Monster Hunter is filled with massive leviathan creatures, and while many of them are closely tied to water, Balahara changes that perspective. In Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll find Balahara roaming the Windward Plains, a vast area characterized by its sandy dunes, which seem to be its true domain.
Balahara glides through the sand just like other leviathans navigate through water. It’s one of the first monsters you’ll encounter early in the game, but don’t expect to hunt it right away. This creature is clever and uses its environment to its advantage, so let’s explore some strategies for dealing with it.
Balahara – Strengths and Weaknesses
Balahara has a long, serpentine shape, with its features and stubby limbs merging into a singular form. This can make it challenging to aim at specific spots, which allows it to move with remarkable agility. However, there are still some clear areas you can target for significant damage—just be sure to time your strikes correctly.
When Balahara attacks, it often opens its mouth, revealing a glow of bioluminescent blue. This is its weak spot, and you should focus your attacks there for maximum impact. If your aim can’t always reach its head, let’s discover other vulnerable areas.
- Weak Point – Mouth.
- Elemental/Ailment Weaknesses – Thunder, Paralysis, Sonic Bomb.
- Elemental/Ailment Strengths – Water.
- Best Weapon Damage – Blunt damage.
Despite its mastery of the sands, Balahara is still connected to the water element, making it completely immune to water damage. However, this also means that thunder attacks hit it hard and make it susceptible to paralysis.
Balahara often dives beneath the sand to set up ambushes or escape. Fortunately, you can take advantage of this; using a Sonic Bomb or the right type of Slinger ammunition will force Balahara out of the sand and briefly stun it.
Best Equipment to Fight Balahara
Because Balahara is fast and adept at using its surroundings, it can deal quite a bit of damage on hunters. Thankfully, certain armor sets will provide the edge you need to take it down without excessive struggle.
The first armor set you’re likely to have is the Lala Barina set. It offers the highest water resistance available up to this point and gives a solid defensive boost compared to earlier armors. If you have access to it, the Piragill Greaves can provide even more water resistance, thanks to the Water Resistance skill.
While any weapon can be effective, using one with the thunder element will greatly benefit you. Weapons that inflict paralysis are also a solid choice, and you should be able to find a few of those as well.
Balahara – Fight Breakdown and Moves
Balahara is designed for the desert environment, and it fully utilizes that to its advantage. It wouldn’t be as effective in other terrains, sparking a unique fight that requires you to engage with the surrounding area.
Here’s a breakdown of some of its attacks:
|
Move |
Description |
Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Pillar Climb | Balahara ascends nearby pillars and launches water blasts toward you. | In open areas, shoot a Rockburst at Balahara to knock it down. In caves, you can sometimes collapse pillars onto it. |
| Water Shot | Balahara opens its mouth and shoots a ball of water, often repeating this attack. | Target its mouth during the attack for maximum damage, especially in Focus mode. |
| Chomp | Balahara lunges forward, delivering multiple bites. | Dodge sideways. It will usually follow in one direction, giving you a chance to counterattack. |
| Surprise Sand Attack | Balahara dives under the sand and emerges to attack you. After a two-pronged strike, it fires a water ball from below. | Watch the sand to anticipate its movements. You can also use a Sonic Bomb to bring it to the surface. |
| Water Blast | Balahara stands and unleashes a large blast of water that can knock you back and inflict Waterblight. | Maintain a distance, or position yourself to the side to evade the blast. |
| Water Stream | Balahara sprays a stream of water from one side. | This is a perfect opportunity to counterattack while it’s preoccupied. |
| Tail Stab | Balahara raises and stabs its tail toward you, pushing its body forward. | Move with the direction of the attack to strike before Balahara regains its footing. |
For your battle against Balahara, be sure to carry Sonic Bombs. You can also find specific Slinger ammo from the Baunos that circulate in the desert, which will help in countering many of Balahara’s moves and can even trap it when it attempts to flee.
Another useful item to pack is Nulberries. They can negate the effects of Waterblight, which slows your stamina recovery—essential for dodging Balahara’s fast strikes.
Outside of combat, Balahara can create sand pits that pull you or other monsters into its lair. Stay alert around these traps or use them to your advantage when being chased.
Balahara – Drops and Materials
Balahara has a diverse set of materials that will likely keep you hunting it multiple times to collect what you need. Its rewards include both ends of the monster: severing its tail grants you the Balahara Tail, while damaging its head gives you a chance to acquire the Black Pearl. Both can be obtained through regular carving as well as Target Rewards.
-
Low Rank
Material
Where It Can Be Acquired
Balahara Scale Wound Destroyed, Carving, Target Reward Balahara Shell Wound Destroyed, Carving, Target Reward Balahara Skull Broken Part (Head), Carving, Target Reward Balahara Tail Carving (Severed Tail), Carving, Target Reward Aqua Sac Target Reward Balahara Certificate Target Reward Balahara Black Pearl Broken Part (Head), Carving, Target Reward, Wound Destroyed -
High Rank
Material
Where It Can Be Acquired
Balahara Scale+ Balahara Carapace Balahara Skull+ Balahara Tail Torrent Sac Balahara Certificate S Balahara Black Pearl Wyvern Gem Carving (Tail), Carving, Target Rewards
The materials are quite similar in High Rank, and the drop rates largely mirror those of their Low Rank counterparts. The most notable addition is the Wyvern Gem, a rare drop from most High Rank monsters, essential for crafting high-tier equipment. Expect to go on several hunts to collect these, but stay persistent, and you’ll see results.
