Nargacuga

Nargacuga is the black panther of the wyvern world. It came back in Iceborne as fast and sneaky as ever. Its quick hops and whip-like tail will test your reflexes.

Out in the wild

In the New World, Nargacuga lives in the Ancient Forest and the Coral Highlands. It’s an ambush predator that moves like a big cat, and its dark fur helps it slip through the shadows. Velkhana’s arrival upset the local ecosystems, and that’s when Nargacuga started showing up.

Where you meet it

You meet it in Ever-present Shadow, an MR 3 story assignment in the Ancient Forest.

How the fight goes

Nargacuga hops around constantly to line up its next strike. It slashes with its bladed wings, sweeps with its tail and fires tail spikes that cause bleeding. When it gets angry, its eyes glow red. Listen for the rattle before its big tail slam, because the tail gets stuck in the ground afterward and leaves it wide open.

Hunter’s tips

• Punish the tail slam. A rolling dodge to the side sets up a free combo while it pulls the tail out.
• Screamer Pods make it flinch. Pitfall traps only work when it’s enraged, but shock traps hold it either way.
• Bring Astera Jerky or Bleeding Resistance for the tail spikes.
• Thunder is its biggest weakness, with fire next. Break the wings and head, and cut the tail.