Better Know a Monster: Barroth

By ARCHON

Monster Hunter Tri's Barroth features a pretty significant jump in difficulty from all the monsters prior. He his harder and is faster than any before him, and the first few times you face him he can be quite unpredictable. Don't be discouraged if it takes a few times before you beat this foe as the challenge is formidable, but the rewards are worth it. The Barroth armor set is one of my favorites, featuring lightning resistance (useful against the upcoming Lagicrus) and a feature that increases the staying power of your stamina bar.

The Barroth  is unique in that he is weak to two different elements depending on the situation. When he is covered in mud, water attacks are the most useful and help slough off that thick layer of mud armor. Once the mud is washed away, he is weak to fire. So pick a fire or water weapon for this one.

Attacks to watch out for: tail whip, running charge, a head ground-smash that sends bits of mud flying, a sideways head-but, a Great Jaggi-style hip-check, and a mud-flinging shake. Above all avoid his running charge! This attack is by far his strongest and even with substantial armor this move can kill a hunter in one hit. He lowers his head and then charges at you. Block this attack with the lance or GS or dodge out of the way, though not too early as he will curve the path of his charge to intercept you.

Most of the other attacks should be familiar to you from previous monsters, but the mud-shake is new. This attack doesn't usually directly hurt you, but it throws large globs of mud in an area around the Barroth. Getting hit by one of these knocks you back, does damage, and binds your character with mud which slows you and makes you unable to attack for a time. Use the "cleanser" item to quickly knock this off (or have a buddy kick the mud off in multiplayer), or better yet equip the Rinapolos weapon set or a mud/snow gem to negate the binding effect. Without one of these mud-proof implements I suggests staying clear while he shakes it off.

Be sure to paint your target early, as he has the ability to dig underground and scurry to another area. If you have no paint watch for the small puffs of dust to trail him. Attack anywhere you can, but do your best to take off that pesky tail. I have had particular luck using a water lance. I'll block his incoming charge , turn around, and use a high lance-thrust where the sun don't shine...then repeat but don't let your stamina deplete entirely. The bowgun might also be useful since you can keep your distance AND you can switch to water and fire ammo when the situation calls for it (scatter-shot is useful for knocking mud off).

I could go more in-depth as each weapon has its own strategies, but if you watch out for these main attacks (which are devastating) and get your licks in when you can, you'll have him down before you know it.