So, you’re trekking through the Oilwell Basin, sweating through your armor, and Dareel sends you on yet another errand. This time it's the Ember Rufflizard. If you’ve spent any time in Monster Hunter Wilds, you know the drill: the researchers stay in the safe zone while you dodge geysers and territorial Apexes to find a lizard the size of a loaf of bread.
Honestly, it sounds simple. Catch a lizard. Done. But most hunters end up circling the central tar pits for forty minutes without seeing a single one.
The Ember Rufflizard is one of those endemic life specimens that is technically "easy" to find, but only if you actually understand how the Oilwell Basin’s verticality works. You can’t just wander the flatlands. These things have very specific tastes in real estate.
Where the Ember Rufflizard Actually Hides
Most people make the mistake of looking near the oilsilt. Don't do that. These lizards hate the sticky stuff. They want heat. Real heat.
The absolute best spot to find them is Area 15. This is deep in the lower levels of the Basin where the lava pools actually sit. If you aren't using a Cool Drink or snagging a Chillmantle Bug on your way down, you're going to start cooking before you even see a lizard.
When you get to the cavern floor in Area 15, look at the rocks near the magma’s edge. These guys aren't swimming in the fire, but they’re definitely sunbathing right next to it. They have this dark blue-ish body that blends into the volcanic rock, but the giveaway is the glowing green ridges on their backs.
- Pro Tip: If Area 15 is a bust—maybe because a Nu Udra decided to move in—check the upper rim of the crater in Area 9.
- The Spawn Factor: They usually hang out in groups of three. If you see one, its buddies are nearby.
How to Catch Them Without Losing Your Mind
Capturing endemic life in Wilds is generally a lot more "chill" than in older games. You don't necessarily have to crouch-walk like a ninja for these specific lizards. They aren't as skittish as the Dapperwings or those neurotic birds in the Windward Plains.
Basically, you just need your Capture Net.
Equip it from your item wheel, aim with the left trigger, and wait for the reticle box to turn orange. If it’s white, you’re too far. If it’s orange, fire. Since they move in packs, you can often bag two in quick succession if you’re fast.
The real danger isn't the lizard running away; it's the ecosystem. Area 15 is a favorite haunt for Nu Udra, the local Apex. Nothing ruins a research trip like an octopus-dragon falling on your head while you're trying to net a lizard.
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Why Dareel Cares About This Thing
You’ve probably realized by now that the "Research Report" quests are basically the long-game way to fill out your field guide and earn some easy Guild Points. Capturing an Ember Rufflizard nets you 5 Guild Points per pop.
It’s part of the Dareel’s Research Report Cont. side quest. Completing this doesn't just clear your quest log—it actually helps unlock further endemic life challenges and gives the researchers more data on how life survives in the "Firespring" season.
Speaking of seasons: if you visit during the Firespring, these lizards are way more active. The Basin gets even more volatile during this time, but the Ember Rufflizard thrives in the chaos.
Common Misconceptions and Tracking Tips
A lot of hunters think they can track these on the map like a Large Monster. You can't. The map icons won't help you here. You have to use your actual eyes.
Another weird thing? People keep looking for them in Area 16 because there's lava there too. For whatever reason, they almost never spawn in 16. Stick to 15 and 9. It’ll save you the stamina.
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If you’ve searched both spots and the rocks are empty, it's likely a bad spawn cycle. The fastest fix is to fast travel to a different map—like the Windward Plains—and then come right back. It resets the local wildlife.
What to Do Next
Once you've got that glowing green lizard in your net, you aren't done until you physically talk to Dareel back at the Windward Plains base camp. Turning it in finishes the quest and usually opens up the next leg of his research, which eventually leads to the much rarer Sandstar capture.
Quick Action List:
- Stock up: Grab Cool Drinks or find Chillmantle Bugs.
- Locate: Head straight to the lava floor of Area 15.
- Identify: Look for the glowing green stripes on dark rocks.
- Capture: Use the net when the box turns orange.
- Return: Talk to Dareel to claim your rewards and unlock the next tier of endemic life quests.
If you're already down in the Basin, you might as well mine some Firestone nodes while you're at it. You’re going to need them for the high-rank gear anyway, and the Area 15 caverns are loaded with them.