a Shimmering variant, due to its immense rarity.

### Mounts/Clutch Claw Effects

#### Mounting

Archduke Malzeno will swarm the mounting Hunter with Qurio and flail in every way to get them off.

#### Clutch Claw

Archduke Malzeno cannot be Clutch Clawed due to the lack of the Clutch Claw in Monster Hunter Strike. (Fangames with the Claw can customize the locations)

### Breakable parts

Archduke Malzeno can have its head, chest, arms, wings, and tail broken.

### Sharpness Damage Effectiveness

 Head
 Wings
 Legs
 Body
 Tail

### Elemental Effectiveness

#### Fanon

 Star Count

Note: Earth has no rating due to the lack of the element within MHS. FanGames with Earth Element may choose their own rating.

## Theme

Scarlet Feast–Malzeno (Strike Version) [Theme remix}

TBA

## Shiny Item Drops

#### Material Items

A. Malzeno Shards and Claws will drop from part breaks

#### Slinger Ammo

No Slinger ammo is dropped via Clutch Claw attacks.

## Equipment

A. Malzeno Armor Set Bonus: A. Malzeno Siphon

* Attacking drains health, slowly increasing attack potency

## Notes/Trivia

* Archduke Malzeno are created after a Malzeno successfully battles off a Gaismagorm and takes control of their Qurio swarm. They gain an insatiable hunger and hunt down other Malzenos, consumed by a lust for more power, more food, and more blood.
* Archduke Malzeno are a haunting mirror image of Primordial Malzeno. While one hunts the Qurio and has remained pure and unafflicted, the other has fallen to their influence in a deadly fashion.
* Archduke Malzeno are remarkably uncommon due to the normal species' relative inability to command such large swarms of Qurio, especially after the taxation of battle with a Gaismagorm.
* Archduke Malzeno’s pin forces hunters to the ground as they are swarmed with qurio, rapidly draining health.
* Archduke Malzeno’s roar always uses normal Malzeno’s “Bloodening” state entry roar. It has a unique roar animation for when it enters its “Demonlord” state.
* Archduke Malzeno’s materials, aside from its Special Drop, reference six of the nine layers of Hell.
* Due to its turf war with it, Archduke Malzeno will never show up in quests where a target is a normal Malzeno.