The New King on the Block

Quest giver: Hearty Hunter
Location: Kugane (X:9.7, Y:8.9)
Quest line: Final Fantasy XIV x Monster Hunter: World Collaboration
Level: 70
Required quest: Stormblood
Experience: 0
Gil: 0
Next quest: The Newer King on the Block
Patch: 4.36

“

This hunter's unbridled enthusiasm can mean only one thing: the hunt is on!

— In-game description

Rewards

Unlocks

Steps

Gather information in Reunion at the Azim Steppe. 0/3
Speak with the concerned Qestiri merchant.
Lie in wait at the designated location.
Speak with the Felyne.
Use the Duty Finder to confront the Rathalos in the Great Hunt.
Speak with the Felyne.
Speak with the hearty hunter in Kugane.

Journal

Though you have never met him, this hearty hunter seems to know you quite well. So well, in fact, he considers you his rival. Perhaps that is why he chooses to share with you an unusual Clan Hunt bill he procured from their board. The strange scribblings describe a great wyvern by the name Rathalos. Though the bill makes no mention of its origins, the hearty hunter has discovered it was last seen somewhere at the Azim Steppe. He suggests you visit Reunion to learn more of your prey while he readies himself for the hunt.

Try as you might, you fail to find anyone who can attest to the existence of this great wyvern. On the word of a wayfaring hunter, however, you decide to consult the Qestir, masters of the Reunion markets, in hopes of learning more of your prey.

You speak with a merchant of the Qestir tribe, though his initial response is only an expression of grave concern. He then points southwest toward Yat Khaal. Perhaps there you will find some trace of the Rathalos.

While waiting for signs of the wyvern, you are confronted by a curious talking cat claiming to be a fledgling Felyne hunter. He too has come in search of the Rathalos, and no sooner does he speak its name than a colossal, crimson-scaled wyvern swoops down from the sky to claim a dzo for its next meal. At last, the hunt begins. The Felyne hunter wastes no time chasing after the Rathalos, heading northwest toward Bardam's Mettle.

You arrive at Bardam's Mettle to find the Felyne hunter is ready, not to fight, but support. Preferably from the safety of the entrance. That said, he does offer you several potions to ensure you are duly prepared. The battle before you will likely be fierce, and to that end the Felyne hunter suggests you seek reinforcements before jumping into the fray.

The Rathalos was truly a beast worthy of its title, but not even the king of the skies was a match for you and your comrades. The Felyne hunter is certain to be glad to hear of your success.

The Felyne hunter is in awe of your strength. Wishing to bear witness to your future feats of heroism and derring-do, he asks to join you as an adventuring companion. It was quite fortunate that you happened to glimpse his mark bill. He is surprised, however, to hear you saw it not on the Clan Hunt board, but from a hunter in Kugane. He asks if you might introduce him to the man who ultimately guided you to aid him.

You arrive in Kugane to find your supposed rival has just finished warming up and is ready to hunt. A pity you have already claimed his prize. You expect him to be disappointed, perhaps even cross with you, but instead he is pleased to see you proved yourself worthy of being his adversary. His smithy companion is more concerned with what, if anything, you recovered from the Rathalos. Hearing you carved a scale from its hide, he jumps at the opportunity to use it in his work, offering to fashion you armor if you can procure more. If you should take him up on his offer, the hunt for Rathalos has only begun.

Dialogue

Accepting the Quest

Hearty Hunter: Well, well, if it isn't my old rival, [Player]!

Hearty Hunter: Come at last to learn from a true hunter of elite marks, have you?

Hearty Hunter: Forgive me if I seem overly presumptuous. Being the renowned hunter that you are, I've always considered you to be a rival of sorts. A little healthy competition goes a long way in keeping one's skills sharp, you know.

Smithy: Gahaha, aye! But a hunter ain't worth shite without a smithy to keep him armed and armored.

Smithy: You'll have to excuse him. He's never been one for social graces. But he's a damn fine hunter, and what he brings back to the forge keeps me in business.

Hearty Hunter: Who has time for grace when game is afoot. Which reminds me, I have news of a quarry that may pique your interest.

Hearty Hunter: I recently came across a rather peculiar bill on the Clan Hunt board. Here, have a look.

System: The bill depicts a crimson wyvern unlike anything you have ever seen. Unfortunately, further reading of the bill reveals nothing of its origins.

Hearty Hunter: Strange, isn't it? Not only is the drawing unabashedly crude, the bill itself lacks the formality expected of anything approved by the Centurio clan. Still, a bounty is a bounty.

Hearty Hunter: Before setting out, though, I thought it wise to first confirm the details of the request, and therein lies the rub -- the Clansmen weren't even aware this bill had been posted. Likely the escapades of some mischievous youth, they said.

Hearty Hunter: But if this beast truly is out there somewhere, what manner of hunter would I be if I didn't go and find out?

Hearty Hunter: And from what I've been told, you're never one to back down from a chance at adventure. So how about it? Will you take up the hunt?

Player: Count me in! / I have no time for rumors and hearsay.

Hearty Hunter: Every bit the thrill seeker I marked you for. Glad to hear it.

Hearty Hunter: To make things a little more interesting, what do you say we make this a race, eh? To see who can slay it first.

Hearty Hunter: I'll even give you a hint to get you on your way. The beast we're after is a Rathalos -- king of the skies they call it. From what I've gathered, it was last spotted somewhere around the Azim Steppe.

Hearty Hunter: You're like to learn more if you speak with the locals at Reunion. As for me, I still need to prepare before I can head out, so consider this a head start. Good luck, [Player], and may the best hunter win!

Hearty Hunter: Ah, [Player]! Already on the hunt, are we? I suggest you move quickly. Once I've warmed up, the wyvern is as good as slain.

Hearty Hunter: You'd best head to Reunion if you haven't already and see what you can learn from the locals. I'll be along after a few more squats.

Smithy: Don't look so surprised. Even a smithy needs to stay in shape, you know.

Smithy: It's nice to see someone taking this barmy fool's stories seriously for once. Crazy as they seem, though, every now and again they turn out to be true.

At Reunion

Adamant Oroniri Warrior: A red wyvern by the name Rathalos? I'm sorry, but you must be mistaken. I've heard stories of a great wyvern that slumbers in the mountains to the north, but it was not red, and most certainly does not go by that name.

Adamant Oroniri Warrior: Still, if this Rathalos you speak of truly exists, slaying such a beast would bring great honor to my tribe. Mark my words: this beast will fall by a blade of the Oronir!

Adamant Oroniri Warrior: You wait and see. Slaying this Rathalos will bring great glory to the Oronir.

Apprehensive Auri Traveler: A red wyvern named Rathalos? ...Oh dear.

Apprehensive Auri Traveler: Perhaps the story I heard was true, then. Of a young man from the Ura clan leading a flock of dzos down from the mountains.

Apprehensive Auri Traveler: He was making his way to Reunion when a fierce wind began to blow. A terrible, howling gale which left him all but blinded. To his horror, he soon realized the deafening roar he heard was not of the wind's making.

Apprehensive Auri Traveler: He claims it was that of a great wyvern, which descended from on high to claim several dzos from his flock, disappearing into the sky as quickly as it came.

Apprehensive Auri Traveler: Needless to say he ran to Reunion with all haste, telling everyone of what had happened. But the man is a known liar and a swindler. Who would believe such a tale coming from him?

Apprehensive Auri Traveler: Thankfully I've not had the displeasure of seeing such a creature here. Oh, how I hope his story is yet another lie.

Wayfaring Kha Hunter: A gargantuan red wyvern? I'm sorry, miss, but I'm not overly familiar with the comings and goings of this place. I only visit on occasion to do a small bit of business.

Wayfaring Kha Hunter: Perhaps you should speak with the Qestir. Though speak is perhaps not the right word, seeing as they do not. At any rate, you will find none more knowledgeable of the happenings in the Azim Steppe.

Wayfaring Kha Hunter: If anyone would know of this wyvern you seek, it would be the Qestir.

Speaking with the Qestir

Concerned Qestir: ...!

System: Upon hearing of a red wyvern, the Qestiri merchant takes on a grave expression.

Concerned Qestir: ...

System: The Qestiri merchant points southwestward. Perhaps you will find some clue to the wyvern's whereabouts in that direction.

Near Yat Khaal

System: You arrive at the area the Qestiri merchant appeared to be indicating. All you can do now is lie in wait for your prey.

???: What's this? Oh, a hunter! And a furrrmidable-looking one at that!

Fashionable Feline: Have you come to help, then? To hunt the meownster Rathalos?

Player: After seeing the bounty I couldn't resist! / A... talking cat?

Fashionable Feline: And what's wrong with a talking cat? Have you not seen the turtles and fish around these parts?

Felyne: I'm an apprentice Felyne hunter, and I've come to this place in search of meownsters. Rathalos to be precise.

Felyne: But even with nine lives I could never slay one on my own. That's why I posted that notice seeking help.

Felyne: There's a reason they're often referred to as king of the skies, after all.

Felyne: Some also call them fire wyverns, on account of their ability to breathe fire. I feel paw-ful just thinking about all the hunters burned to cinders in their wake.

Felyne: Yes, yes, and they roar exactly like that. Would you believe it's powerful enough to stun their prey?

Felyne: That was him! That was a Rathalos! Still willing to help, I hope?

Felyne: What a day, what a day. Both a meownster and a furrrocious hunter to slay it? I sure got the cream today!

Felyne: Let's hurry. He seemed to be heading northwest, back into the meowntains.

Felyne: Oh, before I forget. I never did ask your name.

Felyne: Nice to meet you, [Player]. Now, let's be off!

Near Bardam's Mettle

Felyne: The Rathalos is somewhere along that path, I just know it!

Felyne: But I'm afraid you'll have to go without me. As I am right meow, I fear I'd only slow you down.

Felyne: Before you go, though, I insist you take these with you.

Felyne: When cat-astrophe strikes, a hunter should never be without mega potions. I don't know if you normally keep medicine on hand to treat your wounds, but I guarantee you've never had anything quite like that.

Felyne: When you and your friends are ready, head on in. You... do have friends to help, right?

Felyne: Eight? I thought hunters usually fight in groups of four... Well, I suppose you know best.

System: During the battle the Great Hunt, you will gain access to the duty action Mega Potion.

System: Be advised that, while it can be used to restore a large amount of HP, its usage is limited.

System: Upon clearing the duty, you can claim a special reward by examining the remains of the Rathalos. Be certain to do so before leaving the instance.

Felyne: If you find yourself in a pinch, don't forget to use that mega potion.