Head off on expeditions or investigations to the Ancient Forest and while you’re there, search for blue tracks until you fill your research bar for the unknown monster - revealed as Kushala Daora once your investigation is finished - and talk to the Field Team Leader. The order doesn’t really matter, so long as you complete both of these objectives. Once done, be sure to Chief Ecologist and this quest should start.

Hunt - Kushala Daora¶

The amount of preparation you can do ahead of time is relatively little. Your foe is weak to the Thunder element and resistant to Water and Ice. Kushala Daora is vulnerable to the Poison and Blast ailments as well. Its major attacks are wind, which there’s no element for, and you likely don’t have the gear or decorations available to significantly improve the Windproof skill, which is of dubious value anyways. The best preparations you can make - aside from insuring you don’t have a weapon with an element Kushala Daora is strong to - is to bring a weapon that can easily hit foes who fly often, and bring Flash Pods. There are few fights where Flash Pods are more useful than this one.

When all your preparations are complete, accept this quest and travel to the Elder’s Recess, then make your way to AREA 3, where you’ll find out that cyclones and sharp crystals make for a painful combination… especially with an angry Elder Dragon in the midst of the tempest.

Kushala Daora is the master of wind, and as such it should be no surprise that it frequently employs wind attacks as the primary component of not only its offense, but its defense as well… and just as general battlefield impediments. Whereas other monsters may have relied on poison, fire or ice breath, Kushala Daora will breathe gusts of wind in a variety of forms and intensities. Quick blasts of wind - both while on the ground or in the air - do respectable, but not devastating damage, but a much more impressive blast (usually ground-based, and preceded by Kushala Daora rearing back and inhaling) is quite powerful, and should be avoided at all costs. It won’t refrain from using these attacks immediately after roaring or employing other wind attacks which, while otherwise harmless, can leave you reeling and exposed. It can also use the quicker wind blast attacks in rapid succession - up to three times in one quick combo. If that’s not enough options for it, it can also expel this breathe a short-range arc of wind instead of long-range blasts.

Despite its affinity for wind, Kushala Daora isn’t above stooping to using claws and fangs against would-be hunters. It can perform a sweeping claw attack curing which it can rotate considerably, allowing it to attack an otherwise safe-seeming foe at its flank, and may bite over its shoulder to similar effect. It’ll also use at least two types of charge attacks - a galloping rush, and a leap attack which covers a great deal of ground. It’s also capable of covering a fair amount of ground while in the air, as well, during which it’ll usually perform an aerial charging bite, and will even more frequently perform a flying rake with its rear claws. Unlike many other monsters, the Kushala Daora has no qualms about repeatedly using the same attack several times in a row.

All of these attacks are complicated by more passive elements of Kushala Daora’s wind mastery. Most notably are the cyclones it can generate when it takes to the air. These can deal damage if you’re too close to Kushala Daora when it takes to the sky, or if for some reason you find yourself falling into one, but they also will knock you back readily enough. While not terrible on their own, they do last quite a while and impede your mobility significantly. Add that to the fact that Kushala Daora may spawn several of them in an area (over multiple take-offs, of course) and it can really be a hindrance. Don’t beat your head against a wall, if Kushala Daora spawns too many tornadoes in an area, retreat and lure Kushala Daora to you. Better to reposition yourself in more favorable ground than to insist on fighting at a disadvantage.

In addition, throughout the fight Kushala Daora will - much like Kirin - use its element to shroud itself. This wind that surrounds Kushala Daora may occasionally knock down melee attackers, or repel ranged attacks entirely. Sticking it out and dealing sufficient damage to stun the dragon will remove its wind armor, but you can also use Elderseal weapons to reduce its intensity.

While the fight starts in AREA 3, Kushala Daora will move between AREAS 2, 9 and 8, with the latter presenting an opportunity to destroy the crystal pillars looming above to hopefully land on, damage, and stun your foe. When seriously injured, the moribund dragon will fly to its lofty nest in AREA 4 to recuperate. Be sure to plant some Barrel Bombs near the slumbering dragon to awaken it with a bang and shorten the ensuing struggle.

Kushala Daora is weak to Thunder and resistant to Water and Ice. It’s susceptible to the Poison and Blast ailments, and strong against Sleep and Paralysis. Its head, front legs and tail are the most receptive to damage, albeit not equally. The head is slightly less vulnerable to Ammo damage, while the tail doesn’t take as much Cut damage and Blunt damage. The front legs are less vulnerable than the other two targets, in general, but still a fine option compared to the wings, body and hind legs. The head and wings are both breakable and the tail is severable.

Make yourself the master of another Elder Dragon, then report in to the Field Team Leader and he’ll congratulate you on slaying Kushala Daora. Aside from platitudes, however, he has little to say. If you think he’s vapid, though, talk to The Handler, who will babble about pot pies, of all things. Ugh.

Once you’re done letting The Handler abuse your brain cells, talk to the folks at the Resource Center and they’ll give you more work on the never-ending mission to restock the Canteen’s storehouse. Two delivery requests await; The Juicy Meat Resistance, requires you to turn in 700 Research Points and a Uragaan Scute and The Bone-In Roast Resistance which tasks you with acquiring 800 Research Points and a Radobaan Carapace.

The Juicy Meat Resistance¶

This request is relatively simple, as all you need to satisfy it is an Uragaan Scute. This is a common reward and even more frequent carve from the Uragaan, so with any luck you shouldn’t need to kill more than one… if you didn’t already, in which case there’s a good chance you already have one. Fork over the Uragaan Scute and the Research Points and you’ll unlock the Rich Rump ingredient.

The Bone-In Roast Resistance¶

A blast from the past, you’ll need to turn in a Radobaan Carapace, which is a very common drop from a high rank Radobaan. Fun. Go pick on one, recover this material, and turn it in along with the required Research Points to score the Great Mutton ingredient.

Kushala Daora in the Ancient Forest¶

Finally, talk to the Armory clerk and she’ll give you the quest A Portent of Disaster, promising yet another hunter tool in return for its completion. To satisfy this quest’s objectives you’ll need to hunt down a Kushala Daora in the Ancient Forest… you know, in case you wanted more variety in your Elder Dragon hunting grounds.