Xeantial

**Xeantial** (See-an-tee-al) are Neopterons. They are an invasive species, wandering across locales in search for suitable prey.

## Appearance

The Xeantial is a large sized Neopteron, around the size of a Seltas Queen. Their bodies are covered in a silvery exoskeleton that includes black blotch patterns over it. From the back, hides two sharp-edged folding wings sporting white membrane and faint light blue shines. The head is like an arrow head in shape, with two yellow compound eyes, a spike filled maw like a vice a pair of antennae and four spikes around the face that gives it the look of a mask. Their necks have articulation that allow for remarkable flexibility, being able to be turned at 180°. This articulation is also present in its thorax and limbs, allowing the Xeantial the ability to do violent agile movements without risk of injuring itself. Xeantial legs have many needle spines running along their femurs that inflict sharp pain to any punctured by them. The "foot" of the Xeantial is made of a talon shaped tibia and tarsus, which has been compared by researchers to Raptorial Bird Wyverns. Also, there are forelimbs that process blades along their sides, which can easily switch into frontwards position whenever the arm is turned and the shelling is moved. These blades can also be found on their legs, that can be utilised in similar ways to the forelimbs. The abdomen is made of a spiky base, and on the end is a thin stinger that can extend to stab prey and inject Deadly Poison. In the middle of the body lies a special organ known as a Cryomister that is only exposed when being used; when not in use it is protected by layers of shelling that slide apart when it is about to release freezing misty liquids.

## Behaviour

Xeantial are determined predators that refuse to give up on hunting prey until they are certain they cannot get them. They are hostile towards any other predators that try to snatch their prey away from them, and will often directly try to pry them off a monster it wants to kill. If it cannot get its way, the Xeantial become furious and battle the opposing monster all out, usually ending in death. They hunt down prey frequently to both eat them and to drain their fluids to keep its temperatures cool enough to produce their cryo liquids.

## Useful Information

* Basic
* Advanced

## Introduction

The Xeantial doesn't have an introduction cutscene. The hunter's quest assistant/handler will make a comment about it on the first encounter with one like with Bazelguese in Monster Hunter: World.

## Rage and Tired States

* **Enraged**: Steams from mouth, eyes glow orange, white markings appear on body, stinger extends and claw-blades lengthen.
* **Tired**: Drools from mouth, wings and arms droop.

## Hunter Interactions

### Mounting

Xeantial can be mounted on its head, back and thorax.

### Clutch Claw

Xeantial's head, body and thorax can be softened up by the Clutch Claw. It is not possible to attach onto its fore and back limbs.

## Attacks

* **Killer Strike From The Sky**: Xeantial while still flying into an area searches out a suitable prey, mostly those alone and small. After choosing one, it dives down upon them and strikes using its arm-blades and legs, flooring the prey instantly. If it was prey, the monster involved is killed by the attack and Xeantial eats it. If a hunter, they are knocked to the floor in a pinned knockdown.
* **Arm-blade Slash**: The Xeantial makes a vertical strike using a blade, which has a chance of causing Bleeding.
* **Semicircle Slash**: Xeantial draws a blade down to ground level. Then, it quickly steps around in a semicircle while holding the blade outwards to cut with the turn. Once it reaches the end, it swings the blade upwards. May cause Bleeding.
* **Toxic Stinger**: After the stab itself, the Xeantial backflips and any hunters next to it will be hit by its abdomen for minor damage in High Rank, but enraged in G Rank this will transition into a deadly attack.
* **Talon Pounce**: Xeantial pounces upon a hunter at a distance and aims its legs at them to strike with its talons.
* **Hind Kick**: The Xeantial launches one of its hind legs backwards, the joints bending to near skyward position to knock hunters away.
* **Cryomister Mist**:

#### Enraged Only

* **Multi-blade Slash**:
* **Cleaving Slash**:
* **Cryomister Spray**:
* **Flying Spray**:

#### Enraged Only

* **Stinger Bites**: Should hunters by flinched by the movements from its Toxic Stinger attack but not stabbed by the stinger itself, then the Xeantial drops its head on that hunter and bites extremely rapidly all around them at a speed almost unseeable and then headbutts them away. A hunter's health can be severely dropped by this.

## Breaks

* Head Wounded
* Body Wounded
* Cryomister Ruptured (Can Only Be Broken When In Use)
* Wings Wounded
* Legs Wounded
* Tail Wounded
	+ Tail Stinger Severed (Disables Use Of Deadly Poison)

## Damage Effectiveness

### Damage Chart Information

* **Bold** parts are weak points.
* Woundable parts can be made more vulnerable by Clutch Claw attacks.
* Breakable parts are body parts that can be broken.
* Severable parts can be partially or completely severed from the monster's body.
* Stars with (Brackets) indicate that a part's vulnerability changes due to a break or a condition.

* ✖ = Zero effect or damage
* ★ = 1-30% effective damage
* ★★ = 30%-70% effective damage
* ★★★ = 70%-100% effective damage

### Shiny Item Drops

#### Material Items

Xeantial will drop shinies when

#### Slinger Ammo

Xeantial drops Piercing Pods for the Slinger.

## Ecological Information

### Placement In Food Chain

The Xeantial's adaptions and abilities allow them to assume the title of apex predator in any normal locale they visit.

Their main threats are other nomadic monsters and Elder Dragons, and they are outclassed by major threat (7\*) monsters.

### Behaviour Towards Other Monsters

Xeantial's will hunt now small monsters whenever possible in the hunting grounds. Whenever it is not hunting, it either ignores them or frightens them away with a screech.

Large monsters are ignored unless they try to eat the Xeantial's prey or attack it. Xeantial have no issues in facing off against monsters ranging from pack leaders to the natural apex food chain monsters in locales. If deemed enough of an annoyance, Xeantial will dispose of rivalling predators by means of lethal violence, most of the time resulting in the targeted monster's death.

### Tracks

* Common: Xeantial Footprints, Eaten Carcass
* Unique: Cryo Waste

Xeantial leaves footprints wherever it walks and will create carcasses from prey it kills and eats.

Xeantial will create Cryo Waste by expelling any excess amounts of liquid from its Cryomister onto the floor, while also using the opportunity to change the temperature on its claw-blades and wings to normal levels.

### Specific Locale Interactions

In areas requiring Hot Drinks to prevent stamina loss, Xeantial's Cryomister becomes stronger from the freezing temperature around it.

## Ecology

### Habitat Range

The Xeantial once originated in a polar environment, but due to a long drought of food brought about by severe weather the species had to start invading other ecosystems.

Like many nomadic species like the Deviljho, Rajang, Bazelgeuse, Seregios, Cantios and the Vilhelis, Xeantial has been seen across all common environmental locales, including several extreme ones.

### Biological Adaptations

Xeantial manage their body temperature to maintain the far below zero chemicals through processes aided by their other parts. Xeantial hunt and kill prey to drain their fluids to cool their body and keep it functioning. The wings absorbs in the coldness of the air and lets some air into the Cryomister to keep its chemicals at a semi liquid form. Any heat generated is pushed from its body to its arm-blades. The heat helps the blades keep their strength and boosts their effectiveness in battle.