The Monster Hunter franchise has introduced a strikingly vast assortment of creatures for hunters to face. Over two hundred different monsters exist in this fantastical world, and each is defined by their distinct traits and backgrounds. There are nineteen categories that monsters can fall into, each of them boasting unique features and abilities. Of the various classes, the most powerful and impactful group is the renowned elder dragons.

Elder dragons are not defined by their appearance, but instead by the immense power and influence they hold. These ancient creatures possess incomprehensible abilities capable of enacting widespread destruction and chaos. Their legendary status within the world sets them apart from common monsters, with some being revered as gods. Every one of these creatures is a formidable foe, but a select few stand above the rest.

Updated on February 22, 2024, By Alex Lawrence: In the widely acclaimed game franchise Monster Hunter, Elder Dragons reign supreme as the most fearful monsters in all lands, with their dominion over monsters actively affecting the ecosystem. With the variety of Elder Dragons ever-increasing due to new iterations and information being brought forth with the release of Monster Hunter Rise and its DLC, Sunbreak, the understanding of strength and superiority among creatures is subject to change. Along with additions to the list, a slight revision of placements is due to fully reflect the power levels of the Elder Dragons that radiate dominance in Monster Hunter. With this, the franchise's lore still plays an essential factor in the rankings of the Elder Dragons featured.

16 Amatsu

Storm Dragon Capable Of Altering The Weather And Ecosystem

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter Portable 3rd

The Storm Dragon, Amatsu, is an Elder Dragon capable of manipulating the weather to fashion intense storms that cause devastating destruction at Amatsu's location. Wherever Amatsu appears, a trail of cyclones and gales is left to tread the destroyed lands Amatsu has inhabited, leaving a world-shaking impact on the ecosystem.

Upon trespassing into its territory, Amatsu is quick to confront and despatch any intruders, whether Guilds or monsters. Amatsu’s abilities often grow stronger the more damage is taken, leading to destructive lightning being harnessed to defeat opposing forces.

15 Teostra

Irritable Elder Dragon With A Strong Affinity For Fire And Flames

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter 2

The Flame King Dragon, Teostra, is a fiery Elder Dragon with a notably short temperament. Teostra is a powerful and territorial beast with a remarkable affinity for fire. Anything that embarks upon its domain will be seen as a challenger, and will thus meet the Elder Dragon's fury.

While Teostra's flames and physical prowess are imposing, its most deadly trait is its anger. Teostra's short temper often leads it to rampage, attacking anything within its path. Because of this, Guilds often make note of Teostra's location and attitude, so they may intervene, should it endanger ecosystems or cities.

14 Nakarkos

A Corpse Elder Dragon With An Aggressive Streak

The Corpse Dragon, Nakarkos, is a voracious Elder Dragon with a ghastly appearance. Nakarkos' sticky mucus offers it great offensive and defensive capabilities. In its natural habitat, Nakarkos becomes a near-indisputable apex predator that will indiscriminately attack any on its turf.

Nakarkos' adhesive mucus and gluttonous appetite make it a considerable threat. When Nakarkos settles, it annihilates every living thing within its vicinity. It then begins amassing the corpses of its kills, using them to build a nest or create makeshift armor. The negative effect Nakarkos can have on an ecosystem is catastrophic.

13 Nergigante

The Extinction Dragon Committed To Dominating Its Territory

Nergigante, The Extinction Dragon, is unyielding and has a taste for others of its class. It is a brutal creature that will continue fighting even at the cost of its own bodily safety. Regardless of its limits, Nergigante will hunt down and feed on other Elder Dragons, leaving destruction in its wake.

While Nergigante is lacking in elemental ability, its physical strength and endurance make it an unprecedented threat. Its mindless aggression will cause it to attack anything, regardless of its intent or any danger it poses. This spells disaster for any ecosystem that Nergigante inhabits, as anything and everything within is deemed prey.

12 Lao-Shan Lung

An Unstoppable Force Capable Of Wiping Out Cities

The Old Mountain Dragon, Lao-Shan Lung, has a knack for trampling everything it comes across. Lao-Shan Lung's gigantic size and power make it a nearly unstoppable creature. In its wake, this Elder Dragon can decimate villages, devastate cities, and ruin fortresses with remarkable ease.

Lao-Shan Lung's immense bulk and destructive tendencies make it an imposing threat. Almost anything that crosses Lao-Shan Lung's path will be left in a near-irreparable state. The devastation that it inflicts is comparable to that of a natural disaster.

11 Shara Ishvalda

Elder Dragon That Can Manipulate Earth To Its Will

Shara Ishvalda, The Earth Singing Dragon, is an earth-shattering behemoth with two differing but menacing iterations. Shara Ishvalda's first form is depicted as a blanket of earth, featuring wings reminiscent of roots from the ground. In its second form, Shara Ishvalda unshackles from its rocky manifestation, revealing a hellish figure with beady eyes that hold a sinister gaze at foes.

In combat, Shara Ishvalda can mold and utilize earth, with the ground being reconstructed to its will using vibrations emitted directly from the monster. Despite lacking vision, Shara Ishvalda utilizes its sensory organs to make sense of its surroundings, making the monster agonizingly tough to battle in its domain.

10 Zorah Magdaros

A Walking Volcano That Decimates Anything In Its Path

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter World

The Scorching Mountain Dragon, Zorah Magdaros, is a colossal Elder Dragon whose motives are ambiguous to all. Zorah Magdaros is essentially a walking volcano that ruins everything in its path. While this dragon is not openly hostile, simply treading near it will result in a great deal of chaos and destruction.

Zorah Magdaros' colossal size alone is enough to cause cataclysmic damage in its wake. Additionally, the magma within its body can rain down, causing significant harm to all around it. Although Zorah Magdaros' intentions are unknown, Guilds recognize it as a prominent threat.

9 Shagaru Magala

Elder Dragon That Can Afflict Enemies With A Devastating Disease

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter 4

Known as the Heavenly Revolving Dragon, this oddly beautiful yet ferocious Elder Dragon holds a sinister power. Shagaru Magala is the adult form of Gore Magala, and as such, is a more formidable threat. While Shagaru Magala is a capable fighter, its deadliest quality is the Frenzy Virus it carries.

Shagaru Magala can afflict this horrendous disease upon other creatures through its wings and breath. The Frenzy Virus causes monsters to become mindlessly aggressive and nullifies a person's natural healing capabilities. With this disease, Shagaru Magala can easily ruin an ecosystem, and inspire destruction elsewhere.

8 Safi'jiiva

Red Dragon That Drains Energy From Its Surroundings To Grow Stronger

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

The Red Dragon, Safi'jiiva, possesses otherworldly capabilities. It is the adult form of Xeno'jiiva and, as such, holds far better control of its fire-like power. While Safi'jiiva is a powerful adversary, its ability to drain energy from the surrounding land is far more destructive than anything else it can do.

Safi'jiiva absorbs energy from its environment to heal itself and bolster its power. This not only kills surrounding wildlife but empowers Safi'jiiva as well. The power that this dragon attains fuels energy attacks capable of leveling forests.

7 Dalamadur

A Giant Serpent Dragon That Can Burrow Underground For Unexpected Attacks

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter 4

The Serpent King Dragon, Dalamadur, is a serpentine Elder Dragon and the largest of its class. Dalamadur's phenomenal size and hook-like spines allow it to easily burrow through the earth. According to legend, it can level mountains simply by twitching. While this is likely a glorified tale, it is true that Dalamadur can easily burrow underground and forever change the landscape above.

Dalamadur's digging can cause a great deal of damage to the area under which it traverses. This tunneling is believed to cause the ground to shift and mountains to shake. While this alone is damaging enough, Dalamudar also utilizes a blazing blue fire against anything it may encounter.

6 Merphistophelin

The Barren Disaster Elder Dragon That Has Mastered Fire And Dragon Elements

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter Online

The sinister-looking Barren Disaster Dragon, Merphistophelin, classifies as a Dangerous First-Class Monster. Merphistophelin possesses mastery over the elements of Fire and Dragon, but it is known to utilize others as well. Should Merphistophelin succumb to its anger, it will decimate everything in its path.

Merphistophelin's control over various elements makes it a difficult creature to fight against. No matter what precautions a Guild may take, nearly nothing can hinder Mephistophelin's assault. This elemental versatility is Merphistophelin's greatest weapon and makes it capable of inflicting widespread devastation.

5 Dire Miralis

Elder Dragon That Uses Magma As Its Main Weapon

The Smelting Black Dragon, Dire Miralis, is more akin to a volcano than an Elder Dragon, which is likely why it classifies as a Dangerous First-Class Monster. Dire Miralis can launch the magma within its body to cause widespread devastation, similar to that of an erupting volcano.

Dire Miralis' massive size and destructive use of magma make it a walking disaster. Moreover, its short temper and tendency to overheat only further this Elder Dragon's cataclysmic capabilities.

4 Alatreon

The Blazing Black Dragon Capable Of Using Every Element

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter 3

The Blazing Black Dragon, Alatreon, is an elementally versatile yet immensely unstable Elder Dragon that is classified as a Dangerous First-Class Monster. Alatreon boasts the ability to use every element; however, its instability prevents complete mastery. As a result, Alatreon can unknowingly cause drastic changes in weather and consequently inspire natural disasters.

Alatreon is very territorial, which may explain the lack of creatures wherever it resides. Any that enter this dragon's habitat will be exposed to a flurry of elemental attacks that will cause destruction of cataclysmic proportions.

3 Fatalis

The Black Dragon That Has Eliminated Civilizations Off The Face Of The World

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter

The Black Dragon Fatalis comes in many forms, each of which is considered to be a Dangerous First-Class Monster. Fatalis holds incredible control over its respective elements and boasts unprecedented strength. According to legend, this dragon has destroyed entire civilizations and is widely believed to bring the world to an end. While these are merely stories, Fatalis' power is very much apparent and truly frightening.

Fatalis is highly aggressive towards all living things, especially humans, whom it seems to have a vendetta against. Many creatures, including other Elder Dragons, fear Fatalis for its violent tendencies, as it may very well bring about an apocalypse. While many of Fatalis' capabilities are unknown, it can, without a doubt, annihilate ecosystems and, if fables hold true, kingdoms as well.

2 Shantien

The Arrogant Elder Dragon That Uses The Unique Element Tenshou

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter Frontier G1

Shantien, or Xiang Tien, looks upon all others with a haughty disdain. This arrogance is not without reason, as Shantien can dispatch airships and alter the world with relative ease. Using its unique element Tenshou, Shantien can make short work of any that dare to oppose it. Its astounding abilities are only matched by the most powerful Elder Dragon in existence.

Shantien's use of Tenshou can cause widespread destruction to the surrounding environment. This, in conjunction with Shantien's remarkable speed and strength, makes it a near-insurmountable threat. Fights with Shantien often involve a great deal of destruction, similar to natural disasters such as hurricanes. Thankfully, while Shantien is capable of widespread devastation, it often remains in the skies far away from anything it can destroy.

1 Disufiroa

The Elder Dragon That Can Destroy The World

• First Appearance: Monster Hunter Frontier G2

The Frozen Seraphim Dragon, Disufiroa, is the most dangerous Elder Dragon in existence and the apex of Dangerous First-Class Monsters. This legendary beast can bring the world around it into disarray simply with its presence, as it holds extraordinary control over its specialized element known as Frozen Seraphim. Disufiroa's power is unmatched, and the only one capable of testing its strength is Shantien.

Frozen Seraphim can cause devastation well beyond a natural disaster. Disufiroa utilizes this powerful element for a variety of devastating attacks that forever alter the surrounding land. This disastrous beast is believed to be the sole cause of the World's End, an inhospitable land where only it resides. If this is true, then Disufiroa is more than capable of ending the world should it so desire.